C'MON Let Us Give the Punto Some Love!

[Speedy Samurai]

I have seen the Punto (actual name Fiat Punto HGT Abarth '00) around the beginner circuit and I often wondered what that little machine was capable of. I finally had some time to find out.

First step: Buy a Punto, of course!



30,030 credits got me the Punto. An L4 DOHC at 1746cc producing 129hp at 6300rpm. It only weighs 1100kg and takes up 3820x1660x1480 worth of space as it is. Yes, it is Front-wheel-drive. All those numbers out of the way, I guess I should mention that I decided that Arancio Calipso Metallizzato was the colour for me. Hey, this was the only choice that was all mine in this little escapade. So far...



Off to the first set of races in the Beginner Hall. Sunday Cup here I come!

Race 1: Autumn Ring Mini 2 laps
It took me a lap or so to get used to the handling (which isn't terrible). I managed to take first place against a field consisting of a Peugeot 106 '03, Alfa Romeo 147 2.0 Twin Spark '02, Volkswagen Polo GTI '01, Toyota Bb 1.5Z X version '00, and another Punto. 52 Aspec points... Sweet!

Race 2: Driving Park 4 laps
The competition was a little stiffer (the MG TF160 '03) but I squeaked out a first place. The Mazda Demio Sport '03, Daihatsu STORIA X4 '00, Toyota VITZ RS 1.5 '00, and Citroen C3 1.6 '02 were all fodder. 66 Aspec points.

Race 3: High Speed Ring 2 laps
High Speed is a rather misnomer. Nonetheless, I passed the finish line in first beating out the VW Golf IV GTI '01, Fiat Barchetta '00, Honda Fit W '01, Peugeot 106 S16 '03 (again), and Honda Ballade Sports CRX 1.5 '83 (represent those 80s!). 66 more Aspec points.

Race 4: Clubman Stage Route 5 B 2 laps
This was a little bit close for comfort due to the rolling start on the straight but I caught the leader before the last corner and took another first place trophy. Another Punto showed up (but finished 5th), as well as the Peugeot 106 S16 '03 (poor fella), Toyota Bb 1.5Z X version '00, VW Polo GTI '01, and Alfa Romeo 147 2.0 Twin Spark '02. 66 Aspec points again (I'm a beast!)

Four races out of five successfully completed. It's off to the first real circuit (in Japan of all places) for the final first-round test.



Race 5: Twin Ring Motegi West Short Course 3 laps
I had 3 laps to take over first place but only needed two and a half. (ya, I'm a monster...) The 'competition' was a Mazda Demio Sport '00, MG TF160 '03, Citroen C3 1.6 '02, Daihatsu STORIA X4 '00, and Toyota Vitz RS 1.5 '00. The Peugeot 106 stayed away this time (poor fella!) Again 66 Aspec points

For my efforts an Autobianchi A112 Abarth from 1979 (in a pretty red colour)



So the Sunday Cup wasn't so bad. What is next for the Punto? Find out in the next installment of 'As the Punto's Wheels Turn'. Okay, bad wordplay. Please forgive me. (pretty please!)



P.S (I love parenthesese)(parenthesises..?)

 

[Danny]

Excellent review. 👍

Plus rep for you!

The Punto is cool, but that orange is horrible! Speed Yellow all the way!

GT4 is a little bit behind. The Punto has since been facelifted, and replaced.

I hope you do have more, perhaps you could see how far in the professional hall it could take you?

 

[Speedy Samurai]

I plan to enter it into as many races as I can. When it fails in a race, or series, I will mod it to find out if it is capable. Slowly building it up to see how far it will take me.

 

[Danny]

Hehe. They'll never see it coming.

 

[MP]

Great write up! 👍

Gave me a good laugh