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How to Get Started in the USAC Ford Focus Midget Series
Thank you for your interest in the USAC Ford Focus Midget Series. We here at USAC and our partners at Ford Racing want to make it as pleasant an experience as
possible to get started in the USAC Ford Focus Midget Series. In an attempt to help answer as many of your questions as possible, we have put together this information sheet for your use.
How do I get my USAC license?
Call the USAC National office at 317-247-5151 and ask for Kim Luhman. Kim will assist you in getting the necessary applications to you. All USAC Ford Focus Drivers and
Car Owners must hold a USAC license.
How much are the USAC Ford Focus Racing Series Licenses?
An owner's license is $155, a driver's $175, crew chief's $145 and a team member's $130. If you
are an owner/driver, the combo license is $275. Each USAC Ford Focus Midget Series license includes a $100,000.00 Participant Accident excess insurance policy.
What is the minimum age to race?
The USAC Ford Focus Midget Series mirrors USAC's other racing divisions. You must be 18 years old or older. If your driver is between 16 and 18, he or she must apply for partial legal emancipation.
How do I get my son or daughter emancipated?
The partial emancipation process is a legal decision issued by the courts to allow a minor (in the case of USAC Racing, between 16 and 18) to sign a
racing event waiver of liability as an adult. USAC also requires a driver's resume showing a minimum of five (5) years racing experience as part of the emancipation process. You can get further information
on the process by calling Mike Devin, Director of Competition, at 317-247-5151.
Where do I get my Ford Focus engine?
Engines are only available from the engine builder, SCREAM. Call Keith
Iaia at 310-530-6939.
How much is an engine?
On January 1, 2004, the engines will be priced at $8250 plus freight. The cost is ready to race from oil pan to injectors, including stainless
steel headers, flywheel, clutch, on board starter, engine plate, ignition box, plugs, and plug wires. All USAC Ford Focus Midget Series engines are sealed by SCREAM.
What's the life expectancy of the engine?
After two seasons of Focus Series racing, our experience tells us that, with SCREAM's recommended maintenance program, you should get 30+ races.
What about rebuilds?
Because it is a sealed engine, in conjunction with SCREAM, we are recommending the engine be refurbished. Putting a new long block under your existing injectors, clutch, flywheel
etc should cost you around $3000 plus freight.
How powerful is it?
178 horsepower.
Does the engine use gas or methanol?
Methanol.
Can I break the seals to remove the cylinder head or oil pan?
NO!
Will the series run on dirt and paved tracks?
Yes. The schedules for each region will break the series roughly half
and half, dirt and pavement.
Do I need a dirt and a pavement car?
No, the USAC Ford Focus Midget Series rules are written to eliminate any advantage to having one of each. This does not mean
that you cannot have both. We have included a list of car builders for your information.
Do I need a new car?
No, any USAC Midget car can easily be adapted for USAC Ford Focus Midget Racing.
Many USAC Ford Focus Series events have been won by converted National Midget cars.
What does it pay?
The USAC Ford Focus Midget Series will pay a minimum event purse of $2880 based on
twenty cars starting a feature event.
Am I covered by insurance?
Absolutely. Your USAC license and proper sign in at USAC Ford Focus Midget Series events includes participant accident
insurance at each event. The United States Auto Club takes great pride in ensuring that our competitors are properly insured at each USAC event.
How many races will there be a season?
There
will be a minimum of twenty events per season in each region. The number of events may vary from Focus region to Focus region.
What's a region?
The USAC Ford Focus Midget Series is divided
into geographical regions. For example we currently have regions in California, the Carolina's and the Midwest as well as a track championship at the Indianapolis Speedrome, each with approximately twenty
events. Every USAC Focus region will have its own champion. Each year we will expand with the final goal being to have regions nationally with a "runoff" style event to determine the national USAC
Ford Focus Midget Series Champion.
In Florida contact:
Don Rehm - Focus Series Coordinator
6333 Burts Road
Tampa, Florida 33619
Phone: 813-677-7326
Fax: 813-672-3700
E-mail:
REHMDON@aol.com
We look forward to welcoming you to your first USAC Ford Focus Midget Series event. On behalf of the
United States Auto Club and Ford Racing, thank you for your interest and enthusiasm for the USAC Ford Focus Midget Series.
Thank you,
Eric Bunn - National Coordinator, Ford Focus Series |
