Mercedes-benz Sl55 Amg Roadster 2002
Two laps. It's just not fair. Opportunities to drive the world's quickest production
car don't grow on Gum trees, especially in our far-flung Emerald Isle. Opportunities to drive the world's quickest production car on a closed road circuit with no traffic and no radar-toting cops practically never come along.
So, what mad-adjusted, acerbic demon of the underworld placed a two lap restriction on my time in the automotive candy shop? It's just not fair.
Two laps in a two-seat, tectonic roadster as supremely competent and mind-blowing fast as the SL55 AMG came and went quicker than a fumbling teenager's first time. Barely enough time to turn the key and fire the engine with the gearshift mounted starter button. Precious seconds wasted listening, physically feeling the throbbing, malicious intent in every note of the supercharged V8's deep baritone exhaust.
Dropping the folding hardtop roof to better tantalize the ears chewed another 16 seconds. Strapping the belt, adjusting the electric driver's seat and wheel, disengaging the ESP fun, getting the mirrors right - it all wastes precious seconds. At the time I didn't realize it. Now I rue it desperately. Oh, for one more chance.
Just one more chance to blast away from standstill, the SL55 screaming up the hill. Piling on speed phenomenally quick through massive 18inch rear tyres fighting 500 pissed off ponies for traction. First gear dispatched in moments, second automatically engaged. The tyres take advantage of the lapse to find traction for a split second before giving up all over again.
Second gear didn't stay much longer than first, the force fed V8 rocketing the SL55 up the hill with total disregard for Newton's law. Barreling into the first corner - a long, uphill right - the ballistic Benz completely destroys my expectations. The front end never strays, never deviates from the racing line.
Apex nailed, the SL explodes out of the corner. Short straight, quick left into downhill right into uphill right and light over crest - fast. Very fast. Faster than I thought possible. Faster wasn't fast enough anymore... I want more. This life is full.
After the crest the road goes lazily left and up - really up - we're talking 26 degrees of climb. Steeper than governments will build roads, steeper than a passenger aircraft on takeoff. At the top the road kinks madly to the left. Viewed from above it's a constant radius corner.
I had faith. I fully expected - no, I knew - the SL55 would simply take off. The 1955kg, two seat roadster would go into orbit, such was its acceleration force during the climb. Just hours before I'd been cresting in a Falcon XR6 at 130km/h, the tyres skipping luridly sideways, suspension at full droop. The Benz slips up - and over - with 150km/h on the dial and all four feet firmly gripping Mother Earth. I swear it's laughing at me.
Down the other side, fast downhill right, long downhill left, then a slight dogleg left taken at full noise. The SL55 AMG feels like it is accelerating quicker above 100km/h than it was below.
Tap the brakes before tipping into the long, floating, uphill left-hand. Guard rail on the outside, we hug the inside line. The Benz turns in and settles quickly, the rear end dancing, drifting ever so slightly as I test the limits of grip. This car is worth more than the house I live in. Care should be taken. Shouldn't I back off?
Then, the voice of reason: Enjoy yourself. Enjoy the SL55. Enjoy the moment.
So I did 3 laps.
by: Wolfe Tone
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