The proving grounds, where dreams are made
 

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So I get up this Sunday morning.. all apprehensive and nervous.. todays the day. Thanks to Punchy (I can't say this enough) 16 camaro fans got taken on a tour of the desert proving grounds in mesa Arizona.

Arrival -

On arrival (10 minutes early) punchy met us outside the gate and started handing around our id tags (required for entrance). After some introductions and a search for camera's we all loaded into a passenger van to start our tour.

With Punchy driving and narrating we wound through the streets and testing centers of the grounds and got some history, as well as looking for pre-production vehicles. The grounds have been sold and GM is leasing it back until the army installation is ready for them in Yuma. By selling the grounds GM not only gained liquidity in the form of cash but also saved a good 2 million in property taxes. During the tour we drove by the 2.5 mile strait away and someone (I think firstgen4ever) mentioned what are those swamp coolers for? We all looked over and there are about 4-5 swamp coolers beside the track.. Punchy informed us that those hook to vents in the track that they park over to cool the engines and brakes and car in general. We also saw the tow able dyno's (the reason for the hitch and attachments on the back). After passing and gazing at different road surfaces, speed bumps, washboard, grooved roads we ended up in the middle of the circle track (you can see it on the Google maps).

The Ride -

While we waited for the corvettes to show up and give us our anticipated ride, punchy delivered the news that he believed there was NO Camaro's on the property. Sad we were but also unbelieving and we kept our eyes peeled! Also we got the benefit of watching a Nascar run the circle track as we waited (Number 78 if any Nascar fans are out there). finally after some info pumping questions tossed out at punchy who admittedly didn't know A LOT the corvettes showed up. 2 c6's and 1 c5 zo6. The drivers were introduced and my horrible memory can't remember more than Jason(Punchy if you could give names that would be great i left my pen and pad at home). We all gazed and even after all the excitement were a little nervous about going first. They loaded us up and took off. Let me say, these guys can drive! Drifting S curves at over 100MPH and then doing spins at 60+MPH is amazing with a professional driver! My driver Jason and I carried a wonderful conversation all throughout the ride.

The Grande' Finally -

So we all loaded back up into the van and started to head back towards the gate. Then the most beautiful words I have ever heard sounded.. Is that the Camaro!?!?! Sure enough, there being unloaded out of a enclosed semi, were 3 black pre-production Camaro's (2 already unloaded and third on its way out, one covered with a car cover). Punchy pulled around and stopped in front of them as we all gazed in rapture. Punchy opened his door and the first thing heard was... Can we get out and look at them?!?!?! He looked at us and said yes. Instantly the door flew open and you had 16 camaro freaks all over the uncovered car. I wont go into all the details because most of whats been reported was just confirmed (tire size, still sporting the pre-prod headlights, ect) so I will just go into the stuff that hasn't been confirmed.

The drivers window was down I noticed as I walked down the passenger side. My first thought, This car is SMALL. To me its SMALLER than a 4th gen. Its roof height comes up to just over my nipple (roughly 55-56 inches). It was an automatic with 2 tone seats (red inserts and black body), everyone was gazing at the body and interior (which still isn't finished) and from my view through the passenger window I spied.. PADDLE SHIFTERS on the steering wheel. Also there was a center speaker in the top of the dash (No sign of HUD). All the while this is happening the semi driver that was unloading started yelling at punchy and he started rounding us up. Back in the van you could hear a collective sigh, this car has soul and passion without even moving.

Back in the van we headed back out the gate, unloaded and walked back to the gift shop, where we all loaded up on shirts hats and free postcards! All of this was punctuated by talk about the Camaro's. After all the purchasing and winding down we all walked back to the parking lot and went our own ways, another 16 disciples for the new 5th gen.

http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/m...p00/dpg001.jpg
The shirt design owned and copyrighted by GM

The DPG is all out of the Camaro t-shirts and won't be ordering any more at this time. If things change they will let us know.

Thank you very much, sir.

One "small" question...

I am 6'7" tall, do you think I'm going to be comfortable in the new Camaro?

Thanks again!

Diarmadhi, covered everything I can remember. Talk about the experience of a lifetime. I can't wait to pick-up my new Camaro from the dealership, they are beautiful in just pre-production trim.

The Corvette drive was incredible, at first I was nervous in the turns, but after he did the 360 spin in 4 gear on the straight away I settled right down. I am still grinning from ear to ear.

I asked for the guys that didn't get to go this time, Punchy said they are having a tour on Friday. Give Punchy a PM and he will see what he can set up. They are also talking about having an open house sometime in November.

This was one event I will never forget, thank you so much Punchy.

thanks again to Punchy. you rock. that was amazing experience. the vette ride was great.
diarmadhi you did forget one thing. when we were all in the van going back to the gate. did you not see the light shine down from heaven and hear the angles start singing?? :wub: i don't ever think i have seen some many people drooling at one time. this was the first 5th gen i have seen in person and i will never forget it. kind of like the first girl you kissed, or the first.... :rolleyes: well you know what i mean. the camaro is even better looking in person. i can't wait till i can get one of my own.

I'm glad you guys enjoyed yourselves. :thumbup:

This is my first post to this board, although I've been following this and other forums since the reveal of the Camaro Concept, and I want to use this opportunity to thank Punchy and our Corvette drivers for being the sort of people all Auto Enthusiasts should be. This was an opporunity of a lifetime for us and we are all greatful for their generosity.

diarmadhi recalled everything with great detail. What started as a "there are no camaros on the grounds" ended spectacularly. Only after we all left did it hit me that the Camaros we saw might very well be the ones Corey photographed in Florida!

Sounds like it was quite an amazing experience. Everything from the thrill ride to the suprise at the end. I would love to be a part of that. Punchy you will have a pm shortly.

To all the guys that were able to attend this past weekend, I'm VERY jealous. =P

Great info! lucky turds >_<

wow good story, it sounded like a excellent experience. must be a unexplainable feeling seeing the prepo for the first time.

keep us updated with all this stuff happening in arizona cause it looks like thats were all the main testing is being done, and most of the sitings

I couldn't have done a better writeup myself! It looks like you covered everything. I never realized how in depth they go in recreating road surfaces for testing. I believe I even saw one section marked Mexican Cobblestone, which I have never heard of. Thanks to Punchy for setting up that tour, it was a blast and the corvette ride was incredible! I think it may have been Punchy who called in the favor to have the Camaros delivered just for us. :D That car looks mean even sitting in a dusty old lot, I have never seen one in person before and I am amazed at how well the car looks. I don't think anybody will be dissapointed with it.

Lucky bast*rds!

one word.. SUPERCHARGER!!

You guys are so ridiculously lucky it's not even funny! *jealous*

Seriously though, that's awesome.

Dumb question though, if they sold the desert proving grounds, where are they going to do future North American testing?

Agreed, lucky bunch of Camaro5 members. Thanks to Punchy :thumbup: :thumbup:
Great writeup, thanks for sharing that. Hope to hear from the others that went also.

New GM testing facility will be in Yuma, AZ

Awesome
 

Thanks for shearing your, one of your best day's of your life with us here :w00t: :bow:

Can you tell me were I could buy one of those awesome t-shirts at :confused0068: