Moments of Motoring Nirvana...
Discussion
FWIW, as someone not part of the regulr clique on here:
Driving through the Hope Valley in my RS2 on a bright Spring week day with my favourite tunes on full bore takes a lot of beating. Just me and the road. Also driving in my Audi S3 in the South Island of NZ was a truly phenomenal experience. Top Gear squandered an opportunity when they just visited 90 mile beach, north of Auckland.
Driving through the Hope Valley in my RS2 on a bright Spring week day with my favourite tunes on full bore takes a lot of beating. Just me and the road. Also driving in my Audi S3 in the South Island of NZ was a truly phenomenal experience. Top Gear squandered an opportunity when they just visited 90 mile beach, north of Auckland.
Not driving but sat at a roadside Cafe somewhere on the route to Le Mans about 15yrs ago. Cafe was at the bottom of a big dip with a DC on the far side, while we sat drinking our beers quite a number of delectable UK registered cars came howling past with a group of Brits cheering them on!
Been to Le Mans a few times but that is my favourite memory for sure.
Been to Le Mans a few times but that is my favourite memory for sure.
Just thought of another where I wasn't even in the car, I was at Mercedes Benz World and there were AMGs being demonstrated on the test track, the noise was something to behold, if I can ever afford a big V8 Merc I will buy one, no question.
Mercedes Benz World was amazing, made even more so by the fact that there was a Bonhams auction on inside with a lot of exotica lying about and even an McLaren SLR in the car park.
Then I crossed the road to go to Brooklands and see the Napier Railton and Concorde in the flesh among other fantastic machines, and stand on the banking where some of these machines were driven at unbelievable speed by some very brave drivers, it was just a great day out for a petrolhead
Mercedes Benz World was amazing, made even more so by the fact that there was a Bonhams auction on inside with a lot of exotica lying about and even an McLaren SLR in the car park.
Then I crossed the road to go to Brooklands and see the Napier Railton and Concorde in the flesh among other fantastic machines, and stand on the banking where some of these machines were driven at unbelievable speed by some very brave drivers, it was just a great day out for a petrolhead
only1ian said:
Just got back from the states on the pacific coast highway. $295 for a week with this on these roads amazing:
Amen to that. Went down the PCH in a Dodge Challenger on honeymoon last September, pulled in at one of the many lay-bys and saw a whale breaching, then a few minutes jumping out of the sea. I used to own this beautiful thing
I'm talking about the 996TT... Not the C-Max (we still have that!). A couple of years ago I drove from Reading to the Lake District to meet up with a few long time friends and do Scafell Pike. On the way there, it was probably late Friday evening... I turned off J37 of the M6 up towards Windermere, through Ambleside and then along the side of Thirlmere to Keswick.
I didn't see another car in front of me for around 35 miles... Nice clear evening... Only me in the car with my own bum to pucker... It was brilliant and I'll never forget it!
The return journey was just as good setting off at around 04:00 on Sunday morning with empty roads most of the way to Reading (I couldn't sleep)
I'm talking about the 996TT... Not the C-Max (we still have that!). A couple of years ago I drove from Reading to the Lake District to meet up with a few long time friends and do Scafell Pike. On the way there, it was probably late Friday evening... I turned off J37 of the M6 up towards Windermere, through Ambleside and then along the side of Thirlmere to Keswick.
I didn't see another car in front of me for around 35 miles... Nice clear evening... Only me in the car with my own bum to pucker... It was brilliant and I'll never forget it!
The return journey was just as good setting off at around 04:00 on Sunday morning with empty roads most of the way to Reading (I couldn't sleep)
Driving home from a long weekend away. Had been trudging up the M6 in the mx5 for what felt like ages. So decided to come off at Moffat to head back to Edinburgh. Nothing unusual with that route. But this time decided to go up the B709 to Selkirk instead of the A701 (still a good road).
Got very lucky with the weather - dry Tarmac. This was about 5pm on Easter Monday, so there was little traffic around.
Perfect way to finish off a decent weekend.
Got very lucky with the weather - dry Tarmac. This was about 5pm on Easter Monday, so there was little traffic around.
Perfect way to finish off a decent weekend.
Riding shotgun in a Porsche Carrera Gt at Monza on the Cannonball Run Europe....doesn't get any better than that...and I video'd it!....
http://youtu.be/smUZxaXy-UA
http://youtu.be/smUZxaXy-UA
Completely different from all the others on here but it involves 2 engines and 12 pistons between us so pistonheads worthy!
Me in my 95 Cherokee XJ and my brother in his Paj V6, rain lashing down wind howling down the hill and fighting up through the flooded tracks and bogs. Lovely frame twisting torque from the 4l I6 and tyres scrabbling for grip in the mud.
One very good day.. until my bros paj melted a fuse and needed a jump start while he was nosed off a 50* rock face. Que my XJ sitting at 50* angle stretching the jump leads and getting drenched to the skin. All added to the fun though.
Me in my 95 Cherokee XJ and my brother in his Paj V6, rain lashing down wind howling down the hill and fighting up through the flooded tracks and bogs. Lovely frame twisting torque from the 4l I6 and tyres scrabbling for grip in the mud.
One very good day.. until my bros paj melted a fuse and needed a jump start while he was nosed off a 50* rock face. Que my XJ sitting at 50* angle stretching the jump leads and getting drenched to the skin. All added to the fun though.
One that springs to mind is when I had a Pulsar GTiR, and a friend and I took it to Santa Pod for the Jap Show, was around 6am on a cool Sunday morning, roads deserted, car pulling really hard in the cold dense air, stopped at a set of traffic lights on a dual carriageway, we hear a roar and alongside pulls a heavily tuned looking RX7.
Well what are you going to do?
He looks across, the lights go green, we both boot it, neck and neck up to quite a rate of knots, the sound of that rotary and the Datsun in unison, was just perfection. No egos, we both backed off, big smiles, thumbs up and we just cruised along together. Saw his car on one of the stands at the show, cool guy, cool car.
Well what are you going to do?
He looks across, the lights go green, we both boot it, neck and neck up to quite a rate of knots, the sound of that rotary and the Datsun in unison, was just perfection. No egos, we both backed off, big smiles, thumbs up and we just cruised along together. Saw his car on one of the stands at the show, cool guy, cool car.
After driving mr2's for 4 years I decided to finally take my 94 turbo on a solo Euro road trip this year, to coincide with my 30th birthday in August. My second stop where I camped for the night was Mont Cenis, close to the Italian border. It just so happens that there is a fantastic road on both sides of the mountain. In the morning, just making my way down the pass, I was having great fun booting between hair pins in second gear, when a Mk1 Mx5 appeared behind me! My immediate thought was bloody hell he is not messing around, bear in mind my mr2 should be close to 300hp and second gear pulls are pretty savage. I clock him in my mirror and he gives me a smile and we're on the same wavelength. But would the road be clear?
The next five minutes was one of the best drives of my life. He stuck right on my tail down this beautiful road, I could hear his tyres squaling and tail squirming trying to keep up. My brakes were pretty well cooked when we finally came up behind a camper van, but we were close to the bottom so I indicated in to a small turning and he followed me. Formalities were skipped and instead lots of compliments and banter was exchanged while the cars ticked besides us. The Belgian man and his charming wife were also gallivanting around Europe, next stop for them was Milan, Como for myself. We waved goodbye and would follow each other for a good few miles on the motorway before parting ways with a toot.
The annoying thing was I'd been filming my trip but that morning, where I thought i'd pressed record I'd actually stopped the recording, so the only footage I have is of us pootling down the bottom of the mountain; I'd missed what I knew would be the best drive of my trip. I wish I asked his name now.
Here's a photo from Mont Cenis, has anyone been?
Freedom by Dan J, on Flickr
The next five minutes was one of the best drives of my life. He stuck right on my tail down this beautiful road, I could hear his tyres squaling and tail squirming trying to keep up. My brakes were pretty well cooked when we finally came up behind a camper van, but we were close to the bottom so I indicated in to a small turning and he followed me. Formalities were skipped and instead lots of compliments and banter was exchanged while the cars ticked besides us. The Belgian man and his charming wife were also gallivanting around Europe, next stop for them was Milan, Como for myself. We waved goodbye and would follow each other for a good few miles on the motorway before parting ways with a toot.
The annoying thing was I'd been filming my trip but that morning, where I thought i'd pressed record I'd actually stopped the recording, so the only footage I have is of us pootling down the bottom of the mountain; I'd missed what I knew would be the best drive of my trip. I wish I asked his name now.
Here's a photo from Mont Cenis, has anyone been?
Freedom by Dan J, on FlickrEdited by danllama on Friday 6th October 17:41
danllama said:
After driving mr2's for 4 years I decided to finally take my 94 turbo on a solo Euro road trip this year, to coincide with my 30th birthday in August. My second stop where I camped for the night was Mont Cenis, close to the Italian border. It just so happens that there is a fantastic road on both sides of the mountain. In the morning, just making my way down the pass, I was having great fun booting between hair pins in second gear, when a Mk1 Mx5 appeared behind me! My immediate thought was bloody hell he is not messing around, bear in mind my mr2 should be close to 300hp and second gear pulls are pretty savage. I clock him in my mirror and he gives me a smile and we're on the same wavelength. But would the road be clear?
The next five minutes was one of the best drives of my life. He stuck right on my tail down this beautiful road, I could hear his tyres squaling and tail squirming trying to keep up. My brakes were pretty well cooked when we finally came up behind a camper van, but we were close to the bottom so I indicated in to a small turning and he followed me. Formalities were skipped and instead lots of compliments and banter was exchanged while the cars ticked besides us. The Belgian man and his charming wife were also gallivanting around Europe, next stop for them was Milan, Como for myself. We waved goodbye and would follow each other for a good few miles on the motorway before parting ways with a toot.
The annoying thing was I'd been filming my trip but that morning, where I thought i'd pressed record I'd actually stopped the recording, so the only footage I have is of us pootling down the bottom of the mountain; I'd missed what I knew would be the best drive of my trip. I wish I asked his name now.
Here's a photo from Mont Cenis, has anyone been?
Freedom by Dan J, on Flickr
Several times Dan The next five minutes was one of the best drives of my life. He stuck right on my tail down this beautiful road, I could hear his tyres squaling and tail squirming trying to keep up. My brakes were pretty well cooked when we finally came up behind a camper van, but we were close to the bottom so I indicated in to a small turning and he followed me. Formalities were skipped and instead lots of compliments and banter was exchanged while the cars ticked besides us. The Belgian man and his charming wife were also gallivanting around Europe, next stop for them was Milan, Como for myself. We waved goodbye and would follow each other for a good few miles on the motorway before parting ways with a toot.
The annoying thing was I'd been filming my trip but that morning, where I thought i'd pressed record I'd actually stopped the recording, so the only footage I have is of us pootling down the bottom of the mountain; I'd missed what I knew would be the best drive of my trip. I wish I asked his name now.
Here's a photo from Mont Cenis, has anyone been?
Freedom by Dan J, on FlickrEdited by danllama on Friday 6th October 17:41
anonymous said:
[redacted]
As it was my first time driving mountain passes, and with no track driving under my belt, it actually shocked me quite a bit the effect of brake fade. It went from manageable to critical very quickly, then things became a lot more sensible on my part! And the change in altitude really was noticeable on Grossglockner!Edit to add, I was practically standing on the brake pedal at the worst point! Bit enthusiastic
s m said:
Several times Dan
Good man, I can definitely feel the pull to go back already!Edited by danllama on Friday 6th October 22:24
Dan's story has sparked a memory I had last year on my euro trip, also in an MR2!
I think it was the sustenpass, mid-morning and the roads were still quiet. Just after Wassen I caught up with a German M3 and a Belgian Z4. As the towns ended and the pass started the 2 BMWs nailed it off, I followed. Hard on the power in 2nd, then quickly to hard on the brakes for the next corner and up through 2nd again and into 3rd for the fast parts. Me with only 173bhp was falling a little away but I drove hard, smooth and fast and just kept within distance of them. The road changed to a tighter, weaving style (30-60mph) and I started to gain again. This is what the MR2 does best, 2nd gear, tight but flowing roads. I caught back to the Z4 and stuck with them.
As we ascended up the alp, the switchbacks started, from 70mph, heal and toeing down into 2nd, then 1st. Out of the switchbacks the M3 roared off without effort, but I was giving the little MR2 everything, its tail squirreling everywhere just to stick to the Z4, quickly upto the 7,300rpm limiter and into 2nd, short time in 2nd and hard on the brakes for the next one. Switchback after switchback, tail hanging out getting on the power early in 1st it clung to the back of the Z4. Towards the top the road opened out into fast straights, we came along some traffic and overtook one by one with ease. I was in the zone, me and the car working well together to stick with these two, much more powerful machines, the little 20 year old 2 litre engine shouted away a few feet from my left ear and powered on up the alp. This fairly open section continued for a couple of miles accelerating into 3rd and seconds later hard on the brakes to 2nd.
As we neared the top, the fast speeds meant hard braking, the constant effort made by the brakes had taken its toll, the pedal going further and further down with every application, my time in this was almost at an end. I eased off as I had visions of me standing on the brake pedal, only for it to hit the floor and a go careering down 6000ft of cliff. We reached the top and there was a huge parking area with a cafe (a very expensive one!), I pulled in for a rest and the 2 BMWs carried on down the otherside, never to be seen again.
It was a wonderful 20mins or so, a moment that will stick with me forever. This was part of a wonderful 3000 mile solo trip.
I made a video of that trip, it doesn't include any footage of the above story, being driver, navigator and cameraman doesn't really work.
https://vimeo.com/193502124
The pic isn't the Susten, I didn't seem to get any good ones of that, I just like the picture, it was taken later that day.
I think it was the sustenpass, mid-morning and the roads were still quiet. Just after Wassen I caught up with a German M3 and a Belgian Z4. As the towns ended and the pass started the 2 BMWs nailed it off, I followed. Hard on the power in 2nd, then quickly to hard on the brakes for the next corner and up through 2nd again and into 3rd for the fast parts. Me with only 173bhp was falling a little away but I drove hard, smooth and fast and just kept within distance of them. The road changed to a tighter, weaving style (30-60mph) and I started to gain again. This is what the MR2 does best, 2nd gear, tight but flowing roads. I caught back to the Z4 and stuck with them.
As we ascended up the alp, the switchbacks started, from 70mph, heal and toeing down into 2nd, then 1st. Out of the switchbacks the M3 roared off without effort, but I was giving the little MR2 everything, its tail squirreling everywhere just to stick to the Z4, quickly upto the 7,300rpm limiter and into 2nd, short time in 2nd and hard on the brakes for the next one. Switchback after switchback, tail hanging out getting on the power early in 1st it clung to the back of the Z4. Towards the top the road opened out into fast straights, we came along some traffic and overtook one by one with ease. I was in the zone, me and the car working well together to stick with these two, much more powerful machines, the little 20 year old 2 litre engine shouted away a few feet from my left ear and powered on up the alp. This fairly open section continued for a couple of miles accelerating into 3rd and seconds later hard on the brakes to 2nd.
As we neared the top, the fast speeds meant hard braking, the constant effort made by the brakes had taken its toll, the pedal going further and further down with every application, my time in this was almost at an end. I eased off as I had visions of me standing on the brake pedal, only for it to hit the floor and a go careering down 6000ft of cliff. We reached the top and there was a huge parking area with a cafe (a very expensive one!), I pulled in for a rest and the 2 BMWs carried on down the otherside, never to be seen again.
It was a wonderful 20mins or so, a moment that will stick with me forever. This was part of a wonderful 3000 mile solo trip.
I made a video of that trip, it doesn't include any footage of the above story, being driver, navigator and cameraman doesn't really work.
https://vimeo.com/193502124
The pic isn't the Susten, I didn't seem to get any good ones of that, I just like the picture, it was taken later that day.
Edited by James2593 on Friday 6th October 23:52
Good thread. For me two, both rallying connected. First one was watching Timo Makinen take his Escort down an icy Welsh forest track that was so slippery in places you had difficulty standing at a pace that left the audience stunned into silence. The loom of the lights approaching, the BDA noise as the rear wheels gripped and slipped, the finesse with which he got the braking just right for a 30 right over cattle grid, and then away into the night, foot right in the bucket, Waaah, Waaaah, Waaaaaaaah! It's as if I'm still there now, and that was the moment that made me determined to do the RAC.
The second thing is behind the wheel, years later, now actually competing on the same event. Grizedale forest. Went over a 30 left over brow quite quickly, to find an open hairpin right facing us.
Hit the brakes, back out sideways the wrong way, crank on some lock, back swings other way, round the hairpin in what is/was referred to as a Scandinavian flick. Realising in the buttock clenching moment that got away with it rather well, looked up to see a line of standing spectators all vigorously applauding. Sadly couldn't do that as quickly or as neatly again if I tried, almost an excess of enthusiasm over ability, but hey, I'll take it as a win.
The second thing is behind the wheel, years later, now actually competing on the same event. Grizedale forest. Went over a 30 left over brow quite quickly, to find an open hairpin right facing us.
Hit the brakes, back out sideways the wrong way, crank on some lock, back swings other way, round the hairpin in what is/was referred to as a Scandinavian flick. Realising in the buttock clenching moment that got away with it rather well, looked up to see a line of standing spectators all vigorously applauding. Sadly couldn't do that as quickly or as neatly again if I tried, almost an excess of enthusiasm over ability, but hey, I'll take it as a win.
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