DaimlerChrysler Gold Medal Tour Takes on Vancouver

Close to 8,000 people have signed up for the event, but DaimlerChrysler's head of marketing Ron Smith has promised that

No salespeople will be on the site for the entire weekend, giving the public a truly hands on experience with no pressure to buy. (Photo: Shawn Pisio, Canadian Auto Press)

everyone will get the opportunity to drive what they want even if they have to keep the makeshift facility open into the evening. "The best thing," Smith says, "is this is a no pressure situation. There's not a salesperson in sight!" That's true, no salespeople will be on the site for the entire weekend, allowing prospective buyers and enthusiasts alike to check out new Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep vehicles first hand without any pressure to buy.

And when was the last time a car manufacturer told you to go ahead and burn the rubber off the wheels of their 340 horsepower super sedan on your way around a skidpad, straightway, sweeping radius turn and slalom course? Miss a turn? Who cares, you only

DaimlerChrysler has made most of their new cars available, so there's something to interest everyone. (Photo: Shawn Pisio, Canadian Auto Press)

wiped out a few cones. The track "marshals" just run over, pick them up and no-one's the wiser.

DaimlerChrysler is also showing off its hot new Magnum sport wagon on the same track, also powered by a 340 horsepower HEMI V8 with 390 lb-ft of torque. The Magnum isn't even available in dealerships yet, arriving next week.

Take a walk down to the other side of the ex-airport runway and a second race course offers a larger variety of vehicles. The automaker has brought in the new 2005 Dodge Caravan with its Stow 'n Go seating system, a new Dodge Durango, Chrysler Pacifica crossover, HEMI-powered Ram Laramie 4x4 pickup truck, Chrysler PT Cruiser Convertible Turbo, plus a bunch of new Crossfire coupes and roadsters - yes the brand's sexy new two-seater developed off of the Mercedes-Benz SLK. There's something to interest everyone, making the Gold Medal Tour the best of its type to cross Canada yet.