American automagazine crashed a 599GTB in italy | FerrariChat
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American automagazine crashed a 599GTB in italy

Discussion in 'Ferrari Discussion (not model specific)' started by ParhamK, Jun 16, 2006.

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  1. ParhamK

    ParhamK Formula Junior

    Nov 14, 2005
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    Parham K.
    #1 ParhamK, Jun 16, 2006
    A small monument about halfway up the pass recalls a young, fully tufted Enzo Ferrari finishing fourth in a 1919 hill-climb here. It is this exact spot, where the monument sits at the end of a rock wall, that photographer Valente decides to set up a cornering shot. We run a few passes for the camera, the 599’s electronic stability control dutifully keeping the rear end behind the front. On the third try, Valente asks, “Can you get the tail out a bit more?”

    If one could reach back through the veil of time and change the past, it would be at this point that my hand would be prevented from reaching down to the manettino, the steering-wheel switch governing the stability control, and shutting it off. Coming back up, I flick the steering wheel to unload the inside rear tire and goose the throttle, the car whipsawing in a screech of rubber. First one way…

    …and then the other. The last milliseconds before impact are busy with desperate corrections, but the 599 swipes the wall with a nauseating crunch. Valente’s face is blanched as I clump to a stop, the world suddenly deathly silent.

    We head back to the factory, tails tucked meekly between hindquarters. Ferrari has a thoroughly modern, thoroughly exhilarating new gran turismo berlinetta with slot-car handling, 611 lyric horses refined enough to invite for tea, abundant comforts for all body types, and styling that is crackling with some serious libido. While contemplating all this and the now dented fenders, Valente leans over and says, “Actually, I pretty much had the shot on the second run.”"

    pics here:

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  2. GCalo

    GCalo F1 Veteran

    Sep 15, 2004
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    #2 GCalo, Jun 16, 2006
    So is this now a sufficient crash test for US regulations!
     
  3. ParhamK

    ParhamK Formula Junior

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    #3 ParhamK, Jun 16, 2006

    Hahah, you guys should hope so!
     
  4. BigTex

    BigTex Seven Time F1 World Champ
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    #4 BigTex, Jun 16, 2006
    I'm sure they have already crashed the two cars required for DOT compliance, in controlled lab conditions...

    I hope these two guys were given the stern fisheye when they brought the car back, and were escorted briskly out the gates and back to the airport! LOL!

    That's just stupidity.........
     
  5. JH

    JH F1 Veteran
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    #5 JH, Jun 16, 2006
    That's one magazine that wont be testing Ferrari's from the factory again :) First time I've ever heard of anyone crashing a Ferrari doing and official test with a car borrowed from Ferrari.
     
  6. BigTex

    BigTex Seven Time F1 World Champ
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    #6 BigTex, Jun 16, 2006
    Oh no, not the first time at all, usually it 's on the Test Track though...

    To wreck one on public roads is the ultimate in poor form, IMO....
     
  7. wheelhor

    wheelhor Formula Junior

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    #7 wheelhor, Jun 16, 2006
    who was it exactly? thats so sad :(


    E
     
  8. BigTex

    BigTex Seven Time F1 World Champ
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    #8 BigTex, Jun 16, 2006
    Car and Driver? I read this yesterday somewhere else....
     
  9. BigTex

    BigTex Seven Time F1 World Champ
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    #9 BigTex, Jun 16, 2006
    Can't be Road and Track they have already covered it.....
     
  10. J.P.Sarti

    J.P.Sarti Guest

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    #10 J.P.Sarti, Jun 16, 2006
    It was those Satanic wheels, car is cursed, 666.
     
  11. BigTex

    BigTex Seven Time F1 World Champ
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    #11 BigTex, Jun 16, 2006
    I've already seen pics with those fncked up wheels GONE, replaced by ones that look similar to 430 Challenge wheels.....MUCH better!
     
  12. TX907

    TX907 Formula Junior

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    #12 TX907, Jun 16, 2006
    Yes, it was Car and Driver.
     
  13. Lip Service

    Lip Service Formula Junior

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    #13 Lip Service, Jun 16, 2006
    The ultimate lesson in humility.
     
  14. GCalo

    GCalo F1 Veteran

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    #14 GCalo, Jun 16, 2006
    "Yes, it was Car and Driver."

    So, now is the name changing to just "Car" since it's obvious they have no Drivers?

    Maybe they were aiming for a "bang up" article!!!
     
  15. TX907

    TX907 Formula Junior

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    #15 TX907, Jun 16, 2006
    I think it was a pretty accurate test - "Lets see what happens when some goober turns off the traction control and gets on it."
     
  16. No Doubt

    No Doubt Seven Time F1 World Champ

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    #16 No Doubt, Jun 16, 2006
    Great car; ugly wheels. The remedy is obvious.
     
  17. WarrenF355

    WarrenF355 Formula 3

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    #17 WarrenF355, Jun 16, 2006

    Scary thought. However, the situation made it seem as though the magazine staff was being a tad irresponsible. How foolish do you have to be to turn off all the driver aids in a 611-hp Ferrari--the first time driving it--down a windy Italian road with a large stone wall bordering said road??

    Bad form!
     
  18. opus10583

    opus10583 Formula 3

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    #18 opus10583, Jun 16, 2006
    I have to disagree... Race tracks afford one far more opportunities for photogenic recovery, whereas public roads, particularly tight Italian goat paths, are extremely unforgiving of visually attractive histrionics.
     
  19. SefacHotRodder

    SefacHotRodder F1 World Champ

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    #19 SefacHotRodder, Jun 16, 2006
    A journalist blew the engine on a Carrera GT (press car i believe) by downshifting instead of upshifting. That's gotta suck
     
  20. BigSky355

    BigSky355 Karting

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    #20 BigSky355, Jun 17, 2006
    Keep your eyes open for a great deal on Ebay...
    Car and Dumbasses!
     
  21. Whisky

    Whisky Three Time F1 World Champ
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    #21 Whisky, Jun 17, 2006
    I got a buddy - he can fix it - his dad - is a TV repairman - has a groovy set of tools..........
     
  22. BigTex

    BigTex Seven Time F1 World Champ
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    #22 BigTex, Jun 17, 2006
    I meant it was poor form to wreck your host's loaned car, no matter WHAT the location!
     
  23. 134282

    134282 Four Time F1 World Champ
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    #23 134282, Jun 17, 2006
    Writer's name is Aaron Robinson; read the article, it's actually pretty funny... I feel for him though... I've heard of journalists losing their jobs because of stuff like that...
     
  24. TorontoR

    TorontoR Karting

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    #24 TorontoR, Jun 17, 2006
    Every damn automotive journalist now thinks they can be like Tiff Needel!
     
  25. 3omar

    3omar Formula Junior
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    #25 3omar, Jun 20, 2006
    Tiff actually drove the 599 at Fiorano and didn't like the handling; said it was abruptly going from understeer to oversteer.
     
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