What is a Ford Focus Midget

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USAC’s New Ford Focus Midget Series

USAC Midget Racing has long provided a pivotal role in the development of some of the nation’s finest and most successful drivers. Jeff Gordon and Tony Stewart both made their first major marks in professional motorsports by claiming the USAC National Midget Championship.

However the A-league Midget Division is troubled by participation costs (in particular, engine expenses) that have increased steadily. And extreme 375 horsepower levels and tuning sensitivity are not desirable for young drivers taking a step up the racing ladder. The search for a more affordable engine package that would adapt to standard, current Midget chassis led to the 2-liter Ford Zetec engine and a very enthusiastic Ford Motor Company willing to bring their marketing power to the program.

The 124 ci Zetec ZX3 engine features a twin cam four-valve design and comes with a iron block and aluminum head. Internal components are not compromised in the least. The Zetec is converted to use Methanol fuel, and a traditional USAC-style fuel injection system, high performance ignition and exhaust systems, and a modified wet sump oil system with an oil accumulator are installed. The Ford Focus motor has a sealed long block limiting the crew to adjusting and maintaining the ignition and fuel systems and doing all the external maintenance.

A self-starter package with a reasonably sized ring gear and all the bits mounted forward of the motor mount plate is another significant development.

Track promoters facing time constraints on racing programs (and trying to keep the schedule going to keep the fans excited) are very interested in self-starting open wheel cars that do not require push trucks for starting.

In racing trim the Zetec ZX3 generates 178 horsepower - plenty of power to do a wheel stand in a race car as light as a Midget - plenty to provide great racing.

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