So I’m read a few articles online and a few have touched on Fiat and all the issues they are apparently having with bring the brand back to the US. There are some individual that say the 500 won’t be back and that they tried too
soon or that they didn’t have any dealerships lined up to handle the turn. But I don’t really care much, I’ll never buy a Fiat, unless is an older classic, and then maybe….ummm…naaahh…not even then.
But I did notice that they are now offering a race ready version of the 500 Abarth. That’s right 160 hps of rubber melting power, not too bad when you are starting out with 101 hp. Drop a turbocharger and you’ll get 160. They
tuned the suspension for the track and its light curb weight might make it a bit fun to drive..might.
160HP..enough said...HEY..who snickered???!!!
But the cool part is that included in the price is a ‘Track Day‘. Supposedly you will get (I think car will be available in the spring) a day at one of the Richard Petty Driving Experience events. What would be really cool is if you could return it right after that!!!
Anyway, I got to thinking if any other auto makers offer a track day. We all know that the Big Three are making track ready cars’ some for track only and some for street and track. Here is what I found out.
Fiat got the idea from Chrysler. They are offering a track day with the purchase of some of their SRT models (300 SRT8 and the Challenger SRT8).
GM via Cadillac offers their own at various tracks across the country.
Purchasing a Corvette ZR1 will get you a trip to Ron Fellows Performance Driving School or Bob Bundurant School of High Performance Driving, in Chandler, AZ. (OK….even you can’t afford the ZR1, sell the spouse’s daily driver, rent out your man cave (gal cave) and go to the Bundurant school.) They have a lot of classes at all levels and some fair prices. I did the Formula 1 event at Phoenix International Raceway (PIR) and it was outstanding. Here is a link: http://www.bondurant.com/?gclid=CJD93Luc2K0CFQduhwodNyU1mQ
2012 ZR1 Vette
Not to be out done Ford as a similar deal with the 2012 Boss Mustang. This is at the Miller Motorsports Park in Tooele, Utah. I chatted with one of the Miller Motorsports reps at the 2011 Barrett-Jackson Classic Car Auction in Scottsdale and he showed off some video of their facility and it is extremely nice. I’d make that trip.
2012 Boss 302
If you got to have an “import” (and the Fiat ain’t doing it for ya) Mercedes-Benz will be offering a track day at course across the US if you purchase their top of the line models. (Although I didn’t find mention of which ones.)
So if you are going to spring for a new car, you’ve got some options if a Track Day is part of the deal. Of course the Fiat will run you about $22K and the ZR1 about $108K, tough choice?
Thanks for reading
Tim
hehe.