Spec Focus costs

$895 CNC Head
$3,800 Suspension
$1,000 Brake Kit
$400 ECU
$370 Manifold
$240 Throttle Body
$895 Diff
$165 CamGear
$150 Final Drive
$125 Cold Air Intake
$375 Camshaft
$8,415 Subtotal

$1,400 Seats
$110 Seat Mounts
$450 Belts
$2,500 Roll Cage
$100 Roll Cage Padding
$50 Spill Kit
$60 Fire Bottles
$250 Skid Plates
$840 Tires X 6
$720 Wheels X 6
$200 Intercom System
$225 Rally Computer
$6,905 Subtotal 2

Low High Vehicle
$10,000 $13,000 SVT Focus
$20,705 $23,705 Total Cost SVT (with DMS suspension)
$16,905 $19,905 Total Cost SVT (stock suspension)

$4,800 $6,000 Zetec Focus
$20,120 $21,320 Total Cost Built Zetec
$11,705 $12,905 Cost Bone Stock Zetec

This is based off of real prices with estimates for Racetech gear. I think those may be low. This is about what I seem to see base model Focus shells selling for. The SVT has none of the top options except suspension. I chose the Quaife, because while I've heard it's crap on loose surface, I've never felt it, whereas I have felt how bad a Torsen can be.

---

Grant Hughes

Paying $25,000 to 'race' one other person in your spec class, finish mid pack in Group 2, and still collect a cheque - Priceless!

Hmmn, glad I wasn't the only one to think it's a little spendy -- the way I read the rules all of the parts are mandatory -- in an all or nothing way. Be a drag if say, you had a wide a$$ like me that won't fit a Racetech seat .

I suppose I understand the desire to "hook" the competitors and contingency sponsors together -- but in the end it feels like the "Amway" of rally, good deal for the sellers, OK deal for the first guys through the door with diminishing returns for the folks that follow.

Cheers, Ted

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Pure mathematics is the enemy of every truly creative man -- Sir Alec

Why the fuck bother ?

Buy a good used GC8 for $15K

---

Cheers
M.Samli
Phoenix AZ
Gaylant VR4
EVO III GSR (Stolen)


Rallies are no place for traitors

sagsert Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Why the fuck bother ?
>
> Buy a good used GC8 for $15K

I understand the "why" of the Spec Focus "Go racing in the woods against guys with similar cars (that some smart person has done all the development work on) with a guaranteed purse, yada, yada" -- it's a great selling tool and draw for new competitors. It puts rally closer to being a turnkey sport.

Separate, but semi-related, question, does Scooby pay the $500 in towing money to all Subaru competiors? Or just the ones with shiny new WRXs and STIs?

Cheers, Ted

---

Pure mathematics is the enemy of every truly creative man -- Sir Alec

Not sure how much it is, but they pay to any Legacy or Impreza.

The lowest cost is for a bone stock car with just required safety updates.

Racetech makes a big ass seat.

---

Grant Hughes

NoCoast Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Racetech makes a big ass seat.

Note to self: Racetech makes a big ass seat. Check.

Rally is definitely a spendy hobby/sport/way of life. As a struggling college student (starving students don't have big asses), I can see where building a car, then funding entry fees and consumables can add up with a quickness. I think that's the most discouraging aspect about getting into rally. I'm sure a lot of people would agree. I guess I'm saying that, while getting American vendors involved is a good thing, getting American spectators is more imnportant. Given a greater interest in the sport, I would think vendors/manufacturers would have more of an interest in getting involved. :shrug

Shit. If I had $25k in start up rally capital, my Galant would be ready in time for Ramada in Laughlin, I bet! Unless that Focus comes with AWD and 300 turbocharged horses, it's still a FWD NA car.

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Brian Driggs | KG7KCA | PHX, AZ | 89 Pajero
alterius non sit qui suus esse potest

DR1665 Wrote:
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> Unless that Focus comes with AWD
> and 300 turbocharged horses, it's still a FWD NA
> car.

With not much power, or powerband, not a good diff option, and lots and lots of weight.

Though I am looking at one for a daily driver.

---

Grant Hughes

Only the new shiny GDBs are considered contingency worthy by Subaru.

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Cheers
M.Samli
Phoenix AZ
Gaylant VR4
EVO III GSR (Stolen)


Rallies are no place for traitors

I agree that the spec focus as it stands is a little more than I can spend to build a car but it looks like others are interested. WE have two guys locally that are going to build cars for it. If I did not currently have a rally car I would definitely go that route even with the problems.


There are good payouts for the top three spots in the class at each rally. $1350 (1) $850 (2) $450 (3) While the cars may not be optimal with payouts maybe people will actually race them instead of "participating" like many are currently doing.

The spec focus can't do anything to harm the state of rally in the US and it should help.

---

Matt Smith

Racing in glorious black and red

My daily life is a Saab story (sold!)

I'd considered it if I was in a NASA region. But as it is the only smart thing to build in Colorado is a Group 5 car. With payout for 1st place being double what the entry fee is for the CHCA events in 2WD class.

Don't forget too that any payout over $600 has to be 1099'd and claimed as earnings on income tax return, so subtract about 30% from the payout for it's real worth to your wallet.

I think a budget second car could be done for around $7K swapping safety gear between two cars. Hmmm....

---

Grant Hughes

NoCoast Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> DR1665 Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Unless that Focus comes with AWD
> > and 300 turbocharged horses, it's still a FWD
> NA
> > car.
>
> With not much power, or powerband, not a good diff
> option, and lots and lots of weight.
>
> Though I am looking at one for a daily driver.
>
> Grant Hughes
> www.nocoastmotorsports.net
> Denver, CO

Oi! Muchachito, my friend Jim wth the rental car place has several for sale, probably have a salvage title but can be had for cheep! cheep!

But you'll have to come here to get one.

Cheep cheep...

---

John Vanlandingham
Sleezattle, WA, USA

Vive le Prole-le-ralliat

www.rallyrace.net/jvab
CALL +1 206 431-9696
Remember! Pacific Standard Time
is 3 hours behind Eastern Standard Time.

Ted Andkilde Wrote:
> the way I read the rules all of the parts are mandatory

Actually, the rules say these are the mandatory parts:
Gravel Brakes/knuckles/hub kit
DMS 50mm
Team Dynamics wheels
Hankook tires
Racetech seats
Racetech harnesses

All those other modifications are listed as "may".

So, seats and harnesses you would have to buy anyway, so there's a wash. Ok, you may have wanted to use other wheels, so there's +$720 for the wheels (using Grant's numbers). Tires you would have to get anyway, so that's a wash. Whatever you have, you would use up eventually. I think the gravel hub kit is about $1000, and the DMS is about, what $3800 list?

So, compared to a building a bone stock focus, it's $1720 more plus the suspension. I know, I know, JVL could build you some suspension for about something like $1400 (I'm guessing???). So, it's a $4120 premium to build to the class spec.

Everyone here that is thinking "I could build a different car for less" or "I could build a faster car for less" you're absolutely right. No one is arguing that at all. If you want to have a "how cheaply can I build a fast rally car" contest, have one! I don't think the class was ever designed to be the cheapest possible. I think the "Intent" section makes that pretty clear:

"The intent of these rules is to provide ... an even platform, in which a contest of driving skill may provide the most talented drivers with great rewards."

If you think that the rules are failing what they were intended for, I think _that_ could be an interesting discussion.

If you think that the rules are not standing up to what they were NOT intended for, I, uh, huh? Why would anyone expect that? *boggled*

Cheers,
Anders

---

Grassroots rally. It's what I think about.

Anders Green Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Everyone here that is thinking "I could build a
> different car for less" or "I could build a faster
> car for less" you're absolutely right. No one is
> arguing that at all. If you want to have a "how
> cheaply can I build a fast rally car" contest,
> have one! I don't think the class was ever
> designed to be the cheapest possible. I think the
> "Intent" section makes that pretty clear:
>
> Cheers,
> Anders


That would be an interesting class. An anything goes class that puts a low cap on costs. Say $5000 total build cost. Add a claim clause and it would be fun to see what people show up in.

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Matt Smith

Racing in glorious black and red

My daily life is a Saab story (sold!)

They list the DMS for about $600 off retail.

The wheels are good and that's a fairly good price for them.

Racetech are a more expensive seat than many. But they would pay for themselves within a couple of events.

The question is the saying power of the series and if the manufacturers and NASA realize it will take 2-4 years to get this series up to spec.

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Grant Hughes