[Durt]

Ferrari brought an F-1 racer (Schumi's back up car from the previous season) to the Monterey Historics a couple of years ago. They were going to try to set the Laguna Seca lap record. Just setting the car up was fascinating. Diagnostic computers hooked up to every inch of the car (looked like it was in ICU.) Tires in hot bags that were installed at the last minute. When they fired it up, it sounded like one of those gas engined model airplanes - blasting through ZZ Top's PA system.
The acceleration out of the pits was Star Wars stuff. It went so fast, so quicky, you just had to laugh. The driver had to struggle to keep it lit. These cars are meant to run flat out ... period.
The sound bouncing off of the rolling hills as it wound around the back of the circuit was surreal - like a swarm of giant bees. I was sitting in the straightaway grandstands & the driver went through the gears as fast as he could pull on the levers. It was deafening - but I didn't plug my ears. I loved it. I don't think he broke the record, but at the end of his run did a series of smoky doughnuts. Crowd went nuts.
But I must admit - for sheer volume & power, nothing beat the start of the afternoon Trans-Am group full of Mustangs, Camaros, & Javelins. THAT made you poop your pants.