SSO Blog: Road Trips & Driving Talent

[SSO]

Just posted up a new article:

https://karenable.com/road-trips-driving-talent/

Comments?

[Coaster1]

Good read.

We (our groups) ain’t too fussed about hotels as long as they are clean and with good car parking (because budget). And we all like good food but if we have to pick up a sandwich for packed lunch then that’s ok too.

Basically, easy going people and don’t be a dick (driving or otherwise) are the basic rules.

[mik]

Thats the first of your articles I've actually read for some time.

How lucky that McLaren would lend you a car for such a trip? I assume you asked rather than them calling you up and offering?

Good hotels and food? Well why not if you can?

I tend to favour smaller groups these days. Large groups can provide some good chat, but it is easier for 3-4 cars to move quickly cross-country than 15+. Partly 'cos challenges of safely and responsibly overtaking normal traffic inevitibly break larger groups up into smaller sub-groups, but also cos I feel a large group can be a bit of a police magnet. When moving or when static.

As you note - having trust in the ability and attitude of the other drivers in the group is absolutely key to the whole experience. I've actively distanced myself from some people in larger groups where I didn't develop this level of trust. We don't all dream the same dream or want the same things.....

Have fun when you come back. Bring your own loo roll though.

[mik]

PS: If all the cars have to be supercars - what is your definition of a supercar?

[SSO]

PS: If all the cars have to be supercars - what is your definition of a supercar?

It's complicated.....but as a general rule, any McLaren, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Pagani. & Koenigsegg qualify as do the 918, Carrera GT, 959 and a few others .

[SSO]

Thats the first of your articles I've actually read for some time.

How lucky that McLaren would lend you a car for such a trip? I assume you asked rather than them calling you up and offering?

I tend to favour smaller groups these days.

I did ask on the McLaren. It came out of a long running discussion on European delivery (which they don't/can't do for US spec cars).

Agree on the smaller groups. 6 cars is about my max these days and 4-5 is perfect. We also use walkie talkies which helps greatly in terms of keeping everyone together and safe.

[RobYob]

A fun read although the "only supercars are fast enough" thing comes across as just snobbery, literally every other performance car group would do the same though, as understandably, you want to hang out with people of similar persuasion. Beyond a certain (not very high IMHO) level of vehicle performance the drivers are the controlling factor of how fast a group can reasonably cover ground. I don't doubt an article written by someone in an Skyline/Evo/WRX/RS/Mcar club in a similar vein would have a "No XXX's, they're just too slow for us" statement. Be honest, you like hanging out with people who have similar tastes to your own, everybody does.

For “drivers”, “lifestyle”, and “polishers” you've decribed every car group I've ever been part of. In fact so many passtimes have the triad of followers who favour aspects of; Performance, Socialising, and Aesthetics.

You have reminded me it has been far far too long since I did a decent road trip. I hear the Scotish Highlands are nice this time of year.

[SSO]

A fun read although the "only supercars are fast enough" thing comes across as just snobbery, literally every other performance car group would do the same though, as understandably, you want to hang out with people of similar persuasion. Beyond a certain (not very high IMHO) level of vehicle performance the drivers are the controlling factor of how fast a group can reasonably cover ground. I don't doubt an article written by someone in an Skyline/Evo/WRX/RS/Mcar club in a similar vein would have a "No XXX's, they're just too slow for us" statement. Be honest, you like hanging out with people who have similar tastes to your own, everybody does.

For “drivers”, “lifestyle”, and “polishers” you've decribed every car group I've ever been part of. In fact so many passtimes have the triad of followers who favour aspects of; Performance, Socialising, and Aesthetics.

You have reminded me it has been far far too long since I did a decent road trip. I hear the Scotish Highlands are nice this time of year.

Sorry, wasn't meant to be snobby. I agree, its the driver's that are the critical factor.

Let's hope life returns to normal soon. I do hear the Highlands calling.

[mik]

A fun read although the "only supercars are fast enough" thing comes across as just snobbery, literally every other performance car group would do the same though, as understandably, you want to hang out with people of similar persuasion.

I quite like having some variation of vehicles in the group, but whilst I could invariably keep up in the VXR8 on A-roads, on the secret road I could hold on to Mudge (Exige) and ScottF (Supercharged Atom) for about 4 corners, before losing sight and being left to drive that section alone Following YK’s GT3 on the same road in the Evora was rather more enjoyable....

[Coaster1]

I concur RE size of the group. 4/5 cars for the trip are just about right, any more than that would be a pain for hotel, lunch spots, etc.

I like variety too; last time we had 130bhp to 400+; as said, quality of people are more important than type of cars. I don’t want to spend the weekend with dickheads.

Following YK’s GT3 on the same road in the Evora was rather more enjoyable....

Good times

[Gavin]

If everyone's parents are being as bloody-minded and stubborn as mine re social isolation we may all be in the market for faster motors!

I do love the Bongo and the S60 is perfect for what it does but I must admit to missing something even remotely fun to drive. (not enough to want to be an orphan though)