Of Whirlwinds, Hurricanes and Cyclones

Packed my bags on Tuesday for a week long outing. The schedule included two back to back shoots, a bike and two SUVs, then a track day with Honda for their Advanced Riding School and then finally off to Italy to drive a supercar. It was going to be quite a whirlwind week, but I wasn’t complaining. Despite all the action on the work front the deluge of pics documenting the brute force of Hurricane Sandy kept me glued to the web. You can bet that used car buyers will be trying to dodge flood damaged cars for a long time to come.

Meanwhile my week was getting a bit stormy too. The SUV shoot was cancelled and Cyclone Neelam put an end to my plans for attending the riding school. The rain soaked the MMST thoroughly and the school was pushed back by a day, clashing with my date with a supercar in Misano. The upside was I could make it for the Autocar Performance Show. 

The Show turned out to be slicker and bigger than ever before. Apart from all the gorgeous supercars, and bikes it’s a great opportunity to return the favour by playing host to the many Industry-wallahs that turn up for the opening day. There’s always some story behind the exhibits. M&M’s Super XUV was veiled in secrecy – “It makes more power and runs some different technology. We can’t say what it is.” Two Polo R Cup drivers made an appearance and shared what their racing lives were like. Over the four days custom bike makers Vardenchi plan to assemble one of their creations from scratch. I wish they could have done once a day.

Attached to Autocar Performance Show was The Stuff Gadget Show. Watching a visitor flipping from one side to the other in a hydraulically suspended chair of the racing simulator, others trying the electric three-wheel scooter-thingy and the Parrot drone swooping around had me grinning.

I’m sure many enthusiasts will enjoy the live tracks at the Autocar Performance Show. ATVs and SUVs are ready to play. Now, I have to get ready to pick up my bags and run to the airport. The new R8 awaits.