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Watkins Glen Track Time
#1
Watkins Glen International is an awesome, awesome track ... with an amazing history and a deserved reputation for eating cars and drivers.

Having said that - the Fusion performed flawlessly; not whimpering one bit despite 8 runs of 25 to 35 minutes each, basically foot to the floor the whole time and up to the 7000 rpm redline in every gear.

And just as at Mosport, after each run we drew a crowd of other drivers who wanted to know wtf is that anyway ... and much to their consternation only to find out it was a four-banger dogging them around the track - and in fact a solid mid-pack car in terms of overall speed, factoring in braking and cornering ability.

They put me in the combined Intermediate / Advanced run grouping so I got to run with some decent drivers and some interesting cars; including a Cayman, SRT4, Cobalt SS, a whack of M3s, an M540i, some heavily modified older Bimmers and some beautiful new ones.

The overall organization of the event was excellent, and they even arranged for official track photography ... the link below takes you to their website and the Fusion is front and centre on almost every page - - and as you will see some portions of the track are so steep you couldn't walk up it.

I'm totally pumped about the whole thing and frankly kinda pleased with myself in terms of reppin' Ford and the Fusion. Let me know what you think.

Watkins Glen photos

2008 Fusion SEL MTX - DD1 * 2009 Fusion SEL - DD2 * 2007 Focus ZXW - R*I*P * 2004 Focus ZTW CD Silver - sold * 2004 Focus ZTW Black - sold * 2003 Focus ZTW Black - sold * 2001 Focus ZTW Gold - sold * 2000 Focus SE Wagon (ZTW option) - Black - sold * 2000 Focus SE Wagon (ZTW option) - Gold R*I*P

2003 Focus ZX5 infra-red Track Rat - R*I*P
2003 ZX5 CD Silver Track Rat - retired, but still in the driveway


New track rat: 2000 ZX3, Atlantic Blue * JRSC with lots more to come

* New Zetec crate motor - NFG - thanks Topspeed *
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#2
Sounds like you had a lot of fun. I can't cut and paste links on my iTouch so I will have to check out the pic's at work tomorrow.
Focus man, Focus........ Team Psychological Disaster
2008 Taurus X to be modded.
2002 ZX5 parted out. Forever known as the "SLOCUS".

2010 Dyno #'s 102.96HP/105.84TQ
2011 Dyno #'s 111.44HP/115.17TQ
Still The Weakest LinkBlush

Dial 1-800-AUTO-PARTS for your local speed shop.
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#3
dosnt work on my home computer eather
In Europe FORD is pronounced "\kwa-le-te\"

2008 f250 6.4 powerstroke/twin turbo/crew cab/XLT/4x4 Edge programmer, Cat and Dpf delete, mbrp exhaust. 650hp 850ft/tq.....
2002 red SVT sport'in European Appearance package rims, AEM cai, #4111 of 4788, ranger 12v plug cover, 4500k HID HI/LO, eibach springs, H&R 15mm wheel spacers. sold Sad
2000 yellow zx3 sold
1994 mazda mx3 sold
1992 ford festiva (RIP)
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#4
Jmountney1,Jun 18 2009, 11:52 PM Wrote:dosnt work on my home computer eather
[right][snapback]289816[/snapback][/right]

Hmmmm .... I think I fixed it - try it now.
2008 Fusion SEL MTX - DD1 * 2009 Fusion SEL - DD2 * 2007 Focus ZXW - R*I*P * 2004 Focus ZTW CD Silver - sold * 2004 Focus ZTW Black - sold * 2003 Focus ZTW Black - sold * 2001 Focus ZTW Gold - sold * 2000 Focus SE Wagon (ZTW option) - Black - sold * 2000 Focus SE Wagon (ZTW option) - Gold R*I*P

2003 Focus ZX5 infra-red Track Rat - R*I*P
2003 ZX5 CD Silver Track Rat - retired, but still in the driveway


New track rat: 2000 ZX3, Atlantic Blue * JRSC with lots more to come

* New Zetec crate motor - NFG - thanks Topspeed *
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#5
Nice...

Who was the passenger in your car?
vintage 2000 malibu blue ZX3 ***SOLD***
2013 performance blue ST

TEAM P.I.T.A.
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#6
[Image: 20090616_WGI_AEI_0567.jpg]

nice!!!!!!!
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#7
dBlast,Jun 19 2009, 06:13 AM Wrote:Nice...

Who was the passenger in your car?
[right][snapback]289826[/snapback][/right]

Looks like The Stig... :lol:

Looks like fun, Ken! Glad to see the Fusion kept up with the BMWs!
Ryan and the Silver Sedan
++++++++++++++++++++++++
2008 Mazda5 GS/Copper Red Mica/2.3 MZR 5AT/22% Tint
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#8
LMAO I was also gonna say the Stig

Looks like alot of fun has it taken a toll on the suspension/Tires/Brakes yet?

[Image: 20090616_WGI_AEI_0180.jpg]
DruZX3 You Tube Page
My Rides on Car Domain

2001 Ford Focus ZX3 - Daily Driver
2008 Lincoln MKX Limited Edition - Grocery Getter
2007 Suzuki GSXR 600 - Rode and Sold
2004 Jeep Liberty Renegade - Offroaded and Sold
2008 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited X - R.I.P. Electrical Fire
2000 Ford Focus ZX3 - Traded in Now DrunkinMonkeys Car
2003 Ford Taurus Wagon - Inherited Drove and Sold
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1990 Ford Festiva - My 1st Car

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#9
Do you need another set of tires now?
Focus man, Focus........ Team Psychological Disaster
2008 Taurus X to be modded.
2002 ZX5 parted out. Forever known as the "SLOCUS".

2010 Dyno #'s 102.96HP/105.84TQ
2011 Dyno #'s 111.44HP/115.17TQ
Still The Weakest LinkBlush

Dial 1-800-AUTO-PARTS for your local speed shop.
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#10
Great photos!

Id love to check out that track this summer. Was it a Bimmer club againg?

p.s. Seems a little too much 8 runs that are almost 30min long. That's quit a beating on the vehicle.

2002 Ford Focus ZTS (Gave it away)
125whp/129wtq
2006 Subaru Impreza WRX with JDM 6 speed
207whp/273wtq Innovative tuned on Mustang dyno (Stage 2)13.9@99mph
320whp/330wtq Innovative tuned on Mustang dyno (Stage 3)
352whp/360wtq Dynojet
13.3@106mph
2004 Ford F-150 Lariat
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#11
Nice photos indeed, but that one shot that Anthony posted makes me wonder. My car did the exact same thing at the Mosport DDT last year on a stock suspension set up (Heeled way the hell over as the load transitioned on a sharp right)

I was surprised, I would have thought after you did all that suspension work that the car would look a lot more neutral doing that :huh:

Maybe I won't look so hopeless on the stock AWD suspension set up on the big track at Mosport this year, it's just the way the car is.

I've also confirmed that the track is bodykit friendly (That's a load off my mind, I don't wanna be driving home with a cracked front bumper :P)

NefCanuck
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#12
NefCanuck,Jun 19 2009, 04:24 PM Wrote:Nice photos indeed, but that one shot that Anthony posted makes me wonder.  My car did the exact same thing at the Mosport DDT last year on a stock suspension set up (Heeled way the hell over as the load transitioned on a sharp right)

I was surprised, I would have thought after you did all that suspension work that the car would look a lot more neutral doing that :huh:

Maybe I won't look so hopeless on the stock AWD suspension set up on the big track at Mosport this year, it's just the way the car is.

I've also confirmed that the track is bodykit friendly (That's a load off my mind, I don't wanna be driving home with a cracked front bumper :P)

NefCanuck
[right][snapback]289870[/snapback][/right]


Hay Nef he was probably going much faster then you were, IIRC he does have a set of dedicated track tires.
[center]TEAM PITA™ Don't settle for a wannabe, only accept the real deal.[/center]
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#13
NefCanuck,Jun 19 2009, 04:24 PM Wrote:Nice photos indeed, but that one shot that Anthony posted makes me wonder.  My car did the exact same thing at the Mosport DDT last year on a stock suspension set up (Heeled way the hell over as the load transitioned on a sharp right)
[right][snapback]289870[/snapback][/right]
Canadian ST is right ... the speeds are much faster ... see diagram below.

Yes - BMW - Patroon Chapter from NYC ... I call him "Le Stig blanc" - - LOL my instructor; a professional driver Bruno Lafosse originally from France - drives a monster M6 full race car - great guy and was happiest when we were going sideways around a corner 15kph faster than we had any business doing.

The forces associated with the speed, the elevation changes and the camber of the track are hard to put into words ... but hopefully this diagram helps with that.

[Image: anatomyofacorner.jpg]
2008 Fusion SEL MTX - DD1 * 2009 Fusion SEL - DD2 * 2007 Focus ZXW - R*I*P * 2004 Focus ZTW CD Silver - sold * 2004 Focus ZTW Black - sold * 2003 Focus ZTW Black - sold * 2001 Focus ZTW Gold - sold * 2000 Focus SE Wagon (ZTW option) - Black - sold * 2000 Focus SE Wagon (ZTW option) - Gold R*I*P

2003 Focus ZX5 infra-red Track Rat - R*I*P
2003 ZX5 CD Silver Track Rat - retired, but still in the driveway


New track rat: 2000 ZX3, Atlantic Blue * JRSC with lots more to come

* New Zetec crate motor - NFG - thanks Topspeed *
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#14
Ah, the explanation tells the tale, thanks.

Lordy, 110km/h coming outta that hairpin, I wonder what the stock Michelin tires would have been screaming at that point?

My guess "UNCLE!" :lol:

Actually between the AWD and TCS I'm guessing my car would have shut the power down like crazy in that hairpin because of the sliding ass <_<

NefCanuck
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#15
Disable the TCS? Pull the fuse (unless the fuse is also for the ABS)?

Sweet pics Ken! Congrats on a wicked run!
Daily driver 1: 2007 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sport "S"

33" BFG Mud-Terrain KM2s, lots of Rough Country gear - bumper, 2.5" lift, swaybar disconnects, Superwinch 10,000lb winch, Detroit Locker in rear D44 axle, custom exhaust, K+N filtercharger, Superchips-tuned.

Daily driver 2: 2006 Subaru Legacy GT

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#16
NOS2Go4Me,Jun 19 2009, 07:58 PM Wrote:Disable the TCS? Pull the fuse (unless the fuse is also for the ABS)?

[right][snapback]289881[/snapback][/right]

It can be disabled via dash button (I dunno if it's like the Focus system in the 05-07 and will kick in at the point of absolute idiocy on the part of the driver though :dunno:)

Probably is tied in with the ABS (and to be honest, I doubt I'd ever be good enough on the track to want to disable the nanny aid, unless the nanny aid was making things worse)

NefCanuck
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