SVT Contour will trounce it in a straight line, or the 1/4. You simply can't launch the SVT Focus from a stop because the TC isn't defeatable at speeds under 20mph. The SVT Focus also suffers from a lack of torque and an extra gear to shift through. 0-60 times for the SVT Focus are pretty close to a regular duratec with a 5 speed. At highway speeds I still think my duratec had better pickup than the SVT Foci I've tried, at least when my secondaries decided they wanted to work.
I suppose you could give cornering/braking to the Focus, it has fairly large brakes, good rubber on 17s and the suspension is decent. The weight difference isn't as much as one would think (The Focus is not really all that small) That won't mean alot unless you're on a really tight road course. Anything with alot of straights and the power advantage, and shape of the SVT Contour will be apparent. Remember, Foci are about as aerodynamic as a refridgerator box.
Now if you were to throw a JRSC on the Focus, it would be a little closer and the Focus would have an advantage... $4000 later...
