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Powdercoating offers a smart, stylish, and protective finish for components, and you can do it easily at home now too.

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We've had a few false starts when it came to getting the right wheels on our fordpartsplus.net-sponsored ST. But these fantastic 8x17in Compomotive MOs are on and really look the part. Coupled to the dropped Bilstein B12 suspension the new wheels really give the car a mean and purposeful stance.

We decided to go for Uniroyal Rainsport tyres in 205/40x17, which give a slight stretch. We got the guys at S&B Automotive Academy to fit the tyres. Behind the scenes we’re working with S&B (a Bristol-based academy which specialising in training apprentices for
the motor industry) so we can all get a mechanic NVQ qualification so we are ‘safe’ when we use our workshop!

We swapped the wheels over down at the workshop, and one thing that was immediately obvious was how light the Compomotives are compared to both the standard wheels, and other aftermarket rims.

The reduced unsprung mass, coupled to the larger tyre width should improve the handling and grip levels.

Thanks
www.fordpartsplus.net

Compomotive

S&B Automotive Academy

Uniroyal

For the full write-up and more pics, and updates on the rest of the Fast Ford fleet, see the March issue on sale now

As well as the usual great mix of feature cars, tech guides and news, we've dedicated 40 pages to Ford's ST Fiesta. Enjoy!

Features

Oddkidd’s back with this YB'd, rwd Mk3

We look at what makes a great Fiesta ST

Supercharged Fiesta ST producing over 300bhp

Clean, added carbon and 400-plus bhp

If you’ve been inspired to get a Fiesta ST, read on before you pay out

How to get the best from your ST, whatever your budget

Duratec’d Mk6 hits the rally stages

Events

The Scottish Mondeo Forum celebrates its birthday with a day on Star Performance’s rollers

Members from Ford Sport's South West branch hang out on the beach in Weston-super-Mare

Fast Tech

Tooled up: Fit throttle bodies
DRM Motorsport shows you how to fit a set of throttle bodies and keep your factory ECU

Tooled up: Fiesta st rear track upgrade
For less than £30 you can upgrade your ST’s handling. Here’s how

This month the Motorsport Developments guys explain AFRs

On sale now!

Powered by a brand new Cosworth YB, wearing a Sierra front end and slammed down low over split-rim Hockenheims, drool over Rob Grigg's P100 by making it your computer's desktop background.

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From 287's issue why not adorn your desktop with Chris Ellis's big-power turbo'd Focus

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Hopefully you have the poster of the Caltex-liveried Sierra from issue 287 hanging on a wall somewhere. If you want to brighten up your computer's desktop too here are a selection of backgrounds for you to choose from

Click on image to download

Winter is still well and truly here, with rain, long dark nights and a complete lack of car shows and racing. But stay optimistic, because Santa Pod Raceway’s season-opener isn't that far away! The Fast Show takes place on Sunday 21 March, 2010, and the new website is now live.

The Fast Show is an ideal place to make your first club meet of the season, and you can turn up in pretty much any kind of car and still feel welcome. From hot hatches and retros to full-blown supercars, everyone is represented, making it easily the most diverse of all Santa Pod events…

With Run What Ya Brung, dyno and a handling track, you’ll have a chance to try out your cars and stock up on pub ammo to fire at your mates, along with all sorts of activities off track, including Miss Fast Show, Show & Shine competition, traders, monster truck show and stunt shows.

Weekend ticket holders can enjoy an extra day of Run What Ya Brung, and all weekend tickets include free camping and entry to the new and improved Pod Palais – a heated nightclub with top DJs.

Tickets start from just £15 for a Sunday ticket, and £25 for a weekend ticket.

For more information, visit www.santapod.com or call 01234 782828.

Next time you're on Facebook, take a break from playing Mafia Wars or tending a random virtual farm to become a fan of Europe's biggest and best all-Ford show.

By now you should know the date (Sunday, August 8) and the place (Silverstone Circuit), so all that's left to do is sign up for the newsletter at www.fordfair.co.uk to make sure you get all the latest show news.

Get your handling, engine and interior sorted for your next track day blast.

Click on image to download pdf

Samco Sport has just announced the world’s first silicone hose for permanent fuel use – the Samco ProFuel.

This latest development is great news for modifiers, and shows exactly why this company is a world leader in aftermarket performance hoses.

Colour wise there are 15 options available: blue, red, black, yellow, bright green, orange, purple, white, British Racing Green, silver, pink, new Gunmetal Grey, Urban Camo, Samco Blaze and Classic Black.

Full application clip kits are also available for all ProFuel hoses, so make sure you grab 'em at the time of ordering.

£POA

For more info see www.samcosport.com

Join in the action as Ford Fair, Europe’s biggest and best Ford festival, celebrates its 25th year on Sunday August 8!

Silverstone, the home of British Motorsport, will once again host the event. New for 2010 all the track action will be taking place on the Grand Prix circuit, helping to ensure that this will be the best year yet.

To get all the latest news and information, head over to www.fordfair.co.uk and sign up to the newsletter.

After being left out of all the fun while I played with my other toys, I went on a mission to show some love to my Mk1.

I had to do a routine oil change and stick a new oil filter on for peace of mind. I always felt that the engine was too tuned to be running on the normal Zetec fodder that is 5w30 oil. I gave Pace Products a bell to talk oil with its man Jason. Pace is the sole UK distributor for the extensive Motul range of performance car fluids.

I resisted ordering its 20w60 race oil and settled for a good compromise with its 15w50. This will still give fantastic protection for the engine at high revs and temps, but won’t take as long to warm up; it is a car that’s regularly used on the road.

With the oil dropped and replaced I was feeling better for my abused engine. It seems the heavy breathing issue is here for good though, so I am looking at my options.

I needed to put right a couple of very irritating things that were letting the yellow wonder wagon down – the mirrors and corner bumpers. There is nothing wrong with them as such, bar the little matter that they rip clean off the car at full throttle or big speed. It’s not cool, after losing three in three days I did the bodge of all bodges and got my trusty tape out. Great. Except for the fact that this was only supposed to be on for a weekend and has stayed on for months! After finding some nice black screws, it’s all securely fixed.

Next up was the passenger mirror. That too had a yearning to leap from the car. So I removed it for safety and left it. My mirrors arrived from the US and with them on, I just melt every time I see the car.

Thanks
Motul

Pace Products

Torque Of The Devil

For the full write-up and more pics, and updates on the rest of the Fast Ford fleet, see the January 2010.

The Piper manifold from Pumabuild really helped wake the car up and towards the end of last month I fitted a K&N induction kit. It sounds great after 4000rpm now. To really get the most from this, I got on the phone to Piper again. Within a few days I found myself opening up big Piper box containing a snazzy pair of Racing Puma cams, as recommended by Alan.

Before all that an oil change was looming. Well, that’s a lie, the Puma was overdue a change but a quick splash of some nice 5w30 Motul and a new filter has helped to ease my conscience. With the oil changed the engine was ready for some hardcore cam on cam action! That is a job for Pumabuild though as I don’t trust myself, and I really want to see the before and after gains and curves on the rolling road graphs.

The car has been used regularly for fun and my random missions about the country, complete with my puppy sidekick. I actually removed the passenger seat so the four-legged princess can lie in comfort for hours on end. My generosity towards my canine companion must come to an end though because I removed the rear seat. It’s marginal weight saving but seeing as it will never be used I might as well.

Right, I’m off to book my rolling road session at Pumabuild. Cams make me happy!!

Thanks
K&N

Motul

Pace Products

Piper Cams

Pumabuild

For the full write-up and more pics see the January 2010 issue.

The car is back from having the cage fitted, and it’s awesome! Karl and Dibbs have done a fine job meeting my ever-changing demands and the cage is exactly how I wanted it.

The finished cage is perfect for what I want. It has strengthened the shell no end and the increased stiffness will undoubtedly help the handling too. But, and I’m going to point out the bloody obvious here, I’m no contortionist so I also needed it to be easy to get in and out of. I will be using this car on the road when it’s finished, and there’s nothing more embarrassing than pulling up in a car that sounds and looks awesome then looking like an idiot trying to climb out of the thing.

Now the car’s back I urgently need to get some paint on it before the cage starts to rust. The satin black Hammerite arrived last month, but so far I’ve only managed to get the boot area sprayed. I promise I will have it in paint by next month. I need to, as I don’t relish the thought of rubbing down a rusty roll cage.

While the car was away having the cage fitted I did manage to make a start on the front-end running gear. Friend of the mag and all-round top bloke Paul Linfoot at North Yorkshire RS Spares kindly sent me out a 2wd Cossie crossmember, steering rack and TCAs. I also spoke to Dan at Rapid Ford who has sent me a pair of 2wd Cossie front hubs, but more on that next month…

Thanks
Hammerite

North Yorkshire RS Spares

Rapid Ford

For the full write-up and more pics, and progress reports on the rest of the mag's cars, see the January 2010 issue.