My life has revolved around TestFest for the last seven years. What I mean to say is that it is now the turning point of my year. As a kid, the holidays were the time when the old and the new would meet. Sure, it made sense because it coincided with New Year's Eve. Nowadays, it's TestFest.
TestFest symbolizes the end of the warm days of summer; the beginnings of the auto show season; the time to start my Christmas shopping; Halloween; winter tires; rustproofing; boots; and that another year has come and gone.
Now, about this year's crop of cars. I don't think I've been faced with a stronger group of contenders – ever. In the past, I was generally good at picking out the first, or at least top two, challengers in each category. Not so this year. Check this out:
FAMILY CAR (over $30k)
Chevrolet Volt
Dodge Charger
Hyundai Sonata Hybrid
Kia Optima Hybrid
MINI Countryman
Toyota Prius v
In this segment, it could go any way. The Koreans impress any which way you look at it; the Volt and the Prius v excel technologically; the Countryman is cool and original; and the Charger epitomizes the handsome North American family car. Who do you think will win? I seriously can't say.
The 2012 edition of TestFest features 57 new models, new digs (although still held at the Niagara District Airport) and, so far, must be the best TestFest of all time. Well, that is, except for the rain. It would seem that it's always around to spoil the condition of the track, but it never dampens the mood – at least not mine.
For parts of the evaluations we must perform, we get access to the airport's landing strip, and on it we put fantastic cars (such as the BMW 1M and Porsche Cayman R) through their paces around some cones. I personally had a pretty good time with a black Dodge Charger SRT8... With plenty of runoff and the absence of cement walls, ESP and traction control need not always be engaged if one would like to know what a Jaguar XKR-S can really do. ;-)
This year is AJAC's 30th birthday and we'll be celebrating with a big birthday bash on Thursday evening. A handful of members have formed a band and called themselves the AJAC Troubadours. I was asked to play drums, but I chickened out having not had the opportunity to pound on skins in over 10 years. Maybe for the 35th...
I've got to get ready now because I need to attend our beloved Annual General Meeting. If you want to see more on TestFest, make sure you follow me on Twitter @Matt_St_Pierre!
TestFest symbolizes the end of the warm days of summer; the beginnings of the auto show season; the time to start my Christmas shopping; Halloween; winter tires; rustproofing; boots; and that another year has come and gone.
 |
| Photo: Mathieu St-Pierre/Auto123.com |
Now, about this year's crop of cars. I don't think I've been faced with a stronger group of contenders – ever. In the past, I was generally good at picking out the first, or at least top two, challengers in each category. Not so this year. Check this out:
FAMILY CAR (over $30k)
Chevrolet Volt
Dodge Charger
Hyundai Sonata Hybrid
Kia Optima Hybrid
MINI Countryman
Toyota Prius v
In this segment, it could go any way. The Koreans impress any which way you look at it; the Volt and the Prius v excel technologically; the Countryman is cool and original; and the Charger epitomizes the handsome North American family car. Who do you think will win? I seriously can't say.
The 2012 edition of TestFest features 57 new models, new digs (although still held at the Niagara District Airport) and, so far, must be the best TestFest of all time. Well, that is, except for the rain. It would seem that it's always around to spoil the condition of the track, but it never dampens the mood – at least not mine.
For parts of the evaluations we must perform, we get access to the airport's landing strip, and on it we put fantastic cars (such as the BMW 1M and Porsche Cayman R) through their paces around some cones. I personally had a pretty good time with a black Dodge Charger SRT8... With plenty of runoff and the absence of cement walls, ESP and traction control need not always be engaged if one would like to know what a Jaguar XKR-S can really do. ;-)
This year is AJAC's 30th birthday and we'll be celebrating with a big birthday bash on Thursday evening. A handful of members have formed a band and called themselves the AJAC Troubadours. I was asked to play drums, but I chickened out having not had the opportunity to pound on skins in over 10 years. Maybe for the 35th...
I've got to get ready now because I need to attend our beloved Annual General Meeting. If you want to see more on TestFest, make sure you follow me on Twitter @Matt_St_Pierre!