Yesterday I was invited to participate in what could only be described as an amazing opportunity: to go speeding through the streets of Long Beach in a souped up Ford Mustang with one of the Formula Drift‘s top competitors, Vaughn Gittin Jr. Now I don’t know about you, but I’ve always wondered what it would be like being in a car that fast…legally.
I was raised around the NHRA summer racing season. In fact, one hot, hot, oh.my.god.it.was.hot. summer, I was a time check girl at the Summer Nationals. I actually got to hand Shirley Muldowney…well, someone on her team anyway…her time sheet results from her race. I thought I was cooler than cool.
Before my mom passed away, I remember that she was driving a sweet ‘ol, red Mustang. As I was growing up, I was certain that I’d have a car just like her’s (except mine wouldn’t have a rusted out hole in the floorboard that a three-year old could fall through…don’t ask). I mean who doesn’t want a Mustang? I had one once as a rental when my car was in the shop and driving to work in that thing was awesome. Looking back, I’m so lucky I didn’t get a speeding ticket.
Every years there’s an annual (legal) street race in Long Beach called The Toyata Grand Prix of Long Beach Race that runs through the streets of Long Beach. I’ve never seen the race, but I have seen the course in all it’s grand stands and hay bale glory. And well, it looks cool as hell (times like this you can really tell that I grew up without the girlie influences of a mother, huh?).
So as you can see, this was a killer opportunity that was being handed to me (I love blogging!). Sadly I had to miss it. But since it’s such a great opportunity, I wanted you to know about what’s happening in Long Beach tomorrow. Turns out the weekend before the big Grand Prix, the gang from Formula Drift will be doing a drifting event – drivers control a 450 horsepower car while it slides sideways at high speed through a marked course.
I mean how cool does this look…
While you’re at it, dreaming about letting your own Mustang drift around those curves, be sure to enter Ford’s The 10 Unleashed and let them know what you’d do with your own Mustang. I know I can think of a few things 😉
I’m so incredibly jealous! It’s one of my secret (or I suppose not so secret now) dreams to get on a race track and see how fast I can drive without a) losing control of the car or b) freaking out.
emmas last blog post..Bunny Love
Emma, I think I’m with you on both matters – I think the fear of losing control and the fear of freaking out, would stop me from doing the driving myself. But to have someone drive me…that would be cool.
PS – I was totally in the closet about all of this as well until I realized what a cool missed opportunity this was.
Emma, I think I'm with you on both matters – I think the fear of losing control and the fear of freaking out, would stop me from doing the driving myself. But to have someone drive me…that would be cool.
PS – I was totally in the closet about all of this as well until I realized what a cool missed opportunity this was.