SCCA Bans Non-ST Ford Fiesta

Photo © 2014 Ford Motor Company

I can see the draw of the Ford Fiesta.  It is a small, economical vehicle with decent handling and room coming in at just under $14,500.  It also doesn't look half bad, and, hey, Ken Block drives one, right?  If I wasn't such a big guy, I could consider one.

Unfortunately, though, incidents involving cars like the one in the video here, equipped with grippier aftermarket tires, have now left the Non-ST model Fiestas banned from competition.  Citing the rollover risk, the Non-ST Fiesta joins the ranks of other banned cars like the Mini Countryman, Nissan Juke, Scion xB, Suzuki Sidekick, and Jeep CJ.  While it doesn't really seem to fit in the list, much like the also fun to drive Mini Countryman, the video speaks for itself.

Now, I assume that the Fiesta can still be raced in the non-stock SCCA classes by upgrading springs and so forth, just as the ST version has, but this might be something to consider for anyone looking to buy a new daily driver that they also want to autocross.

So much hate...

I was talking to a friend, today, and the subject of our online car community came up.  My friend, Josh, and I both grew up as part of a couple of major automotive forums that fueled our love for the cars and trucks we own today.  With almost two decades in, "The Scene," we have seen a lot of change come about and a lot of fads come and go.  I'm not sure most of it is for the better.

I'm not sure when it all started, but the internet forums used to be full of people yearning for knowledge and an equal number of people happy to share knowledge.  We did...stuff.  We worked on our vehicles.  We literally poured blood, sweat, and tears into our cars.  People respected other people's work, even if we didn't particularly care for the car at all.  There were some really nice, detailed builds around; even the ones that were on a budget still put a lot of effort into their builds, and it showed.  Nowadays, at the risk of sounding like my grandfather, things are completely different.  Looking at car shows, you see very few true builds.  Many of the cars simply have wheels, coilovers, and a ton of camber (no disrespect to the stance guys, but that's not really a build in my book) and way too much, "Sweet ride, bro."  The sad thing is that the people actually building cars get little respect, or way too much hate because they did something different and didn't follow the crowd.

That brings me me to the hate.  WHY?!  Why can't we just, as enthusiasts, respect what other people enjoy?  To each his own.  If it's not what you like, move along.  It's not nearly as bad at meets and shows as it is on the web, but I think this has more to do with a lack of ability, or guts, to speak to people.  Forums and social media groups (the worst) are so full of keyboard warriors that its ridiculous.  Most of the older crowd that started these forums have long since left, overrun by people who have no clue and respond to pleas for advice with posts like, "Take it to a shop.  You will probably break it more," and, "Well, if your car wasn't a piece of crap, [insert absolute nonsense]," or even, "Your mom."  Seriously?  Why even bother?  You hardly see, "Use the search button," anymore because these people don't even know the knowledge is even there or these things have ever been discussed.  The internet used to be a valuable tool for the most of us to learn, and some of us to pass on our knowledge.  Now, for the most part, it has turned into a circus of sorts.  I never liked the circus.

Magnus Walker's makeover of the Sharkwerks 997 GT2

I have always been a huge fan of Magnus Walker, for may reasons.  It's not just his collection of cars, although the multitude of classic Porsche 911s that fill his warehouse garage is reason enough.  Maybe it is his style, both automotive and personal.  Some of the things he does to his cars would make most other classic Porsche enthusiasts cringe, while his beard, dreads, and tattoo sleeved arms would make most yuppies wet their pants in a dark alley.  Then again, maybe it is because the man came from nothing and truly realized the American dream, building a small clothing company into a multi-million dollar business.  Or all the above?

Either way, its not wonder he did what he did when Sharkwerks left their 775HP 997 GT2 project car in his possession and told him to treat it as his own.  They should have known better; Magnus doesn't seem to drive anything as plain looking.  I have to say, the results of his makeover were pretty bad ass.

You can check out more pictures of this car, and all of Magnus's 911s on his blog: MagnusWalker911

True Meaning of JDM Leaf Sticker

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It amazes me what people will display on their cars and/or bodies without actually knowing what it means, and the "JDM Leaf" is a perfect example.  If you won't listen to me, then maybe you will listen to the Japanese guy.  Now, please, scrape that crap.