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! cool