motor

leblanc2.0 · 06-15-2006, 07:05 PM

A small monument about halfway up the pass recalls a young, fully tufted Enzo Ferrari finishing fourth in a 1919 hill-climb here. It is this exact spot, where the monument sits at the end of a rock wall, that photographer Valente decides to set up a cornering shot. We run a few passes for the camera, the 599#8217;s electronic stability control dutifully keeping the rear end behind the front. On the third try, Valente asks, #8220;Can you get the tail out a bit more?#8221;

If one could reach back through the veil of time and change the past, it would be at this point that my hand would be prevented from reaching down to the manettino, the steering-wheel switch governing the stability control, and shutting it off. Coming back up, I flick the steering wheel to unload the inside rear tire and goose the throttle, the car whipsawing in a screech of rubber. First one way#8230;

#8230;and then the other. The last milliseconds before impact are busy with desperate corrections, but the 599 swipes the wall with a nauseating crunch. Valente#8217;s face is blanched as I clump to a stop, the world suddenly deathly silent.

We head back to the factory, tails tucked meekly between hindquarters. Ferrari has a thoroughly modern, thoroughly exhilarating new gran turismo berlinetta with slot-car handling, 611 lyric horses refined enough to invite for tea, abundant comforts for all body types, and styling that is crackling with some serious libido. While contemplating all this and the now dented fenders, Valente leans over and says, #8220;Actually, I pretty much had the shot on the second run.#8221;

Car&Driver

http://www.caranddriver.com/previews...b-fiorano.html

And he was arrested because...

"Technical Editor Aaron Robinson is served a citation for crimes against the state

The police resort to drastic measures after Technical Editor Aaron Robinson refuses to pay the citation"

Crime against the state...