Malibu310

Here is my report:

Yesterday, I met Stuart, my instructor at the Ford Proving Grounds in Romeo, Michigan. Stuart worked with Jimmy Stewart racing and testing cars and was one of the four instructors they use at Aston Martin. After a short orientation we went to their "teaching" Vantage which looked like it came right off the show room. It had almost 4,000 miles on it, all of which were for training. The next 6 hours went like this... first we went to a straight area where we could take the car to some speed and test the braking in ABS mode. At 60 MPH we stopped in just a few car lengths. Next we wen to a course with very tight radii reverse curves with slightly rolling topography. This gave me the feel of the car, then we discussed some physics relating to tire geometry and taught me how to get the most adhesion in, through and out of curves. By the time we were through, I had an extreme comfort level with the handling and shifting. We then went to the artificial ice area where we tested the stability control in all sorts of ice conditions. Without the control, the car quickly gets away from you, on the control its very difficult even with full power and tight turns to lose any control.

After lunch we revisited the tight course and sped it up a bit. At one point we got slightly airborne over a change in grade just before a curve. Then we went onto the larger version of the tight course with areas that I got over 100 mph in short straights and was doing between 40 and 60 mph in the curves. At that time I thought I was doing great and could not believe the car could be so solid and sure footed... I'd never attempt those speeds in my 928.

Stuart then showed me how he drove the course at about 30 mph faster in the curves than I took... incredible! He said he's only getting about 80% of the cars capability... a truly amazing machine.

In the high speed oval at the end we were doing about 130 in the curves (each 1.5 miles long) and ac ellerating up to 157 in the 1 mile straights. My chevy powered 928s would have accelerated stronger in these speeds as well as my older SLK AMG Mercedes. I think from 0-120 the car goes quick enough for everyday use, and with Minnesota taking your license away after 100 mph, that is the practical limit for street use anyway, so I saw no problem there.

The course ran 6 hours, but I started to get tired, so I called it quits. It was well worth the money (about $1700).

This is what I ran away with: I can drive better. I know now why Aston need a 6 speed in this particular car... it just would not be the same with an Auto. This car with 4,000 miles beaten into it was the tightest car I have ever driven, it's even more solid than our 928's. There was not a squeak or rattle. I'm more excited than ever on getting the car in 07.

Comparing the 928 to the Vantage: I think if the 928 evolved using modern materials, it would be quite a bit like the new Vantage - everything is just a bit more solid, refined, and luxurious. I feared the 6 speed, but it was rock solid as was the steering. It was not as quick as my AMG or Chevy Powered 928's, but because your more involved and the exhaust is open (loud) with a high reving (700 RPM) V8, you have an illusion it is quicker than it may actually be. It's about as quiet as our cars when you do not lay into the gas. On the Oval track there was wind noise and that exhaust, but we still were able to have normal conversations.

AO

Sounds like a great time! Nothing like getting to know your new mail order bride before you consummate the marriage!

And on a different topic: Minnesota takes you license away at over 100MPH? That's BS! I'm never moving back! Hell, I may never drive back! Damn politicians!