Went out for a drive today.....
Twas a cold winters afternoon, the sky was grey, the frost had finally melted and turned into the cold damp that only December seems to serve up, the air was still and all was quiet. As I turned into the yard, there it was, nestling in the corner, looking like some evil mechanical beast, still caked in the mud of its most recent battle, it's back turned to the world, as if to say, do not disturb, if you do you may end up regretting it. I walked up the path away from the beast, towards the warm lights of the building, heart slightly racing already at the thought of what may lay instore. They had already anticipated my arrival, wrapped up against the creeping cold, a tall figure emerged. "Are you ready for this?" I really didn't know to be honest. 20 years of imagining of how this might turn out was starting to flood my thoughts, what could go wrong? So there it was, the moment of truth..... I have to say, the start up procedure took slightly longer than I thought it would. Check all fluids, tyres, lights, etc, crank up the oil pressure..none of that surprised me at all. One aspect of the start up procedure was slightly odd though? "Can you check for lenses please Tony?" What? "Can you check round for camera lenses please?" , so before the beast could be fired up I had to check all the roof tops, behind the buildings, under the hedges, even checked the sky for helicopters...... "It's alright Chris, theres no sign of Mark Lowe anywhere, fire her up!" :D Months ago Chris had driven the yellow Italian thingy and kindly offered the chance of a run out in his prized 6R4 8) I had certain expectations around what the experience of the car would be like, but not realised just what an assault on all the senses it would be, just to be a passenger. As Chris drove on the outward route of our journey I was given a watching brief... twice I saw glints of light from hedge rows, but phew, it wasn't Mark's telescopic camera lens on either occasion. :o The brutal acceleration of the car, the noise of the gearbox, diffs, engine all combined to confirm for me that this car is as close to my idea of motoring nirvana as I can imagine. I really was astounded by just how quickly you go through the gears and the punch in the back as each gear hurtles the car forwards. I've been lucky enough to have driven a fair few 'quick' road cars, but had never been in a true rallycar, what a way to break the duck! The brakes were never going to get up to optimum temperature in the weather conditions, so have yet to experience the stopping power, but that didn't matter one jot. So, we pull into a turning area and It's time to swap seats. Having just experienced my first ever passenger ride in a 6R4, I'm now in the drivers seat. We run thorugh all the must nots, the should not's & the please don'ts. Strap myself in, run through the gearbox, all seems reasonably straight forward, so into first with a good positive clunk and off we go and..................
I didn't stall :D :D ! Bloody miracle and probably more luck than judgement, managed to make a smooth gettaway and spent the rest of the time in a mixed state of high anxiety (not wanting to be responsible for the demise of an iconic car, or to damage it in anyway whatsoever) mixed with a huge grin whilst driving the most amazing machine. Couldn't get over how glued to the road it all was, was somehow expecting a bone shaking ride, but nope, smooth as you like, no bouncing about the road, just firmly planted.
Not sure who was more nervous, me driving it or Chris wondering if I'd catch 4th gear succesfully!!
Truly awesome experience, loved every minute and despite all Chris & Tracey's warning of things that could & possibly will go wrong whilst running one, I'm hooked.
Thanks for trusting me with it Chris, much appreciated.
(Photo's not by Mark Lowe :shock: )
Twas a cold winters afternoon, the sky was grey, the frost had finally melted and turned into the cold damp that only December seems to serve up, the air was still and all was quiet. As I turned into the yard, there it was, nestling in the corner, looking like some evil mechanical beast, still caked in the mud of its most recent battle, it's back turned to the world, as if to say, do not disturb, if you do you may end up regretting it. I walked up the path away from the beast, towards the warm lights of the building, heart slightly racing already at the thought of what may lay instore. They had already anticipated my arrival, wrapped up against the creeping cold, a tall figure emerged. "Are you ready for this?" I really didn't know to be honest. 20 years of imagining of how this might turn out was starting to flood my thoughts, what could go wrong? So there it was, the moment of truth..... I have to say, the start up procedure took slightly longer than I thought it would. Check all fluids, tyres, lights, etc, crank up the oil pressure..none of that surprised me at all. One aspect of the start up procedure was slightly odd though? "Can you check for lenses please Tony?" What? "Can you check round for camera lenses please?" , so before the beast could be fired up I had to check all the roof tops, behind the buildings, under the hedges, even checked the sky for helicopters...... "It's alright Chris, theres no sign of Mark Lowe anywhere, fire her up!" :D Months ago Chris had driven the yellow Italian thingy and kindly offered the chance of a run out in his prized 6R4 8) I had certain expectations around what the experience of the car would be like, but not realised just what an assault on all the senses it would be, just to be a passenger. As Chris drove on the outward route of our journey I was given a watching brief... twice I saw glints of light from hedge rows, but phew, it wasn't Mark's telescopic camera lens on either occasion. :o The brutal acceleration of the car, the noise of the gearbox, diffs, engine all combined to confirm for me that this car is as close to my idea of motoring nirvana as I can imagine. I really was astounded by just how quickly you go through the gears and the punch in the back as each gear hurtles the car forwards. I've been lucky enough to have driven a fair few 'quick' road cars, but had never been in a true rallycar, what a way to break the duck! The brakes were never going to get up to optimum temperature in the weather conditions, so have yet to experience the stopping power, but that didn't matter one jot. So, we pull into a turning area and It's time to swap seats. Having just experienced my first ever passenger ride in a 6R4, I'm now in the drivers seat. We run thorugh all the must nots, the should not's & the please don'ts. Strap myself in, run through the gearbox, all seems reasonably straight forward, so into first with a good positive clunk and off we go and..................
I didn't stall :D :D ! Bloody miracle and probably more luck than judgement, managed to make a smooth gettaway and spent the rest of the time in a mixed state of high anxiety (not wanting to be responsible for the demise of an iconic car, or to damage it in anyway whatsoever) mixed with a huge grin whilst driving the most amazing machine. Couldn't get over how glued to the road it all was, was somehow expecting a bone shaking ride, but nope, smooth as you like, no bouncing about the road, just firmly planted.
Not sure who was more nervous, me driving it or Chris wondering if I'd catch 4th gear succesfully!!
Truly awesome experience, loved every minute and despite all Chris & Tracey's warning of things that could & possibly will go wrong whilst running one, I'm hooked.
Thanks for trusting me with it Chris, much appreciated.
(Photo's not by Mark Lowe :shock: )