.....on a rare, sunny Sunday afternoon? What a superbly, grin inducing way to waste away an hour or so.
Having given the car a quick wash this afternoon, I explained to the wife that I just needed to "go around the block to dry it off". It's an excuse I've used before, so I think she knew that it meant I would be more than 5 minutes!
After just a couple of miles or so I got into heavy traffic, which wasn't the plan, but I knew of a better, less well used road not far ahead. I was happy to wait.
Once on said road and after a handful of 'sunday drivers' had been dispatched with ease, I was greeted with a smooth rural A road, with a good mix of fast straights, challenging twists and turns and surprisingly no other traffic.
I know this road well, but hadn't driven it in the coupe before. With new 17" wheels, fresh rubber and a set of Joe's (FCSS) lowering springs now fitted, I have to say it felt very surefooted and delightfully precise through the bends. I made fast progress, using the full rev range and despite having a suspicion that I'm slightly down on boost, the car still felt very eager. With both windows lowered I was revelling in the aural delights and the engine sounded in rude health. Well timed 'blips' on the downshifts produced some very satisfying pops and crackles from the hot exhaust.
So 40 odd miles later the coupe is back in the garage, exhaust ticking as it cools and a varied selection of insect life splattered on the front end. So much for the clean car that it was just an hour ago!
I very nearly didn't go, but I'm glad I did. My weekend is complete!
