Cal Club Autocross Forums

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Karl loves his Euro Abarth

Did not know this.

Leonard Cachola wrote:Did not know this.

I hope you didn't just buy one.

Yeah, kind of a bummer, seems to be a popular car. I'm not positive, but I think in this case SCCA is not letting it run at all, rather than just banning it from Stock category like some other models with rollover potential.

This topic came up at the convention (Fiat hosted the media launch of Abarth at Spring Mountain the same week, so some were asking if it would be allowed in), and I seem to recall mention of all high "profile" cars being reevaluated, even those already classed - like the Subi Forrester that no one currently on the board seems to have a clue how/why it got in.

Could it be the CIVIC/Mini crowd had something to do with this?

Here is what Karl had to say:

I bought an Abarth "Esseesse", which is an Abarth 500 with an upgraded kit (suspension, filter, exhaust, seats) to make it to 170hp.
It might be close to the one sold in the US, I don't know. the US one might be heavier, I have no idea. Mine is pretty quick and nimble, the 0-60 times I don't really care about though, but they are in the 6 secs range.
The handling is way fun, though. And the car is a perfect fit for the tight streets of Beirut, too.

But they seem to drive on two wheels in Lebanon anyway ... maybe that's what Karl meant by "way fun?!"

George Schilling wrote:

Leonard Cachola wrote:Did not know this.

I hope you didn't just buy one.

lol, no, but we did have one at the school last year.

They should be allowed, but only for those with Joie Chitwood training.

Don't get the reference? Ask your parents.

Can we ban the Mini Coupe strictly on the basis of sheer ugliness?

Doug Kott wrote:Can we ban the Mini Coupe strictly on the basis of sheer ugliness?

Looks like it has it's cap on backward, weighs more than the hardtop and sacrifices valuable headroom and the back seats (not that those get much use in my car anyway). And yes, it looks like they sequestered three designers in different rooms and told them to design a part of the car without allowing communication with the other designers.

Got an Abarth for the weekend. In the name of science, I'll do my best to traction-roll in a corner.

:gpower:

Sebastian Rios wrote:Yeah, kind of a bummer, seems to be a popular car. I'm not positive, but I think in this case SCCA is not letting it run at all, rather than just banning it from Stock category like some other models with rollover potential.

Not that popular so far, it's a sales flop.

Leonard Cachola wrote:

George Schilling wrote:

Leonard Cachola wrote:Did not know this.

I hope you didn't just buy one.

lol, no, but we did have one at the school last year.

I instructed the gentleman that came in the Fiat at the school. The car handle pretty good. In fact, it had the second fastest time through the slalom. Only losing to Pete Loney in his S2000 by just a hair. I was quite surprised.

Steve A.

The car handle pretty good. In fact, it had the second fastest time through the slalom

Sizes Matters ... ;)

Not that popular so far, it's a sales flop.

Well of course ... everyone is waiting to see if the SCCA will classify it!

... or/and they're waiting for the BRZ/FR-s ... at least in My World.

SCCA's roll over criteria is outdated.

Bob Beamesderfer wrote: Not that popular so far, it's a sales flop.

I blame Jennifer Lopez, she ruined that car for me.

Mike Shin wrote:

Bob Beamesderfer wrote: Not that popular so far, it's a sales flop.

I blame Jennifer Lopez, she ruined that car for me.

...But didn't the Abarth ad bring you back?

Bill Schenker wrote:
...But didn't the Abarth ad bring you back?

The hot Italian woman yelling angrily was awesome. But when I saw the car again, even in the Abarth trim, I was hit with flashbacks of Gucci edition pin stripes, random hip-hop dance numbers in the street and "Jenny from da block". Whatever that means.

Mike Shin wrote:
The hot Italian woman yelling angrily was awesome. But when I saw the car again, even in the Abarth trim, I was hit with flashbacks of Gucci edition pin stripes, random hip-hop dance numbers in the street and "Jenny from da block". Whatever that means.

Its all just lies upon lies... First they get caught faking the location for the Jlo ads, then the angry hot chick is not even Italian. Next everyone will discover it is really a Mexican import via Detroit. Oh the shame.

Jason Isley BS RX8 wrote: Its all just lies upon lies... First they get caught faking the location for the Jlo ads, then the angry hot chick is not even Italian. Next everyone will discover it is really a Mexican import via Detroit. Oh the shame.

My head just exploded.

Mike Shin wrote:

Jason Isley BS RX8 wrote: Its all just lies upon lies... First they get caught faking the location for the Jlo ads, then the angry hot chick is not even Italian. Next everyone will discover it is really a Mexican import via Detroit. Oh the shame.

My head just exploded.

Fiat, winning:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjYxE2VD ... r_embedded#" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;!

Mike Shin wrote:I blame Jennifer Lopez, she ruined that car for me.

Everyone I see driving one I ask if they bought it because of the J-Lo endorsement. The embrassment in their eyes is grand.

Jay W

John Coffey wrote:SCCA's roll over criteria is outdated.

John, it is more a matter of the data no longer being available. The previously accepted SSF calculation which served for years is no longer given. Calculating wouldn't be a problem, except the needed data is limited and conflicting (depending on source). So, the default has to be conservative: height vs. average track width...if it taller than it is wide, all other things being equal, it represents greater rollover risk.

Do you have a suggestion for how to solve? We've (SAC) looked at numerous possibilities, including percentage rollover ratings, "star" ratings, various safety agencies etc etc etc but are still searching...believe me, we'd love to class cars like the Fiat, which would be a natural for stock class.

Easy, just borrow the FSAE testing rig!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aLTWhYvnmQw" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

...maybe.