Ford Taking Focus ST on 5 City Free Performance Academy

FordFordUnited States of America, 1903 > present92 models
2522 photos
11 videos
is about to launch the Focus STFord Focus ST EcoBoostUnited Kingdom, 2012 > present9 photos
in the United States for the first time ever. To promote the hot hatch, Ford is taking it on a five city tour throughout the US for a completely free performance driving academy. 

The Focus ST will stop in five cities through late June and early August:

The events include a fleet of cars for training, timed events, pre-race instruction and race trailers for classrooms. 

If you live in the US near one of these cities, you can pre-register at Drive Focus ST. If you are interested, pre-register quickly because spots will probably fill up fast. 

“Our fans have expressed extremely high interest in this car, but we know the proof is in the pudding. We want ST fans, as well as drivers of competitive vehicles, to be able to taste this car firsthand," said Lisa Schoder, Ford Focus ST Marketing manager.

The only surprising thing about this academy is that Ford decided to stage each event in a major city rather than an established road racing venue. More people can attend in the center of a major city, but the venue might be better equipped at a track. 

Ford is really aiming the ST at performance and track drivers in the US. The first 1000 people who pre-order a Focus ST will receive GoPro HD Hero2 Motorsports Edition camera, a $299 value.

Ford has never sold a real Focus ST in the US. It sold an SVTFord Focus SVTUnited States of America, 2002 > present3 photos
model from 2002 to 2004 with 170hp from a 2.0l Zetec engine. The cars were considered great handlers but did not stand up well against the Mini Cooper SMINI (BMW) Cooper SGermany, 2004 > present4 photos
and Volkswagen GTIVolkswagen Golf GTiGermany, 2001 > 20045 photos
in the US. They were badged as the ST170Ford Focus ST170United Kingdom, 2002 > present2 photos
in Europe.  From 2005 to 2007, Ford sold a Focus STFord Focus 2.0 ZX4 STUnited States of America, 2004 > present in the US, but the model was not special in any way. It had a 151hp, 2.3l four-cylinder and basically just added a sporty body kit. Neither car could stand up to the Focus STFord Focus RSUnited Kingdom, 2002 > present3 photos
that Europe got at the time with a 212hp, turbocharged engine and significant performance modifications.