South Jordan resident's vehicle transformation from daily-driver to racecar

SOUTH JORDAN--When South Jordan resident Alex Whetman first purchased his 2000 Ford Focus Zx3, he had no idea what the car would eventually become.

The car was purchased in 2003. Shortly after the purchase a turbocharger had already made its way onto the 2.0 liter Zetec engine.

A year later the factory engine was having a few problems, so it was time for the car to undergo its first rebuild. The turbocharger was swapped out for a more lucrative Powerworks Supercharger.

In the spring of 2013 Whetman attended Autorama, one of the largest car shows in Utah. While at the show he was acquainted with the National Auto Sport Association, also known as NASA.

NASA is an automotive group specific to road course racing.

Representatives from NASA told him they were organizing a Utah region of their organization. From that moment, Whetman knew he wanted to be a part of road racing in the organization's newest region.

The final transition for the car happened during the winter of 2013. The Ford Focus underwent serious chassis and power plant modification to be changed from a street car, to a dedicated track car.

The supercharged setup was ditched for a new Garrett GTX2863r turbocharger with a Bell intercooler. The car utilizes a stock block and crankshaft with forged JE pistons and Eagle Rods. The cylinder head is completely stock other than a Ford Racing intake manifold. The stock transmission was equipped with a KAAZ limited slip differential by Premier Performance. Premier also provides the tune for the car with SCT tuning. A Tial wastegate and Tial blow off valve control the forced induction pressure going into and coming out of the engine. There are also various suspension upgrades as well as a set of Willwood brakes that were retrofitted to the vehicle with a set of Mazda knuckles to help with wheel selection. Whetman also makes his own carbon fiber body parts, rear diffuser, and lexan windows.

“I have done all of the work on this car myself other than the differential and tuning,” Whetman said. “Everything from building the carbon fiber hood to the splined anti-roll bar.”

The car weighs in at 2600 lbs per class specifications. The class he races in limits the car to 330 horsepower, but there is no limit to how much torque the car can have. The engine produces a staggering 390 ft-lbs of torque thanks to an Apexi electronic boost controller.

Because of the car's high power to weight ratio, other drivers find themselves looking at its tail lights as it pulls away.

“I’m usually about five seconds faster than the Porsches in my class,” Whetman said. “The car works very well out on the track.”

Keeping the power to the ground is an important aspect of road racing. Because of this, the vehicle is equipped with a full set of Yokohama Advan racing slicks, which only put up with about three days of racing.

Putting racing and cars aside, there is something else that draws people to this sport.

“It’s nice to spend a weekend with like-minded people,” Whetman said. “It’s not necessarily about the cars, but being able to come out and compete with your friends.”

Whetman can be seen racing his Ford Focus at any NASA Utah Region event. More information can be found at http://www.nasautah.com/schedule/.

Whetman’s Ford Focus is sponsored by CAMautoMag, NASA Utah Region, and Premier Performance.