I suppose getting up to speed is a relative saying. We definitely drove a whole bunch faster on Day 2 of the IMPA Test Days than we did on Day 1. How fast? Well, that’s the relative part. We spent quality time in a bunch of very different vehicles, with much different outcomes.
I suppose I should be the one to out myself before anyone else gets the chance. I’m the guy that managed to spin the Viper SRT10. In fact, I was the only one to spin the car! Was I pushing that much harder than anyone else, or am I just a tool? Who knows, but I’ll tell more details in another post.
We chose our testers carefully throughout the day, to provide you the reader with lots of fun video footage. Of course we didn’t catch my spin on camera, as Scott was out riding shotgun in the Challenger SRT8. What we did get was the Hyundai Genesis, JCW MINI, Challenger SRT8 and the mighty BMW M3. We spent some fun time with a one off, 220 hp, awd Suzuki SX4.
We managed to get the autocross course all to ourselves for a whole bunch of filming. While I wouldn’t say my times were pitifully slow (I was solidly in mid pack), I was way slower than our good friend Crash Corrigan who proved to be mighty quick for an old guy! In fact, Crash set FTD in a Mazda3 that was just a tick off the overall FTD set by Jake Fisher in a JCW MINI.
Speaking of Jake Fisher, the Consumer Reports folks brought Jake along to scare the living daylights out of the masses during a drifting demonstration. We’ve got some great in car footage of Jake beating the snot out of a poor Infiniti G. Great fun!
Over the coming weeks, we’ll have some great track reviews for you, all of which were shot in Hi Def.
Crash Corrigan says
September 14, 2008 at 10:14 amI’m not going to make a comment about the Viper incident as I wasn’t there to see it. All I will say is, “I’d have given anything to have seen the sheepish look on your face as you drove it back into pit lane”!
Oh, and by the way, I also set the FTD in the Nissan Versa. Don’t laugh, it’s actually a fairly nibble car through the cones.
Anyway, 2 out of 5 class wins in the Auto-cross made me a happy camper for the day even if I didn’t get to witness your glowing red face!
Gary Grant says
September 14, 2008 at 12:48 pmYes….the Chrysler PR folks had quite a laugh at my expense…to the point that one of them applauded me for being such a good sport!
Honestly, I’m glad Neil Sapp was shotgun and said I wasn’t driving like a moron….it just got away from me.
In other words, I ran out of talent!
Scott Simmons says
September 14, 2008 at 12:52 pmOh I saw his face as I was waiting to go out in the SRT …. it was priceless!
Tom Williams says
September 14, 2008 at 8:16 pmGary, I’m sure Chrysler PR took it in stride. My Viper review was delayed two months because another tester damaged the car I was supposed to get.
Crash Corrigan says
September 15, 2008 at 4:20 amI wouldn’t feel too bad Gary. From what I recall, it’s not the first time that a Viper “got away” from someone at the IMPA Test Days.
In Fact, I believe there’s been two Viper mishaps in recent years. Both of them at the end of the back straight where the thrill of speed made the drivers forget that they had to turn in.
Your’s was just a simple spin-out in comparison. Never mind, there’s always next year mate. Just let me know when you have the keys of the Viper in hand and I’ll start the camera rolling 🙂