Photographer: Andrew Gail

Static shot of a MK2 Ford Escort taken in the queue at a track day at Kames Motorsport Complex in Muirkirk, Scotland.

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Highlights

Whilst there were a number of other races on the day; the Mini Cooper Cup; Scottish Legends; XR2 and Formula Ford Championships. We were there primarily to watch the Sports and Saloons Championship races although the Classic Sports & Saloons were enjoyable too. The sports and saloons race first race was a little disappointing. It had been cold and wet in the morning but both Andy Gallacher and Charlie Shaw had gambled on the track drying enough for them to run slicks. Unfortunately it hadn’t and it was evident that neither Andy Gallacher nor Charlie Shaw (driving Andy’s old white Ford Focus) could get sufficient power down on the wet track. Andy Gallacher’s blue Ford Focus retired after the first lap with a broken drive shaft and with Charlie Shaw struggling to make his Focuses superior power count he only managed a 4th place finish.

The 2nd Sports and Saloons race of the day saw Andy Gallacher returning (having fixed his car during the break); however he was now starting at the back of the grid. As it turned out this wouldn’t matter, Colin Simpson in his blue Marcos Mantis was unable to start the second race due to a gearbox failure sustained in the first. This meant the only real competition left for Andy Gallacher on a now mostly dry track was Stewart Whyte in his ex-BTCC Accord and Charlie Shaw in Andy’s old white Ford Focus. When the race started the brutal power of Andy Gallacher’s Ford Focus was immediately apparent; passing four cars on the starting straight and continuing to pass cars till he was in the lead. Charlie Shaw also started well but seemed to slow to a point where it seemed he was just cruising round the track. I assume he picked up on a problem and decided not to destroy the hard work he put into the engine on the first meeting of the season. Andy Gallacher finished first with Charlie Shaw eventually finishing last.

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More Information

Further details on Andy Gallachers 670bhp Project Focus build can be found here:
Andy Gallacher’s Ford Focus (registration may be required)

Full race results for the day at Knockhill can be found here:
MyLaps.com – Knockhill SMRC 30/03/2008

An extensive collection of photo’s from the day can be seen here:
Photo’s of Knockhill SMRC 30/03/2008 (courtesy of Adrian Gail)

A video of the 2nd race featuring Andy Gallacher’s monster can be seen here:
Andy Gallacher’s Ford Focus

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Special Edition ST500 lacks special

The Focus ST-3 uses a 20-valve five-cylinder Duratec 2.5 engine, which develops 225PS at 6,100rpm and 320Nm of torque at 1,600rpm. The ST500 is mechanically no different from the £19,845 St-3, but for £650 more you get a metallic black paint job and ‘classic’ silver racing stripes which stretch across the roof and bonnet and silver side stripes. These are (according to the press release) “designed to echo the livery of the winning GT40 in the 1-2-3 victory at Le Mans in 1966″. You also get a red leather interior.

Quite why you’d want to spend the extra £650 for some black paint, stripes and red hide I’m not sure. In fact, the ST500 is a bit of a non-edition, why not just specify panther black for £350 and stick with the ST-3′s leather Recaros? You could always pop down to Halfords later for some masking tape and a can of silver. Mazda had the right idea when they released their RX8 Kuro special edition, at least there you were getting a limited edition of 500 that had more spec for less money.

I’m not even sure how well the limited run of 500 cars will help the ST500 hold its value, I’ve seen no mention of individually numbered plaques, although, if you squint a little at the interior image in the gallery I think the center console does say ST500. Add the fact that its lairy red interior and racing stripes will likely attract a certain demographic, it leads me to believe that in 3 years time finding a well looked after ST500 will be a difficult task.

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