Stock Ford Fiesta (non-ST) banned from SCCA Autocross

"Brian Silvestro" (BrianSilvestro) 01/10/2015 at 16:48 • Filed to: autox, solo, scca, autocross, fiesta, ford

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The Ford Fiesta, a popular choice among budget-minded enthusiasts looking for a fun ride that provides both practicality and fuel economy, has been banned from participating in the SCCA's autocross program within the Street Category.

According to the SCCA's January edition of !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , the base Fiesta presents a rollover risk while on course.

The Ford Fiesta ST meets the Rollover Potential Guidelines in 3.1. The 2011+ non-ST Fiesta models do not meet the requirements and are to be removed from the HS listing.

This comes as a shock to me because the base Fiesta is a great handling car that doesn't seem to present much of a risk. Many people across the nation use base Fiestas to compete in their local regions, it will be very disappointing for them to hear this news.

The Fiesta joins the Dodge Caliber, Fiat 500, GEO Tracker, Suzuki Sidekick, Jeep CJ Series, MINI Countryman, Nissan Juke, Suzuki Samurai, Scion xB (04-06), and Scion iQ on the list of cars banned from competing in the SCCA's Street Category. The complete SCCA Solo Rules can be found !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

Photo credit: Brandon Redeker

UPDATE : commenter Spoolpigeon has provided a video of a Fiesta ST(!) two-wheeling during a run.

Trunk Impaired 318 > Brian Silvestro 01/10/2015 at 16:50

2

The Countryman got banned?? One of them won overall PAX in STX at our last event.......

Grindintosecond > Brian Silvestro 01/10/2015 at 16:51

76

I would like them to present the case history of actual Fiestas rolling over or getting up on two wheels during events.

jvirgs drives a Subaru > Brian Silvestro 01/10/2015 at 16:52

1

Fiat 500? Really? The others I can understand, especially the Geo/Chevy Tracker which is a roll-over risk standing still.

I guess if its got a softer suspension, I guess the body roll on a tight corner could possibly/remotely cause a rollover but I think that would be a freak incident if it did ever happen.

Trevor Slattery, ACTOR > Brian Silvestro 01/10/2015 at 16:52

2

Huh. Learn something new every day.

Brian Silvestro > Trunk Impaired 318 01/10/2015 at 16:52

2

Yeah I really don't know why, I've seen one all of last season with no issues at all..

It was banned last year too

Boss2452stolemylunchmoney > Brian Silvestro 01/10/2015 at 16:53

10

Wonder if they would be allowed if lowering springs are utilized to bring the car beneath the rollover guidelines.

Brian Silvestro > Boss2452stolemylunchmoney 01/10/2015 at 16:56

10

Yeah it does just say "excluded from street category"

Aya, Almost Has A Cosmo With Toyota Engine Owned by a BMW. > Brian Silvestro 01/10/2015 at 16:57

11

What?

Seriously, fiesta in any guise is a fun little car. Also, countryman. I only ever drove the 4WD version of it and it's pretty good. Not as wobbly as the Joke

Brian Silvestro > Aya, Almost Has A Cosmo With Toyota Engine Owned by a BMW. 01/10/2015 at 16:58

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Yeah but I guess they just want to be as safe as possible. Oh well.

Little Black Coupe Turned Silver > Brian Silvestro 01/10/2015 at 16:59

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I'm pretty sure Sonics are banned from Street as well. I believe for awhile they were straight up banned from everything, and now they are in... Something. Dunno. I've stayed away from keeping up to date on them in an effort to keep mine my daily, since I already have one racecar...

Boss2452stolemylunchmoney > Brian Silvestro 01/10/2015 at 17:00

4

Ironically, though... So you lower the car 10% and then increase grip by 30%. Lol

Aya, Almost Has A Cosmo With Toyota Engine Owned by a BMW. > Brian Silvestro 01/10/2015 at 17:00

1

Yeah. But i don't get the Fiesta one..

How about Fiesta Sedan?

Brian Silvestro > Little Black Coupe Turned Silver 01/10/2015 at 17:00

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The rules place the Sonic in H Street. It is perfectly legal in stock form or otherwise.

Brian Silvestro > Aya, Almost Has A Cosmo With Toyota Engine Owned by a BMW. 01/10/2015 at 17:01

89

That should be banned from sale forever

E92M3 > Brian Silvestro 01/10/2015 at 17:10

1

What if they have aftermarket swaybars?

Brian Silvestro > E92M3 01/10/2015 at 17:10

0

Yeah then they'd be out of street category, and they might be eligible.

Little Black Coupe Turned Silver > Brian Silvestro 01/10/2015 at 17:17

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Did this change again? I went and looked up the last time this came up on the Sonic forums, and they are saying the 1.4l is in Street Touring Sport, and the 1.8 in Street Touring.

TheEd83 > Brian Silvestro 01/10/2015 at 17:18

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Wait... you mean to tell me a Jeep CJ is not a good autocross choice?

Brian Silvestro > Little Black Coupe Turned Silver 01/10/2015 at 17:19

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wtf all stock cars are in Stock classes. Those are classes for cars that are modified.

Brian Silvestro > TheEd83 01/10/2015 at 17:19

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I KNOW RIGHT WHAT IS THIS SHIT

daender > Brian Silvestro 01/10/2015 at 17:22

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Only if they replace both sways, replacing only one with an aftermarket is allowed for street/stock class.

Xyl0c41n3 > Brian Silvestro 01/10/2015 at 17:22

6

Hey! I like mine. -_-

Brian Silvestro > daender 01/10/2015 at 17:24

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Yes, exactly.

Brian Silvestro > Xyl0c41n3 01/10/2015 at 17:24

1

Well you already bought yours so you're in the clear!

Sorry about no AutoX though

Xyl0c41n3 > Brian Silvestro 01/10/2015 at 17:30

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Yeah, I was about to say I've been learning a lot about autoX from y'all and now I'm sad I can't try it in my car as it currently sits. But, I don't even think the autoX group here (in the area here I live) even exists anymore anyway. The nearest one would be about 250 miles away now. :-/

dogisbadob > Brian Silvestro 01/10/2015 at 17:41

4

Wow that is stupid. The Fiesta seems to have already proven itself safe in these events for FIVE FUCKING YEARS. Wait, do they come with Firestone tires now or something? Did they change the rules?

Maybe they should lower the SSF threshold to 1.10

Did anyone actually try to autocross a CJ or Tracker? dafuq?

The SCCA should give the Fiesta an exemption.

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > Brian Silvestro 01/10/2015 at 17:43

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Poor Samurai

Dusty Ventures > Xyl0c41n3 01/10/2015 at 17:44

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Weirdo ;)

Dusty Ventures > Brian Silvestro 01/10/2015 at 17:45

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If a car is banned from SCCA autocross does that mean it's also banned from SCCA rallycross?

dogisbadob > Brian Silvestro 01/10/2015 at 17:45

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I wish they still offered this color over here :(

(pink was only offered in its first year 2011)

dogisbadob > Brian Silvestro 01/10/2015 at 17:46

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safer than a Fiesta. Got it.

Scary__goongala! > Brian Silvestro 01/10/2015 at 17:55

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Interesting. And who tried autocrossing a fucking Doge Caliper. If you wanted to have fun in shitty car there are wayyyyy better options.

Xyl0c41n3 > Dusty Ventures 01/10/2015 at 18:02

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But in the best sort of way, right? :-P

What can I say? I enjoy bucking trends. ^_^

Brian Silvestro > Xyl0c41n3 01/10/2015 at 18:10

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;_;

Such a shame, the Fiesta is a great car to get started in the sport too.

Brian Silvestro > dogisbadob 01/10/2015 at 18:13

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Yeah it makes zero sense. If the Fiesta's banned, then why aren't cars like the Yaris and Mazda2 banned as well??

Dusty Ventures > Xyl0c41n3 01/10/2015 at 18:14

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Definitely in the best sort of way

Brian Silvestro > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire 01/10/2015 at 18:15

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;_;

Brian Silvestro > Dusty Ventures 01/10/2015 at 18:16

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No, that would cause a huge outrage.

Brian Silvestro > dogisbadob 01/10/2015 at 18:16

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10/10 would be best color on Fiesta ST

Brian Silvestro > Scary__goongala! 01/10/2015 at 18:18

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The person that did that probably inherited it

Dusty Ventures > Brian Silvestro 01/10/2015 at 18:18

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That's why I was wondering. If the Fiesta's anywhere near as popular for rallycross as it is for stage rally banning it would probably produce a full blown mutiny.

Makoyouidiot > Brian Silvestro 01/10/2015 at 18:21

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I shall stand with my banned brothers!

Xyl0c41n3 > Dusty Ventures 01/10/2015 at 18:23

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Brian Silvestro > Makoyouidiot 01/10/2015 at 18:24

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lol I keep forgetting there's a huge population of 500 owners on here

Makoyouidiot > Brian Silvestro 01/10/2015 at 18:38

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We lurk in the margins, ever vigilant

Dusty Ventures > Xyl0c41n3 01/10/2015 at 18:52

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Mathias Rios > Brian Silvestro 01/10/2015 at 18:54

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can you add MLs to the list of cars banned by the SCCA autoX. I think it needs to be known

DancesWithRotors - Driving Insightfully > Xyl0c41n3 01/10/2015 at 18:58

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Cut one coil off the springs, put Hoosiers on it, an exhaust and an intake. Then, Track Day, Bro!

Brian Silvestro > Mathias Rios 01/10/2015 at 19:00

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You can request to add it to the list. That fastrack link just leads to a pdf of the SCCA telling people to fuck off, mostly.

PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power > Brian Silvestro 01/10/2015 at 19:02

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hmm let's see: Juke (190hp, and light, nimble as all heck for a CUV) BANNED

Countryman (S models have 190hp, possible AWD, good handling) BANNED

Fiesta (small engine, really good handling awesome brakes) BANNED

They're getting rid of cars that are too good!

Brian Silvestro > PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power 01/10/2015 at 19:03

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Illuminati confirmed

dogisbadob > Brian Silvestro 01/10/2015 at 19:08

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Double funny because the 2 is a rebadged Fiesta!

Either way, the SCCA just looks stupid for banning a car that's perfectly fine, and it taking them 5 years to figure out it didn't meet their standards.

Brian Silvestro > dogisbadob 01/10/2015 at 19:21

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THIS

samssun > Grindintosecond 01/10/2015 at 19:22

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I'll go you one better: I'd like them to present the case history of 20mph rollovers actually being a problem.

Sir_Stig: and toxic masculinity ruins the party again. > Brian Silvestro 01/10/2015 at 19:46

55

3 cars banned, half life 3 confirmed

George McNally > Brian Silvestro 01/10/2015 at 20:33

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Wow. I used to autocross my 88 Tempo, that piece of crap never went fast enough to roll over.

NJAnon > Brian Silvestro 01/10/2015 at 21:00

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There is a reason: "Risk of rollover" aka keeping spectator/on track staff safe & driver safe from inability to handle own car.

ParkingLotRacer > samssun 01/10/2015 at 21:11

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Good drivers on an autocross course have pulled two wheels off the ground very easily. I saw one with the drivers side off the ground about 12 inches! It was very scary... By the way, autocross courses in parking lots can get to speeds approaching 70mph.

Xyl0c41n3 > Dusty Ventures 01/10/2015 at 21:11

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Xyl0c41n3 > DancesWithRotors - Driving Insightfully 01/10/2015 at 21:13

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Lol..........no. :-P

^_^

ParkingLotRacer > samssun 01/10/2015 at 21:14

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Good drivers in the Fiesta can easily pull two wheels off the ground. I have personally seen one with both drivers side wheels 12" off the ground and it was very scary. By the way, speeds in an autocross can approach 70 mph...

Brian Silvestro > NJAnon 01/10/2015 at 21:26

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So why is the Fiesta banned, but not cars such as the Sonic, Mazda2, and Yaris?

NJAnon > Brian Silvestro 01/10/2015 at 21:36

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They probably are getting to those as well. Either that or the ones you mentioned don't have some odd characteristic the SCCA people would think would make them rollover.

*Folks actually attempt an autocross in a Toyota Yaris? RLY?*

dogisbadob > ParkingLotRacer 01/10/2015 at 21:40

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Yeah, but did it really take the SCCA five years to figure that out? The parameters they use to determine eligibility, and the rules themselves, have not changed as long as the Fiesta has been out.

XJDano > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire 01/10/2015 at 21:41

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Decently not stock

Brian Silvestro > NJAnon 01/10/2015 at 21:42

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lol I've seen some hilarious things get AutoX'd. But yeah, maybe they will suffer the same fate.

Dusty Ventures > Xyl0c41n3 01/10/2015 at 21:51

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Xyl0c41n3 > Dusty Ventures 01/10/2015 at 21:59

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Svend > Brian Silvestro 01/10/2015 at 22:03

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So a Fiesta ST is okay, but a regular Fiesta isn't? Erm, why? Is a Style, Studio, Zetec, Titanium, Red Edition or Black Edition more prone to turning over than an ST?

I've heard of some stupid stuff but this is quite high up on the list.

Brian Silvestro > Svend 01/10/2015 at 22:04

1

Yeah there really isn't much difference between the two. The ST's suspension is the same, just slightly stiffer and lower. The ST also comes stock with sticker summer tires, which probably just makes it more prone to rollover.

Trunk Impaired 318 > Brian Silvestro 01/10/2015 at 22:05

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If they're only excluded from street specifically couldnt one just put a intake on and move to modified whilst making no other changes? I'm always trying to out think the SCCA rule makers because they're questionable at best.

Jonee > dogisbadob 01/10/2015 at 22:05

15

It's not actually a rebadged Fiesta. It's a totally different car.

Justin Hughes > Brian Silvestro 01/10/2015 at 22:07

1

I can understand the ST being allowed because its suspension is much different. Maybe the Mazda2 has different spring rates than the Fiesta? It's possible - I know the FR-S and BRZ do, and they're even more the same car than those two.

More likely they simply didn't think of the Mazda2 when banning the Fiesta. Either that or nobody's rolled one over at an autocross yet.

Brian Silvestro > Trunk Impaired 318 01/10/2015 at 22:07

3

Yeah technically then it would be legal. But it's all really confusing.

Steve Fig > dogisbadob 01/10/2015 at 22:08

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haha yep.

Justin Hughes > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire 01/10/2015 at 22:09

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Needs moar

Brian Silvestro > Justin Hughes 01/10/2015 at 22:09

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I don't think anyone's rolled over a Fiesta yet either, or at least I've never heard of one being rolled.

According to Ford's website, the ST suspension is just an "ST tuned" version of the base Fiesta's suspension.

Trunk Impaired 318 > Brian Silvestro 01/10/2015 at 22:12

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Thats the SCCA way

Justin Hughes > Brian Silvestro 01/10/2015 at 22:13

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I know a guy who rolled a Geo Storm at an autocross. Soft stock suspension + R-compound tires = flippedy. Granted, one purpose of Street class is to ban R-compound tires, but the top tires legal for the class are still far more grippy than anything most cars ever come with. Their suspensions aren't designed for that much grip, so if you intentionally or accidentally pull a Scandinavian flick, it could be roll over Beethoven time - in ANY car.

Justin Hughes > Scary__goongala! 01/10/2015 at 22:15

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But its mechanical twin, the Jeep Compass, makes an awesome rally course car.

Oh wait, the Fiesta also makes an awesome rally car. So much for that correlation...

Brian Silvestro > Justin Hughes 01/10/2015 at 22:15

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Yeah I knew a guy who put r comps on his completely stock Mazda3, and flipped it instantly.

WHOOPS

Justin Hughes > Brian Silvestro 01/10/2015 at 22:24

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Right, same geometry, but stiffer springs, struts, sway bars... I don't get it.

Justin Hughes > Brian Silvestro 01/10/2015 at 22:25

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Brian Silvestro > Justin Hughes 01/10/2015 at 22:26

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[confusion intensifies]

Dusty Ventures > Xyl0c41n3 01/10/2015 at 22:32

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Xyl0c41n3 > Dusty Ventures 01/10/2015 at 22:40

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Vicente Esteve > Brian Silvestro 01/10/2015 at 22:44

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Someone here AutoXed a Ranger. WTF?!

Also, no 1.0L Racing for you!

Brian Silvestro > Vicente Esteve 01/10/2015 at 22:46

2

This is a hilarious thing that happened

http://truckyeah.jalopnik.com/taking-a-stock…

Svend > Brian Silvestro 01/10/2015 at 22:51

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It's crazy what lazy buggers do when they think they should be doing something but have no idea what it is they should be doing.

Vicente Esteve > Brian Silvestro 01/10/2015 at 23:03

1

For some reason my father adores that truck. He took me to the dealership just to see the cool truck with stickers.

"I want to put those in my Tacoma"

"No dad. Don't"

Dusty Ventures > Xyl0c41n3 01/10/2015 at 23:03

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That bird is really tempting fate

Brian Silvestro > Vicente Esteve 01/10/2015 at 23:05

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pls stahp dad no

Vicente Esteve > Brian Silvestro 01/10/2015 at 23:15

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Sort of how it went.

gogmorgo - rowing gears in a Grand Cherokee > Brian Silvestro 01/10/2015 at 23:41

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This has likely been mentioned already by someone else, but the rollover risk is a set of guidelines that are mostly based on vehicle height vs width. They're meant to keep top-heavy trucks, SUV's, and vans from running, and unfortunately as it's difficult to properly define a class of vehicle and some kinda wander between the lines, they did it as objectively as possible: if the vehicle's average track width is less than 130% of its height, it's out. Unfortunately, the Fiesta is actually about a half inch taller than its track width. It's out.

grantsprofile > Brian Silvestro 01/11/2015 at 01:01

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So, not what you said.

grantsprofile > jvirgs drives a Subaru 01/11/2015 at 01:06

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High center of gravity, soft spring rate and a slim body width = lack of stability that will topple over when coupled with 40 treadwear tires and possible rolling, off camber corners.

Dusty Ventures > NJAnon 01/11/2015 at 01:06

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Not the craziest thing that's been done with a Yaris

More fun than driving a fast car slow > Trunk Impaired 318 01/11/2015 at 01:51

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You don't even need to make any modifications - just self-bump out of Street. That magically makes it safer, apparently.

cesariojpn > Grindintosecond 01/11/2015 at 02:06

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Top Gear provides proof.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > cesariojpn 01/11/2015 at 02:15

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That's a Focus.