I'm prepared to say it. Humble pie, crow, whatever you want to serve me.
Shift 2 is a very tight little product. Much, MUCH better than the first one. Cars handle much more realistically, even in the easier driving tolerances and, AND, it is the first NFS game I've played since Porsche Unleashed (one of the finest driving games ever created) to give me a very convincing impression of what it feels like to lose traction in a car. Just wish they'd let me adjust the force feedback a little more.
Nice job, SMS. You did much better with the sequel.