Re: Reults of Drive For Life Owner Experience-Skip Barber!!! (Rob)

Thanks for the report! It's going to be hard waiting for it (5/8 afternoon) now...

I started thinking how fellow Swedespeeders can recognize each other when we go to these. Maybe George can get the Swedespeed gear shop back up and running so we can get some logo-wear?

 

Re: Reults of Drive For Life Owner Experience-Skip Barber!!! (Rob)

I've added a link to this thread from the myxc90.com drive 4 life page

Please post your impressions of the course in this thread after you attend.

 

Re: Reults of Drive For Life Owner Experience-Skip Barber!!! (Rob)

Rob,
Thanks for your post. My wife and I just took delivery of our new 2004 XC-90 on March 31st. Our saleswoman gave us a card about this Drive for Life - Owners Experience and we were interested to hear what others had to say about it. We really love the way the car rides and handles.
Jack

 

Re: Reults of Drive For Life Owner Experience-Skip Barber!!! (Rob)

Thanks for the report too! I'm looking forward to the experience, especially since we get to do it without thrashing our own XC90's.

Anyone else signed up for the 5/9 afternoon class?

 

Hi,

I just called VCNA to ask if a second owner can have a free session if the first owner never did one. The answer to my surprise was yes!!!

Seeing as the classes really just started, if you are a second owner of a xc90 ( at least foe 04's like myself ) you can go to the class for free!!!!!!!

Holly

 

Re: (64duett04xc90)

I posted this last month on another Skip Barber thread after attending the class, but thought it should probably be listed here....

Attended the Southern Calif class this weekend (2/29). As others have posted, it was a blast!!!!

A lot of fun - I think I had a constant grin on my face for the entire 3 1/2 hours.

It was a small group - just 9 of us (plus one or two ride alongs).

It's really amazing to be able to accelerate to almost 50 mph and slam on the brakes, turn the wheel and not have any loss of control - the car goes where you want it to (in this case into a 90 degree gradual turn), and the tires stay on the ground - no fish tailing or spinning. During the exercises, the instructors kept saying "turn the wheel harder - make wider turns, etc..." They truly seemed to have complete confidence that the truck would not roll.

BTW - All the instructors were great - upbeat - helpful - knew what they were doing. http://********************/smile/emthup.gif

I also mentioned swedespeed to the group and a few took note, so maybe we'll get a few new members out of it.

If you're anywhere close to one of these locations, you should really try to make it to a class. I already love my truck, but this experience definitely gave me a greater appreciation of what the safety systems were all about and how the truck can perform is given the opportunity.

Jan

 

Re: (OCXC90)

About how long does the class last? I'm scheduled for a 1pm class. Since the class is about two hours from home, I was wondering how long it lasts, so I can estimate my arrival back home.

Thanks in advance.

 

Re: Reults of Drive For Life Owner Experience-Skip Barber!!! (Rob)

Sounds great!

I'm looking forward to the classes at Laguna Seca, however I may change from the May 8 to the May 9 afternoon session.

Seriously considering going to Buttonwillow (near Bakersfield) on May 8 for this:http://www.hotchkistuning.com/...y.htm Probably drive my Camaro if I go..

 

Re: Reults of Drive For Life Owner Experience-Skip Barber!!! (Rob)

Is the class open to Canadians? I tried to sign up online but the site rejected my VIN!

 

Re: Reults of Drive For Life Owner Experience-Skip Barber!!! (articman)

Quote, originally posted by articman »

Is the class open to Canadians?

I don't see why not, if you pay the full amount.

I believe the deal where one seat is included with each car, applies only to the US. Sorry!

May be Yannis or someone in the know can clarify for you.

 

Re: Reults of Drive For Life Owner Experience-Skip Barber!!! (ig_mb)

I received an email today that states
" due to overwhelming response your course is cancelled, please reschedule"
I was planning on the october one at Nazareth in PA

 

Re: Reults of Drive For Life Owner Experience-Skip Barber!!! (obiwan)

Obiwan,
I am signed up for the July 17th afternoon class at Nazareth. Did you ever find out why your class was canceled. I checked the schedule and it still says they have 34 seats open in both classes on October 17th. If you go to the July 17th afternoon class maybe we can meet up.

 

Re: Reults of Drive For Life Owner Experience-Skip Barber!!! (Rob)

How did the car interior trim / body / mechanics stand up to the course, i've been on a landrover equivalent and was surprised to find that interior grip handles were being pulled off by the passengers as the car rocked around, bumpers partially falling off upon going through ruts , vehicles failing to cope with mud slurry etc etc and that was in a top of the range ' range rover.' .!!....

 

Re: Reults of Drive For Life Owner Experience-Skip Barber!!! (Randini)

In my experience, the cars held very well. In several of the courses, I was holding myself from the grip handles on the door and overhead and not one of them failed.

The body and mechanics were fine on all cars I saw but -- and this is important -- the courses were very "mild" in comparison to what you suggest. All the courses were on good pavement, no off-road test of any kind, which in my opinion, an opportunity that that Volvo simply missed. Many people may think that just because the car is AWD, you can get thru anything which is not true. Getting thru mud needs a little thought unless you like getting stuck. Some safety guidelines would have been appreciated as well.

 

Re: Reults of Drive For Life Owner Experience-Skip Barber!!! (Rob)

I just completed the course at Nazareth Speedway on July 17th, (afternoon). WOW http://********************/smile/emthup.gif

what an experience it was. You really can't appreciate how the XC-90 handles until you push the limits like they let you there. We had a rather small class, only 16 which meant there were only two drivers to a car and plenty of room for observers if they wanted. I too did the braking event first and agree this is the place to start. They had us brake in a straight line at two different speeds, 30 and 40 MPH. Then we did braking while turning at 30, 35, and 40. The interesting thing was how they had you focus on another (green) cone to help you steer. The instructors point was you drive where you look and if you are looking at a wall or tree or deer or that ever you are probably going to drive to that object and hit it. That was something I really hadn't thought about. Since we had a few extra minutes they let us go through again at 40 MPH. I know each time I went though I got more confidence with the XC-90.

From there we went to the slalom and moose avoidance area. We got to do three runs each here as well, 30, 35 and 40 MPH. It was good to have a passenger to watch your speed but they could make the class much better if they had used those radar "Your speed is" devices you see on the highways. The last time though my partner said I was at least at 45 MPH and I didn't hit one cone. The instructor kept telling me not to be afraid to really steer the vehicle hard, which is what I found out to really make the DSTC work.

I thought the best part was the auto-cross at the end. Everyone got to take three laps around going through S curves and tight turns. You could really feel the systems working to help your steering, preventing roll over, and skidding sideways out of control through the cones. Since we had a small class they basically let you take multiple three run turns.

The class concluded with an air bag deployment demo.

All in all I thought it was very worthwhile experiences that showed you just what XC-90 is supposed to do in emergency situations. The instructors really know what they are doing and are first rate. I also mentioned swedespeed as a great source of information.

I don't understand why more owners don't take advantage of this opportunity. I drove about 600 miles round trip so not counting the time on the track I was on the road about 10 hours. There was a car from Cleveland and another from Pittsburgh further west than me. I don't know if they stayed over but I didn't, but it was worth the time and drive.

BTW I thought the gas millage was pretty good @ 23.5 MPG both ways at an average speed of about 60. I love those features saves me from tracking everything.

http://********************/smile/emcocktl.gif

 

Re: Reults of Drive For Life Owner Experience-Skip Barber!!! (Jackson58)

Quote, originally posted by Jackson58 »

what an experience it was ... I thought the best part was the auto-cross at the end.

I agree that was fun. Photo from June 26.

 

Re: Reults of Drive For Life Owner Experience-Skip Barber!!! (doublel)

Congratulations Guys,
AWESOME !!

You guys are hard core, taking the Skip Barber course in a XC90, I love it! I'll bet you can now blaze down the 600-foot slalom faster than the test drivers did.

My questions for you are about the "prep" of the cars. Are there any mods to the suspension, springs, sway bars, etc., and what about the tires?

regards,

Mr. P

 

Re: Reults of Drive For Life Owner Experience-Skip Barber!!! (Mr. P)

The XC90's are completely stock from what the instructors told our group. I noticed that the one I got to drive had a little over 200 miles on the odometer. There were a variety of XC90's there, some with 5's, some with 6's, and even some FWD models.

I've heard that this driving program will be continued for new XC90 owners, you may want to check this link for more info:

http://www.volvoownerexperience.com/

Here's the Skip Barber site:

http://www.skipbarber.com/

 

Re: Reults of Drive For Life Owner Experience-Skip Barber!!! (Mr. P)

Quote, originally posted by Mr. P »

My questions for you are about the "prep" of the cars. Are there any mods to the suspension, springs, sway bars, etc., and what about the tires? regards, Mr. P

Like Sushi said, "bran new" stock cars no mods. We smoked and squeeled tires like no tomorrow in the autocross. I checked the average MPG it was 5.4

for 180 miles total on the car. I said to my partner (fellow owner doing the experience) if they sell this car I hope they have a disclaimer on it cause we beat the crap out of it. (and the instructors told us to) The electronics and brakes must have been really hot cause they where working like crazy. I asked the instructor how long the tires last, because they really looked chewed up. He said they where new the day before and they'll probably have to be changed tomorrow. Later in the week I talked to my salesman at the dealer next door to the raceway and they had several of the experience XC90's in the service area for tire changing.

Michelin stickers were all over the place. They obviously had some sponsoship in the event and our car had the stock Michelins.

 

Re: Reults of Drive For Life Owner Experience-Skip Barber!!! (Mr. P)

Quote, originally posted by Mr. P »

My questions for you are about the "prep" of the cars. Are there any mods to the suspension, springs, sway bars, etc., and what about the tires? Mr. P

We only had AWD's at Nazareth Speedway event but both in the T5 and T6 models. The only thing our instructors said about the tires is all the vehicles had 18" rims and Michelin tires. This was so they can interchange the wheels easier. He also said that they rotate the tires inside to outside every weekend and they last about two weekends depending on the number of drivers they have. I didn't look to see what the mileage was on the vehicles I drove. I thought about that on the way home, but was too late.

 

Drive 4 Life Videos

Wanna relive the experience? or know what to expect?

I got the video clips (wmw) from the Fontana, California Speedway from this past Saturday (Oct 9th - 1pm)... I was on the Blue Group.

***** CLICK on the link *****

1) Line Up
2) ABS Test
3) ABS w/ Turn
4) Moose Avoidance (view from outside)
5) Moose Avoidance (view from inside)
6) Slalom (outside only)
7) Auto-Cross (entire course)
8) Airbag test

Modified by lazzerj at 9:04 AM 9-4-2005

 

Re: Drive 4 Life Videos (lazzerj)

Quote, originally posted by lazzerj »

5) Airbag test

What was the airbag test?

After sitting through two of the four drivers in our car, I decided to sit out the remainder of one of the courses after my turn. Otherwise, we'd have gotten too close to the barfbag test...

 

Re: Drive 4 Life Videos (Rick_Auricchio)

We had an airbag demonstration at mine (@Lime Rock). It involved a lone steering wheel and a two-safety detonator thing, an impressive POP, a steering wheel 4 feet in the air even though the airbag was pointing up, and a very appreciative 8 people having seen it.

Tom.

 

Re: Drive 4 Life Videos (tmtalpey)

NOT FAIR hehe, I went to lime rock and didnt see that. That must have been really cool. http://********************/smile/emthup.gif

 

Re: Drive 4 Life Videos (XC90 Black Saphire)

It was a Ford steering wheel (Taurus?)... hoped for a Volvo airbag. Enjoy...

Modified by lazzerj at 9:04 AM 9-4-2005