Phil: Ha! You had to ask! This is an extreme... I've seen an older person go completely off the course, I mean way off into the grass, and the person kept on going, almost hit a tree!
This brings up driving aptitude and age, reflexes and the necessity to test and retest drivers when they get to a certain age. Also, another point is how disillusioned some of these people are. Some literally filter what I tell them or even change the instructions that I give them. It's scary sometimes.
Matt: You obviously love cars. What is the car that has most blown your mind on the track?
Phil: As far as exotic performance cars go, Ferraris are hard to beat. I've driven many other makes of these cars but cars like the F430 Scuderia and the 458 Italia are simply incredible. As a street car, the BMW 1M is amazing!
Matt: Along the same line of thought; you've raced or driven many tracks all around the world. What are your top 5 tracks?
Phil: I know that I might sound biased, but I still love [Circuit] Tremblant. I've been going there for years and am never bored of it. In second place, I really like Road Atlanta. Next, Donnington Track in the UK. I'm a big fan of Mosport Raceway also. And then there's Magny-Cours, in France. These were my favourites back when I used to race.
I have never gone down the Corkscrew at Laguna Seca. I'd really love to go there one day. Then, there's Indianapolis! I couldn't believe how fast drivers took turn 1 at the end of the straight—it wasn't even banked. And then there's Daytona; big place.
At this point, Phil had to get back to work. He and I could have gone on for hours talking about race tracks, cars and performance driving, but he had some “customers” ready for another lesson on how to drive. I know that those present were happy to hear what Famous Phil had to say, but I'm guessing that they were also eager to go out and drive the new MINIs hard.
Filming for CWD Season 7 begins shortly and the show will air this coming fall. If you want to feel better about your driving skills, make sure you tune in.
This brings up driving aptitude and age, reflexes and the necessity to test and retest drivers when they get to a certain age. Also, another point is how disillusioned some of these people are. Some literally filter what I tell them or even change the instructions that I give them. It's scary sometimes.
Matt: You obviously love cars. What is the car that has most blown your mind on the track?
Phil: As far as exotic performance cars go, Ferraris are hard to beat. I've driven many other makes of these cars but cars like the F430 Scuderia and the 458 Italia are simply incredible. As a street car, the BMW 1M is amazing!
Matt: Along the same line of thought; you've raced or driven many tracks all around the world. What are your top 5 tracks?
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| 2011 Ferrari 458 Italia (Photo: Ferrari) |
Phil: I know that I might sound biased, but I still love [Circuit] Tremblant. I've been going there for years and am never bored of it. In second place, I really like Road Atlanta. Next, Donnington Track in the UK. I'm a big fan of Mosport Raceway also. And then there's Magny-Cours, in France. These were my favourites back when I used to race.
I have never gone down the Corkscrew at Laguna Seca. I'd really love to go there one day. Then, there's Indianapolis! I couldn't believe how fast drivers took turn 1 at the end of the straight—it wasn't even banked. And then there's Daytona; big place.
At this point, Phil had to get back to work. He and I could have gone on for hours talking about race tracks, cars and performance driving, but he had some “customers” ready for another lesson on how to drive. I know that those present were happy to hear what Famous Phil had to say, but I'm guessing that they were also eager to go out and drive the new MINIs hard.
Filming for CWD Season 7 begins shortly and the show will air this coming fall. If you want to feel better about your driving skills, make sure you tune in.
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