The return to Drouin?s Golf Club venue for our monthly meeting was a measured success. Sixty-six members and friends gathered there for dinner, the atmosphere was convivial; we could move around, catch up with friends and inspect Ray Youlden?s new Focus RS without having to go outside. The AGM and meeting business was conducted efficiently with everybody paying attention and being able to hear those who were talking. The meal was lovely and more than I was able to eat, although the service was quite tardy with several tables waiting far too long to be served. Let?s hope they improve on their logistics before our next visit.
No surprises with the Annual General Meeting which took all of 5 minutes to run through. The Office Bearers and Committee remain virtually unchanged with Ray Youlden remaining at the helm for another 12 months. Stephen Hoole has stepped down after several years on committee and recognition was given to his involvement and assistance with Club events.
As mentioned, Ray?s new 2018 Ford Focus RS (Special Edition) was our display car this month. This is Ray?s second Focus RS, but the Special Edition with its any-colour-so-long-as-it?s-blue paint job certainly has greater presence than the vanilla version he owned previously. This latest iteration of Ford?s all-wheel-drive hot hatch has 350 bhp, Brembo brakes, 19? wheels with R-spec rubber and a new mechanical front LSD which helps gets the power onto the road. The 2.3 litre, turbo-charged 4-cylinder engine is similar to the one used in the Mustang, but in the Focus it utilises a Cosworth head. The engine is mated to a 6-speed manual gearbox and acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h takes only 4.7 seconds. Fuel economy is way down the list of priorities, as is ride comfort – there are 3 settings for ride ? stiff, stiffer and stiffest and then there?s Drift Mode which transfers 70% of the power to the rear wheels !! With so much power it not surprising to hear Ray mention that torque steer is noticeable at times, but having driven the car myself, I found it quite well-controlled when compared to a competition-modified 1964 Cooper S.
If you would like to make your special car available for display at our monthly meetings, please contact Ray on 0427 231 779 or email: president@sportingregister.org.au
