Pursuit - Sports Car Edition
The Journey
Sunshine! A great start on the morning that six lucky couples picked up six fantastic sports cars to participate in Winnipeg Men Magazine’s annual Pursuit test-driving weekend. With half of the vehicles being convertibles (better known today as having retractable roofs) the sunny skies were a welcome sight.
To celebrate the fifth year of Pursuit, we wanted our reader test drivers to experience manufacturer’s showcase cars. This class of vehicle is as much about lifestyle and celebrating success as it is about getting from point A to point B. Though these vehicles would be great to drive everyday, it’s not just about the drive, but the feeling you get when sliding onto the seat of such a technologically advanced, well-designed car and not being able to get a smile off your face as you pull out of your driveway.
As this year’s group convened at Mountain Bean Coffee on Henderson Highway to fuel up on coffee and carbs, it was apparent that they wanted to hit the open highway and start enjoying the drive to the Radisson Hecla Oasis Resort.
The drive north on Hwy. 8 was a great way to let the cars shine. These vehicles love open road and smooth highway. We quickly found out that of the 612 entries we had this year from readers to join us, these six couples also liked open road and smooth highway! At one point, although I attempted to keep my cool, we thought that two of our couples had chosen to simply go their own way. As the rest of the group waited at the resort, we started to wonder if these two couples were going to call us from Moose Jaw to say they weren’t coming. Eventually they arrived, with stories
of their open road adventures, which provided much fodder for conversation at the dinner.
After checking in at the resort the group got ready to enjoy a round of golf or visit to the spa. The Hecla golf course has long been recognized as one of the best in the province. With a great layout and fantastic views, you might even question that you were in Manitoba as you look out over Lake Winnipeg. The Hecla Oasis Mineral Spa, open since last fall, demonstrated that it was worth the wait. Each of the group who chose this option experienced a first class spa and mineral pool area that had them refreshed and ready to enjoy the evening.
During pre-dinner cocktails, thanks to Manitoba’s own Siku Glacier Ice Vodka, it was great to see 12 people who hadn’t known each other for more than eight hours, enjoying each others company as if it were a high school reunion. We headed into L’Enoteca Fine Dining for a dinner prepared by Chef Stephane Pierre Thierry. The five-course dinner was nothing short of spectacular. In conversation with Chef Stephane and the management at the Radisson Hecla Oasis Resort, it was mentioned that their goal is to be recognized as one of the top 10 restaurants in Canada within the next two years. Some may say this is a lofty goal, but they are definitely on track. From the service to the wine list to the presentation—you can see that the Chef and his staff are working to make everyone’s experience a memorable one.
This weekend was all about our readers driving great cars that can be purchased locally, enjoying a drive through some parts of the province more of us should visit, and getting treated to the amazing experience that is the Radisson Hecla Oasis Resort. At the end of the weekend, each couple had some work to do by providing feedback and comments on the cars, but no one complained. (See their picks for the best on the vehicle info page.) The weekend of sun, great cars, great food and great company put smiles on everyone’s faces. Though this year’s act is a tough one to follow, we’re already at work planning next year’s event. See below for how you can be a part of next year’s test drive.
- Glenn Tinley
To offset the environental impact of vehicle emissions during our test drive weekend, Winnipeg Men Magazine has purchased a tonne of carbon offsets for each driver that participated in our event.
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