SCCA Solo Nationals Results

[4Flattires]

A while back I posed the Sonic RS vs Fiesta ST question in the general forum. The support for the Sonic was encouraging. The results are in now. There was 29 drivers in HS this year at Lincoln. Twenty-two of them drove Fiesta STs. A handfull stayed with their Minis. There was an old timey CRX Si, a Corolla XRS, a large, late model Acura sedan, and one Sonic RS.

The Sonic and I finished 25/27, besting only the large Acura and the Corolla. Our first course was the tight, technical west course. The sonic and I actually indexed about 200/300 on that course during the first heat. The Sonic's strength this year has been tight technical courses, so this is as good as it got. We were 0.6 second behind the slowest ST that day and well ahead of the Acura sedan and the Corolla on what was a 72 second course for us and middle-high 60s for the good drivers.

The next day was the fast power course, we were toast, indexing something like 295/300. The RS tops out at 47 mph in 2nd gear, ladies and gentlemen, and so instead of camping out on the rev limiter, we spent a lot of time upshifting to 3rd and back down. We actually hit our heel-toe 3-2 downshifts quite nicely on our second and third runs, but it was four naught. We were at least 4 seconds behind the slowest ST. We were also well behind the Acura Sedan, and gave back all but 0.016 seconds the the driver of the Corolla, who is my friend from Fort Wayne. Actually, he was the only driver I intended to beat at nationals this year, and so "mission accomplished" can be said. Also, our day one advantage over the Acura was too large for him to overcome on the power course.

As an aside, I would like to add that in the Indiana regions, the Sonic and I usually win, or at least podium. None of the Indiana guys seem to drive Minis or Fiesta STs well, however. Nationals was our 14th event this season and it was very satisfying despite not bagging any of the Fords or Minis. Power courses were a challenge for us all year and it has been said that left foot braking is critically important for quick times. My friend suggested that I drive an automatic transmission for a while and train myself to left foot brake. When I try this, my left foot brakes OK, but only when it is not stabbing at the floorboard for a clutch when approaching a stop! Lastly, I still believe that the Sonic is a freaking awsome autocross car, even it it is not nationally competitive in HS.

 

[DeweyD]

I figured this would be the case. I am somewhat surprised that the Fiesta ST is even in HS. I don't think anything else rivals it. I autocrossed the RS for the first time this weekend, it was still quite fun! I found myself upshifting and downshifting multiple times (was a power course). What do the Fiestas hit in 2nd gear?

 

[4Flattires]

Nationals

I figured this would be the case. I am somewhat surprised that the Fiesta ST is even in HS. I don't think anything else rivals it. I autocrossed the RS for the first time this weekend, it was still quite fun! I found myself upshifting and downshifting multiple times (was a power course). What do the Fiestas hit in 2nd gear?

DewetD:

Thank you for your interest. I too believe that GS is a more appropriate class for a FiST and DS is more appropriate for a FoST, but I am not on the Solo board. The Sonic RS is indeed fun on the autocross! One of the FiST drivers on the grid told me that his car could do 54 in 2nd. All of them were running -1 wheels, which are 16 x 7, with 205 50 series tires. Most were on RE 71Rs, a couple were on Rivals. With stock wheels and tires, 2nd is good for 56 or 57 mph in a FiST according to the same man on the grid.

I was running -1 wheels, which are 16 x 6.5 with 225 50 series Bridgestones. I had more rubber than them, 30 more pounds of rotating, unsprung wheel and tire weight, and 59 less hp. The short 2nd gear is death on a power course. Also, nobody is offering light weight wheels for the Sonic RS, but the FiST guys had them. Tire Rack had exactly one 16 x 6.5 inch wheel for me, and it is a heavy, cast Borbet.

The minis owned HS last year and the top Mini driver, Greg Reno still owned all 22 FiSTs, winning out by 0.6 seconds (if I recall correctly). I was 14 seconds behind Mr. Reno . Regardless as to which class the FiSTs belong in, their placement in HS helped rejuvenate interest in the class. SCCA almost dropped the class. 22 FiSTs alone is a powerful statement that the class should be retained and for that I give Ford some credit. Chevy, the ball is in your court. I understand that the Corvette and Camaro are higher priorities, but for a lot less money, you could give the Sonic a little love with an SS. Tune the engine decently and give us a Wavetrack diff at least.