Drive home impressions, Peter Ransom gave a run through on the controls and which switches did what. Didn't hear a thing to keen to get going. Finally settled in the seat belts on and away. Terrified I would stall it in front of the assembled staff of D.R.B. However no problem, the clutch take up was very smooth and progressive. A gentle second gear run to the end of the service road and onto the on ramp off the freeway.
The speed limit is 110k so I decided to give it a bit of a squirt on the ramp to get up to speed. Gave myself a mental
4000rpm rev limit because of the newness of the engine and put the right foot into it.
HOLY SNAPPIN DUCKSH#%T the rev limiter was quicker than my ability to find the next gear. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif[/img] Entered the freeway at about 150k on the speedo when I had time to look. Oops sorry officer. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif[/img]
Settled into the flow of traffic, reminded myself to breath and started to enjoy. At the speed limit 110k in fifth gear
the engine turns at about a lazy 2000 RPM. The torque is such that the car will accelerate smoothly and with no apparent effort from 1500 revs in fifth to subsonic very quickly. Drop it down a cog and it snaps your head off. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]
At one stage I did drop it into 4th to overtake a slower car
and changed lanes only to find myself having to brake to avoid running into the car in front.
The noise level within the car is such that at cruiseing speeds one could easily carry on a normal conversation or listen to the radio with no problem. When you put your boot into it then things are different, but it sounds terrific.
It took me a little time to get used to the pedal offset, but after ten minutes no drama.
The suspension is firm but that was expected. Steering was direct and much lighter than I expected. I guess that is one of the benefits of a mid engined car.
The gear shift is positive and easy, even though I was not used to the five speed configuration.
Handling I cannot really comment on although I did throw it into a couple of S bends at the end of the freeway the car was nowhere near its limits. My impression was that my limit would be reached long before the cars was.
Peter's race seats are terrific and very comfortable and they offer great support in all the right places.
When I arrived home people seemed to materialise from nowhere and I found myself answering questions from complete
strangers.
My overall impression F%%#king Fantastic. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img] [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img] Di wants me to ring
PR and order one for her. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]