I just got my BS yesterday. I stayed up late after taking it for a drive at midnight and then went back to review the Youtube video's that people have sent to me about the car. In one Top Gear episode Jeremy Clarkson states that he has been testing cars for 25 years and had never got a warning letter from a car company. He reads the letter in the video; warning of tail happiness, making sure the oil is warm, never disengaging the ESP, etc. Does anyone have a copy of such a letter or did you get one with your car. The dealer I bought mine from said he never heard of such a thing. He said "probably only in Europe" I gotta say - it would be pretty darn cool to have a letter like that IF it is for real. There seem to be a lot of you on here that know way more than I do about the history of the BS so I am looking for some help. Hope it is not a stupid question. THANKS

As I remember it, that letter was directly tied to the test car that they gave to him for filming the segment. Having seen Top Gear, they probably wanted some level of liability coverage should they (Top Gear) wreck the car.
No such letter from my dealer.

I heard it was a publicity stunt in the UK.

Nothing like that from my dealer either. It would open them up for huge liability in the US.

Never got the letter either.

But a few of us could create one for you if it would help (j/k).

Enjoy your car!

I will write you a note formally allowing you to turn off the traction control. I think I can get George Bush to sign it. AS

I still haven't touched that button

You are kidding of course. Of all the things in the world a guy would want to touch, that one is near the top of the list. There is maybe one thing ahead of it, but it is a close call......
There was a joke told to me 4 decades ago by my orthodox jewish father. It had to do with a conversation between a rabbi and a priest. The rabbi declined a ham sandwich offered by the priest. The priest said, "try it, you'll like it". The rabbi inquired about the possibility of the priest having a bride. Following the priest's negative response, the rabbi said, "try it, you'll like it" (p.s. that joke is very funny to orthodox jews)
When it comes to that button, try it, you will like it. The rear breaks away, but it is manageable. You can then do donuts like a Nascar victor. It is much better than the only other buttons in the panel -lock and unlock. AS

If it's nice tomorrow I'll try it, but if I end up in a tree it'll be on your conscious!

Jeremy clarkson likes to over exaggerate to add entertainment. Top gear is more of a car entertainment show rather then a car review show. If you want more of a car review show you should watch fifth gear, there more accurate with how the car really performs.

Try this first. Find a big smooth parking lot. Select "Manual" for the trans.
Turn off the traction control. Turn the wheel one half turn to the left. Put your left foot on the brake. Apply throttle. Take a deep breath. Release brake.
Apply more throttle.
After the smoke clears, you can take another breath and look at your beautlful donuts on the pavement. You will find you have turned the car within its own length.
TC off is the best way to drive on track,but not better for traffic, especially if roads are cold, or there is any moisture. Also, accelerating from a stop while turning could catch you napping as the differential locks.
Stay safe! Best New Year's wishes. AS

Contributing to the delinquency of a .... an adult?

True enough about cold roads, I just caught the back end the other day when I pushed it out of a turn. First one off the light, no traffic except for those sitting at the other lights, TC off, pushed the gas just a little too hard ... probably a good laugh for the witnesses.

There was no real traffic today but it was pretty cold so I left everything on. I really want to find a parking lot in the middle of nowhere so I can practice cornering at speed. Donuts just don't do it for me but I'd love to hang the rear tires out a little bit in a turn. Off the line the car will break loose easily with TC on so I've never had to turn it off for that. A little wheel spin is fine but I don't usually feel the need for a big smokey burnout at every stoplight. Not yet anyway.

Who said I'm an adult? When I first got the car I went to pass someone as I floored it, well the back end keeps going sideways just as I get in the other lane to pass, I'm not sure if it was just the timing of the downshift or gavel in the road or what. Anyway I'm pretty sure I passed him at a 10 or 20 degree angle and had a look on my face like I was about to soil myself.

You know what happened with my little off-road excursion

LOL
Thankfully, I use the next exit, lest we have a little deja vu.

I'll be down there (Dallas)Thursday morning, then I am driving to Houston Friday morning for test & tune at HRP and then the car is being shipped to Vegas from the track. From there I will be tracking the car in Vegas and then it's off to Willow Springs on Thursday and Famosa on Saturday. Let me know if you are going to be around on Thursday, maybe we can grab a bite or a drink if our schedules allow for it.

New year and heavy travel resumes off to the East Coast on Wednesday night.