What class is the 2012 Chevy Sonic gonna compete in?

Cash Davidson · **Posted:** Fri Jan 13, 2012 5:57 pm

BriceJohnson wrote:

Mazda3 or Mini cooper should whoop any of those cars though.

I agree but they are not sub-compacts like the Sonic - think Fiesta and Fiat (as well as the Fit, Mazda2).

The Focus ST might give the Mazdaspeed3 and CooperS a good run. :thumbsup:

I'm anxious to see the Chevy 130R concept come to market - looks interesting although I'd be hard pressed to buy a GM product.

Kevin Allen · **Joined:** Thu Aug 28, 2003 6:42 pm **Posts:** 3479

I saw one of those Mitsubishi mini minivans today in Four Oaks and thought of you, David. It was shiny, red and appeared to be in really good shape.

David Edwards · **Posted:** Sat Jan 14, 2012 1:48 am

Kevin, I knew I felt all tingly today for a reason..... Oddly enough, I have owned 3 of those weird vans. They were all 5spd AWD with the 2.4 liter engine. It was a great idea but they didn't really do anything well. Crappy gas mileage and so so handling but the AWD and upright comfy driving position made them fun. They were also very light and crazy practical since you could remove the rear seat and estentially have a mini cargo van. I haven't seen a 5spd awd for sale in couple years now. The automatics were junk.

Interestly enough, Ash Nelson took some great pics of me racing that van that have circulated on a bunch of mitsubishi forums for years. People have mistaken me for actually having driving skills. The guy that bought that van drove 11 hours with his wife and daughter to get it and emailed me for a year to tell me how much he loved it.

Even more interesting, I recently sold a 1991 Dodge Spirit R/T on Craigslist with 79k original miles. Who bought it?
Ash Nelson of course....

Keith Vail · **Posted:** Mon Jan 23, 2012 4:41 pm

I know this is not the answer that you will want to hear David but the Sonic has been placed on the stock class exclusion list due to potential roll over risk. This was just published in the February Fastrack. So you can run the car in STC or Tir using the DSP pax instead if you want to still run the car.

There is a huge argument going on because they excluded the Fiat as well yet the Honda Fit is specifically classed in HS.

Kevin Allen · **Joined:** Thu Aug 28, 2003 6:42 pm **Posts:** 3479

Keith Vail wrote:

I know this is not the answer that you will want to hear David but the Sonic has been placed on the stock class exclusion list due to potential roll over risk. This was just published in the February Fastrack. So you can run the car in STC or Tir using the DSP pax instead if you want to still run the car.

There is a huge argument going on because they excluded the Fiat as well yet the Honda Fit is specifically classed in HS.

Wow.

So what if somebody puts R compounds on it and runs it in DSP? Would SCCA check for suspension modifications, or just let him run it?

BriceJohnson · **Joined:** Thu Apr 13, 2006 7:33 am **Posts:** 2230

Technically, he can't even run it in STC though, right? Street touring rules require the car to be stock class eligible.

That said, if anyone protests him for running TIR-HS, they deserve a swift kick to the groin. Making him run TIR-DSP is kind of ridiculous. At least that's my (meaningless) opinion.

Steven Carter · **Posted:** Tue Jan 24, 2012 11:17 am

I wonder if uncertainty about the impact of rear bars in Stock class influenced the decision...

JohnByers · **Posted:** Tue Jan 24, 2012 1:51 pm

has to do with what the Feds are using as roll over potential risk ratings now. If it fits into a numerical rating higher than the accepted range, its on the exclusion list. Kinda stupid imho but insurance I am sure is what forcing this

Andrew Jonell · **Joined:** Mon Mar 23, 2009 6:43 pm **Posts:** 1350

BriceJohnson wrote:

Technically, he can't even run it in STC though, right? Street touring rules require the car to be stock class eligible.

That said, if anyone protests him for running TIR-HS, they deserve a swift kick to the groin. Making him run TIR-DSP is kind of ridiculous. At least that's my (meaningless) opinion.

Public note to self: wear cup to next month's meeting.

BriceJohnson · **Joined:** Thu Apr 13, 2006 7:33 am **Posts:** 2230

Why would you protest him? Do you really think that the Sonic is an unfair competitor in HS?

Andrew Jonell · **Joined:** Mon Mar 23, 2009 6:43 pm **Posts:** 1350

EVERY EDGE COUNTS MAN

I'm kidding, of course; THSCC is too lax for anybody to get butthurt about "it's slightly against the rules!!!" and DQ'ing other drivers.

HS is going to be fun this year.

JasonWatts · **Posted:** Wed Jan 25, 2012 8:50 am

BriceJohnson wrote:

Street touring rules require the car to be stock class eligible.

How does that work? ST classes allow for spring changes... as soon as you change those or any number of other things, you become non stock class eligible.

jeremy gast · **Posted:** Wed Jan 25, 2012 9:00 am

he means that the car in "stock" form has to have a stock class rating!!!! Where if this goes through they are saying it is a straight DSP car, therefore doesnt have a stock class for it.

JasonWatts wrote:

BriceJohnson wrote:

Street touring rules require the car to be stock class eligible.

How does that work? ST classes allow for spring changes... as soon as you change those or any number of other things, you become non stock class eligible.

JasonWatts · **Posted:** Wed Jan 25, 2012 11:44 am

jeremy gast wrote:

he means that the car in "stock" form has to have a stock class rating!!!! Where if this goes through they are saying it is a straight DSP car, therefore doesnt have a stock class for it.

JasonWatts wrote:

BriceJohnson wrote:

Street touring rules require the car to be stock class eligible.

How does that work? ST classes allow for spring changes... as soon as you change those or any number of other things, you become non stock class eligible.

that makes since now that I am not half a sleep... sorry having a lack of coffee day.

jeremy gast · **Posted:** Wed Jan 25, 2012 12:30 pm

ok sounds like we need a new "club" title, "not allowed to post before first cup of coffee"!

JasonWatts wrote:

that makes since now that I am not half a sleep... sorry having a lack of coffee day.

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