We've finally taken our lemons to a track, which is of course the natural habitat of my Mercedes.
The A-Class is clearly connected to drivers like Mika Hakkinen and David Coulthard.
- Hold it right there. Mercedes-Benz might be connected to those drivers, but your A-Class certainly isn't.
Those days are over. - If yours is, my Scenic is an F1-car as well.
Just like my Ford, because Ford competed in the F1 as well.
We can debate this until we drop dead, but there are times to be set. To do just that thing, I've arranged someone. There he is.
Hi guys.
Hi Sandor! - I heard something about lap times. Shall I go for a few laps?
3...2...1... - Our personal racing driver Sandor van Es was happy to help...
us with this part of the Barrelbrigade. Sandor sets a lap time in the most normal longterm car available in the AutoWeek-garage.
A Kia Ceed, powered by a 1.0-litre 3-cylinder producing 120 horsepower. - 130 km/h across here... Almost. Almost 130!
Based on Sandor's time in the Kia, our guys have to estimate the time Sandor is going to do with their cars.
Whoever gets the closest to their indicated time, will get the points.
We kick things off with Nic's A-Class, as usual.
What do you think you've done? - Most certainly the new lap record.
No, kidding aside. Standing start so... 2:35? - 2:31.
I recognized the track...
The question is not 'if' they're going to be slower, but how much they're going to be slower.
I think mine's going to take over a minute longer, it's almost dangerous. - What do you think, mr. Expert?
Well it's going to be quite difficult. There's pretty much no power left in my car, it weighs 3.500 kg, it leans... 3:15.
That's a very conservative estimate. I think my 1.6 16-valve midi-MPV will beat your V8 'sports car'-thingy.
It won't take any longer than three minutes. Quicker than yours, that's most important.
You think it's going to be over 3:30? - Sure. I mean yes it's a Mercedes, but it has had its best days.
I think Sandor should be careful, so that's why I'm very cautious with my time.
Right Sandor, a real Mercedes, a real thoroughbred. It's Ferrari-colored, it has lightweight elements...
You mean rust? - Yeah, what part of lightweight didn't you get?
Oh right, I forgot... - Extra security, right?
Good luck Sandor. - Nice knowing you.
Drive it like you stole it.
Right. Wiggling about nicely in here. - 5...4...3...2...1... Go!
Little bit of wheelspin. - Look at that!
It's pulling to the left guys. Already. - Is that the racing line?
First corner, braking late... - I've got to watch out with the brakes...
Straight up in the Tarzan-bend. - It's pretty frightening in here, because all kinds of lights start burning.
ABS doesn't work, ESP doesn't work, BAS doesn't work. - Let's move out of the way. He'll be around this afternoon I think.
There's literally no feeling in the steering wheel. Nothing. Luckily it's slow.
It's still driving. - I can hear it, it's in the Gerlach-corner.
Because you would know. - It's driving uphill, do you think he'll make it?
Back to first! - Yeah.
It's like a Playstation-controller, only worse. Especially if you want to turn right. You can turn it almost half way before something happens.
Watch out here... I'm still doing 100 km/h.
Okay guys, I do have to admit. Sometimes you've got moments in that car which make you think: 'it's not the best car in the world'.
Handling on the other hand is perfect, right? - I think it's lost that new car-smell.
Turning left is actually easier than turning right.
Right, we've done this part. There's a small hill coming up. Hard braking points as well, so I should watch out. Let me feel...
Is there pressure? Yes. It keeps braking. That's good. Oh dear...
Crikey. I've driven a lot of cars but not a lot as exciting as this. The steering wheel is sort of busted as well.
Steering right is so difficult. I think the chassis is twisted like a hula hoop.
2:30 was the time of the Kia... It's already there! Wowzers.
I survived. 140 km/h across start/finish. Almost then. - I was too soon, but it did 2:47. Almost 2:48.
I'm curious about my time. I want to hear times men. - Did you do the short track?
Let me think. I think 2:43. - Close again, 2:47.96, so 2:48.
How did you like the drive? - It was scary Nic. I've driven a lot of cars, faster cars as well,
But they weren't as exciting as this. - It smells bad.
Anyway Nic, you're way off on your estimate. - Let's continue!
I wanted to talk to you about your estimate Nic...
Right, the first track session is done. Tomorrow, Sandor gets to throw around Jan's Scenic. The best power-to-weight-ratio of all our cars.