I mean, seriously. The lengths we go to for our readers' entertainment. But hey, that's what we're here for. If we have to drive all the way to El Mirage
to do donuts in the Flex on a lawless dry lake bed, then by OIdham, that's what we're gonna do.
Donut artist Magrath reports that the Flex's always-on stability control system made his job rather difficult, requiring spastic stabs at the throttle to stay a step ahead of the computer. Not surprisingly, the parking-brake pedal proved entirely unhelpful (come on, no handbrake in a six-passenger minibus?!).
Alas, there would be no successful top-speed run this time, thanks to the Flex's anemic acceleration above 85 mph and an abundance of dilapidated Winnebagos randomly driving around. I did however snap a revealing picture (right) of Magrath's high-speed driving posture -- no wonder he's not bothered by those demonic headrests
.
Josh Sadlier (text, photos) and Mark Takahashi (animation) @ 23,250 miles
caheew says:
06:52 PM, 05/20/09
Man, you guys have it tough. lol
autoboy16 says:
08:37 PM, 05/20/09
And thats why us readers (well at least me) keeps coming back! Hmm... I've just realized I've been a member here for a month short of 4years! Its been great so far! Keep it coming!!
Cool driving position btw!
ddoouugg says:
09:02 PM, 05/20/09
When I went to El Mirage they got mad at me for doing donuts. They said you can only drive in a straight line so you don't mess up the lake bed.
benson2175 says:
11:12 PM, 05/20/09
You guys just kill these cars. Thanks.
dougtheeng says:
06:01 AM, 05/21/09
I like the animation. Nice work.
boxermike says:
11:11 AM, 05/21/09
ddoouugg,
Yeah, they don't like anything that disrupts the surface. Standing burnouts are a no-no, and things like this are probably frowned upon, but if you've ever been out there, or to any of the similar places, you'll know the surface is pretty rock-hard-- this kicked up a lot of standing silt, it wasn't digging into the bed.
To hear what sliding tires SOUND like on a dry lake bed, watch this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R5C8LTWifE8