Virtual Reality
"Hello. Oh, hi Tim. A new Viper? Today? Of course I can clear my schedule!" Putting down the phone I think to myself, 'How did
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| A little bit of rain wasn't going to keep me from spending an afternoon in a new Viper SRT-10. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press) |
Adding the final edits to a news story and review needed to go live on the web service tonight, I trundle downstairs, grab a snack and head out to the massive SUV Toyota has graciously left at my disposal.
It's now raining, after a hailstorm that pelted down my crocuses and daffodils earlier today, neither of which is anything near Viper weather, but 500-horsepower supercars don't come along every day so I shouldn't complain about something I have no control over.
Hmmm... but control, or should I say lack of control, is exactly the problem. The Viper isn't exactly a WRX, or better yet an EVO8 MR. There's no all-wheel drive, the traction control is manually applied by the right foot
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| With no all-wheel drive or traction control, I was prepared for an interesting afternoon's drive behind the wheel of the 500-horsepower supercar. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press) |
Driving down the hill I notice there may be light shining from the southwest, which gives me hope. I previously decided to meet Tim across town at his office, as it's situated where there is a greater chance of dry roads than here in the mountains. The rain turns to a trickle on my southward journey, spitting onto the windshield with an annoying nonchalance that requires the need of sometimes flicking the intermittent wipers on, and then having to shut them off during the dry spells. Fortunately it completely dries out when I reach Chrysler's regional office.