[Couldahadav8]

I am starting this thread not because I am in Lincoln but because I am not and I enjoy following the event. I thought a new thread for this purpose would be useful.

I was watching runs yesterday, and it seems like the west course is much tighter than the east course. In watching a run on the east course, it looked as though the fiesta would do very well while, at the same time, probably be overpowered by the focus and other more powerful GS cars. In looking at the map, I didn't think the west course would be all that tight, but watching a STF mazda2 run the west course makes me think it is a fairly tight course that might play to the fiesta's strengths. The Mazda2 run I watched was of the current 3rd place car.

I'll be very interested in what you all think about it. Truly wish I was there.

 

[Mightymango]

The Mazda 2 is from my region, I have driven the car and it turns really well, makes a lot of noise and needs more power, but he makes it work.

The west course is tighter but it flows really well. It rewards patience and has some really fun sections. The finish though...the suck.

The east course has more straights and sweepers with a couple "gotcha" parts. The focus did well on the west course with the Fiestas that are running doing as well as they can in the class.

Comparing DS /GS / HS my thinking is that the Fiesta might actually be a good competitor in HS as the times posted today were really close to the times the Mini was putting down. I hung out with Crookedracer and his wife and it is his first Nats as well.

Probably going to drive the FiST here next year....unless I co-drive something different

 

[Couldahadav8]

Andres did a great job driving. Preston was fast considering the first day was run on a bad strut. That last turn on the west course seemed a bit unnecessary when I was looking at the map, but I am sure it rewarded precision. Hope to be there next year with my Fiesta and my son in a kart. Thanks for the report.

 

[Mightymango]

Yes Andres drove well. That last turn on the west looked like if you stayed tight it would be faster because of the position of the timing lights but if you did it turned out it was slower then if you just opened it up more. The amazing thing with the bad strut, they brought it to koni on site and had it back in three hours all fixed.

 

[k757]

The Focus' are putting a beat down on the Fiestas.

SCCA. ...see....see .... we told you

 

[Slowclimb]

No surprise there...first FiST is 22nd...FoST FTW in GS. FiST is just outclassed....

 

[Cligedy]

6 different models in the top 10. Maybe the FoST is where it needs to be. Are we all really driving HS cars?

 

[k757]

6 different models in the top 10. Maybe the FoST is where it needs to be. Are we all really driving HS cars?

I have lost to HS Mini (I'm pretty decent and good mini driver)

... not Minnie Driver though would drive her.... offtopic... sorry

 

[limbo]

No offense to any of the Fiesta ST drivers but driver skill plays a huge part here and I'm not sure of their caliber in comparison. Ian Stewart has driven my car and was only about .5 second slower on a 30 second course in the Fiesta vs. his Volvo.

 

[Cligedy]

Either way, huzzah to everyone who is out there and best of luck. I'll be doing my best to make it out next year.

 

[limbo]

Agreed! I know I'm watching live now wishing I was there. Also going to shoot for a 2015 nationals debut.

 

[Slowclimb]

Even in HS the fastest FiSt would have been 7th. I went from a HS Mini to a GS FiST and knowing where I stacked up against the Fast HS guys that I had run with in both cars (2 of which placed in the top 6 at nationals) if I were racing myself I would be significantly faster in the mini then I am in the FiST...at the last event I would have beaten myself by about 1.5 seconds on a 60 second course. I know it is the first year...but was hoping for more...

 

[limbo]

Yes would've been nice to see more Fiesta's out there to see truly how competitive it is. I think the results were inconclusive, though, also noticed they were on Falken tires? Definitely not the tire to have.

 

[Mightymango]

Well....the FiST is in its first year and suspension choices , settings, tires, exhaust etc etc are all still new. All of the top HS drivers are all good drivers and the cars have had a lot of time to be tuned for that class. Frankly HS would not be terrible and I think the FiST could be very competitive at that level.

I could almost see a double move...FiST down and FoST up (or staying) .

Also no surprise that our cars dropped in placement today. The east course was more favorable to power instead of transition like the west.

 

[Mightymango]

Yes would've been nice to see more Fiesta's out there to see truly how competitive it is. I think the results were inconclusive, though, also noticed they were on Falken tires? Definitely not the tire to have.

Watching them both on course a different tire wouldnt have hurt but the extreme lack of camber adjustment/rear toe adjustment does not lend any favors. Also they both looked good on course so I would hardly say the results are inconclusive.

 

[The Duke]

How do you guys fit a helmet on your head with these damn headrests on the Recaros? I have a Arai Vector helmet and I have to crane my head forward and I'm still against the headrest!

 

[CrookedRacer]

I spin the headrest around. Use a key to press in a little button at the base to release the inside post.

 

[CrookedRacer]

Even in HS the fastest FiSt would have been 7th. I went from a HS Mini to a GS FiST and knowing where I stacked up against the Fast HS guys that I had run with in both cars (2 of which placed in the top 6 at nationals) if I were racing myself I would be significantly faster in the mini then I am in the FiST...at the last event I would have beaten myself by about 1.5 seconds on a 60 second course. I know it is the first year...but was hoping for more...

It rained off and on all day... I wouldn't compare classes that way knowing how variable conditions were today.

 

[CrookedRacer]

Yes would've been nice to see more Fiesta's out there to see truly how competitive it is. I think the results were inconclusive, though, also noticed they were on Falken tires? Definitely not the tire to have.

Personally, I would say they were pretty conclusive. The Fiesta just isn't competitive here.

Would've been nice to see you out here on whatever tires you want.

 

[Mightymango]

Crooked, did you get a shot of your car with the livery on it? I thought it looked really good.