Last Friday, Matt Farah of The Smoking Tire and /DRIVE channel spent the day track-testing my Fiero at a Speed District event at Buttonwillow Raceway.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ UPDATE: Here is the full length video for DRIVE+ subscribers -- or you can get a 14-day free trial subscription: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s6wZYvLluus
It was awesome seeing my car covered in cameras, and nice to hear that the car was fun to drive from someone who has driven everything from Lamborghini Aventadors to the Hennessey Venom GT.
I'm not going to post any spoilers, but the video is going to be AWESOME. Even if you don't have a subscription to /DRIVE+ ($4 a month) there will be a shorter (5 minute) video on /DRIVE channel, which is free. The one on /DRIVE+ will probably be ~10 to 15 min. I'll post the link in this thread once it's available. It should be up on /DRIVE in a week or two.
For once I get to come home from a track day and not have to edit any videos myself!
A few pics of my car covered in cameras at Buttonwillow Raceway:
You can also find a few pictures on The Smoking Tire's instagram page as well as on Facebook.
[This message has been edited by Steven Snyder (edited 10-21-2014).]
Did he beat your previous time around the track by much?
Matt managed a 2:12 and I ran a 2:09 a little later in the day. The tires were pretty worn out at that point and the car was super loose. The dusty track didn't help. 2:12 with one day in my car and some extra weight is damn good, especially since he drove with the intent to keep my car on the track and in one piece. Matt wasn't driving at 10/10ths for the whole lap; he didn't want to push right up to the ragged edge and wreck my car on film! On the other hand, I didn't have a care in the world when it was my turn because they were done filming and I trailered the car. I had a few offs getting down to that 2:09, including one over Phil Hill which I wish I had on camera -- the film guys missed it by half a second.
I spoke with The Smoking Tire again on Monday and they said the footage turned out awesome. The video is going to be epic. I would expect to hear some comparisons drawn between my Fiero and an NSX or 911, or maybe the Elise. To my knowledge, this will be the only professionally-produced Fiero film in recent times that puts the car in a positive light.
[This message has been edited by Steven Snyder (edited 10-01-2014).]
Just watched the full paid version, it was totally cool. Can't wait to see what the smoking tire does. Almost makes me want to keep my 88 and drop a 3.4 DOHC motor in it.
Again congrats on getting a positive video for the Fiero community.
------------------ 857GT Part 85GT Part 87GT Part Caddy, 93 Eldorado 4.9, 5spd Dual O2 Custom Chip, Custom Exhaust. MSD Everything Now with Nitrous. Capt Fiero --- My Over View Cadero Pics For Sale $4000, Yellow 88GT 5spd Full Poly Suspension, Lowered 1/2" in front, Corner Carver.
------------------ 857GT Part 85GT Part 87GT Part Caddy, 93 Eldorado 4.9, 5spd Dual O2 Custom Chip, Custom Exhaust. MSD Everything Now with Nitrous. Capt Fiero --- My Over View Cadero Pics For Sale $4000, Yellow 88GT 5spd Full Poly Suspension, Lowered 1/2" in front, Corner Carver.
I've always enjoyed reading your builds (whether it's here, RFT, or on your blog). I've probably never posted in them (I'm truly a lurker), but I have certainly read most of them! It's nice to see someone who not only pushes the envelope in regards to suspension mods but also track tests everything as well.
It's really awesome that all of your hard work was recognized this way!
Really good job man. Thanks for building that car so us, and others can enjoy seeing a fiero running at its full potential. I have stolen many of your ideas over the years, and I thank you for that. Now if I only had a damn race course near me!
Nice car.
