Cars, Security and a Peek into my Life
Am still vibrating.
Hosted by Pfaff Auto at Mosport’s Development track, it was my 1st Porsche experience (and 2nd track experience (same track last week with Honda.))
And I get “throttle steering” now, accidentally did that once. And the CAR. Like, it’s… just woah.
Had a great coach, thanks Brad.
Have plenty more photos, and a video. Will post that next week.
Thank you Pfaff!
At just 1.0L, Ford’s all-new engine is the smallest for sale in Canada, and at about 11 inches, it will fit into a piece of luggage – really!
It’s available only on the Fiesta, which was all-new last year, so, same interior and exterior styling, and new Aston Martin inspired grille.
Interesting huh. I’m fine with that, but considering 80% of Fiesta buyers choose automatic transmissions, hmmm. Certainly though, it helps with its excellent fuel economy, which is the purpose of this engine – gas powered that’s fun to drive, while still achieving a low rating.
Read my full review on Autonet.
My driving partner for this test was Jeremy Sinek… Mega Test Team, UNITE.
I’ve tested more cars with him than anyone else, and it’s a good match because we are opposites.
At 1.7 years of auto journalism, I’m still the new kid, and at 40 years, he’s a veteran. He’s into hyper-miling, whereupon I “drive like a pig” (I actually got that line in the paper ha.)
Read his review here, that’s me he’s talking about, 9th paragraph.
Best part of the test was the track.
I hurled the little guy around, and there was even some clapping after one particular hairpin.
(photo: Jeremy Sinek)
I’m nothing special behind the wheel, but as I’ve said before in video, I have great enthusiasm, and the appropriate amount of aggression.
My new skills were thanks to my trainers.
Left is Paul Caravello, and right is Daniel Bois, welcome to my blog guys!
How’s this for a closing-post shot?
Add the 1.0 L engine, the “SE Manual EcoBoost Package”, for $1,295
Started the season with Canadian Tire and Continental Tires last week.
(the test car was an Audi A4 TFST quattro. 2.0 L outputting 220 hp and 258 lbs/ft.)
Despite being all black and round, all tires are not created equal.
Continentals compete with the high-end tire lines. This model is exclusive to Canadian Tire, and are reasonably priced at $129 /each. For a barometer, cheap no-name tires are about $80 /each. But remember what I always harp…
It wasn’t all track time, the tires were tested in a braking exercise (stop accelerating Keri), and this is how potholes are simulated.
Run through the course once on the competition, then again on Continentals. The latter was a smoother, less jittery ride and sounded less hollow. In tire ratings, that’s “comfort”.
Best part of the tire is this:
1 – compare the wear pattern of those boxes each side of the tire, to know if things are balanced
2 – Dry / Wet / Snow – when that letter wears off, the tire is no longer good in those road conditions
Continental claims these will last 145,000 km, which is on the high side of things.
This is nicely framed.
The girls of Canadian Tire; welcome to my blog guys!
Middle is Melissa Arbour, CT’s Senior Business Manager for Tires, Wheels and Accessories, and right is PR megamind Nicole Grant.
Spot my Jag.
This was all last Thursday afternoon, kicking off the best night of the week.
It’s car season in Canada now, nice.
If you’re going to the track, here’s a few tips to keep in mind. Ladies – pay most attention to the last one.
The race name I gave myself:
Keri Amateur Hour of the Put-put Division
“Keri Queen-of-the-Late-Brakers Potipcoe” is another possibility.
Here’s the blog post about the day on the track I mention, and here’s the video.
Ahh that iconic checkered flag.
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