Total Kar; Cars, Trucks and Mechanics

I must admit from the first day I drove a car I was hooked on driving. I grew up skateboarding every day, I had been 72 M.P.H. on a skateboard, and back then we used to do a lot of speed skating, on curvy roads as well. This taught me how to take the cleanest lines through turns, it taught me line of sight, without brakes or gas pedal. On a skateboard, so you must set up early.

From the moment I’ve had my driver’s license I’ve always had some sort of sporty car; from my first a 1969 Camaro, a 1969 Oldsmobile 442 to a 1976 Rally Sport Camaro, to what I now have; a 2002 Subaru WRX. I have worked for Mercedes-Benz and Dodge and I am a certified Dodge Viper Specialist. And with a career as a dealership mechanic, I have gotten to drive a huge number of fine cars.

I live in the mountains of West Virginia, and to say the least, we have some of the most interesting driving roads in the country. I drive one of them daily; State Route 60, the Midland Trail, a road after the heart of any driving enthusiast.  This road has a  little bit of everything, it is a two lane blacktop road with,  S-turns, Sweepers, Ascending and Descending apex turns, Switchbacks, Hairpins and some passing lanes. You must pass on the curvy truck passing lanes though because the only feature it does not have is the straight stretch. But this all adds to the excitement of the experience. This road is actually on one of the Top Ten driving roads in the country.

The best part of the drive starts at the base of the mountain, in Gauley Bridge, WV. Do Not Speed in these little towns, very bored police present. The road goes from Gauley Bridge for about 40 miles to I-64. Besides being fun it also has absolutely beautiful scenery, Hawks Nest State Park for instance, may be worth stopping for a moment to drink in the wondrous views, and perhaps get a glimpse of a Hawk, or now even a Bald- or Golden Eagle.

I drive this wonderful road in my Subaru WRX, what an amazing little car this is. It has excellent road manners, and a little over steer, which is actually an advantage once you get used to it. I ran a set of Michelin Pilot tires one season, these gripped so well; I thought they would rip the struts off my car. They must have added at least half a “G” in the turns, when I was driving spiritedly because at the end of the season my wheel bearings were up for replacement…

I have to add here: I do not advocate reckless driving; you should always be in complete control of your vehicle and never put anyone else in danger. I never exceed the speed limit and I am always careful with other drivers around, so should you!

I hope you can experience this wonderful road, in a car or a motorcycle; it is actually on the “Run to the Wall” route. I know as a driving enthusiast it gives me great pleasure to be able to drive this road daily.

Thanks for stopping by

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