| YouTube abounds with performance vehicle mishaps and bloopers. BMWs jumping curbs, Corvettes fishtailing out of control, and then there's this particularly memorable collection of Mustang fails with some brilliant commentary. (NSFW with volume...) Perhaps in an effort to avoid their new Focus RS routinely making the highlight reels, Ford is offering Focus RS buyers free driving school via the "RS Adrenaline Academy." |  |
It's certainly a step in the right direction, and a prudent move in recognition of the fact that the dynamics of performance vehicles must be learned.
That's especially true of the new Focus RS, which has four distinct driving modes that alter the handling dynamics of the car, and Ford's unique AWD system as well. (Click for geeky insight.)
Every Focus RS buyer will invariably experiment with the "track" and "drift" modes. Better that take place for the first time in a controlled environment with instruction, rather than departing cars & coffee.
Tires may steepen the Focus RS learning curve as well. Buyers can choose from a collection of Michelin performance tires -- the Michelin Pilot Super Sport (a MinimumTread.com favorite), Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2, and for those who reside in the land of four seasons, the Michelin Pilot Alpin 4. The Sport Cup 2 especially -- a full-fledged track tire -- will take some getting used to for the inexperienced who unwittingly opt for the most aggressive tire for their hottest of hot hatches.
The catch? The free version of the Academy is only one day of school, and it's in Grantsville, Utah (just outside of Salt Lake City). And while the school itself is no charge, participants will have make it there at their own expense.
Whether that's "worth it" will probably come down to the customer's proximity to Utah. It would take us five months to get there via horse and carriage and we don't want to go out like the Donner Party, so we'd probably just get to know our new hatch at the next HPDE/track day.
Nevertheless, kudos to Ford for offering Focus RS buyers the opportunity. It's yet another example of an American car company directly acknowledging and being responsive to performance driving enthusiasts.
Learn more on the RS Adrenaline Academy site.
Speaking of track performance, here's how the Focus RS stacks up against the new BMW M2.
That's especially true of the new Focus RS, which has four distinct driving modes that alter the handling dynamics of the car, and Ford's unique AWD system as well. (Click for geeky insight.)
Every Focus RS buyer will invariably experiment with the "track" and "drift" modes. Better that take place for the first time in a controlled environment with instruction, rather than departing cars & coffee.
Tires may steepen the Focus RS learning curve as well. Buyers can choose from a collection of Michelin performance tires -- the Michelin Pilot Super Sport (a MinimumTread.com favorite), Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2, and for those who reside in the land of four seasons, the Michelin Pilot Alpin 4. The Sport Cup 2 especially -- a full-fledged track tire -- will take some getting used to for the inexperienced who unwittingly opt for the most aggressive tire for their hottest of hot hatches.
The catch? The free version of the Academy is only one day of school, and it's in Grantsville, Utah (just outside of Salt Lake City). And while the school itself is no charge, participants will have make it there at their own expense.
Whether that's "worth it" will probably come down to the customer's proximity to Utah. It would take us five months to get there via horse and carriage and we don't want to go out like the Donner Party, so we'd probably just get to know our new hatch at the next HPDE/track day.
Nevertheless, kudos to Ford for offering Focus RS buyers the opportunity. It's yet another example of an American car company directly acknowledging and being responsive to performance driving enthusiasts.
Learn more on the RS Adrenaline Academy site.
Speaking of track performance, here's how the Focus RS stacks up against the new BMW M2.
