Ice RallyCross

Non Focus discussion. Pretty much other cars and off topic stuff.
Post Reply
Erik
Posts: 84
Joined: Wed May 02, 2007 11:38 am
Car: 2002 Ford Focus ZTS
Location: Apple Valley

So I'm thinking about hitting the event tomorrow put on by the MN audi club. Anyone else going? Or better yet, anyone ever done one and have any advice?

My main concern about tomorrow is that the heater in my focus only works well when the engine is under load, so I'll probably freeze to death if I have to rely on my car's heater to keep me warm between runs..
User avatar
Steve@Tasca
Midget
Posts: 8928
Joined: Fri Jan 21, 2005 1:26 pm

I won't make it to the ice event but I can tell you that you need a new thermostat. Thats why you only get heat when the engine is under load.
Tasca Auto Group- Employee pricing on all parts.
Image
http://www.tascaparts.com/partlocator/i ... eid=213668

1-800-598-1484 or spowell@tasca.com
Erik
Posts: 84
Joined: Wed May 02, 2007 11:38 am
Car: 2002 Ford Focus ZTS
Location: Apple Valley

Hmm, maybe I should get that repaired before I undertake such an adventure. Don't want to end up as a Human Focus Popsicle..

The dealer supposedly put a new thermostat in about 3 months ago when they replaced the cracked thermostat housing. I'll have to dig up the paperwork and head on back..
Pitch Black
Posts: 1091
Joined: Mon Aug 25, 2003 3:42 pm
Location: Wayzata

i want to go but its $60 for the day.
Image
User avatar
Steve@Tasca
Midget
Posts: 8928
Joined: Fri Jan 21, 2005 1:26 pm

Erik wrote:Hmm, maybe I should get that repaired before I undertake such an adventure. Don't want to end up as a Human Focus Popsicle..

The dealer supposedly put a new thermostat in about 3 months ago when they replaced the cracked thermostat housing. I'll have to dig up the paperwork and head on back..
About the only other possibility is the heater core may be plugged, Does your temp gauge come up to normal operating temp but not blow good heat?
Tasca Auto Group- Employee pricing on all parts.
Image
http://www.tascaparts.com/partlocator/i ... eid=213668

1-800-598-1484 or spowell@tasca.com
User avatar
Steve@Tasca
Midget
Posts: 8928
Joined: Fri Jan 21, 2005 1:26 pm

Pitch Black wrote:i want to go but its $60 for the day.
For what? To participate or watch?
Tasca Auto Group- Employee pricing on all parts.
Image
http://www.tascaparts.com/partlocator/i ... eid=213668

1-800-598-1484 or spowell@tasca.com
Erik
Posts: 84
Joined: Wed May 02, 2007 11:38 am
Car: 2002 Ford Focus ZTS
Location: Apple Valley

FORDSVTPARTS wrote: About the only other possibility is the heater core may be plugged, Does your temp gauge come up to normal operating temp but not blow good heat?
My temp gauge does come up to normal when the engine is warm.

If I'm driving in town for example, the heater will blow very hot air while I'm driving between stop lights, but then while waiting at a light it cools off again to a temperature that sometimes makes me turn off the heater.
User avatar
Steve@Tasca
Midget
Posts: 8928
Joined: Fri Jan 21, 2005 1:26 pm

Erik wrote:
FORDSVTPARTS wrote: About the only other possibility is the heater core may be plugged, Does your temp gauge come up to normal operating temp but not blow good heat?
My temp gauge does come up to normal when the engine is warm.

If I'm driving in town for example, the heater will blow very hot air while I'm driving between stop lights, but then while waiting at a light it cools off again to a temperature that sometimes makes me turn off the heater.
When the temp drops does the gauge drop as well? If the gauge stays the same but the temp drops I would lean towards a plugged heater core.

You may be able to clear it with a proffesional system flush or by backflushing the core.
Tasca Auto Group- Employee pricing on all parts.
Image
http://www.tascaparts.com/partlocator/i ... eid=213668

1-800-598-1484 or spowell@tasca.com
Erik
Posts: 84
Joined: Wed May 02, 2007 11:38 am
Car: 2002 Ford Focus ZTS
Location: Apple Valley

There's another event coming up in a couple of weeks. Would be awesome to see another focus out there!

http://gallery.andersonmotorsport.com/L ... 8/IMG_5243
PBZX3
Posts: 323
Joined: Wed Aug 27, 2003 11:48 am
Location: Lakeville, MN

So was this set up like an autocross with timed laps or more like a road course event were you get to run for like ten minute sessions? $60 bucks aint bad if you get lots of drive time.
Paul

Red 2001 ZX3 I/H/E, UDP and FR2's, KW Variant 1, kids car
Red 2005 ZX3 FSW Stage 2 Turbo, FSW Stealth Exhaust, Steeda springs, KYB AGX, 3dCarbon body, Custom leather.
Green 2000 Windstar, Stock, Wifes car/vacation vehicle
Erik
Posts: 84
Joined: Wed May 02, 2007 11:38 am
Car: 2002 Ford Focus ZTS
Location: Apple Valley

There is a lot of driving time. They have 3 areas setup - the main course, a skid pad and a large play area consisting mainly of a slalom. There were about 30 cars when I went, split into three groups. Every half hour we rotated stations with our group. There is a lunch break and then the same routine continues in the afternoon, except they time your runs on the course. There is plenty of seat time, I even had to leave a bit early and felt I got plenty of driving in.

There were 3-4 workers running the show, two of which sat in trucks near the course to pull people out that spin off course and get stuck. :-) Most of it was self policed, and everyone seemed very responsible and it worked out really well.
soul_hammer
Banned!
Posts: 496
Joined: Tue Jan 30, 2007 8:22 am

great to hear sounds like you had a blast. up north here we call that driving to work :lol:
Image
Post Reply