The 2007 Porsche 914 Talimena drive happened yesterday. Not having our 914 ready we took the 2006 Jetta TDI.
Here's a little video (when Tab could hold the camera) of the trip just behind a 944. I was running around 85-110 mph here. The lead car, a mile ahead, is a 475hp 914/V8 belonging to Richard a buddy of mine. I seldom saw him.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lEjNup5KflE


That little 1.9l TDI diesel amazes me. I certianly found the limits of the brakes on that 60 mile stretch of mountianous road.

What a blast!

It looks like fun to me, to run with your friends when there is no Police around.

Several years ago, a group of 560SEC cars ran from LA to Las Vegas, and we were running 90-100mph for some of the time. It was fine for the cars, drivers and passengers.

Most of the Amerrican roads are engineered well for high speeds and are in good shapes. It's not so good though when the pickup trucks pulling horse or boat trailers run at those speeds, or people blabbing on their mobile phones.

__________________
1991 560 SEC AMG, 199k <---- 300 hp 10:1 ECE euro HV ...

1995 E 420, 170k "The Red Plum" (sold)

2015 BMW 535i xdrive awd Stage 1 DINAN, 6k, <----364 hp

1967 Mercury Cougar, 49k

2013 Jaguar XF, 20k <----340 hp Supercharged, All Wheel Drive (sold)

Sounds like fun. I'm looking forward to the 2.0 TDI that will be available to us in early 08. The new Jetta TDI wagon is going to be sweet.

__________________
-justin

1987 300TD, 1987 300TD
2008 R32, 2000 Passat Wagon

The competition.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dDGGjLPdeos

Talimena drive is a challenge for those not familiar with this 60 mile stretch. The Vette lost a brake lining and one Porsche took a ditch in one turn near the top coming down. Fortunately the only damage was the front valance. The Jetta was pushed to the limits. I felt brakes fade a few times so I backed off. Also noted that it corners left better than right. Starts to plow a bit quicker in right turns.