I had the opportunity to attend the above-mentioned event Friday afternoon and thought I would give a quick overview and a few comments.
First, it rained most of the day so I wasn't sure it would occur, but it was held and the weather cleared but the tracks were still wet. The event and presentation were well-planned and attended. These events give the public a unique opportunity to not only see all the competing cars adjacent to each other, but to drive them back-to-back as well.
While there was a broad array of cars there from Mercedes including the new C-Class coupe and wagon I, like most of you here was most interested in driving the Mercedes and it's competitors which included the IS300, A4 2.8 Quattro and BMW 325. All the cars were automatic and none had a sports package.
The course was short and didn't allow for much speed or handling challenges but fun nonetheless.
Impressions?
Audi: probably my least favorite of the bunch. Acceleration and reflexes were a bit soft.
BMW: good handling but the 2.5l engine isn't enough power for me.
IS300: good power and handling.
Mercedes C320: If I was surprised by a car at this event it would be this car. Responses were slower than the Lexus, but the car was fun to drive.
Overall, one other thing struck me and that was that they were all very nice cars with slight differences that probably boil down to personal taste.
BUT the most fun experience at the event was easily the ability to ride shotgun with a professional driver (helmet required) in either an E55, CLK55 or CLK420. The drivers let it all hang out with four wheel drifts and power slides galor. My driver even lost it and did on a sharp turn and did a 270 laughing the whole way.
For anyone here in Atlanta who also attended the event, the sight of seeing these cars chasing each other around the track driving like we all wish we could will not fade from our memories very easily.
PS: I didn't drive the C240 as I knew it would be a dog and also stayed away from the high dollar cars (CL600's and such)so as not to tempt myself needlessly.
My Triumph TR6 site:
Triumph TR6
[ June 02, 2001: Message edited by: ralittle2 ]
[ June 02, 2001: Message edited by: ralittle2 ]
[ June 03, 2001: Message edited by: ralittle2 ]
First, it rained most of the day so I wasn't sure it would occur, but it was held and the weather cleared but the tracks were still wet. The event and presentation were well-planned and attended. These events give the public a unique opportunity to not only see all the competing cars adjacent to each other, but to drive them back-to-back as well.
While there was a broad array of cars there from Mercedes including the new C-Class coupe and wagon I, like most of you here was most interested in driving the Mercedes and it's competitors which included the IS300, A4 2.8 Quattro and BMW 325. All the cars were automatic and none had a sports package.
The course was short and didn't allow for much speed or handling challenges but fun nonetheless.
Impressions?
Audi: probably my least favorite of the bunch. Acceleration and reflexes were a bit soft.
BMW: good handling but the 2.5l engine isn't enough power for me.
IS300: good power and handling.
Mercedes C320: If I was surprised by a car at this event it would be this car. Responses were slower than the Lexus, but the car was fun to drive.
Overall, one other thing struck me and that was that they were all very nice cars with slight differences that probably boil down to personal taste.
BUT the most fun experience at the event was easily the ability to ride shotgun with a professional driver (helmet required) in either an E55, CLK55 or CLK420. The drivers let it all hang out with four wheel drifts and power slides galor. My driver even lost it and did on a sharp turn and did a 270 laughing the whole way.
For anyone here in Atlanta who also attended the event, the sight of seeing these cars chasing each other around the track driving like we all wish we could will not fade from our memories very easily.
PS: I didn't drive the C240 as I knew it would be a dog and also stayed away from the high dollar cars (CL600's and such)so as not to tempt myself needlessly.
My Triumph TR6 site:
Triumph TR6
[ June 02, 2001: Message edited by: ralittle2 ]
[ June 02, 2001: Message edited by: ralittle2 ]
[ June 03, 2001: Message edited by: ralittle2 ]
