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Southern Ontario Roads - Great Drives - What is your Favorite?

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Old 10-22-2004, 09:33 PM
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Southern Ontario Roads - Great Drives - What is your Favorite?

Thanksgiving Weekend was a blast.
Earlier this year I went on a 3,000 km roadtrip throughout New England in search of fun roads for the 8.
Didn't find a single one. I think West Virginia, and Pennsylvania have better roads.
Nothing that challenged the 8 at anything under DOUBLE the posted speed limit.
Not my idea of SMART when you have houses, and moose crossings, etc.
also 160+ kph doesn't allow a great margin of error if you misjudge.

My idea of a fun back road is one that allows you to reach say 200 or so in the straights - top of 4rth say; then on the binders hard for a 2nd gear 50 turn, repeat.

WOT Accelerate - Beep - Shift - Beep - Shift, Brake hard, Heel Toe, Heel Toe, Accelerate - Beep...

Well, I found such roads.

I've driven them before - but in an AWD boosted talon - all straight line, plenty of grip in long sweepers, but no brakes, and doesn't turn in. Can you say under-steering pig? Within about 10mins the brakes were toast.

Now in the RX? Totally different experience - Not the acceleration of the turbo, but the confidence of being actually able to brake, and turn. And the brakes kept - well BRAKING! So that's what the steering wheel is for?

What I had was a silly grin on my face and a GF that was almost sick.

Drive up was wet with leaves and slight drizzle - DSC ON! I hate the RE040's in the rain. Heck, I hate them in the dry. Only 2x posted corner speeds.

Drive back - nothing but dry roads, and NO ONE! The odd minivan, but they were dispatched of quickly with the angry sewing machine. 3-4x posted corner speeds.

Roads you ask? Well I will share this with you.
Tool - Southern Ontario Map .

Roads - 13 off HWY 11 north of Orillia, by Severn bridge to BALA
HWY 518 from 69 right over to 11. Although there is construction near Parry Sound 69.

Both roads are fairly rough pavement so they will take some life off your tires, and there is the risk of frost heaves, and pretty severe bumps in places so be aware.

What did I learn?
The 8 has a great suspension that really soaks up the bumps well.
Sure - the roll is a bit excessive on a smooth road with quick transitions, but on these roads - the compliance was just perfect.
And those brakes - fantastic.
Wish the Go pedal worked a bit better - response is great, just the oomph is lacking.

Never did the backend become unsettled - even in very bumpy mid corners.
Getting stuck behind minivans, motorcycles, pickup trucks, - just about anything else - really sucks!

Just make sure you fill up the gas tank before you venture off the main roads.

Mileage isn’t a strong point when the accelerator meets the floor for a great percentage of the drive.

What is your favourite Ontario road?
Old 10-22-2004, 10:35 PM
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Try #141

If you're looking for another good road in that area try #141 from #69 to #11.
Railton
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