Nothing to see here, just a normal driving lesson in a sensible family wagon. Here’s what happened when Jethro met Travis...
WORDS JETHRO BOVINDON ILLUSTRATION RICARDO SANTOS PHOTOGRAPHY ROWAN HORNCASTLE
I HAVE AN ILLNESS.
It’s one shared with many and particularly with the sort of people who pick up motoring magazines. Perhaps you have it, too. Let’s call it Icoulddothatitus. Luckily, I get regular treatment for the condition. In this job, you’re often treated to passenger rides with exceptional driving talents. Just recently at a Ferrari event I got to sit beside Carlos Sainz Jr in a 296 GTB. Roughly seven seconds after exiting the pitlane I knew deep in my bones that I would never be able to drive like him. The aggression, confidence and control were mind scrambling, elating and soul destroying in equal measure. I’ve had similar experiences over the years with WRC drivers, former DTM champions and ex-F1 drivers. There is no doubt in my mind that high level racers work in a different realm. Out of reach.
It’s a different story with professional drifters and all that Gymkhana nonsense, though. This is the area where my strain of the disease is focused. While those of sound body and mind boggle that Insert Rad Dude name here can drift a flame snorting 1,000bhp monster with grace and accuracy, I wonder why anyone is surprised. These cars are designed solely for that very thing. They are stiff, relatively light, have the balance between power and grip swung radically in favour of the former and they have a hydraulic handbrake. A three-year-old could get them sideways and hold big angles with ease. Assuming they could reach the pedals. I accept and celebrate the entertainment aspect of this art form but the ‘skill’ is low level at best.
So, when editor Rix asked if I wanted Travis Pastrana to teach me how to drive Gymkhana style in his gloriously mad Subaru Family Huckster... well, I resisted the temptation to say “Teach? TEACH? Come on mate, I could do this stuff with my eyes closed,” and just said that it sounded like fun and yes I was free and thank you for thinking of me. Stuff like that. But inside I was indignant. And, I have to admit, extremely excited. The Family Huckster is about the coolest thing on four wheels and, well, it has 862bhp and a hydraulic handbrake. Anticipation ramped up to fever pitch when Subaru said it would be bringing at least 36 tyres. Finally! The stage and the resources to prove that I could do that.
My homework would be to watch and absorb the video that made the Family Huckster famous, the brilliantly titled Travis Pastrana’s
