Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Autocross and Open Track Sentra SE-R V spec, SVT Focus,Mazda MP3, Altima 3.5SEin G Stock?

Good point about the Celica GT!! My friend just ran very similar times to me and he was running on almost bald street tires!!

"But the MP3 won the C&D road test over both cars and put up some amazing handling numbers, (.86g and 68mph slalom)so if it gets more power...watch out."

You caught your error they were good but not amazing. The MP3 and Spec-V both under 60 MPH in that test. For comparison the SVT scored 63 MPH & .86g by the same mag. But the MP3 does sound like a sweet handler and with the LSD, the Sentra will be tough as well.

You think Mazda will get its head out of its butt and put more power into the protege? Every magazine I read has complained of the power issue. Hopefully the people at ford aren't controlling them too much.

I'm going to the central division roundtable next sat. and I'm interested in finding out just what g-stock will look like next year. Not that it matters with a stock SE, unless I make some serious changes,(and learn to drive) I have little to hope for in G. Might as well go all the way with the mods and jump to sts/str. The Sentra looks to me to be a good solo or SSC car, I expect to see them on the grid. As for the Mazda's, they sure did well for themselves in club racing, as well as in Speedvision touring car. Mazda seems to be back from a corporate point of view, wheather it will translate into the kind of program they had in the 80's remains to be seen.

I caught my error but then it turns out the guy was talking about Road & Track where it did in fact run 68.5mph in the slalom!! R&T said only .84g which is odd because C&D does a 300' skidpad which normally has lesser g figures than R&T's 200' skidpad. R&T also was slower 0-60mph at 8.4 and 16.5 @ 83.8mph in the 1/4 mile.

For my money I think that the Mazda MP3 will be one fast autocross car. Autocrossing is more about maintaining speed and changing direction quickly than it is about power. That's partly how my totaly stock 95 Contour SE (with no extra options to keep weight to a minimum) was able to out run the other modified Contours at spring zing earlier this year. That and seven years of racing experience. It's no doubt that the new SVT Focus, SE-R and MP3 are going to be very tough compitition if they are in G-stock. But also the Audi TT & A4 turbo quattro, Eagle Talon all-wheel drive turbo, Integra GSR, WRX, and Ford Probe/ Mazda MX6 are still very tough if not almost impossible to beat with a Contour. They are just very nimble and fast cars. I've won a few races against them, but it's been few and far between. Having said that, I still look forward to the day when a Contour takes top honors at an SCCA event even if I'm driving something else in the future. Keep racing!

So does this mean you'll join us in the "PRO" class at spring zing?

Unfortunately "no" I most likely will not be racing in the upcoming Spring Zing. My Contour has suffered from far to many problems over the last several years and the problems just keep getting more serious and from racing and my long owned 83 VW GTI has now been put into service for racing. I miss racing the Contour because it's fast more expensive. The car has been retired and so easy to drive at the limit. But mine has been a lemon and I need to keep it running somewhat reliably. But, if my good friend would be willing to let me drive his '95 SE next year, then I still might see you at the event. Never say never I guess. :p

Sorry! A couple of sentances get partly erased. It's supposed to read that my Contour has been retired do to expensive problems and that I've had to start racing my 83 VW GTI now.

Ahh I was wondering about that. Think you might make it out to Spring Zing with it anyway?