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This is Really Cool- Drive GM cars on test track in Vegas

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Old Apr 5, 2006 | 02:35 PM
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This is Really Cool- Drive GM cars on test track in Vegas

This is sounds pretty cool.

http://money.cnn.com/2006/04/05/Autos/gm_ride/index.htm


General Motors: The Ride

Car company opens a test-track facility in Las Vegas. Visitors can buy tickets to drive GM cars.

April 5, 2006: 3:07 PM EDT

NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) - If the stock price is too depressing, try the rides. General Motors is taking another step into the world of interactive entertainment with the opening of the "The Drive" in Las Vegas. Ticket-buying visitors will be able to drive GM vehicles on sharply winding test tracks near the famous Las Vegas Strip.

A paved route is designed for high-performance driving while another route is covered in dirt and rocks for off-road driving. Part of the off-road route, designed specifically for Hummers, includes a 15-foot "mountain," giant moguls, and v-shaped ditches and deeply sloped banks.

For one $10 ticket, visitors will get a choice of four laps on the performance loop, two laps on the off-road course or a combination of two performance laps and one off-road lap. Passengers can ride along at no cost.

"'The Drive' represents a significant marketing opportunity for General Motors, allowing us to showcase our products in a unique fashion that will provide a fun-filled time for the millions of people who live in or visit Las Vegas," said Steve Tihanyi, general director of marketing and entertainment alliances for GM, in a company announcement.

The cars initially available to drive will be the Chevrolet Corvette, Pontiac GTO, Cadillac CTS-V performance sedan, Pontiac Solstice two-seat convertible, Saab 9-3 convertible and the Chevrolet SSR high-performance pick-up, as well as the Hummer H2, Hummer H2 SUT and Hummer H3.

Drivers must be 18 years of age, sign a safety waiver and pass a zero-tolerance breathalyzer test.

General Motors already sponsors a different type of ride in Disney World's Epcot Center in Orlando, Fla. That ride, called "Test Track," opened in 1999 and simulates the experience of testing a car at GM's various proving facilities. At Epcot Center, riders are shuttled around in electric-powered cars on a slot-car-like track accompanied by piped-in automobile sounds.

"Test Track" riders go through various simulated tests including extreme heat, extreme cold, fast acceleration and hard braking with and without anti-lock brakes. They are also treated to a simulated crash test.

Last edited by johnsocal; Apr 5, 2006 at 02:38 PM.
Old Apr 5, 2006 | 02:38 PM
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Re: This is Really Cool- Drive GM cars on test track in Vegas

only $10?

i'd hit that in a heartbeat
Old Apr 5, 2006 | 02:39 PM
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Re: This is Really Cool- Drive GM cars on test track in Vegas

That's a cool marketing idea but I really hope if they aren't planning on having an attendent in the passenger seat with some sort of driver override available, that they don't plan on having any walls or other vehicle/people damaging objects around but rather just winding pavement with open grass surrounding the area.
Old Apr 5, 2006 | 02:47 PM
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Re: This is Really Cool- Drive GM cars on test track in Vegas

As soon as this test track opens I will be going to Vegas before some idiot wrecks a car or kills himself and forces them to reduce speeds or make the track less exciting.
Old Apr 5, 2006 | 03:04 PM
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Re: This is Really Cool- Drive GM cars on test track in Vegas

The cars will be electronically governored to 45mph and will be automatic.
Old Apr 5, 2006 | 03:50 PM
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Re: This is Really Cool- Drive GM cars on test track in Vegas

Originally Posted by Zepher
The cars will be electronically governored to 45mph and will be automatic.
The CTS-V doesn't come with an automatic..... wonder what they will do there?
Old Apr 5, 2006 | 04:11 PM
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Re: This is Really Cool- Drive GM cars on test track in Vegas

Sounds a lot like the auto show in motion deal

the hummer course is pretty awesome...and i remember getting the vette up to about 70 or so, the attendant in the passenger seat doesn't allow you to go to third gear. That didn't stop people, guess thats why they'll be governed.
Old Apr 5, 2006 | 06:30 PM
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Re: This is Really Cool- Drive GM cars on test track in Vegas

Originally Posted by QATransAm
Sounds a lot like the auto show in motion deal

the hummer course is pretty awesome...and i remember getting the vette up to about 70 or so, the attendant in the passenger seat doesn't allow you to go to third gear. That didn't stop people, guess thats why they'll be governed.
The Auto Show In Motion sucks ***** compared to this description. This sounds amazing.
Old Apr 5, 2006 | 07:48 PM
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Re: This is Really Cool- Drive GM cars on test track in Vegas

Chris and I were talking about this a month ago. We will try to get out there this summer to report on it.
Old Apr 5, 2006 | 08:01 PM
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Re: This is Really Cool- Drive GM cars on test track in Vegas

i got kicked out of autoshow in motion multiple times for trying to go normal speeds around the corners, this vegas thing looks like your allowed to actually beat on them.
Old Apr 5, 2006 | 10:13 PM
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Re: This is Really Cool- Drive GM cars on test track in Vegas

Originally Posted by MarcR94v6
The Auto Show In Motion sucks ***** compared to this description. This sounds amazing.
How so, if you can't even go over 45?

And it does sound exactly the same
Old Apr 5, 2006 | 11:47 PM
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Re: This is Really Cool- Drive GM cars on test track in Vegas

Because they let you go 4 laps around the course, or 2 performance laps, at the auto show in motion they only had a short course around the actual operating streets, where traffic slowed you down from getting on it, and there was only one good straight away, where I went to about 70 in the Mustang GT and about 85 in the C6 Corvette and SSR.

Where did it say on this that you can't go over 45?? At most auto show in motions, the courses are even smaller, and they don't let you go as fast as they let us.
Old Apr 6, 2006 | 12:22 AM
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Re: This is Really Cool- Drive GM cars on test track in Vegas

Originally Posted by MarcR94v6
Because they let you go 4 laps around the course, or 2 performance laps, at the auto show in motion they only had a short course around the actual operating streets, where traffic slowed you down from getting on it, and there was only one good straight away, where I went to about 70 in the Mustang GT and about 85 in the C6 Corvette and SSR.

Where did it say on this that you can't go over 45?? At most auto show in motions, the courses are even smaller, and they don't let you go as fast as they let us.
Where the heck was the ASIM you went to? I was there in San Diego... And I got the C6 a hair past 100 on the back straight. Maybe I just drove like a maniac.
Old Apr 6, 2006 | 12:26 AM
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Re: This is Really Cool- Drive GM cars on test track in Vegas

Originally Posted by johnsocal
As soon as this test track opens I will be going to Vegas before some idiot wrecks a car or kills himself and forces them to reduce speeds or make the track less exciting.
Yeah my thoughts exactly... Which means, you'd better be there opening day, and one of the first in line.
Old Apr 6, 2006 | 12:40 AM
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Re: This is Really Cool- Drive GM cars on test track in Vegas

Did you do some personal editing? This is what you put in bold.

For one $10 ticket, visitors will get a choice of four laps on the performance loop, two laps on the off-road course or a combination of two performance laps and one off-road lap. Passengers can ride along at no cost.

This is what is in the article when you click the link:

For one $10 ticket, visitors will get a choice of four laps on the performance loop, two laps on the off-road course or a combination of two performance laps and one off-road lap. A professional driver rides along in every car.



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