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.