To cut loose or not to cut loose?

[Gazzzaa]

This may seem like a very dumb question but, apart from the Territory earlier this year which is a very different car, the Fiesta is the first new car I've ever owned. It now has 550km on the clock. So when is it 'run-in' or don't we bother with that these days?

I'm having so much fun in this car already and am stoked by the roadholding and the performance when you use the gearbox to keep the revs in the 'sweet spot'. : Yet I'm mindful of the fact that it IS a new car and I don't want to casue any permanent damage by taking it to places that it is not ready to go to yet. Do I need to 'baby' it? Most of my driving to date has been in peak hour with just a few opportunities to explore some limits.

This morning, taking off from the lights, I had a young turkey in a VS right up my clacker. So I took it up to 5500 in 2nd and continued to push it in 3rd, before I was slowed by the next traffic light. By this stage he was 50 or 60 metres behind. The young bloke gave the Fez much more respect at the next lights!!: I'm just a bit reluctant to take it into the 6 grand region yet. Any thoughts?