Go Further: Full Throttle SuuperGForce Fun with Ford

If there were bugs out in Michigan today, a generous collection would most certainly be embedded in my teeth.  I’m still on an adrenaline high from the treat of track testing some seriously fun automobiles that I’m sure would put Henry Ford at risk of an overdose of awe. But how did I find myself here?

I was nearing the end of a long and fun trip through Europe with plans to attend the Twitter 140 conference in New York before heading home.  I had been going non-stop for 4 weeks already, savoring every site and bite I could get my eyes and teeth on in Italy and Croatia.  I was loaded down with luggage that now had new clothes (and old tired ones), press kits, salami (grrr it was confiscated in NYC) and yes, even a cement and stone mosaic I had made in Ravenna!

Me and the Ford Focus - electrifying

So, one could imagine I was eager to return home to a fresh wardrobe and my normal routine of non-stop hiking, dancing and working. But you see, the people at Ford knew exactly how to entice me to join them before heading home, for their annual showcase conference: “off-roading and closed track time with a police interceptor.” Yes. They dared throw down those phrases.  And so I went 🙂

Go Further with Ford

Oh, I went further alright.  After wowing and wooing me with their green leanings (more on that soon), they invited us to take their newest car creations for a spin on the track at Ford field.  First, I pushed the Ford Focus to maybe not IT’S edge, but the edge of Lynn Ponder, my cheerful passenger who didn’t need a turn driving after I took her for my version of a test drive (giggle). She was a good sport, and I went around again with 2 Ford guys who gave me their blessing to utilize both lanes and have at it. So I did. And you know what? The whole time I thought, “This car’s pretty peppy for a hybrid.” And guess what? It was the full-blown electric model! Wow. Impressive and fun.

Front end camera view, Ford Raptor

Raptor Rapture

Next, I donned a helmet and was launched and thrown and slid around in a  4X4 Raptor on a dirt off-road track with a professional driver who suggested I hold on – but then I wouldn’t be able to clap! I loved it. I particularly loved the cameras in front that showed you the road (or lack of it) ahead, when the angle is so steep you can’t see anything but sky over the hood. Woot!  The adrenaline pumped…but I soon discovered what REALLY gets the G-Force going for this adventure seeker is the thrill and terror of commandeering the wheel myself.  Which came next..

Raptor rapture

Arresting Activities

Next came the police Interceptor.  I couldn’t wait to try this power house, but I also doubted my own abilities to push the limits of this bada$$ beast.  So I flagged down Mike Perlman – a legit auto test driver and journalist who had been playfully sassing me and questioning my street cred 😉 .  Sass or no, I knew he could handle this car and I wanted to ride with HIM!  And he deigned to allow me to ride with him 😉

We soon bonded over a shared love of speed and G-force.  He showed me how it was done and I had oodles of fun pushing my own limited skills on the tight cone-ified course.  I think we were both surprised at my performance on my first round. (My second round was even betta and caught on tape, below – not bad, I must say. I matched Mike’s time. 😀 ) OK, I only sassed him back a little.

Happy with the police Interceptor. Me, Mike and pro driver, Terry

“I want a pit crew… I hate the procedure I currently have to go through when I have car problems.” ~ Dave Barry

Next, we went to give the Mustang 5.0 a spin. And spin I almost did as it’s a little less grippy in it’s back end but certainly no less fun if you handle it right. I didn’t. haha. But Mike did and as the lovely Nina Piña joined us, we laughed at our own attempts to match his driving prowess. My stint is in the middle of the tape, and then if you watch until the end so you can giggle and guffaw with us as Nina cheerfully straddles the cones in her attempt to pioneer an entirely new form of Ford racing fashion.

When we got into the Ford Explorer all pumped up with adrenaline, I was infused with confidence and boldness and started applying these – along with lots of gas – on this new course until my passengers reminded me that this IS an SUV and it IS possible to roll it. Ooopsie! Caveat taken.

In our last time remaining, Mike and I need MORE adrenaline fix – and so we dash back over to the Interceptor track.  This time…I show some SuuperG style and speed.

And finally, after I stun us both with my not-so-girly assault on the course in my second round in the Interceptor, Mike takes the wheel again and pretty much matches my time…except for the minor detail of coming in outside the finish line pillars. Heehee. Mike was an awesome sport and terrific track compadre, and even supplied me with the evidence…er…I mean video clips.

Thank you thank you, Mike, for a suuper fun day and showing me how to full-throttle the fabulousness in those Fords.

And thank you to everyone at Ford for opening up their track and varied vehicles to us, from smart eco friendly daily drivers, to the muscle cars and trucks that we expect and love from one of the oldest auto makers in existence.

I now find myself jonesing to take one of these beasties on my mountain roads now that I’m (finally) home!  I thought I was pushing it before…now, I’ve gotten a taste of SuuperG-ness on a track and I’m a ticket waiting to happen.

Yeah, we're bad. (Only when we laugh!)

Photos by Gina Stark or if I’m in them, by random generous standers-by 🙂 and video clips thanks to Mike Perlman