November 6, 2023.
That's when I put 'Red' away for the winter last year. Reading back over that post I see there was snow on the ground and that sounded the death knell for sporty driving for another season. This year, we've extended a little longer (a week so far) and it looks like this weekend is shaping up to offer 10 degrees, no precipitation, and sunshine!
So with a bit of luck from the weather gods, I'll get a short final drive out before the long sleep.
I've already done the proper deep clean needed for storage (doesn't she look good?), but with no bugs and clean roads, I think its worth warming up the cold tires for one last romp. I've discovered that with the seat heater and steering wheel heat on, and the fan blowing hot into the lower half of the cabin, the Boxster's cockpit is quite delightful to be in on a cool day, even with the top down.
It's warm enough on Friday to take her to work one last time this year, and after a day in cubicle-land, what a treat it is to step out into the cool autumn air - the glorious red paint shining at me across the (mostly desolate) parking lot. It always sets me up for a nice drive home, top down, blowing away the cobwebs of the office and never failing to put a smile on my face.
Walking towards the car I marvel once again at the chameleon-like nature of the Carmine Red paint. In some light and surroundings it's a bright fiery red looking like it was made for the racetrack and sponsorship decals, whilst from other angles and shades it's deep and rich and much more understated. I love the dual nature of this colour, and while Guards Red would have been a fine choice (and very S2000-like), I'm glad to have opted for this richer red.
Filling up with high-test (93 octane) at the pump on the way home, I double-check the forecast for the weekend, and barring some overnight front moving in quickly and unexpectedly, looks like I am going to get another early Saturday morning drive under my belt. Hurrah!
Saturday morning opens with the predicted sunshine and I move my journeyman Hyundai ("The Blue Rocket") out of the way and bring the Porsche out into the light. A loop out to the known roads Calabogie-way is on the agenda as I don't have time for a longer exploration today. Have to save that for next summer.
I take the ramp at good speed and remind myself that it's only 6°C out here at the moment. Actually it's the car that dynamically lets me know that there's not a lot of grip from the cold tires right now. Nothing untoward though, and we merge onto the highway for the quick trip out to the curves. 20 minutes later and I'm off the four-lane and into the countryside west of Ottawa. The pavement is cool and dry and there's barely a hint of cloud in the perfect November morning sky. I toggle the roof down and notch the seat heater on. There's so little buffeting in the cockpit at these speeds that I don't even need the steering wheel heater, nor the fan blasting hot air at maximum.
It doesn't take long for the tires to warm up, even though the road and air are cool and the immense grip offered by the Michelins is a comfort, and always a surprise. The car carves through corners almost defying belief and I love the way it just hunkers down and thrusts you out of a bend when you really get on it. It's just so...purposeful. And so undramatic too. Out on the open road there's just no way that at safe, (somewhat) legal speeds I'll even come close to what the GTS is capable of. So of course this means that I can just delight in every angle of the steering wheel and every notch-click of the shifter, enjoying every moment of motion, smell and sound. It also means that this lovely needs to get out onto the track next year and get pushed a little harder!
Time ticks by rapidly, as I rapidly progress around 'my' loop and I eventually turn my way back towards home. Reluctantly, the drive comes to an end, but I've left myself just enough time to do a final 'spit n' polish' to get the (minuscule) dirt particles off. As the engine cools (it's take a long time to dissipate all that heat from amidships!) I drag out my wash gear for the last time this fall and give her a quick bath. As predicted, no bugs and only a fine layer of dust thanks to that hay wagon I got stuck behind for a few kms.
And there you have it. A lovely drive out, a nice bath, and now time for a nap. Tucked safely away, super-clean, tires overinflated, dryer sheets in the storage and cabin, cloths in the tailpipes, and battery tender hooked up. Nighty night!
Love reading your stories❤️
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