“On a regular basis I’m asked how long I’ve been testing cars,” says Jay Dalton, the man in charge of data acquisition and analysis for Drivers Talk Testing. “The correct answer is: as long as I’ve been driving.”

As teenagers, Rick Titus and Jay Dalton were exposed to a constant stream of some of the most exciting vehicles of the day, courtesy of Rick’s father, Jerry Titus. As Editor of Peterson Publishing’s Sports Car Graphic magazine, something unusual and new was always parked in the Titus’ driveway. Lotus, Bizzarini, Facel Vega, some little box called a MINI — even brand-new products from American manufacturers, like the first Chevrolet Camaro given to the press (red on red with a straight six) or Shelby’s first Mustangs, were at their fingertips.

On regular occasion, the teenage testing staff offered additional reviews of each vehicle, whether Mr. Titus wanted it or not. It’s easy to see how testing and evaluation of interesting vehicles was instilled in these two from a young age. This would be played out many times on the track and behind the scenes throughout their lives.

As fifth-wheel-based testing gear gave way to satellite-oriented GPS recording equipment, the data available from vehicle testing became more useful than ever. No longer bound by stopwatches and portable timing lights, vehicle testing today can reveal some amazing data that can support or embarrass a manufacturer…sometimes in the same test run!

GPS-based data acquisition starts with recording a data line on the face of the Earth where the test vehicles have traveled. Sometimes on a race track, sometimes on a testing surface, many times on formal proving grounds, and even spread out over miles of public roads across the open desert, the instrumentation draws a line inside a computer program where the vehicle has traveled. From that line comes thousands of data points that can be translated into comparable vehicle dynamics. Collecting that data accurately for each vehicle is a skill, while reading that line is a science.

The erratically drawn lines from each vehicle are then downloaded and processed through a computer. Much like a doctor reads a heart monitor, each wave and spike tells a story. At what exact speed did the driver enter the slalom course? How many feet did the vehicle travel before shifting into third gear? Do the skidpad results show better grip when the vehicle turns to the left or to the right? Can you prove that the vehicle speed was 22 mph while passing over the testing surface? It’s all there in the data points. Like DNA on a strand of hair, the answers are all “on the line.”

True evaluation is much more detailed than how fast a vehicle will go or how quickly it can stop. How the vehicle functions for the driver and passengers is another key area that involves ergonomics, interior measurements, ease of use, comfort, durability, sound deadening, visibility, sun glare, climate control, road feel, towing stability, and about 50 additional criteria that impact the quality of life inside the vehicle. For a magazine journalist or an auto critic, this is where they would conclude their work. For Drivers Talk Testing, this is only half of the story.

Drivers Talk Testing has been privileged to both administer—and be included in—complete vehicle teardown comparisons. This is where production vehicles are purchased from a dealer, driven to a disassembly area, and carefully and scientifically taken apart.

It started with a series called THE TRUTH ABOUT TRUCKS—five pickup trucks were purchased, disassembled, and compared bolt-for-bolt on film.

Since that time, Drivers Talk Testing has been involved with many other projects that detail how a vehicle is designed and assembled, down to the last spot weld. No exaggeration—the last drop of glue is weighed and accounted for, bagged, and labeled.

Simply put, Drivers Talk Testing provides vehicle comparison studies like no other group in America.

Currently, three Certified Level 3 test drivers are on the Drivers Talk Testing team. Our assignments have ranged from testing on high-speed banks at proving grounds to featuring what happens on the factory assembly line to dissecting components down to the last fastener.

Wherever the comparison story is best told, the team and production crew go there.

Drivers Talk Testing compares vehicles dynamically, physically, and structurally, explaining the results in a clear and informative way that consumers can understand.

Results are provided for informal testing, and can also be substantiated for fully certified product claims. Tests are conducted to comply with FCC broadcast standards for commercial use in print, radio, internet, and television. The team also provides expert affidavits for tested product claims, and has researched over 50 advertising elements for major manufacturers. Its work can be seen in automobile dealerships and advertisements across America.