Video Find: Track-Ready Ford Focus ST-R Hits the Test Track

The Ford Focus ST-R made its debut at this year’s Frankfurt show, and while it looked good perched up on the stand, we would imagine it would look even better hitting the track. We were right. Andy Vrenko, along with Ford Racing, give us a tour of the racer and takes us for a ride in the video below.

The Focus ST-R uses the same foundation as the Focus ST, and Ford Racing has capitalized on it to make the track-ready ST-R, which Vrenko goes into more depth about. He first pops open the hood to give us a look at the ST-R’s 2.0-liter EcoBoost I-4, which is the same from the ST, except it has been calibrated for the different octane race fuel. The six-speed manual gearbox also remains the same, as does the bodywork.

Vrenko then lets us see the cockpit of ST-R, revealing what he says is a very “driver-oriented” interior, with Recaro race seats, and a functional FIA-spec roll cage. But perhaps the biggest change, Vrenko says, is the chassis, and larger brakes for Grand-Am ST duty. The track-ready car is good to go, and Vrenko says the good thing about the ST-R is that all privateer racers have to do is add their safety and radio gear.

But enough talking about it, check out the video below as Vrenko takes it for a spin at Ford’s proving grounds.