It’s easy to talk about fast Mopars®, but today, I want to talk about the joy of driving slow cars FAST! I have been exploring the limits of this concept for decades. Don’t get me wrong, I love hopping behind the wheel of SRT® Hellcats, Demons, and Vipers with the intent to destroy all on a racetrack. But a different satisfaction comes from outrunning Corvettes and Porsches with an R/T Neon.
I’ve been exploring this concept lately with my 115k-mile Chrysler Pacifica shop van. A van? On Track? Why? #BecauseFUN!!!! I’ve been throwing the Pacifica around on tracks, at autocross events, and backroads for three years. It has never failed to put a silly grin on my face in this environment. I know, I know. There’s nothing like the adrenaline rush you get when pushing a high-performance machine to its limits. But here’s the deal: fast cars can be expensive, and driving them hard can be financially crippling. Plus, not everyone has the wallet to own a track-specific vehicle. I have great news! As long as your daily driver has 3/32 or more tread left at each corner, a solid battery hold down, suitable seat belts, and good brakes, it is ready to have some “Slow Car Fast” fun.
There’s a sense of rebellion to this as well. Nobody expects a minivan to lay waste to a twisty road or hold its own on a track. It’s like defying expectations, thumbing your nose at the status quo, and saying, “Hey, I’m gonna have fun, and I don’t care what you think!”
Autocross is one of my favorite playgrounds for thrashing the Pacifica. It’s like a puzzle, a high-speed maze, and a test of driver skill all rolled into one. A minivan might be the last vehicle you’d want to take to an autocross event, but hear me out. It’s all about the added challenge. The Pacifica’s V6 engine has enough power to get the kids to practice and the groceries home before the ice cream melts. But it’s not exactly a rocket ship. It does have enough power to make things interesting. Autocross is all about precision, technique, and getting close to the cones without knocking them over. I have been blown away by how well the Pacifica’s chassis performs in a parking lot full of orange cones. Body roll? Yeah, it’s there, but nowhere near as much as you would think. What body roll it has simply adds to the fun. Learning when the van needs a violent drop throttle oversteer to move enough weight onto the front tires to turn in and rotate the rear is a hilariously good time. The van’s wheelbase makes moving weight around reasonably easy to manage. It always amazes me with predictable turn-in and decent balance through the middle of a corner.
It’s not just autocross where the Pacifica shines; it’s also a blast on the track. There’s something oddly satisfying about getting a point-by and passing cars built for the track while you’re behind the wheel of a minivan. I mentioned this above, but it bears repeating. Tracking the Pacifica isn’t about raw power and massive top speeds; it’s about embracing the limitations of your vehicle and pushing them to the max. It’s about finding the perfect line, nailing the apex, and the fizz you get when you know you’re extracting 100% of a vehicle’s capability. It can also be an interactive experience when the track allows you to fill up the van for a few thrill rides. For some reason, rolling over a curb or two at speed with multiple passengers in the rear of a Mini Van tends to bring out the 5-year-old in everyone. The satisfaction of putting a massive smile on passengers’ and spectators’ faces is the icing on the cake!
A few added bonuses to using a Mini Van as a Track Toy exist. Let’s remember practicality. How many vehicles can carry two sets of wheels and tires, tools, a bike, your gear, a couple of friends, an EZ Up and chairs, and a cooler to the track and then do everything mentioned above? The answer is, “Not Many!” Choosing to throw a Pacifica or other slower vehicles around an autocross or track has the bonus of making you a much better driver on the street. The first skill you need to get started in any high-performance driving situation is to get your eyes up and look where you want the vehicle to go. If you aren’t looking where you want to go, your hands and feet don’t have the data needed to get there. This skill means keeping you safer on the street, which must be a good thing.
Last but not least is better understanding your vehicle’s capabilities in high-performance scenarios. I have been fortunate to be involved in numerous new driver car control clinics over the years. It has been eye-opening to see the parents of these younger new drivers get every bit as much from the classes as their children. Taking your daily driver to an autocross provides an opportunity to learn what engaging the ABS feels like and how to use it properly. These events also open your eyes to things you need to work on to become a better driver. And, in the case of the Pacifica, it has shown me and everyone who has either ridden along or seen it at an event just how capable this vehicle is. If you ever see a Pacifica doing silly things at an event, come on over and ask for a ride!