Great pictures. "Hey kid! get off my car!" Will have to miss Concours d'Elegance of America due to having to work month's end. Make another documentary please.
Ok, so I took my Stratos for a long drive for the first time here in the U.S. I had driven it twice before (at a short, tight track in Italy and for 15-20 minutes last weekend) and I thought "no problem, I got it!". Today I took it for a long drive on out of the way, twisty back country roads. Holy ****, I DON'T got it! I have never driven a car with a more excitable chassis where so much of the steering needs to be done with the throttle. I quickly realized that if I tried to go as fast as I've gone on same roads with cars I'm more famlliliar with, the stratos would chew me up and spit me out (it almost happened a couple of times). I need to learn its ways first. I know there is quite a difference between grp.4 and stradale stratos in terms of wheels, tires (my tires are new but look like they might the gravel tires) and suspension but now I have even more respect for those that can drive these cars all out on twisty rally type roads...
The difference between Gr4 handling and stradale is amazing. I would think even going with 15" rims and low profile Michelin TB5's would make a huge difference. The taller 70 profile tires are too squirmy for spirited driving. We should work up a group buy for the Marvic coffin style Stratos wheels!
I'm sure you'd do a much better job with it but I'm keeping it! You are welcome to give it a try if you are in the area, though.
Ok, I feel quite a bit better now. Took it out for a drive tonight on some of the same roads, skipped a section with a bunch of downhill off camber corners, dialed back a bit and it felt much better. I think I was over enthusiastic yesterday. I took a two hour drive on a very hot day in a car with poor ventilation after having spent two hours in the sun and wanted to right away live out my San Remo fantasies. It's not surprising I felt overwhelmed at the end...
Thank you for bringing it. Wonderful car. I hope to see it again soon. Yes... I'm still fairly burnt from a day on the hill at big bend. I'll be back for the IMSA race next month.
Guys, I have an oil pressure question (i posted in the dino section as well). I noticed that after a 30-40 minute spirited drive (mostly staying in the 5000-6000 rpm range, occasionally going to the readline, occasionally cruising ar lower rpm) oil pressure drifts a bit lower. It still seems fine (and the engine continues to pull strong) but definitely a bit lower. Is this normal?
