Jesse has nailed it.

As std, it's not that heavy, especially when you're moving. The problem is it's so slooow. It feels more like steering a boat than a hot hatch. Putting a quick rack on solves this, but then it really does become heavy, making manouvering nearly impossible. My gf struggles as it is when i run 215 tyres.

Forget about hydraulic power steering, it's old fashioned. Race cars defo don't use it, but they do use electric power steering which assists the column. Here you don't have any engine pumping losses, and have full control over the amount of assistance. Andy G runs this on his Focus as well as countless others.

Rick.