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My wife and I have a 16 month old son and we're glad that he's too young to understand the loss that we just went through. One day when he's a little older we'll take him to the Humane Society and let him pick out two new cats (it's almost easier to have two than it is to have one). We want Ryan (our son) to know the joy and unconditional love that a pet can offer.
Here's a bit more about the track day. As I was sitting in the pit lane just before my first session I reached over and totally cleared my SID just to see what numbers the day would produce. My average speed over the course of the day, including warm-up and cool-down laps and driving through the paddock, was 48mph. On the fastest part of the track, the back straight, I nearly hit redline in third gear (about 90-something mph). Fuel consumption was a whopping 8.8 miles per gallon.
As far as insurance coverage for the wrecked Z06 is concerned, many of the more experienced instructors who have been through similar situations told us the following--unless your policy explicitly forbids participation in driving schools the loss will be covered. The day's events were not timed, scored, or competitive in any way and were billed as a driving school. Some companies will pay more easily than others. Some will fight tooth and nail. And after everything is said and done you will be dropped as a policy holder and will have a hard time finding insurance through other companies. That big insurance company payout will be a big strike against you in the future.
Now, about the Viggen. I said this last year and I'll say it again--this car needs absolutely no upgrades except for better tires and increased driver skill. More power would be a waste because the chassis is already near, if not past, its limits. I've upgraded my tires to 225/45-17 Yokohama AVS Sports from the OEM 215/45-17 Dunlops and that's all that the car really needs. Stiffening the suspension would also be a waste because you will then just force the already flexing chassis to flex even more. I think Saab has just about rung all the performance available from the car. Don't believe me? Then come ride with me the next time I'm at the track. No, it's not the world's fastest car, and it never will be. But it's a more than capable performer as many of the amazed Corvette owners will attest.
Thanks again everyone. I'll post the information again when the next track event comes-up on the calendar.
pmr
'99 9-3 Viggen
'99 9-5 SE V6
'90 domestic shorthair feline named Conrad (R.I.P.)
posted by 66.72.17...
, Fri, 21 Jun 2002 23:54:18
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