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2007 Canadian Car of the Year Awards

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Mathieu St-Pierre
Thank you Beth and Subaru
Thank you Beth and Subaru

This is my first trip to Test Fest and let me tell you that I have rarely seen such an organized outdoor event come together as this has. There are always many people and groups to thank but from what I have gathered today, one person and one manufacturer have gone the extra mile.

(Photo: AJAC)
First of all, I would like to thank Beth Xenarios. She has brought the AJAC Test Fest (CCOTY) to a whole other level. Through brief discussions with other journalists and following the spiel given by Chief Instructor Pierre Savoy, she has considerably raised the bar for the quality and organization involved in this very important event. I have yet to meet the AJAC's Manager but I am certain that she will be as courteous and professional in person as she is in her email messages. Thank you Beth.

Every car manufacturer has to go through an incredible amount of paperwork, logistics and expenses to get all their new cars to the Fest. The larger ones have between 6 and 9 different models on the spot. Given that the new "game rules" require that there be 3 of each individual models on the spot, the manufacturers have to organize the transportation of up to 27 cars and trucks not to mention employees and reps.

2007 Subaru Legacy Spec B (Photo: Philippe Champoux)
Subaru has not presented any new products for 2007. This does not mean however that they decided to sit on sidelines while just about every other car maker got some visibility and coverage. Someone at Subaru was really on the ball. Not only did they decide to offer shuttle services but they generously loaned a number of Spec B Legacys and GT Legacy wagons to Test Fest for the advanced driving courses. This masterful move earned a large number of rave reviews on the performance of these often overlooked cars. The Spec.Bs and Wagons performed flawlessly and got all of the journalists present for the course to smile. The downside and price of admittance for Subaru? A set of new tires for each Legacy. Thank you Subaru.

More information to come on auto123.com.
Mathieu St-Pierre
Mathieu St-Pierre
Automotive expert
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