///MINI
10-04-2002, 10:05 PM
Tale of the tape:
M Roadster: weighing in at roughly 3100 lbs. equipped with a professionally tuned RMS Stage III SC breathing 385 HP to the wheels (could be 410+ HP to the wheels pending a dynojet session, which is ~460bhp to 480bhp).
Testarossa F512M: weighing in at roughly 3200 lbs. wearing black skin and rated at 432bhp circa 1995.
The time: 8:30PM October 4, 2002
The place: Exit ramp from Route 7 headed toward RT28 South
--------------------------------------
My wife and I had just left Don Pablo's in Sterling and decided to put the top down on this cool night to enjoy the weather and cruise on home. With the CD cranking an old 80's Van Halen tune, I was content to call it a night. But, as I signaled to exit right towards RT28, an exit with twists to rival a professional raceway, I scoped off into the dimming distance a silver, shiny prancing horse shrouded by a menacing black cape. Could it be? Could fortune spring on me a surprise so special on this gentle evening? I unleashed a few more of my own horses as I throttled to get closer for inspection.
As I quickly approached around the windy exit ramp, I could see a magnificent vision getting clearer. The shroud of darkness gave way to a brilliant centerpiece glimmering in all its chrome glory. It was indeed a prancing horse and when I caught a glimpse of the letters F512M, my heart raced fiercely, for I knew a chance of a lifetime had finally come. FERRARI!! It was a Ferrari, boys and girls, and the driver must have been spying me off in the distance as well as I quickly closed ground on his rear.
Somehow, I felt like he was baiting me in like a spider spins its web waiting for its next victim to arrive and I was only too happy to take the bait. I rode his ass through the rest of the exit ramp's twisties knowing it would soon merge onto a free straight. All the while, he would gun it and let off as if to flex his muscles and show me how simple it would be for him to swat my pestering headlights from his rearview. Not to be denied, I left it in third gear - my favorite gear from a roll, the gear of death, the gear of denial, the gear that has trounced many before.
And so...as the left embankment gave way to the flat stretch, I gazed down to notice we were traveling roughly 50mph. Then, before I could even take my eyes of the speedometer and back on the road, my intimidating enemy gunned it! He shot off like a cannon, but I would not go away without testing the mettle of my newfound power. If there was ever a moment to assess whether money was well spent, this was surely it!
So, I punched it in third perhaps a split second after the Ferrari and gave chase with the top down, the wind in our hair, and David Lee Roth serenading us with "Panama." My AC Schnitzer exhaust bellowed out the angriest grunt I have ever heard as if to shriek, “CRY HAVOC ON YOUR ITALIAN SOUL, FOR I WILL HAVE YOUR BLOOD!!!” I wondered secretly whether I had bitten off more than I could chew when to my shock and amazement I noticed the small 2-3 car gap between one of Italy’s finest and the pride of Spartanburg, SC closing to 1-2 car lengths steadily and surely. A quick shift into fourth gear and suddenly I was right on his ASS and getting closer! I thought to myself, “Punch it, Italy! Punch it!” A quick glance at the speedometer and it read 80mph and climbing fast! We maintained this posture for a brief spell. I rode him hard like the prancing pony emblazoned on the rear of that car. Then all of the sudden, the Ferrari broke hard into the left lane only to reveal a puttering Mercedes Benz in front of me. I was cruising in fifth by this time and had no choice but to break hard into the right lane as I re-engaged third gear! This time, we were nearly side by side, separated only briefly by the Benz as we whisked by both sides of it like it was driving in mud. I glanced over to the left to catch a glimpse of a middle-aged white male with a determined look about him. Foot pressed firmly to the ground, I felt a rush of adrenaline like I have never felt before in my life. From the corner of my eye I could see the mighty Ferrari falling out of my periphery, falling behind! A shift into fourth gear and my statement was made! He was looking at my taillights and MY chromed rear diffuser! I hope he enjoyed the view because it was probably one he’d never had to witness before so unexpectedly. Quick glance down…100mph! Traffic lights approaching – DAMN!
I stayed in my lane hoping the fiercest of my challengers to date would come forth to pay respects. Perhaps a bit ashamed of the outcome, he didn’t approach. Instead, he went into the left turn lane. But, as he neared the front of the line he honked twice which for me was good enough. I raised my hand up and waved back as he turned and disappeared into the night.
For the rest of the ride home, I was shaking in disbelief. My wife had nearly wet her panties. I was stunned. This is the stuff of which dreams are made. In the end, I answered that burning question. My money was indeed well spent.
Tonight, I will dream this over and over again!
http://www.ferrarina.com/Testarossa/img/DesignMRear_480.JPG
M Roadster: weighing in at roughly 3100 lbs. equipped with a professionally tuned RMS Stage III SC breathing 385 HP to the wheels (could be 410+ HP to the wheels pending a dynojet session, which is ~460bhp to 480bhp).
Testarossa F512M: weighing in at roughly 3200 lbs. wearing black skin and rated at 432bhp circa 1995.
The time: 8:30PM October 4, 2002
The place: Exit ramp from Route 7 headed toward RT28 South
--------------------------------------
My wife and I had just left Don Pablo's in Sterling and decided to put the top down on this cool night to enjoy the weather and cruise on home. With the CD cranking an old 80's Van Halen tune, I was content to call it a night. But, as I signaled to exit right towards RT28, an exit with twists to rival a professional raceway, I scoped off into the dimming distance a silver, shiny prancing horse shrouded by a menacing black cape. Could it be? Could fortune spring on me a surprise so special on this gentle evening? I unleashed a few more of my own horses as I throttled to get closer for inspection.
As I quickly approached around the windy exit ramp, I could see a magnificent vision getting clearer. The shroud of darkness gave way to a brilliant centerpiece glimmering in all its chrome glory. It was indeed a prancing horse and when I caught a glimpse of the letters F512M, my heart raced fiercely, for I knew a chance of a lifetime had finally come. FERRARI!! It was a Ferrari, boys and girls, and the driver must have been spying me off in the distance as well as I quickly closed ground on his rear.
Somehow, I felt like he was baiting me in like a spider spins its web waiting for its next victim to arrive and I was only too happy to take the bait. I rode his ass through the rest of the exit ramp's twisties knowing it would soon merge onto a free straight. All the while, he would gun it and let off as if to flex his muscles and show me how simple it would be for him to swat my pestering headlights from his rearview. Not to be denied, I left it in third gear - my favorite gear from a roll, the gear of death, the gear of denial, the gear that has trounced many before.
And so...as the left embankment gave way to the flat stretch, I gazed down to notice we were traveling roughly 50mph. Then, before I could even take my eyes of the speedometer and back on the road, my intimidating enemy gunned it! He shot off like a cannon, but I would not go away without testing the mettle of my newfound power. If there was ever a moment to assess whether money was well spent, this was surely it!
So, I punched it in third perhaps a split second after the Ferrari and gave chase with the top down, the wind in our hair, and David Lee Roth serenading us with "Panama." My AC Schnitzer exhaust bellowed out the angriest grunt I have ever heard as if to shriek, “CRY HAVOC ON YOUR ITALIAN SOUL, FOR I WILL HAVE YOUR BLOOD!!!” I wondered secretly whether I had bitten off more than I could chew when to my shock and amazement I noticed the small 2-3 car gap between one of Italy’s finest and the pride of Spartanburg, SC closing to 1-2 car lengths steadily and surely. A quick shift into fourth gear and suddenly I was right on his ASS and getting closer! I thought to myself, “Punch it, Italy! Punch it!” A quick glance at the speedometer and it read 80mph and climbing fast! We maintained this posture for a brief spell. I rode him hard like the prancing pony emblazoned on the rear of that car. Then all of the sudden, the Ferrari broke hard into the left lane only to reveal a puttering Mercedes Benz in front of me. I was cruising in fifth by this time and had no choice but to break hard into the right lane as I re-engaged third gear! This time, we were nearly side by side, separated only briefly by the Benz as we whisked by both sides of it like it was driving in mud. I glanced over to the left to catch a glimpse of a middle-aged white male with a determined look about him. Foot pressed firmly to the ground, I felt a rush of adrenaline like I have never felt before in my life. From the corner of my eye I could see the mighty Ferrari falling out of my periphery, falling behind! A shift into fourth gear and my statement was made! He was looking at my taillights and MY chromed rear diffuser! I hope he enjoyed the view because it was probably one he’d never had to witness before so unexpectedly. Quick glance down…100mph! Traffic lights approaching – DAMN!
I stayed in my lane hoping the fiercest of my challengers to date would come forth to pay respects. Perhaps a bit ashamed of the outcome, he didn’t approach. Instead, he went into the left turn lane. But, as he neared the front of the line he honked twice which for me was good enough. I raised my hand up and waved back as he turned and disappeared into the night.
For the rest of the ride home, I was shaking in disbelief. My wife had nearly wet her panties. I was stunned. This is the stuff of which dreams are made. In the end, I answered that burning question. My money was indeed well spent.
Tonight, I will dream this over and over again!
http://www.ferrarina.com/Testarossa/img/DesignMRear_480.JPG