Should MORE Automakers OFFER or MANDATE Free Track Time With The Purchase Of A High-performance Vehicle?

Yesterday, Agent 009 posted an interesting story coming from our friends at Ford. Apparently the Ford Performance team thought that with the purchase of the all-new Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 it would make sense to offer a complementary track session down in Charlotte.

To me, this is a genius move. There's two reasons for this.

First, there's no question that the GT500 is going to be a gnarly beast to tame. We're talking about a massive amount of power — over 750 horsepower — being sent exclusively to the rear wheels. If you don't know what you're doing, you will wind up in a heap of trouble. Kudos to Ford for thinking of driver safety.

Second, this will turn on many buyers to exploring the limit of their vehicles at the track rather than on public streets. While I am sure a lot of GT500 buyers already are enthusiasts, some won't be or they haven't had experiences in a controlled environment. Not only does that mean more part sales for Ford but greater stickiness with Ford Performance vehicles. Let's face it: If you have a great time at the track it will become addictive.

Having said that, this makes me wonder: Should more automakers OFFER or even MANDATE (for safety) free track time with the purchase of certain high-performance automobiles?

MDarringer - 12/14/2019 3:35:17 PM

0 Boost

Insurance companies should mandate driving school for cars 400hp and up.

CANADIANCOMMENTS - 12/14/2019 4:09:29 PM

-1 Boost

Yep. But you can't force anyone to make an intelligent decision on their own. @MD's idea of pressure/insistence from the insurance co is a good idea. From a dealer perspective, I had a representative from Porsche tell me a story where a 18 yr old came in with his Grandma. He wanted a Porsche Turbo (this was in the late 80's). The dealer insisted he drive a regular 911 for a year and then come back and trade it in on a Turbo. Logic prevailed.

MDarringer - 12/14/2019 4:23:24 PM

+1 Boost

Ford has always had driving school offers here and there but the message tended to go out to clubs.

mre30 - 12/14/2019 4:42:10 PM

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I think a "Replace Tires Now" warning light would go a long way to preventing these on-road spin-outs. Driving school will just empower people to be more aggressive while its often bald (or cold), low-aspect ratio performance tires that increase the risk of spin outs and roll overs.

Lots of these tuner people will dump all kinds of carbon fiber (real and fake) on their cars but not replace the 'sport' tires every 8,000 miles when they are worn.

Agent00R - 12/14/2019 5:08:21 PM

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That would be a good idea if sensors were able to pick up when tires were worn — not sure we're there yet.

I am sure there could be an algorithm created to take into consideration acceleration/braking/turning/temperature/heat cycles and get to an idea regarding the wear on the tire. Ultimately, I don't think that'd pass legal for an automaker though. Imagine if it doesn't tell you to replace a tire and it misses a blow out or other puncture.

Then they're really on the hook, no?

skytop - 12/15/2019 8:57:26 PM

0 Boost

Chevy provide a day of racing instruction in Nevada with every Blue Devil ZR1 Corvette sold in 2012 and 2013. 3.

Tiberius1701A - 12/17/2019 9:37:28 AM

+1 Boost

Every Focus and Fiesta ST came with a complimentary one-day at the ST Octane Academy outside of Salt Lake City. Not sure about the Explorer ST or Edge ST though... Matt?