Focus RS vs Shelby GT350 at M1 Concourse

[spartan]

I have been going back and forth between the Focus RS and the Shelby GT350 as a primary use track car. My garage at MI Concourse will be completed this Winter so next year I will be able to use the track. Its a tight short 1.5 mile track. The walls are close and I'm concerned that high HP cars with a driver like me don't mix well.

I have read the posts on this forum on the merits of both cars on the track. I spoke to HF3 at Rally 12 and he tracks his Focus RS at M1 Concourse. He said it's a great track car that suits the M1 conditions well. I figured he would know

Input and advice appreciated. Since Spring is a few months away, I have time to decide.

 

[rsstopper]

I own them both. I tracked the GT350R and it is spectacular. It’s a brute but that 8200 RPM Limit makes it very easy to drive. From the looks of that track layout, I suspect it’s a point and shoot car with minimal shifts. I’ll bet you’ll be short of the RPM limit at the end of the straight. That was my experience at lime Rock (using only 2nd and 3rd) which is also a 1.5 mile track.

I have not tracked the RS but I suspect it will be the same. The lower RPM limit of 6500 would make it a busier car to drive but lower weight and a lighter feel should make it just as satisfying.

Both cars use Sport Cup Pilot 2 tires which are the best performance tire available. Some slicks would certainly improve the times and the fun.

I was turning 1:04’s in the Shelby at LRP in complete street trim with the Pilot 2’s (which I wore out in one day!). My race car is only a shade faster! A real tribute to the Ford development team.

I’m sure the RS will be just as good.

Solution? Get one of each[emoji4]

Note: The non R model Shelby does not use the Pilot 2’s. That will make a big difference.


2005 FGT #30
2017 NFGT #H043
2017 GT350R #H249
2017 Focus RS #H756

 

[CanadaGT]

I also have both and enjoy them both. The RS could use a bit more power IMO. Either way you will have fun.

 

[BtwoG]

Track cars are rarely left stock, so you might want to consider the available aftermarket for each car. I've never driven the RS, so cant comment on it. I'd get the normal GT350, slap on some Hoosiers, and start modding it.

 

[nota4re]

I was very disappointed in the RS as a dual-purpose car. The cornering capability is off the charts but, IMO the car is a one trick pony. Clearly, I am not alone in the disappointment. Do a nationwide search on USED RS's and there is a shocking 156 cars available. Click to include new cars in that search and you'll see over 1500 available. The RS also has a significant number of problems including leaking head gaskets and blown engines. I could go on but I know this is a true-blue forum, so I won't. (You can spend a little time on the FocusRS forum and get a feel for the problems owners are having.)

But I think your question is more about using it as a focused track car. I think it will be fine, but the more advanced the driver, the more chances it has to disappoint. The car will need an oil cooler (for any driver), but as more advanced drivers cause the PTU/RDU to work harder, the AWD system overheats and reverts to a very understeering FWD car. Frankly, I saw this as a business opportunity - we'll just add some additional coolers for the drivetrain components. However, there is virtually NO ROOM in the car to add anything and you will need to have a cooler for BOTH the PTU (think center diff) as well as the RDU (rear drive unit). It will be very complex and I think too cost prohibitive to be a viable solution. I wouldn't recommend the RS.

 

[GTMD]

When I first started reading your post I immediately thought that the GT350 would be a better choice until you described the layout of the track.

All things considered, I think it might be a toss up. Although I don't own a GT350, I own an RS and I have had it nearly a year now. It is astounding just how capable the car is even in bone stock form. However, every car has it's limits and unfortunately I haven't had any problems as Kendall described and I sure hope not too.

 

[PeteK]

RS is AWD, which handles differently than the RWD GT350. The RS also is pretty porky with the AWD system, about 3450lbs IIRC. I don't know what the GT350 weighs, but I'll bet it's close.

 

[NorthwoodGT]

fred- you might try and get ahold of Henry lll. he has an RS and runs the M1 track all the time.

 

[Specracer]

Curve ball, neither, consider getting a true track, race car.

 

[nota4re]

Curve ball, neither, consider getting a true track, race car.

Best advice so far. The real problem with a street car - especially in today's world with all of the mandated safety equipment, is weight. Weight is the primary enemy of a track car - even more so than a HP deficiency.

 

[Ed Sims]

GT4!

A lot of car for the small track but the car is so cool! Go for it Spartan!

Ed

 

[NorthwoodGT]

fred- let Jim or I build you another Ford GT as a track car. 3's the charm!! lol!
Ford GT with 5.0 Coyote and Graziano transaxle, no HVAC, light exhaust, light wheels, no radio painted Heritage scheme. oh yeah, it would get it done!

 

[CJ428]

Gt 350 is a lot of fun,modified of course!

 

[BtwoG]

Impressive. Bet it goes like hell.

Gt 350 is a lot of fun,modified of course!

 

[Copenhagen GT]

I'd strongly advise getting a car built for the track. Doesn't have to be a GT4 type track missile but something like the cars used at driving schools like the one at Miller Motorsports Park ...

:cheers
Anders

 

[Copenhagen GT]

I'd strongly advise getting a car built for the track. Doesn't have to be a GT4 type track missile but something like the cars used at driving schools like the one at Miller Motorsports Park ...

:cheers
Anders

 

[spartan]

Thanks everyone for the comments and feedback. Today Scott ( NorthwoodGT) and I visited a shop that builds Mustang race cars.
Hope you enjoy the photos. All these cars are for sale.

 

[spartan]

This gray car is the 2017 SEMA Ford Performance display car.

 

[spartan]

New caged shell with GT350R look

 

[spartan]

According to the owner this GT350R is probably one of the first flatplane crankshaft Shelby engines converted to Crossplane crankshaft.