"To move up in USAC, your driver needs to understand how the fueling system is doing," adds Iaia. "We may have been more successful in some parts of the country going with EFI (electronic fuel injection), but racers need to know the mechanical fuel injection. Once you get used to it, it's simple and reliable. These cars are required to run methanol, which is safer and gets better results."
No one can special order an engine. When you call S.C.R.E.A.M. to place your order, you get in line. It's first come, first served. There is a build list, and that's the way it's done. When it's your turn, the next engine out the door is heading to your shop.
The engines will generally reach peak horsepower at 6,400 rpm. Peak torque will kick in between 4,800 and 5,000 rpm. For the health and longevity of the bottom end, the engines should be limited to 7,000 rpm, but some drivers have carried them to 7,200. "Remember, internally, these are production engines," Iaia cautions.
The relationship between Ford Racing Technology and USAC for sponsorship of the series has been extended through the '08 season. It's here to stay.
"The future of the series is the young driver," asserts Bunn. "We saw open-wheel racing was getting fragmented, and it's been our mandate from USAC President Rollie Helmling to fix it. With new regions coming on, the Focus will be our grassroots series. People are seeing the growth. They're seeing well-prepared shiny cars and marketable drivers. Promoters are showing interest with national races offering good purses. With the 100 or so cars we have out there now, more than 80 are new to open-wheel racing. When you have a product with 80 percent new participation, you have to be proud of it. USAC is."
In just three years, the desired results have started to show. Car counts grow, fan acceptance continues to develop, and corporate involvement increases. The hard work has been done, but Iaia is not resting easy. He has engines to build and orders to fulfill. It's one man's effort to keep the sport he loves on the right path to success.
Engine DevelopmentFord Motor Company has discontinued the use of the Zetec engine in its passenger car line as of the '05 model year. Looking ahead, there is a plan to develop a new racing engine for the series. The Duratech engine is the target of the preliminary phase of development.
"We have enough parts to sustain the Zetec program for a long time," says Dertian. "We have new engines and replacement parts in abundant supply that will allow us to implement any change gradually. We don't want to make a couple hundred guys have to buy new engines."
"The new engine is going to be a more modern design," says Iaia. "When people hear about a new engine, they think it's going to be lighter, stronger, and better than what they have. That's not so. I've got 130 customers out there, and I'm not going to make obsolete the ones that I have.
"The engine is not going to be available for the racing series for at least one or two seasons. There will be no advantage with this engine. If we gave it any advantage, it would be the opposite of what we want to do. We want to keep everything, including the cost, about the same."
Lucas Helps S.C.R.E.A.M.
S.C.R.E.A.M. has entered into a multi-year marketing agreement with Lucas Oil Products. "Bringing Lucas Oil into the USAC Ford Focus Midget program as our exclusive supplier of lubrication products speaks volumes about our commitment to provide our customers with the most reliable engine package in open-wheel racing," says Iaia. "The people at Lucas Oil produce outstanding lubrication products, and they will play an active role in this series from both the mechanical and promotional perspectives."