TTAC Track Days With Jack Baruth Episode 1: Hyundai Genesis Coupe 3.8 Track

by Derek Kreindler

Published: June 5th, 2012

Finally, our long-promised video series makes its debut, with our very own Jack Baruth at the helm, doing what he does best; ~~bullying PR people into paying his obscene room service bill~~ putting today’s sports cars to the test on a closed circuit.

For our first episode, we took a Hyundai Genesis Coupe 3.8 Track model to Toronto Motorsports Park, as well as a certain vehicle from “Brand P” to use as a baseline. While we were there, we ran in to a few “exotic” machines that cost far more than our humble Hyundai, but didn’t exactly perform any better.

We’re hoping to do further installments of the series. For now, enjoy Jack and his questionable wardrobe choices.

Thanks to Hyundai Canada for providing the car (which is known as a 3.8GT in the Great White North), and Chris Blanchette for his amazing video production.

#Hyundai #HyundaiGenesisCoupe #HyundaiGenesisCoupe3.8Track #HyundaiGenesisCoupe3.8gt #JackBaruth #SportsCar #TtacTrackDays #TtacTrackDaysWithJackBaruth

Derek Kreindler

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9 of 86 comments

Jack Baruth on Jun 06, 2012

Thanks to everyone for the help and suggestions... we have a long list of things to do better. The "out of breath" thing is, I think, a function of where we had to place the microphone. We will fix and I will pay attention to how my vocal delivery affects the mike, I liked the idea of running a stopwatch-worthy lap while casually chatting about the car. It didn't work as well as I'd hoped. The Betabrand Golden Hoodie may not return... something else is on the way. I can't get any better-looking or less squeaky-sounding, unfortunately :) Everything else we can fix.

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- SCE to AUX on Jun 06, 2012
  
  I think the gold jacket should appear in every video, either on you or on someone else in the background - an 'extra', if you will. The subliminal effect would be fantastic. And I still like the out-of-breath thing; it's a similar effect as when the weatherman is reporting on a hurricane while standing in the middle of it. How many people can provide a running dialog at 100 mph?
  
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Oldwheelsnewyork on Jun 06, 2012

Jack, I was thrilled to see this series getting underway. But my enthusiasm was dampened by your comment about 'Girls'. Comparing the weight of the car with someone you'd rather not see naked, no matter your intent, comes across as sexist and degrading. I think you're an outstanding journalist, and I know you can do a whole lot better than that. One can be playful and still respect women, as your other pieces show most certainly. It took a lot of strength for me to not turn off the video once I heard that comment. I think this series is a great idea and well-made, and look forward to the next installment.

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- Jack Baruth on Jun 06, 2012
  
  I figured the comment would have less teeth coming from someone who has struggled with excess pounds ever since I gave up racing bicycles. You're making a fair point there and we are unlikely to do something like that again.
  
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- Righteousball on Jun 06, 2012
  
  Meanwhile your comment conjured this need in me to scream at you and say: stop trying to neuter him. So I'm using every ounce of my self-control to attempt to explain myself: I struggle with weight, I'm 5'7 and 200 lbs. I know tons and tons of people who would not want to see me naked, which in theory makes me the group you're trying to (somehow, inexplicably) defend/protect from mister Jack's humorous dig. But I learned the hard way that fat or thin, my self-esteem simply cannot come from what others say, and I feel that if I'm more secure with myself I wouldn't be so easily offended by just anything. I wish everyone else would realize that, instead of the truth always giving way to political correctness, which I believe in the end will just contribute to an increasing "brain-fog" of the masses. There's also the double A-side argument of "you may not like the sound of it but it's true!/every stereotype has a solid origin somewhere in deep space", but I'll save that for episode 2 or my Meat Loaf cover band project. :P
  
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- Oldwheelsnewyork on Jun 06, 2012
  
  @Jack Baruth Thanks, Jack. You're a class act.
  
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C170guy on Jun 06, 2012

That engine did sound good, but the suspension looked poor. It appeared to be porpoising. I know you want some weight transfer to the rear wheels (RWD), but the front looks like it starts to wash-out with power understeer exiting corners. Even the best tires won't grip with no weight on them. It's almost as if the wheelbase was too short because they put a big heavy powerful car on too small of a platform, but the wheels are practically at the corners of the car already. Did anyone else notice that, or am I overestimating the pitching?

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- Jack Baruth on Jun 07, 2012
  
  On a road course, when you are really beating on a car, even a Daytona Prototype pitches a bit. For the ponycar/entry luxury segments, the GenCoupe is pretty well-controlled.
  
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Metavenue on Jun 07, 2012

You're getting some good advice on how to improve production value for the next video. I'd have your team take a look at the Chris Harris' Drive videos, especially the one on the Mercedes Benz SL series, which are the best I've seen of these kind of videos. couple more points: 1)I agree that you can edit down what you say - have a transcript done of everything you say in the next shoot and I'm sure you and the editor can cut the next one so you say what you want to say more succinctly and clearly 2) you can either talk cogently to the camera or drive at 120mph but probably not both at the same time 3) Fix the issues with the wireless mic by driving slower or perhaps using a wind shield thing over the mic itself 4) drop the weak jokes but keep the gold jacket. It's the sartorial equivalent of your lime Audi

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