This video documents the preparation of a 2002 Ford Focus ZX3 for the Matt’s Off-Road Cheap and Lazy Race at Utah Motorsports Campus. The build focuses on meeting strict rules requiring a front-wheel drive, naturally aspirated four-cylinder vehicle with under two thousand dollars in modifications.
The process involves replacing seized parking brake cables, fixing a coolant leak, and installing a custom skid plate to protect the engine. A reinforced subframe and harness bar are added for safety, while airbag fuses are pulled to disable deployment during competition.
A key feature is a custom OBD2 monitoring app that tracks transmission temperature and torque converter lockup. This software helps manage heat in the automatic transmission during the race, allowing for strategic driving adjustments to ensure the car finishes the event.
This Week With Cars – Episode 0564