A hectic December. Come to think of it, I hadn’t driven my Integra for almost a month since my visit to SACLAM.
When I turned the key after such a long time, the starter sounded a bit weak, which made me feel guilty.
Once I got going, I took it easy to let the car warm up gradually—shifting early, braking gently from further back, trying not to push the car too hard.
After about ten minutes of driving, I headed to my usual route. Narrow tight corners, medium-speed corners, and then a crank section awaiting.
This time I revved it out to 8,000 RPM through 2nd and 3rd gear. As I gradually pushed the throttle to the top, the engine sang out with that beautiful “QUAOOOOON” sound.
Braking before the corner, heel-and-toe downshifting to scrub off speed, and as I turn the steering wheel, the car settles into a cornering stance with minimal roll.
Once the nose points in the right direction, I adjust my line with the throttle, and with another satisfying “QUAOOOOON,” I’m into 3rd gear.
The sound, the G-forces, the wind, the smell—everything I feel is so pleasant that I’m practically melting with joy, even though I’m just driving through my neighborhood. It’s been about four months since Spoon delivered this car to me. As I savor these sensations every day and feel so fortunate, I realize—it’s already the end of the year.
