Bench Racing - h stock

First, this would be on street tires only, not R-Comps.

Will the Mazda2 or Ford Fiesta be any better than the 3 or Cooper?

It looks like the Mazda undercuts the Cooper by 2-300 lbs, but is also 15Hp down. The 3 is 6-700 lbs heavier, but also boasts an additional 55 hp. The Fiesta looks to be almost on par with the Mini.

You are so going to love the February issue of Grassroots. Per did a comparison with a handful of the new tiny-sporty hatchbacks, including the MINI and the Mazda2, among others.

I know they tried to get a Fiesta, but couldn't find one in the press pool equipped with a stick. If you believe the hype, it's very close to a Mazda2 in spec.

I can't give up the results, but it's a very interesting matchup. I expect to see some variety at the top of the HS in the next season or two.

I think the 2 has a chance of becoming a fighter.

Though I am still holding out for an early Saturn SC2 being built to a competitive level.

How about the Fiat 500?

I think the Fiat 500 will definitely be in the hunt. People seem to be selling the CR-Z a little short, too.

Speaking of the CR-Z, I'm wondering how much mod potential there is on the electric side of things. How much would be involved in bumping that electic motor up to 20% more torque? 50%? Double?

How does the hybrid drivetrain handle engine mods? Will anything divide itself by zero if you were to put a turbo in there? (I'm assuming turbo heat + hybrid electronics = bad) What about more basic mods? Seems like with the electric motor providing off-the-line grunt, you could get really aggressive with the cam.

What about the Tiburon GT-v6? A guy in our Division has one and beats up on the National level Mini/drivers. The car is a little heavy at 2900lbs, but has good power and a low CG and doesn't seem to have a problem getting the power to the ground. I've driven his car and been VERY impressed by the way it drives. I'm fairly sure you can get a decent amount of tire beneath them on stock wheels as well.

Doesn't the fiesta have a non-defeatable traction / stability control? Seems to me that would be intrusive for an autocrosser.

I think it depends on the traction control. I know of one National-level MINI driver that insists a MINI is faster leaving it on. His arguement is that it will only engage if you drive ham-fisted and if you are smooth, it won't interfere. That said, he is on R-comps and you would have to drive pretty ham-fisted to get it to lose traction.

When I drive our MINI with Star Specs, I turn it off but I've forgotten and done runs with it on and don't remember it being too much different. Getting my braking and turn-in points right makes much more of a difference. My VW, on the other hand, has a very intrusive ESP and I shut it off for most sketchy street-driving situations as it makes the handling unpredictable.

In reply to Tom Heath:

Consider me interested. Are you allowed to list exactly which cars are compared?

Minis better be lookin out for my Accent.

In reply to RoosterSauce:

Is it an OUTRAGEOUS French accent? Hotlinked!

I vote for an "I" stock class.

scardeal wrote: In reply to Tom Heath: Consider me interested. Are you allowed to list exactly which cars are compared?

I'm allowed, but I don't know exactly who made it into the comparison. I'll quiz Per when he gets back from the SEMA show. I had a copy of some of the results data, but can't find it.

I know there was a MINI, a CR-Z, and a Mazda2. I don't think we got a Fiat in time for the test.

In reply to scardeal:

Naw, it's just a little Korean Accent.

Having driven a Mazda 3 at a fairly high level and test driven both the Mazda 2 and the Fiesta --- I can't see it.

I also think it is worth noting that 2 of the last 3 national champions owned Mazda 3's and no run the class in Mini's.