Some of you know me - most do not as I've not posted here in a while.
I am a technologist by day and I fabricate and drive racecars by night and weekend now semi-professionally.
This summer I also started instructing at a Racing School in order to pass-on the racing bug to aspiring racecar drivers and people that just want to learn how to drive their cars at speed properly / safely.
We will typically take out sedans with one or more students around the track to show them the track layout and the racing line. The track we are at is Brainerd International Raceway. This is a 3 mile long track and is known as the fastest dedicated road course in North America with approximately a 1 mile long straightaway.
To my point - A couple of weeks ago we had a large contingent of students and not enough SUVs and Sedans for us instructors. I used my 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid as an instructional vehicle for some relatively brisk laps with 3 full sized adult men along with me. The TCH is not a great handling car in the twisties but it was a BUNCH better than the other 4 door sedans I've driven around the circuit. Coming off of the final turn on our third lap, it was time to let her hair hang down. To the floor it went. The engine woke up immediately and went to full song, max torque - the eCVT transmission dutifully kept pace with the load and speed. The rate of acceleration was amazing considering the load. By the half way mark I passed 90mph and was climbing strong through 100, 105, 110 and still climbing when one of my passengers distracted me with a question. I lifted off the throttle as I was not going to take the car over 100mph through the first turn with passengers on board. It was exceptionally stable at 100MPH in the corner and even though the tires are far less than optimal for the type of side-loading I was giving them, they did not whine.
I did not get another opportunity to take the TCH to the top, but may end up trying it again - alone this time - at our last instruction day late this month.
The TCH was a huge hit with the students - it actually got as much attention as the school's Z06 Vettes and Spec Racers - partly because a Hybrid at a racetrack is rare - the rest of it was because it performed better than the Hemi powered Durango as well as the Chevy Impala and Ford Victorias..
If you're interested in what a trip around BIR is like, here's a video made from my Cobra racecar at an event a couple of years ago. No I didn't win the race but ultimately finished 2nd.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A6hE9NQctU0
I'll report back when I get to take the TCH back out for a spin.. Err... lap or two...