[rayban]

This past weekend we spent two wonderful days driving the roads of central Virginia, specifically Orange and Albemarle counties. These roads are what owning a 400HP vehicle is all about. Perfect, shoulderless, clearly marked, traffic-free stretches of "private road test" quality asphalt intersecting 200+ acre horse farms. Coming from the winter ravaged (an seldom repaired) roads of Massachusetts, I thought I died and went to car enthusiast heaven. The only downside, radar detectors are illegal in Virginia so the Valentine took a break in the trunk to avoid confiscation if stopped. I really didn't miss it though, I only saw one speed trap the whole time I was there and it was near an intersection where only an idiot would be pushing it. There are plenty of safe stretches to open it up and though the roads were shoulderless there was easily twenty feet of treeless grass on either side of most roads to increase the comfort zone.

Amidst all the lovely asphalt and rolling green fields they have some damn good wineries in the area, the main focus of our trip. We mapped out several trips in the nav to make efficient use of time so we could visit as many as possible. The first vineyard we stopped at was hosting a tasting for a local Corvette club! There were about 15 cars and their owners enjoying lunch on the lawn as we rumbled in. There were some incredulous looks by the club members but I think once they saw my Mass tags they realized our arrival was just a coincidence.

It was a great weekend with the V and I thought I would pass it along to the group

 

[Dooman]

Sounds like a great trip in a V car! I am working on a V as the winter nears.

I am in Mass. also and my 99STS will be my winter car this year if all goes well.

 

[Dave's V]

Nothing like hearing the V's engine purring through the country side. It sounds like a nice trip.

It is also nice to hear it clear its throat a bit.

 

[Luna.]

The only downside, radar detectors are illegal in Virginia

Really?

What a crock of sh*t...

Gee--I wonder why they have that law...

 

[c4racer]

Sounds like fun. The wife and I enjoy road trips centered around wine tasting as well. It takes some restraint at the tasting bar when you know you are driving a 400hp manual trans vehicle tho.... We did a trip last fall in a Z06 to Carmel Valley and Solidad / Gonzolas area in Monterey County. That was fun and some awesome roads to play on. I only got sideways once and the active handling reigned me right back in-line anyway. The wife still talks about that corner sometimes - she has complete confidence in my driving ability, so she was not worried. Still not sure if she is smart on that point or not :hmm: I have raced and autoxed for years, so car control is pretty second nature to me at this point, but nobody is perfect :bonkers:

Looking forward to some fun wine country trips in the V as well - maybe even this fall for our anniversary, although deep into soccer season with 2 girls makes it tough until mid Nov... Weather holds decently here until around new years tho most years. The V is a bit more stealth than a red corvette pulling out of a winery parking lot too, so that will be welcome. And a lot more room for those wine cases..... :eyebrow:

Scott