It's after 8 p.m. on Friday, June 7. I've been up since 6 a.m. I'm hungry, cold and more than an hour from home. There's a sharp rock in my shoe and I think I'm getting a cold sore. This is, without a doubt, one of the greatest moments of my life.
I'm standing at our double secret photo location, high atop the mountains just northeast of Los Angeles, watching Jacquot photograph a silver 2003 350Z (Check out our road test of the 2003 350Z on page 76.) with a beautifully restored silver 1970 240Z. The sun has just fallen behind a peak and is casting a golden glow over the world. The cars, although more than 30 years and four generations apart, belong together. They're family. Blood. And they know it.
As I stand here with my stomach growling, lip burning, and a rock digging into my heel, I listen to the clicking of the camera shutter and faint whistle of the wind. This is an extraordinary moment. I know I'm lucky to be where I am, doing what I'm doing.
After the Z went back to Nissan, a very yellow MINI Cooper became my daily transport. Although we've reported on this new incarnation of the little MINI before, this was my first crack at the little bugger.
Nice car. Good looking. Solid. BMW really did it right. I wouldn't call it quick, but it's lively. And in the BMW tradition, the brakes and steering are top notch. This is easily one of the best-handling, front-wheel-drive cars I've ever driven. Turn-in is quicker than J Lo's marriage, and the car takes a nice set.
These reflexes come with a serious ride penalty, however. The MINI is sprung way stiff and knocks you around unless the road is tabletop smooth. But who cares? It's dirt cheap. Our yellow sampler stickered for $19,000, without the optional rooftop Union Jack.
The same week I sampled the MINI, Mazda brought over a turbocharged 2003 Mazdaspeed Proteg. It looks like the MP3 we're all familiar with, but is now powered by a 170-hp, turbocharged and intercooled 2.0-liter four, and has a limited-slip diff. It even has a better sound system than the MP3. (To learn more about the Mazdaspeed Proteg, turn to page 124.)
We're gearing up for the next Ultimate Street Car Challenge event, which will take place this fall. Just as we did last year, we're going to videotape the whole friggin' thing. That way, those of you who weren't there can feel as if you were and those of you who were there can relive the greatest automotive event in history.
"USCC II-Faster than Ever" will be available on video in time for the holidays. Advertisements to order USCC II will begin appearing in the November issue, or go online to www.sportcompactcarweb.com to order your copy.