FWD: Allroad driving impression.

[SuffolkD at aol.com]

Hey Scott,
 
Feel free to forward this on to the list, if you're inclined...
 
I thought the Allroad was - frankly - awesome on the track.  For a car 
totally not suited to being on a track, it did remarkably well.  I drove my 
student's 02 (I think) 6 speed, and the thing was a rocket!  No problem with the car, 
other than it tended to run out of brakes at the end of the session (not 
surprising, I suppose, given the weight.)  Yes, the tires howled.  Yes, the car 
rolled a bit.  But the car was nearly as fast as the turned up Mini Cooper S I 
drove in the next session, and a WHOLE lot easier to drive - it was almost 
relaxing.  No drama, to speak of.  Did 125 at the end of the straight at the Glen, 
indicated, and it would have pulled more if it was my car and I had driven it 
harder - but as it was not, and with my student having her first track 
experience, I thought it was more than enough.  I'm sorry that I can't agree that 
there is something wrong with the Allroad - I went onto the track thinking "O 
God..." when I first saw it (coming from my no horsepower, all suspension GT - 
this was the antithesis) but after driving it twice on track, I have to say that 
it is more than a capable car in stock form - and I was very impressed.  I 
think some of the S4 drivers I passed were, as well :-).  I can't even imagine 
how someone could compare the car to a 70's cadillac in any regard.   'Nuf 
said. 
 
Carter Johnson
NEQ instructor
1986 Coupe GT - The Beast