In-flight Wi-Fi, an exit row seat and an entire row to myself. Can it get any better?
I spent yesterday driving on ice at the Bridgestone Winter Driving School in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. It was a fun experience, and so much of it translates to pavement as well. We'll have something online very soon.
So, did I miss much while on the road these last few days?
Just curious, when does next issue hit mailboxes?
If you hurry an article, your advice can be put to good use by many east coast readers.
Biggest things here have been bus trip planned for this weekend in GRM forum.
Customers Service debate in Off topic.
alfadriver wrote: If you hurry an article, your advice can be put to good use by many east coast readers.
No doubt. I hope to have something online by early next week--maybe sooner if the stars align.
JohnRW1621 wrote: Just curious, when does next issue hit mailboxes?
Good question. I was up at 4:30 this morning, so I'm probably not the one to answer that one. Soon? We'll get a real ETA for you.
JohnRW1621 wrote: Biggest things here have been bus trip planned for this weekend in GRM forum. Customers Service debate in Off topic.
Where are we going?
David S. Wallens wrote:alfadriver wrote: If you hurry an article, your advice can be put to good use by many east coast readers.No doubt. I hope to have something online by early next week--maybe sooner if the stars align.
Need an executive summary by drive home tonight.... http://www.weather.com/storms/winter/news/winter-storm-jonas-forecast-blizzard-watch-january-21
Not my bus trip but SC to WI to SC.
If the question is where is the Customer service going... To hell in a hand basket
My quick tips for ice:
Slow the heck down!
Bridgestone Blizzak tires are seriously impressive.
Slow down some more.
I have Blizzaks on both of our daily drivers and really enjoy the snow, as little as there has been this year.
We spent the day in Lexus ES350s and Lexus SUVs. The front-drive ES350s did just fine with their Blizzaks, even with traction control and ABS turned off.
Towards the end of the day we did some "free lapping" of their track. One of the instructors watched us as we faced an icy, off-camber left-hander. If I went slow, I could kiss the apex cone. Rush things a tad, and I'd wind up several feet off-line.
AMEC offers 20-20 every race date. 20 minutes for 20 dollars. Like a track day. Instructors are available www.icerace.com Yes, we are finally getting enough ice.
I go skiing in Steamboat every year. Every year I'm tempted to do this, then every year I look up what it costs and lose interest.
Maybe if I lived somewhere where ice was an issue it would be worthwhile...
I'm leaving Saturday for Steamboat for a week. How's the snow?
We did the Second Gear school: a full day for $495. I thought that was a fair deal, especially considering you just show up and drive. I didn't have to mount tires, gas the car, or shovel any snow.
Plus the course is far from flat. I guess I assumed that it would be flat. It's pretty hilly. That downhill, off-camber turn was rather challenging.
JohnRW1621 wrote: Just curious, when does next issue hit mailboxes?
You should be seeing it right around the beginning of February.
if it's the challenge coverage issue, he just wants to put it on the coffee table. open to the page with his car. just like the rest of us.
Basil Exposition wrote: I go skiing in Steamboat every year. Every year I'm tempted to do this, then every year I look up what it costs and lose interest.
My dad just got back from skiing in Colorado Wednesday night. From the brief conversation we had this morning, it sounds like the conditions are excellent. Said there was fresh snow every day he was there and the base must be excellent since I think they've been steadily dumped on all winter. VERY jealous I couldn't take the time off right now 
David S. Wallens wrote: We did the Second Gear school: a full day for $495. I thought that was a fair deal, especially considering you just show up and drive. I didn't have to mount tires, gas the car, or shovel any snow. Plus the course is far from flat. I guess I assumed that it would be flat. It's pretty hilly. That downhill, off-camber turn was rather challenging.
I was looking at the Performance classes, being the overachiever that I am. That doesn't sound like so much for a full day, but calling it a "Safety Class" makes me think it is one of those don't-kill-yourself-before-you-turn-18 type courses for pimply teens. The "free-lapping" bit sounds most attractive-- does everyone get to do this after getting through the "safety" part?
To be honest, I'd say call them for the specifics.
We lapped the course as soon as we got there, and with the snow falling visibility was just a few feet. As you'd guess, speeds were slow. After every few sessions, we'd lap some more. By the end, the track was easy to lap even though the corners had gotten icier.
David S. Wallens wrote: My quick tips for ice: Slow the heck down! Bridgestone Blizzak tires are seriously impressive. Slow down some more.
Why do the Blizzaks wear down to all seasons at about 50% tread depth? Is this necessary for tire/tread structure? Is it something that occurs with all winter tires, but just gets called out more with the Bridgestones? That's the main reason I went with the Michelin Xice3 tires.
AFAIK, they don't wear down to all seasons, but they lose the super awesome ice compound for a more standard winter compound once they're half worn. I think it was explained at one point as the ice compound being super squishy, so the tread would be too flexible if they used that stuff for the full depth.
You'll need to log in to post.
