Slow down my beating heart

But what a summer I have had! There have been innumerous times when she and I ravished the streets and devoured every turn we could find in the neighboring area. We even traveled great distances against odds to scour the Smoky Mountains down south. As much as she lapped up these roads with delight, it the two track events that she and I enjoyed the most.

At Gingerman Raceway, near South Haven MI, we both got to know each other better. It was my first time at that track and with that car. So we took it easy at first. But soon, limits were being pushed and adhesion thresholds were being reached. I started realizing the potential of this car. With her having such high thresholds, it would be impossible for me ever come close to pushing her on regular street roads. Gingerman is a great first-time racetrack since it is quite easy to get comfortable with it. Most corners have plenty of run-off areas ensuring that you don’t have to worry too much if you do have an off. Having said that, the turn 7-8-9 complex is pretty special!

Grattan Raceway new Grand Rapids, MI was a completely different circuit. On my first out lap with the instructor, I was genuinely terrified. Apart from two turns, every other turn was either completely blind or had some kind of elevation change to deal with. Without any electronic stability aids on my Elise, I was seriously concerned for her and my well being. But the view from the passenger seat is always scarier than when you are at the wheel yourself. She and I again started slow, getting to know the blind entries better. The bumps, dips and curbs all made for tantalizing drama when on the edge. Jagged steering inputs are potentially dangerous and braking with unloaded axles is certifiably fatal. But by day two, she and I were carving our way through the superb back section of the ‘esses’ and the toilet-bowl. The bus stop corner needed more work but the exit on to the start finish straight was very exciting.

And now that the season is over, she sits in the garage, on her scuffed tires. Winter will bring hibernation. I will have to wince each time I look at her, knowing well she cannot go out to play in the snow. And I can only be glad of the certainty of the seasons, that summer will come again; A kiss for a sleeping princess.

Until then, it is time to pamper a stationary Lotus.

Despite her beating heart…