Stepping Way Up In Class

By Johnny McDonald

Automobile magazine’s July issue selected what it believes to be the world’s best cars. Nice to look at, maybe even touch, but they’re for those with deep pockets.

They’re the elite, where design, fashion and power take over the more practical forms of transportation. What comes to mind is, where can you park those majestic creations? Don’t turn ’em over to a valet.

Interestingly, the magazine displayed these cars of power and might in Pahrump, Nev., a good stone’s throw from downtown Death Valley. Unusual setting — but the nation’s elite publications prefer the extremes.

Traffic cops were few and far between, so excessive speeds by these mostly 12-cylinder beauties were open season on desolate highways.

Editors picked a pair of Aston Martins, a Vanquish and DB9; and singles from Mercedes Benz SL65 AMG; Lamborghini Murcielago Roadster; Mercedes Benz SL65 AMG; Bentley Continental GT; Ferrari GT Scaglietti; Audi ABL W12 Quattro; Volkswagen Phaeton W12; Rolls Royce Phantom; BMW 760i; and Maybach S7.

The prices range from the Rolls’ $343,000 and Lambo’s $342,000 to, naturally, the Volks at a bargain $84,715.

Swiftest is the Lambo, going 0-60 mph in 3.7 seconds from 571 horses. Of course, you can’t have everything with 10 miles per gallon in the city and 15 on the road.

Mercedes and Ferrari each accelerate at 4.2 seconds.

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The Ramona Historical Society and Pioneer Museum is planning a Remember San Diego Raceway day, Oct. 22.

We’ve been asked to moderate a panel of former drivers and officials who took part in the old drag strip at Ramona airport in the mid 1960s. It was the scene where San Diegan Jerry Baltes ran a string of six victories, beating such national stars as Don Garlits, Ted Cyr, Norm Weekly and Don Prudhomme.

When National City’s Paradise Mesa strip was closed in 1959, it took four years to find another location, and that was Ramona.

The full day will begin at 10 a.m. in the theater.

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The San Diego Automotive Museum in Balboa Park is featuring “Race Cars and Hot Rods” through Oct. 24.

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Seven-time AMA Supercross Champ Jeremy McGrath plans to race in the Nissan Off-Road Nationals at Chula Vista’s Otay Ranch, Sept. 24-25 and Oct. 1-2.

This will be the windup of the series and sanctioning Championship Off Road Racing will pay out $330,000 in prize money.