The Auto Channel Attends Track Day at Willow Springs Track: Some One-Line Observations about a Dozen 1997 Cars

11/25/96

Each year about this time the Motor Press Guild stages what they call Track Day at Willow Springs International Raceway 3-mile road course in Lancaster, California. Willow Springs, the oldest road course in the U.S.--older than Bridgehampton, Limerock, Road America and Watkins Glen--also has a "Streets of Willow" twisty 0.8 slalom type course, and an off road venue. About 120 automotive media types descend on Wilow for two days of testing over 100 new 1997 cars supplied (with trepidation) by the car makers. There are stringent no-passing rules, and crash hats are mandatory. The journalist merely stands inline for the car of his/her choice and takes two laps. Most go for the performance vehicles with 5-6 speed shifters and tight suspension, but everything is there to test and taste.

Our observations:

Acura: No test...Honda doesn't believe the internet exists.

Audi A8: Big car, 3.7 .liter motor. Tight suspension. Fun. No racer

Buick Riviera: Always wanted to try this one. Luxury, smooth but not a performance car, although it is supercharged. Fast

Dodge Dakota Sport: Balsy ride. Not teribly hot off the line. No roll in the corners. Well appointed.

Dodge Neon full race: Streets of Willow tight road course. Tons of fun and easy to see why so many SCCAers are racing Neons.

Dodge Viper GTS Coupe: It was a no show but we'll report on it this time next week.

Camaro Z28: This car screams to be flogged. Two laps and you don't want to bring it in. Torquey, shifts just right . . . up AND down, and stops without smoke

Mustang Cobra: Toss up between this and the Camaro for fun in the sun road course driving/racing. Each car had 305 hp and its own handling characteristics. Most coveted car at the meet. Loves to go fast...and stop/stop

Mitsubishi Eclipse Convert: If it had a turbo it would be right in there with the Z28 and Ford Stud. Had a 5-speed and handled like a champ. Good thing the other big selling convertible, Dodge Sebring, doesn't have a 5-speed for a comparison driving test with Eclipse, Dodge would lose.

Mitsubishi 3000 GT: What can we say. Next to the Acura NSX this is one of the only true 2 seater sports cars you can buy I'm talking handling . . . not 2-seater boulevard cars

Acura NSX: Wish they had one at track day . . . but even then, Honda doesn't acknowledge the internet.

Chevrolet Cavalier Sport: Drove this on the big track and on the streets and the little bugger is downright intimidating . . . to OTHER cars. It handles like a full house SCCA Neon and is a ton of fun to flog around.

Bill Maloney -- The Auto Channel