Dream of the Drive
Let’s be honest, there’s really not much to do at 3am when you’re bored but watch infomercials, porn, or random things on your computer. Having watched that week’s new episode of Top Gear, I decided that instead of boring infomercials, I’d rather watch more Top Gear, and revisited one of my favorite segments of all time.
Season 10, Episode 01 of Top Gear closed with one of the greatest films of all time: one about trying to find the greatest driving road….in the world. A road that would challenge both car and driver. A mostly empty road, with scenic views, tight turns, fast straights, tunnels….the works. They basically settled on the fact that this great driving road would be found somewhere in Europe, close to the Alps. They took three of the greatest sports cars money could buy (except for James May, who brought a race car with no air conditioning, no windows, almost solid suspension…you get the idea): A Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera, a Porsche GT3 RS, and an Aston Martin race spec Vantage.
Basically, they did what I really really really really want to do, and if I ever win the lottery, I’m buying myself a sporty car, and flying to Europe.
Anyway, onto the actual interesting bits: the roads themselves, which, with Top Gear’s excellent cinematography, looked even more fantastic than usual. The first road, the benchmark, was the Col de Turini, in France. Usually a stage for the World Rally Championship, it is one of only a few things the French have going for them (I kid, I kid….ok maybe I don’t).
The second road that they highlighted was the San Bernadino Pass: a mountain road in the Swiss Alps between Hinterrhein and Misox. This scenic stretch of road features smooth roads, sweeping turns, and a long tunnel where the sounds of the car could really come alive.
The highlight of the trip; the best driving road in the world was the road from Davos to Stelvio via Bormio. This road is as scenic as it is challenging. It had everything they could dream of: quick turns, sweeping curves, smooth roads, breathtaking views, fast bits, tight bits. This is a road that could make you actually become one with your car. Sure, you could drive it in a Volvo as a side road, but pushing a car to the limit on this road would be the ultimate rush. After this road, driving to work would seem even more bland than it does now, if that is even possible…unless you live in Davos and work in Stelvio…in which case, hire me. To put the cherry on top, the Stelvio Pass at the end of this road was another piece of driving heaven. Being one of the highest paved roads in the Swiss Alps, it is also one of the most challenging roads to drive on. It has hairpin turns throughout the entire pass, limited visibility, and nothing to stop you from falling down the mountain if you get too brave and too stupid.
Seriously, go watch that episode if you enjoy driving even a little bit, and marvel at the greatness that is….the best driving road in the world.
I think I’ll play the lottery tomorrow.