It already seems like it happened years ago, in an alternate universe where I could run and jump and ride borrowed motorcycles and spend all day lapping a race course without getting tired. That’s the magic of print-magazine lead times, you know. Things fade into your memory and then you’re confronted all of a sudden by what you’ve written months ago.
Regardless, the nice people at Road&Track released the PCOTY 2016 article this morning. This is the third year we’ve given out the award. It’s also the third year that the leadership team at Hearst has trusted me to drive the cars and deliver the article to R&T‘s million-plus print readers and the millions more who will see the article on the Web. It’s humbling to have the keys to the franchise, so to speak, and it’s the one thing I’ve done in my life that would make the twelve-year-old me proud.
I hope you enjoy the article, whether or not you agree with the conclusions.
Tough to argue when you haven’t driven any of the vehicles in question.
I can claim some acquaintance with “the sound” though, and while it’s quite good… Outside of Ford development cars, there are going to be 34 of those sold next year. It seems like an odd victory for the Ford
37 for the 2015 model year. It will be built on demand for the 2016 model year. There will be a SIGNIFICANTLY larger number built for 2016.
that is frigg’n awesome, can’t wait to get home tonight & peruse….
congrats!!
I just spent a fabulous hour reading your PCOTY chapter for 2015.
I did so knowing that this was a special moment. It was my first read of something that I will read, and read again. Like the annual Easter Sunday readings from the New Testament.
As a young man, almost 35 years ago, I would steel off to the library after school and on weekends to read old reviews in the journals of record. Car and Driver; and, Road and Track. Reading what David E. Davis, Brock Yates, Don Sherman, Larry Webster and others wrote about some 10+ year-old car that maybe I could pick-up with my student-wage savings.
Today as I read Jack’s contribution to the oeuvre I was reminded that in 10 or 20 years from now, another young man or woman will pull this work up and read through it for guidance and direction on what gateway performance car bargain to begin their addiction.
It is a speciall day. Today and in the future. As Jack, you’ve left your handprints on the wet cement of automotive history.
Bravo Zulu! A truly great achievement! As usual…
Jack, I’m a straight shooter & can only be true friends in the real world with similar minded people.
So I will tell you publicly that the PCOTY article was horrible for reasons too numerous to list given the fact I’m ready to fall asleep, but I will specifically call out the FACT that a Mustang beat out 4 clearly superior (in every way) vehicles is laughable, and I find this particularly hilarious (though I’ll not even remotely allege any conspiratorial match rigging) given that both you & Mark (though his input was not solicited nor a part of the decision) are true, blue, illogical Ford fanboys.
To clarify, I’m a big fan of much of what you’ve written in the past (as you know), and much of that R&T article’s major faults were not solely attributable to you as it was more of a consensus-built evaluation with input and actual (long) excerpts from many of the selected judges…
…but the analysis of most vehicles overall was oddly minimal, the cliches were unfortunately abundant, and the inclusion of certain vehicles for consideration (Continental GT3-R, really?) was idiotic.
This R&T article also stooped to the level of trying to salivate on each and every one of the manufacturers’ knobs testicles by speaking glowingly (at at times in a very fleeting, superficial way) of at least one aspect of each one of the vehicles selected.
I realize you shouldn’t be personally blamed for much of this, but this is the risk inherent in writing for one of the glossy rags that’s so inherently dependent on manufacturer advertising for $$$, and for trying to bend your own input so as to melt your own thoughts into the committee consensus.
Somehow, it’s easier to imagine you performing the acts of salivating rather than the R&T writing team.
He’s just sad the ATS-V didn’t win
The most I can say in defense of the article is that the conclusion was genuine and it was based on experience that we all had with the cars. Given eight thousand words, I could have included a lot more about each vehicle. What I tried to do was, within the format of the story, tell you one thing about each car that you couldn’t know by reading the spec sheet or the general press release.
Jack,
Any chance we could get some expanded opinions on some of the other cars? I know youve done supplemental articles at R&T on this but I’d be curious on to see unedited/unvarnished opinions on, say, the ATS-V, or the 488gtb (especially relative to the Italia). The last being much more academic, as I doubt I’d drive either
Absolutely. Once PCOTY “settles” I’ll write a few things for this site. I used to do expanded stuff on the PCOTY cars over at TTAC but the current policy at that site is not to link to my R&T work so I’ll do it here.
“Given eight thousand words, I could have included a lot more about each vehicle. What I tried to do was, within the format of the story, tell you one thing about each car that you couldn’t know by reading the spec sheet or the general press release.”
See my reply below.
I absolutely believe this & therefore you were handcuffed from the outset.
You’re a great writer (genuine opinion) & you suffer under the formulaic & highly restrictive Road & Track (or any of its counterparts) imposed structure.
Damn, Jack! I love it! I have only viewed 1/3 of the article and I am happy!
Yeah, because I was so kind to Ford in MY Shelby review.
You were refreshingly honest & I wrote as much in the comments.
Jack has written much that his progeny can be proud of (e.g. Watery Big Bang & countless other essays/philosophical treatises).
I simply am of the opinion that Jack suffers under the Road & Track formula, requirements, criteria & sponsorship.
Don’t fence Jack in…ever.
well, I thought the article was great
I was surprised the Mustang won as well, until I did some research on it. I was sure the Viper would take PCOTY
Ford really kicked it up a notch. More than a notch…I think they should sponsor a spec racing series & bring back the glory days of the GT350. Plus give everyone an avenue to drive those things. Other than Woodward!
Who is driving the Ferrari, in the airborne pic? That’s suitable for framing!
Nice job
Disappointed in the AMG though: didn’t the older model have a fire breathing V10?