The drive to Sebring

[esample]

The sun is an hour from peeking over the horizon. The oranges hang heavy from the trees across hundreds of acres of groves. Suddenly the air, heavy with humidity and quiet is split by the sound of engines. Three Porsches scream into a hard right-hand turn on the black sliver of asphalt that interrupts the tree line, accelerate a few hundred yards, brake hard through another ninety-degree turn and roar eagerly toward redline, only to repeat the exercise again a half-mile further along the highway.

I am driving the black car, bringing up the rear and doing my best to stay with the turbo leader, Bob Viertel in his 1977 yellow 930 coupe and the yellow 245 hp Targa just ahead of me piloted by Mark Isaacs. These two guys have graciously invited my son and me to caravan with them to Sebring on Saturday morning. I had only the faintest idea what I was in for.

We met at 6 am at McDonalds near Lakeland and drove the 80 miles or so to the racetrack in just over an hour. What an unbelievably great time! I have never had so much fun in a car. Well, not since high school anyway. Along the straight stretches and gently bending curves beyond the orange groves we cruised at a “leisurely” 80-85 mph. The strong, steady drone of my stock 3.2 just behind my ear propelled the little car and my exuberance briskly along as we hurtled toward the ostensible destination. But for me, the journey was far more rewarding than the our arrival at Sebring. This was a trip that will linger in my memory for the rest of my years. Thanks guys for letting me tag along and discover the joy of being a Porsche guy!

[azasadny]

Sounds like you guys had a great time!

[peritus]

I nominate esample to write the sequel to 'Zen and the Art or Motorcycle Maintenance'.

Nice work!

[mark 74 carrera]

Ernie,

You captured the essesnce of that morning! Wow, what a trip. From Austin, Texas to Sebring, Florida. 20 hours of driving spread out over three days. But as you have so eloquently described, that last hour was magical.

I'm glad that your plans cleared so that we could drive down together. I hope you and your son enjoyed the rest of the day.

Mark

[mark 74 carrera]

Here are a couple of shots.