[QUOTE=R377]It seems to be a fashionable on enthusiast sites like this to disparage test drivers from magazines, and I think that's unfair. These guys do more quarter mile passes in a month than most of us will do in a lifetime, and I think it's naive to think that they're somehow inferior to the average weekend racer. Remember that they're testing the cars on a very controlled basis, i.e. full tank of fuel, recommended tire pressures, full weight of test equipment, no speed shifting, corrected for atmospheric conditions, etc.


I think it's fashionable to disparage just about everyone and everything.

Yes, there are some very very competent journalists...but I've been to many press events...and there are some that are very good at writing, but very bad at driving.
I certainly don't mean to paint all journalists with the same paintbrush and if that's the impression I gave, then I sincerely apologize.

That said, there ARE some that should stick to writing......about something else.

(JMHO)

 

Just my thoughts on auto journalists...some are hot shoes...some are not.

Afew years ago, I attended the Motor Trend Cadillac Challenge. They had a timed event with a Catera. Posted were the best times of pro drivers, Motor Trend staff writers and participants. And the best times were in that order. Pro drivers were the fastest, MT was considerably slower...and participants were considerably slower than MT.

They had a contest to see if any participants could beat the MT times....winner got a sweat shirt. I consider myself an average driver....with just a smattering of auto-x/race track experiences. I beat the MT "best time" on my first run* and won the shirt. If I can beat them.......






* OK, since I know you guys I'll admit that I cheated just alittle. I removed my name tag and snuck in with the group before mine, and took two "practice" runs before I rejoined my group. Sorry, but I really wanted that sweat shirt.

 

Hey man, a free sweatshirt is a free sweatshirt!