The Ford Focus ST-R will make its racing debut at Daytona International Speedway this coming Friday in the Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge ST class. Although the car resembles the stock Ford Focus, it has been purposefully designed by Ford Racing to be a track ready car.

The Focus ST-R will feature Ford’s 2.0L Ecoboost engine, a full FIA approved roll cage, updated brakes and track-tuned suspension to set it apart from the stock Focus and Focus ST models. The ST-R was developed by a partnership between Ford Racing and Multimatic Motorsports, who have a history together developing the performance line of Mustangs. “Having delivered the successful Mustang FR500C and Boss 302R production-based race cars, we have a well-established process with how to develop such cars with Ford Racing. We employ the same approach for each – we start with the production car and go through each subsystem on the car and change what is needed (and allowed) to provide a competitive race car,” said Larry Holt, the team principal at Multimatic Motorsports.

The Focus ST-R joins quite a few turnkey ready racers from Ford, it stands along side the likes of the Mustang FR500C, Mustang FR500S, Mustang Cobra Jet, Boss 302R and Boss 302S, all of which are available to order for the professional racer and amateur enthusiast alike. The director of Ford racing, Jamie Allison said “People who buy one will get a fully prepared race car that will only need communications equipment and the customer’s decals to go racing. Because of this, we’ve already had significant interest in this vehicle from numerous established race teams.”

Ford is making a push into the racing world with the Fusion running in NASCAR and the RallyCross racing Fiesta, with the Focus ST-R being the newest addition to Ford’s strategy to support motor sports development.

Watch a video here of the Ford ST-R out on the track.

110 years ago, Henry Ford entered a 10-lap, 10-mile race at the Detroit Driving Club in Grosse Point, Michigan in his self-built race car called “Sweepstakes”. Going up against heavily-favored Alexander Winton, Henry Ford took the surprising win that ultimately changed automotive manufacturing forever. With his win, the Ford Motor Company got the funding it needed to launch less than two years later. At this year’s SEMA Show, Ford is celebrating its 110 years of racing heritage by bringing some of its most iconic race cars to the huge convention.

The star lineup will include Ford’s Le-Mans winning 1967 GT40 MkIV (pictured), Parnelli Jones’ 1970 Mustang Boss 302, Jim Clark’s Lotus (winner of the 1965 Indy 500), various John Force Funny Cars and this year’s Daytona 500 winner. These are just a few of the race cars Ford will be representing with, and we expect to see more given Ford’s success in various forms of motorsports including the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the Baja 1000, X Games Rallycross, Rally Great Britain and the Bathhurst 1000.

Keep your eye out for AutoGuide’s extensive SEMA 2011 coverage where we’ll be sure to check out all of the historic race cars that will be representing over a century of Ford racing heritage.

And check out AutoGuide’s complete 2011 SEMA Show preview here.

Ford is giving racing enthusiasts a new Focus race car option with their ST-R that debuted at Frankfurt Motor Show. The Focus ST-R race car will feature a powerful 2.0L EcoBoost engine, FIA regulation roll cage, upgraded brakes and track-tuned suspension.

The race-tweaked, production-based ST-R was crafted by the engineers at Ford Racing and will be allowed to compete in a variety of racing series including Grand-Am ST, World Challenge TC and Canadian Touring Car Series. Ford also hopes that teams will pick up the ST-R and use it at notable race events such as the 24 Hours of Nurburgring.

Initially created for American and Canadian touring car racing, the ST-R is available for order from Ford dealers in North America for all race car enthusiasts from seasoned veterans to weekend amateurs.

Because the Focus ST-R is a production-based road race car, it features stock body panels and production parts where possible,” added Allison. “People who buy one will get will get a fully prepared race car that will only need communications equipment and the customer’s decals to go racing. We’ve already had significant interest in this vehicle from numerous established race teams.”

No pricing was announced from Ford’s official press release.

GALLERY: Ford Focus ST-R Race Car

With their team of star drivers behind them, Ford is launching the Octane Academy that will bring their ultimate fans face to face with their favorite action sports driver. The all-star cast of Ken Block, Tanner Foust, Vaughn Gittin Jr. and Brian Deegan will be hosting four different camps throughout the year, one by each driver. At each camp, contestants that are selected through video submissions will get to go head-to-head in testing their driving skills.

Each driver will design their own playground, allowing participants to experience out-of-this-world driving lessons while being recorded for the Octane Academy series. And participants that compete to the level that each driver is satisfied with, will win prizes including an overall grand prize of a one-off vehicle created by each of the drivers.

Those interested in entering to possibly become a participant will need to do a video submission telling their story of why they think they have what it takes to survive in the crazy world of Ford’s top tier drivers. The first camp will be hosted by Deegan in November and will feature the theme of Ford RallyCross and Off-Road truck racing. Drivers will get to participate in a Ford F-150 SVT Raptor. Those wanting to meet up with Block, will get to get behind the wheel of a Ford Fiesta in probably a Gymkhana-themed academy. No doubt Gittin Jr. will get his participants amped up and behind the wheel of a Ford Mustang looking to go sideways. Lastly, Foust will be able to train his drivers in a Ford Focus with an X-Games inspired theme.

Check out a video announcing the Ford Octane Academy after the break.

Get the Flash Player to see this player.

Ford Racing is now offering a 302 5.0L V8 crate engine from the truly awesome B0ss 302 Mustang. The fully-built crate engine comes with 11.0:1 compression ratio forged aluminum pistons, a lightweight aluminum cylinder block, a large sump 8.5-qt oil pan, revised composite intake system with shorter runners, 80-mm single bore drive-by-wire throttle body, ported cylinder heads with sodium-filled exhaust valves and sinter-forged connecting rods. The complete longblock is good for 444-hp.

Some wiring must be done as the vehicle harness and PCM is not included. A manual transmission engine harness and flywheel are included however. The engine weighs in at 444-lbs and options include Ford’s blue coil pack covers and NVH insulator pads. Those interested in the crate engine, the part # is M-6007-M50B.

Pricing is steep at $11,999 – a $5,000 premium over a regular 5.0L V8 crate motor.

[Source: Mustangs Daily]

When it comes to Ford Mustang performance and forced induction, superchargers are definitely at the top of the list. There’s just nothing better than accentuating the natural torque of a V8 than pairing it up with a brilliantly designed supercharger. Ford Racing wasted no time on the 2011 Ford Mustang’s 5.0L V8 TiVCT motor and has just announced a twin-screw supercharger setup for the vehicle.

The supercharger is a 2.3L twin-screw setup and helps the Mustang put down 624-hp and 536 ft-lbs of torque. That is a very nice increase from the factory 412-hp and 390 ft-lbs of torque. “Superchargers are the ultimate in power upgrades for Mustang enthusiasts,” George Goddu, Ford Racing Performance Group Manager said.

Those looking for a nice increase without the overpowering 600+ figure can opt for a 525-hp kit with a 12 month, 12,000 mile warranty. And in addition to the mid-level 624-hp kit is a tuner kit for racing and extreme enthusiasts. No horsepower figures were released for that kit, but we’re guessing it’s pretty extreme.

Costs range from $6,499 for black to $8,099 for polished chrome. Naturally Ford Racing didn’t release what the supercharger does in terms of hampering mpg, but they were nice enough to share that the kit adds 47 lbs to the car. We’re going to guess that’s not exactly noticeable with the globs of horsepower that comes with it.

[Source: Car Tech Blog]

Ford recently announced it would sell the new 5.0-liter V8 engine in the 2011 Mustang GT in crate form for do-it-yourself power freaks. Now, Ford Racing has upped the offering by putting the 2011 Shelby GT500‘s supercharged 5.4-liter on the list.

Making 550-hp and 6200 rpm and 510 ft-lbs of torque at 4,250 rpm, the 717-lb engine retails for a not-insignificant $20,999. That weight doesn’t sound like a little amount either, but it’s the biggest improvement to the 2011 GT500 engine, using an aluminum block and weighing far less than last year’s version.

Get more info at the link below:

[Source: FordRacing]

Read AutoGuide’s 2011 Shelby GT500 Review by Clicking Here

Ford‘s Mustang Challenge series will come to an end later this year after the final race at Miller Motorsports Park in Utah this September. The Mustang Challenge, which started in 2007, didn’t have a long life, but the FR500S will still be eligible to race in other series.

No official reason was given for the series’ cancellation, but Series Director Lynda Randall said ”We are disappointed to not continue what we started with the Mustang Challenge,”but we should hold our heads high, as this was a tremendously successful program and we were fortunate to get to be a part of what really became a family. Our drivers raced hard during the day and tended to laugh hard–together–when they were out of the cars. We will miss the great mixture of competition and camaraderie, as well as the great racing, that we came to love in Mustang Challenge. This was not the decision that we wanted to have to make, but we wanted to let our racers know what the future held and we want to close the year out with some very big races at Autobahn and of course at Miller.”

[Source: Mustang Blog]

Looking to own a true, one-of-a-kind Ford Mustang collectible? Well, this one is gonna cost ya. RM Auctions is offering the 2004 Ford Mustang GT-R Concept, originally introduced at the 2004 New York International Auto Show as a tribute to 40 years of Mustang performance. A custom built Mustang with performance and race-inspiration in mind, RM Auctions is estimating that the GT-R concept will sell for $250,000 to $350,000.

For a vehicle that’s neither DOT nor EPA certified, that’s a pretty penny to pay for a track-only car, or something to sit in your show garage. But what the lucky owner will get is a Valencia Orange painted 2004 Mustang sporting a high compression, fully built 440-hp powerplant. Mated to a TTC T-56 six-speed transmission.

Inside the entire chassis has been overhauled with a full roll cage, Sparco racing seats and stripped to its bare necessities. Suspension upgrades include coilovers with remote reservoirs, ready to hit the track. 20-inch wheels are found on each corner, wrapped with Pirelli slicks with Brembo brakes peeking behind the classic five-spoke design.

Lastly on the outside is an abundance of carbon fiber components giving the car a more aggressive look while improving aerodynamics.

So you have a hole burning in your pocket?

GALLERY: 2004 Ford Mustang GT-R Concept

[Source: MustangsDaily]

As Ford Racing just announced, they will be supplying 43 Fiestas to the Team O’Neil Rally School in New Hampshire in order to create the Fiesta Rally School. The O’Neil Rally School will outfit each Fiesta with a roll bar, rally suspension, and off-road tires so that aspiring rally drivers can safely learn the Scandinavian flick and other sideways rally driving techniques.

This partnership further solidifies Ford‘s commitment to using the new Fiesta as their global rally car in 2011 and beyond, where it’ll be seen running in the FIA World Rally Championship and in Rally America with highly skilled hoonage provided by the likes of DC Shoes headman and rallying driver extraordinaire Ken Block.

The 43 donor Fiestas are being repurposed from the 100 European-spec versions that arrived in North America for the Fiesta Movement. The Ford Racing Fiesta Rally Experience will be the only rally experience offered by a manufacturer in North America, which combined with the Ford Racing School of High Performance Driving at Miller Motorsports Park in Utah gives the blue oval an impressive motorsports presence on both sides of the country.

“Ford Racing Fiesta Rally Experience will provide consumers with the opportunity to experience Fiesta in a true rally environment,” said John Felice, general manager, Ford and Lincoln Marketing. “From learning how to drive high-performance Mustangs on the track at Miller Motorsports to driving a Fiesta on a rally road course at Team O’Neil, these driving schools allow consumers to experience our products in unique and different environments.”

“The opportunity to find a second life for nearly half of the cars from the Fiesta Movement is a way to keep alive the legacy these cars have brought to the Fiesta launch in North America,” said Jamie Allison, director, Ford North America Motorsports. “Fiesta’s nimble driving dynamics and precise handling attributes make it a perfect fit to serve as a rally school car at Team ONeil.”

“Our philosophy at Team O’Neil is to teach drivers how to master front-wheel drive in order to keep speed in the corners, accelerate through the corners, and use the brake to make a turn,” said Tim O’Neil, five-time U.S. and North America rally racing champion. “Fiesta is a strong, light, front-wheel-drive car. The addition of Ford Racing-developed performance parts including an rally suspension, underbody protection and roll bar gives us a great future with these cars.”

For more information on Ford Racing Fiesta Rally Experience and to register, go to www.teamoneil.com

If you’re a weekend racer dreaming of moving up to a Pro series, here’s your chance. Thanks to the Ford Racing Mustang Challenge and BFGoodrich Tires, you could win a seat in a Mustang Challenge race simply by entering their contest at http://mustangchallenge.com/drivershootout/

The Mustang Challenge Driver Shootout will put one driver behind the wheel for the season-finale Mustang Challenge race at Miller Motorsports Park on September 11.  The Mustang Challenge Shootout mixes talent, new media savvy, and the drive to win to give one driver the chance of a lifetime. All you have to do to enter the contest is upload a video demonstrating why you’re a good candidate to race in the Mustang Challenge.  Drivers can use videos that have been posted on BFGoodrich’s Nation of Go, YouTube, or a video site of their choice.

Entries are already being accepted, with the deadline for filing an entry being the checkered flag for round nine of the 2010 Mustang Challenge season at Autobahn Speedway (August 1st). From the submitted videos, five entrants will be selected as final contestants.

From there, the real competition kicks off as the finalists will travel to Miller Motorsports Park and receive training at the Ford Racing Miller Performance Training Center before being run through a variety of exercises in and out of the Ford Mustangs. And it won’t just be their stopwatches that the judges will be looking at, as the  panel of judges on hand will watch as the drivers show their skills along the same scope of talents that are required for pro racing success in the modern world, from data analysis and media interaction to the ability to find a strong set up quickly.

For the finalists, the goal will be simple — convince the panel of judges that they are the driver who should be taking the green flag as the Mustang Challenge season finale kicks off.

All applicants must hold a valid race license (SCCA, NASA, ASN-FIA, etc), but not have any pro racing starts on their racing resume.  The contest is open to individuals ages 18 and older residing in the United States and Canada.

The judges will review all eligible videos received during the contest period. The judges will evaluate each video based on quality, content, personality and overall entertainment and select the five videos that best convey a candidate who can go the full distance to make it to race in the Mustang Challenge.

[Source: mustangchallenge.com]

Carroll Shelby’s own tuning company Shelby American has announced the return of the GT350 model, debuting it at the Barrett-Jackson auction in Scottsdale 45 years after the original GT350 was released.

Based on the new 2011 Mustang GT, the GT350 gets a Ford Racing supercharged mated to the stock car’s 5.0-liter V8 to make roughly 500-hp – which shouldn’t be hard considering the stock motor already makes 412-hp. The engine also gets some bling with Blue Shelby GT350 valve covers and billet caps.

In addition, the GT350 conversion includes a complete aero kit with a dual central-exit exhaust system, 19-inch Cragar wheels, Goodyear tires and a Baer six-piston front brake setup up front. Several changes have been made to the suspension with Ford Racing springs, struts, sway bars and adjustable camber/caster plates.

“In 1964, Ford Motor Company asked Shelby American to turn their secretary’s car into a race winner to help them sell Mustangs,” said Carroll Shelby, founder of Shelby American. “Our Shelby GT350 ruled its class at the track and was feared by GM and Chrysler owners on the street. Enthusiasts have anticipated the GT350′s return since it went out of production in 1970. Now my band of hot rodders has created a car worthy of the name.”

All GT350 conversions are performed at Shelby American’s facility in Las Vegas for a price of $33,995 (plus the cost of the car). Yikes!

GALLERY: Shelby American GT350

Official release after the jump:

PRESS RELEASE

SCOTTSDALE – Jan. 18, 2010 – Shelby American, a wholly owned subsidiary of Carroll Shelby International Inc. (CSBI:PK), will fulfill the dreams of enthusiasts by returning the legendary Shelby GT350 to its lineup of American performance cars. The Shelby team unveiled a supercharged concept version of the Mustang-based 2011 Shelby GT350 to the surprise of thousands gathered at the Barrett-Jackson Auction Opening Night Gala to honor the 45th anniversary of the first GT350 and first Shelby big block Cobra.

“In 1964, Ford Motor Company asked Shelby American to turn their secretary’s car into a race winner to help them sell Mustangs,” said Carroll Shelby, founder of Shelby American. “Our Shelby GT350 ruled its class at the track and was feared by GM and Chrysler owners on the street. Enthusiasts have anticipated the GT350′s return since it went out of production in 1970. Now my band of hot rodders has created a car worthy of the name.”

The concept behind the GT350 was to build a car that is light, nimble and powerful. Beginning with the “small block” 5.0 liter Ford Mustang GT as its base, the Shelby American team worked with experts from Ford Racing, Goodyear, Borla, Cragar and Baer to create a car that is fast and has razor sharp handling. Every segment of the car is enhanced or replaced to create the ultimate balanced performance pony car that is true to the spirit of the 1965-1970 MY Shelby GT350.

“The 2011 GT350 balances heritage with modern necessity,” said Shelby American president Amy Boylan. “Former Hot Wheels and Ford designer Larry Wood joined Vince LaViolette, Walter Cardenas, Andrew Smidt and the rest of our Las Vegas team to help integrate 1965-1970 Shelby styling cues with modern aerodynamics. We worked with Ford Racing to supercharge the engine with a goal of 500 horsepower, as well as to sharpen the handling. Baer Brakes helped engineer the fantastic brakes and we shod the GT350 with 19″ modern Cragar wheels and super sticky Goodyear tires. This Shelby is truly a complete performance package”

“Since this was one of the most important cars in Shelby’s history, everyone stepped up to make sure it meets Carroll’s performance standards,” added Gary Davis, vice president of production for Shelby American. “After it was hand built in our new design studio, it began extensive testing at Las Vegas Motor Speedway by veteran test drivers Vince LaViolett and Gary Patterson. We’re all proud to be part of this milestone Shelby car.”

Each GT350 will be clad in traditional white with Shelby Guardsman blue Le Mans stripes and feature the new Ford V8 coupled to a 6 speed manual transmission and center exit exhaust. Blue Shelby GT350 valve covers and billet caps set off the supercharged engine. The Baer brake system features 6 piston kit in the front, as well as 14″ ERADISPEED rotors in the rear with cooling ducts for all four corners.

The suspension was upgraded with new Ford Racing springs, struts, sway bars and adjustable caster/camber plates. The car also receives a new front fascia, tail light trim, front splitter, rear deck lid filler panel and rear fascia. Functional scoops are located on the side rockers and hood. GT350 badges on the outside and inside include a Shelby serial number. The A pillar carries a fuel pressure, oil pressure and boost gauge.

The Shelby GT350 is a post title program; a customer purchases a car from their local Ford Dealer, which is turned into a GT350 by the Shelby American Team. A limited number will be built in the 2011 model year. A Ford Mustang GT can be dropped shipped by a Ford dealer to Shelby’s Las Vegas facility for conversion or a customer can arrange to have a properly specified car transported to the factory. The Shelby GT350 up-fit completed by Shelby American has a MSRP of $33,995 and does not include the price of the base car.

Customers interested in a Shelby GT350 should contact Roger Sorel at (702) 942-7325 or log onto www.gt350.shelbyamerican.com.