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I see Cedric in the backround, was he jealous? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif
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I like to think he was cheering me on the whole time. Cedric knows he isn't being replaced. I couldn't afford this car even if it were for sale, which it isn't!
Driving impressions? Hmmm... Well, I obviously couldn't get it up to real speed and I didn't push it too hard for fear of breaking something. But I can tell you it was an amazing experience.
The clutch/shift pedal is on the left, throttle in the middle and brake on the right. Generally you don't use the brake pedal, but rather use the hand brake located on the side of the car. Reason being, it has far more leverage and operates all four brakes just like the pedal does.
Steering with one hand while braking is not a problem. The steering is tight but very smooth to operate. The clutch is very short throw, feels like perhaps an inch of pedal travel. But you can still let it out fast without fear of stalling.
As you drive, there are a few sensations which only add to the experience. First is the wind in your face. The brooklands windscreen diverts the wind over you as a motorcycle fairing would, but the wind still hits you nearly head on. However it is not turbulent, it's very smooth and you hardly notice it. The rear end has straight cut gears which whine somewhat loudly as you accelerate or decelerate. But the exhaust note overpowers everything else as you get on the throttle.
As I mentioned, this is the K3 engine which replaced the original NE engine when the car was one year old. The original engine sits beside the car in the garage, waiting to be reinstalled one day. When the K3 engine was put into the car it was supercharged, but is now normally aspirated as the NE engine is.
This thing loves to rev and I had the feeling it was laughing at me as I drove carefully on public streets. The higher you rev, the better it sounds. I can only imagine what 7,000 RPM under full throttle must sound like!
I was only able to get up to around 55MPH, but handling felt great. It was not skiddish at all and felt rock solid, unlike my MG TC! Cornering could be done at any speed I was giving it but again I was driving carefully. I'd love to try it on the track! The ride was smoother than I expected but still stiff, of course. The steering wheel is very close so I had to adapt a new driving position for cornering to avoid my elbows going into my ribs.
The view is great. That long, tall hood extending away from you is impressive. The unobstructed view of the front suspension makes it easy to line up a corner. And the low-cut body makes you feel like you could fall right out onto the pavement, which you can touch while driving! But there is no sense of danger, the seat is very comfy and supportive and the car itself inspires confidence.
Here are a couple photos I took of this car at the Moss/VARA races last year at Buttonwillow Raceway. Sorry, I couldn't find a photo of the cockpit.
Hi Guest!
Hey - did you know if you click on the title of a thread it will take you to the first unread post since you last visited that thread?
but were afraid to ask: 
STOP!! Never post your email address in open forums. Bots can "harvest" your email! If you must share your email use a Private Message or use the 
smilie in place of the real @
Pretty Please - add it to our Events forum(s) and add to the calendar! >> 
