Everyone must remember, the 1000 unit rule isn't really a rule. It's a
guideline. The SEB may choose to classify any car that is on the market.
That being said, I would be REALLY REALLY REALLY surprised if a car like
this made it into stock. 100 units is simply not enough to even be
considered IMHO.
If you consider it to be in ES right now, you would be right. If one of
these started showing up, I wouldn't think it out of the question, or
wrong, to boot it at any time. Not only that, but if a car of such limited
production wasn't even in existence until right before Nationals, and
someone brought one and trophied, or even won...I think it would be protest
bait - and rightfully so.
Keep in mind that if you think you have found a class killing car, you take
a chance at wasting A LOT of money.
AB
***The opinions expressed above do not NECESSARILY represent the
opinions of the NER or the SCAC.***
Andy Bettencourt
Solo II Stock Class Advisory Committee
Chief Operating Steward, NER
1995 Mazda RX7 R2 - Super Stock
1966 Sunbeam Tiger MK 1A
I chanced across a listing of a "S/R Package" for the
Ford Escort ZX2 coupe on Edmunds' Web site. It is a
$1,495 option described thusly:
"Includes Centerforce performance clutch, Borla
performance exhaust, Roush performance intake system,
B&M performance shifter/boot/knob, Eibach performance
springs, Energy Suspension performance suspension,
Visteon powertrain control module and Tokico retuned
struts, unique zinc yellow paint, wheels: unique
7-spoke aluminum and tires: P205/55ZR15. "
I dredged up an article in the May 3 AutoWeek that
makes it appear that 100 of these will be built for
sale this summer in Southern California only. It will
be built on the regular assembly line so should be
eligible for Solo II under the ZX2's listing in ES.
The engine is quoted at 143 HP, and the car has
4-wheel disc brakes from Mexico-market ZX2's. It
sounds like the right crew was working on the car:
calibration engineer Mike Gearhart drag races a ZX2,
project engineer Ann Coulthard (any relation to
David?) ran a ZX2 in Showroom Stock last year and
wants to run a S/R in '99, and team leader Terry
Crossett races karts.
The article further mentions a "Dynamic Suspension
Kit" that includes coilovers and adjustable struts, an
adjustable rear bar, urethane bushings, and urethane
inserts for the motor mounts. No word on whether this
is a factory option, though it sounds suspiciously
like the SCCA "trunk kit." The wheels look like the 7
spoke units from the 1995-97 Contour SE.
Anyone seen one of these critters show up at an
autocross? Ford is being very hush hush about the
car...there is no mention on their web site or any of
their press releases. It sounds like a rather
interesting package for E Stock, especially on the off
chance that the coilover suspension is factory.
Craig Blome
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