Lane's SCA - SPC at Gingerman 4/8/2000 (4)

A Ford Focus was Deebs' chosen replacement car for the weekend ("I'll take the extra insurance, please!"). It passed the required rental car traction tests, although the tire smoke pouring out of the heating vents inside made it a bit difficult to see.

Focus traction (17k)

It was time to see how this thing handled out on a road course. We grabbed our helmets and belted ourselves in with Deebs at the wheel.

For a relatively cheap car in stock form (including tire pressures), this car was extremely well-balanced and handled better than we could have ever imagined. Brake performance was surprising and fade was virtually nonexistent. Acceleration from the 4-cyl automatic could stand to be improved a bit, but the car's overall feel when pushed to the limit was truly unbelievable for a car in this class. The magazine reviewers who continue to rave about the track manners of this vehicle are absolutely right.

Dude! (18k)

It's a Wally thing, so he was lovin' it. (Check out his Rental car action that was part of the '99 SPC Rally.)

The cornering did produce some interesting wear patterns on the stock tires - they seemed to have rolled over pretty far onto the sidewalls.

Focus tire (16k)

I realize that there are some people reading this who would think that driving a stock rental car in this manner is dangerous and irresponsible. In the hands of a driver with some experience, risk to the vehicle & driver is minimal, and mechanical wear from a day out on the track does not cause any permanent damage to the vehicle. After all, most of us use our own own daily-drivers on the track and don't drive them any differently.

Even though we were wet, tired, and freezing all day, we would all gladly do it all again. In fact, we'll be back to Gingerman Raceway in only 2 weeks so be sure to check back for more event coverage.

Interested in joining us out on the track in the future? Take a look at the Saturn Performance Club website for upcoming events.