Feb issue of Driven World Magazine

Make It Fun p.03

Road Test: 2011 Corvette p.08

Industry News p.12

THE OFFICIAL GUIDE TO

SUPER CAR SUNDAY

Road Test:

2011 Corvette

Grand Sport February 2011

SAGEAUTO.COM

From the Editor:

“Make It Fun” Fun. What do you consider fun? The first things that come to my mind are my hobbies: cars, cycling, exercise and friends. This is it, this is my fun. But recently, I have had the opportunity to meet a man who expanded my idea of what fun was.

David Delrahim is a successful businessman. About one year ago, he opened Lavaggio Auto Detailing in Agoura Hills (lavaggio.net). Lavaggio is bar none, the most amazing auto detailing center and concept that I have ever experienced.

I have been fortunate to spend a bit of time with David and have come to understand a paradigm that to my mind is a driving force in his life; “Make it fun!” Make what fun? Work, play, relationships, make them all fun.

It took me about five months of interacting with David to really understand what he meant by “make it fun.” I always tried to incorporate fun into everything I did but could I really make it all fun?

Upon exploring the idea of “make it fun”, I found myself enjoying my daily tasks more. I found working on my project cars and staying motivated much easier. I found 8-mile runs, which were once viewed with a sense of dread now a challenge. How? Make it fun. How do I make it fun? For me it has to do with really accepting that work can be work, or it can be fun. It is what I choose to make of it. It has something to do with really going the extra distance, thinking “outside of the box”, asking yourself, “how far can I go?” I think it has to do with accepting a challenge and going at it full force and setting no limits.

This morning, I found myself doing something I haven’t done in years. I woke up at 4:30 am to go surf. I am generally up around 6 am; Sundays even earlier. So to wake up at 4:30am to go surf really hasn’t sounded that fun…….until now. I woke up at 4:30 am, met a friend and we were the first people in the water.

The moon was high and the sun had yet to rise and there we were in the freezing cold Pacific. We were shivering, we were tired, we had a full days’ load ahead of us and damn it was fun!

I have been trying to incorporate “fun” into everything I am doing. I am now trying to change my paradigm of work into some type of challenge that will not only yield a better product, but that may enhance my being. Perhaps it is all in the approach, but I like the idea of this approach, I like the idea of challenges and growing, while having more ………..FUN! If I may make a suggestion, try to “make it fun” and let me know how it goes.

-Dustin Troyan

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Road Test

A

2011 Corvette Grand Sport

Corvette is a Corvette is a Corvette. This is the general sentiment I think most of us non-corvette owners have. A Z06, sure.

Amazing performance at an amazing price but still a Corvette! A ZR1, wow! A barely throttled race car but still a Corvette! The contrast of the American “Exotic” to the European.

Sure, there is performance but what about “fit and finish” and what about exclusivity? The Corvette has never really gotten past that image, or has it?

The last Corvette I drove was a C5.

It offered tremendous performance at an amazing value but the interior was lacking, the finished product was lacking and it was just an extension of the then dated C4. When GM called and asked if I wanted to experience the 2011 Grand Sport, I thought sure why not, but it is still a Corvette. Not quite a ZR1 and even if it was a ZR1, it was still a Corvette.

I took delivery of the convertible at the Auto Gallery Ferrari Maserati Dealership in Calabasas. Surprisingly, the Grand Sport seemed at home with some of the finest the Italians have to offer, interesting. But it was still a Corvette. As I slid into those race inspired seats I immediately took notice of the interior refinements and the superb fit and finish.

I was impressed. As I pressed the “Start button”, the 453 HP LS3 engine came alive; it offered just the right amount of “cam” without losing the refinement of a finely tuned sports car. Did GM nail it?

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The Grand Sport delivered was an automatic six-speed, with F1 inspired shifting. I left the Auto Gallery and was headed out to Lavaggio in Agoura Hills. As I entered the 101 freeway, I put the pedal down and the Grand Sport took off! WOW! With approximately 400hp to the ground the Vette ROARED onto the freeway. Ok, a great standing start how about passing power? Cruising at 65mph, I hit the gas; the six-speed automatic “blips” the throttle, the car downshifts and rockets away. If this is a naturally aspirated LS3, the ZR1 must be frightening fast. Is a Corvette just a Corvette?

Over the course of the week, I found myself saying, “I am not a Corvette guy, but……what a nice car.” Heather, sitting passenger said the same thing: “I am not a Corvette person, but, this is nice…”, which for both of us turned into: “wow, this is an amazing vehicle.” I found myself wondering, would I drive a Corvette?

Would I drive a Grand Sport? Have I had the wrong idea on Corvettes this entire time? Perhaps I am a Corvette guy?

Having the car for a week, I stopped by all my local shops to show the car off and see the response.

Overwhelmingly, the car received rave reviews. I was stunned. There was something about the Grand Sport that grabbed all who saw it.

I came across some cyclists I know in Westlake. They could not believe how “hot” the car was. One of them knew everything about the Grand Sport, quoting all the stats.

The wide-body and Z06 splitters and functional air ducts really make a stunning statement. Again, I keep questioning, “Am I a Corvette Guy?”

Performance

Thus far I was impressed with the LS3. It has an excellent six-speed automatic transmission, great fit and finish, seat warmers, and technology.

But what about Z06 sized brakes and suspension? Cruising one of my favorite canyons I found the Grand Sport effortlessly capable. The Grand Sport is so finely tuned that you have instant confidence and can find yourself going a little too fast. Not that the Corvette couldn’t take more, but was I going to run out of talent?

Again, the shifting was instant, the suspension hugged and grabbed and the brakes, they stop! In the hands of a proper racer the Grand Sport could undoubtedly keep up with just about any production car of its caliber and some of those considered above.

And, you can drive this car every day.

Overall, I found the Grand Sport unexpectedly amazing. Would I drive a Grand Sport? In a heartbeat.

Would I recommend the Grand Sport? Absolutely. Would I suggest you go drive one if you haven’t? Hell yes. In my opinion, GM has nailed it.

Note* to all you Corvette enthusiasts out there, Kudos!

-Dustin Troyan www.drivenworld.com 9

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Industry News...

V

entura CA, December 6th, 2010Effective immediately, Brian Zacuto will be in charge of marketing and sales for Magnuson Products. Brian has been with Magnuson Products for seven years and has been responsible for marketing and sales of Magna Charger, Magnuson’s aftermarket brand of supercharger systems.

Brian has more than 19 years of experience in the performance aftermarket including owning and operating his own high-performance dyno shop in Southern California.

Due to his experience as an enthusiast, shop owner and now aftermarket manufacturer, Brian has a unique vision of the supercharger industry from every perspective. His strong relationship with Magnuson’s customers spans the globe to Australia and beyond.

One of Brian’s strengths is his knowledge and ability to use digital and social media to promote the Magnuson brand to current and future generations.

His enthusiasm for building and driving Magnuson-powered project vehicles spills over to his sales and marketing position – there’s nothing stronger than believing in the products you are promoting.

Magnuson Products designs and manufactures OEM and automotive aftermarket superchargers to the world’s top automotive brands and aftermarket tuners.

Further information can be found at www.magnusonproducts.com or contact Brian Zacuto, Magnuson Products, LLC, 1990 Knoll Road, Ventura, CA 93003, 805-642-8833.

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