28 — Friday, August 22, 1997 — North Shore News DAVID Rutledge’s Kool/Toyota Atlantic racing series debut was a wet one. And a success. The West Vancouver driver proved he is ready for the high- calibre North American Open- wheel series after posting a respectable 11th place finish at the Road America course in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin on Sunday. Bimmer gets 2.8 litre six supercharged engine. Handling, of course, is one of the Z3 2.8’s best fea- tures. The Z3 uses a shorter 3-Series rear-wheel-drive plat- form with independent sus- ension and four-whceel-disc rakes with ABS. This chassis and suspension setup is known for its exceilent bal- ance, smooth ride, excellent high-speed control, and neu- tral handling characteristics. In addition, che rear track width of the Z3 2.8-litre is 66 mm wider than the Z3 1.9-litre, and the standard 205/50ZR-16 inch radials are also considerably wider (even wider 225 /45ZR-17 inch radials are optional). A combination of tremendous rip, quick steering and phe- Fomenal braking add up to rewarding driving experience. The Z3’s five-speed man- ual transmission, borrowed from the 3281, is a pleasure to snick from gear to gear, and remains one of the best manual transmissions on the marker. For the shifting- impaired, there is a four- eed automatic transmission. ' The Z3’s top-down expe- . rience is what this car is all about. The wind in your hair (if you have any), the warm sun, the summer breezes, and the sounds of nature are all available to the Z3 owner. The manually-operated vinyl top is wel!-builr and easy to put up and down, but some people might expect a power-operated top with a glass rear window in a car of this price. ‘An optional wind deflec- tor, which sits behind the seats, is available to reduce wind buffeting, but I found the buffeting was minimal anyway. Unlike the SLK and Boxster, the Z3 2.8 doesn’t have a roll bar or roll hoops for protection in a roll-over accident. Standard equipment on the Z3 2.8 includes leather upholstery, AM/FM /cas- sette, air-conditioning, power windows, power mirrors, power door locks, and front tog lights. The base price of the Z3 2.8 is $49,900 — $9,400 more than the Z3 1.9. Though $49,900 might seem like a lot to pay for a small nwo-seater sports car, it’s still cheaper than a $56,600 Boxster or a $55,700 SLK. Rutledge, 19, conquered both inclement weather and the demands of driving a powerful Ralt RT-4 Atlantic car in the rain-shortened race thar saw just I of 17 laps completed. Only three of the 11 laps were run under the green flag; the remaining eight were under yellow. “Tam very happy with my result, ro finish in this weather,” Rutledge said following the 92 Dedge Caravan nicely equipped. only $13,988 Touring package. excellent condition north shore news & AUTO Rutledge 11th in Att race. “This was my first time out with rain tires on this type of car. I wanted to make sure { did- n’t have any accidents.” Rutledge put the Fieming Financial/Keg Caesar's car on the outside of the third row during Saturday's qualifying round. “Going down the straight- aways at 130 miles-an-hour plus with no visibility was a new enperience,” he added. 89 Camry LE only $10,495 4 wheal rive with opt‘ons, alt Season minivan only $12,695 po \ 94 Toyota Previa AWD 7 passenger, fully loaded only $30,995 91 BM Automatic, fully loaded, leather 7 passenger, automatic, priced ta seil IW 3255 interioc, soatiess only $17,995 92 Mazda MPV only $13,995 92 Camry LE Low km's, He options only $16,995 89 Toyota LE Yan Automatic, ait, po power group, 7 ofl 317.95 555 antic debut Rutledge’s next ride in an Atlantic car will be during the Molson Indy Vancouver next weekend. This weekend he’s in Warkins Glen, New York com- peting in the Formula Ford 2000 season finale. — Andrew McCredie DAVID Rutledge rubs shouiders with driving great Mario Andretti. ee 94 Ford Tempo ' °3 4-Runner 2 dvor, aucomalic, Spor package, 1044 ory tow km's, excellent condition ki only $10,995 eC aA 0 Cam V6, 25th snniversaty edition, 2 to choose from, arid are mint only $13,995 92 Dodge Spirit 4 door, automatic, excelent value only $7,495 anly $29,995 Corrolla Demos Save thousands on these low km cars 91 Plymouth Acelzim Excellent 4 door tamily sedan only $6,995 92 VW Passat 960 Synero, great sporty sedan only $15,995