I Drove TAX DR-2

“Wow, this thing howls like an animal” … “it’s why they call it a Beast!” a flick of the right carbon fiber paddle in any gear and ‘TAX DR-2’ unleashes a surge of pure fury with an ungodly roar that penetrates your soul. BOWOOORRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAM “you drive this to work daily?” I ask in bewilderment. “heh…. It’s an event.” he says.

We had met only a few days earlier, spoken on the phone once, and here with seemingly everyone at the Ferrari of LI trying to reason with him to the contrary, TAX DR hands me the keys to his beloved Ferrari Enzo & tells me “Everyone asks me if I know you, and can whether or not you can drive. I tell them I’ve known him for a while, he’s on my Ferrarichat forum and he’s a friend…” all I hear is “I’m vouching for you, take care of my car, don’t let me down!” “yikes…”

Then the scramble call “We’re going!” I hear shouted from the showroom; everyone scatters and run to their waiting chariots. I look around for my brother (camera man), he’s gone: caught up in the sudden excitement, they race back to the parking lot to not fall behind the pack. Too late now!

I slide into the seat, carefully place my legs in so as not to scuff the glistening carbon fiber foot well. Strap on the bright red harness belts, click: I’m ready.

His commands: “Foot on the brake” , “Turn the key” , “Hit the Start” Wwwrrrrrr BOWRRUMRRROOOOOOOOOM - “holy **** this is really happening” - “Is the nose up? Hit the button on the wheel” WWRREEEEEERRRRRRR the Enzo raises its nose higher “Ok put her in first, go slowly” WWRRRUUUMMMMMMM the Enzo slowly paces forward, cautiously negotiating the Ferrari dealership driveway, on to the LIE service road and eagerly anticipating the open highway… The Nassau county highway patrolmen look on, the 30-odd cavallinos in formation behind… “Hit it!” BOWOOORRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAM – flick – ROWRBOWORAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAM “holy ****, we’re nearly at 120 already!”

“Ok slow it down, settle into this middle lane…” and there I was with the magnanimous Dr. Tax in the passenger seat, driving a Ferrari Enzo, on the LIE no less, and straddled along side by the beautiful sites of F430’s roaring past to have their turn in the lead. We catch up to the traffic that got past the Nassau County Police blockade, cell phone cameras out in full force, I make sure to guide the Enzo astray from “Watch this Guy on the right” says the Doctor, the advice is heeded as the passenger rear view mirror is partially obscured by the A-pillar, a squeeze of my right foot adds a quick 15 mph and dispatches that guy easily.

A flick of the left hand – WRAH-ROOOOOM the superb sound of the Enzo’s F1 transmission blipping the throttle down a gear as we pull into the right lane and on to the Sagitkos. Steering the car on to the onramp, I’m amazed at how easily she turns in; so light, so precise… “gotta watch the bumps on this stretch” I think to myself, armpits already soaked. THUMP! The unavoidable dip in the irregular road surface does its best to try and unnerve the carbon fiber chassis; to no avail - The Enzo won’t budge. “We’re getting off right here” I said, the exit sign ahead – the Enzo has returned my confidence and I sense the same of the good Doctor.

On to the Northern State, a curvy two-lane stretch of parkway, F430’s and 360’s around us in tandem. Soaring through the tree-lined road, exhausts roaring “this thing sounds like it’s alive… she’s alive!” I convince myself – this car has a voice, a soul, I can feel it. We negotiate the traffic, bobbing left and right, finding the occasional open stretch to feed the hungry Enzo more fuel.

Back on the LIE westbound towards our last exit on the direction sheet… My back soaked from the adrenaline rush of piloting this 750 hp monster and the stress of keeping my focus on the road and dodging the myriad of cell-phone wielding maniacs… the exit approaches, and on to 25W we go.

Now I can see how one can drive her to work; the Enzo is perfectly comfortable in the stop and go traffic of Jericho Turnpike. WRRRRUUMMMM – flick – BORWRRRUUUMMMM - all day long if asked to. Our last mile comes and goes, we approach the tight side entrance of the Westbury Gardens, a tight gravel road to navigate carefully, then onto a plush emerald green grassy field. A crowd of auto enthusiasts stare in awe of her, cameras out, smiles all around, shouts of “beautiful car!” “wow!” “gorgeous!” from all directions… “Awesome” I think to myself; even in my thoughts I am at a loss for words. We turn, ease her in along a beautiful rosso F430 spider, foot on the brake and turn her off. “There ya go! Now you’ve driven an Enzo!” he says with great satisfaction.

Thank you Dr. Tax. This was truly an extraordinary experience – something I never dreamed would actually happen to me – it’s inspired me to reach much higher in life. I’ll never be the same.

pics: http://www.flickr.com/photos/yuca2k1/sets/72157619359282523/
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Thanks! I was a nervous wreck, but It certainly helped that the rally was held on roads I was familiar with!