Speedsters, Rallys, and Mr. Toad

I was rereading old blog entries last night. In the past, I've compared rallying old speedsters to flying old World War I aircraft - goggles, leather helmet, wind, noise, bugs, glory, etc. And while there are similarities, a better way to describe it: It's like living the life of Mr. Toad from Toad Hall. If you are not familiar with the character of Mr. Toad from Kenneth Grahame's "The Wind in the Willows" weeeeeeell....... you should be. He's compulsive, passionate, good-hearted, and simply CRAZY about cars (especially red ones!). He's the same character found at Disneyland - Mr. Toad's Wild Ride. Grahame describes him best: "As if in a dream he found himself, somehow, seated in the driver's seat; as if in a dream, he pulled the lever and swung the car round the yard and out through the archway; and, as if in a dream, all sense of right and wrong, all fear of obvious consequences, seemed temporarily suspended. He increased his pace, and as the car devoured the street and leapt forth on the high road through the open country, he was only conscious that he was Toad once more, Toad at his best and highest, Toad the terror, the traffic-queller, the Lord of the lone trail, before whom all must give way or be smitten into nothingness and everlasting night. He chanted as he flew, and the car responded with sonorous drone; the miles were eaten up under him as he sped he knew not wither, fulfilling his instincts, living his hour, reckless of what might come to him."

That's what its like driving a 1916 Buick at 50 mph down the road to the next check-point...