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I\u2019ve always wanted to be an astronaut.\u00a0 To witness the untold wonders of the universe in person, with my own eyes.<\/p>\n
Imagine the adrenaline pumping through your veins while lying on your back, strapped snugly into your chair, awaiting lift-off from the raw power of rocket thrust.\u00a0 The G-force<\/a> so strong the skin on your face warps, tightening to your skull.<\/p>\n As far as space exploration goes, that kind of force and speed come with serious risks and possible peril.\u00a0 What if you could feel that rush and power without leaving Earth?<\/p>\n Today, I did.<\/p>\n As far as road speed goes, I\u2019ve always been a fan of classic American muscle.\u00a0 Today was the first time I\u2019ve ever ridden in a Porsche, or driven one.\u00a0 I wanted the full experience – not just driving, but riding – so I hopped in the back first.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Rick Gutierrez from Leith Porsche in Cary was my driver, and this guy was not messing around.\u00a0 Rick\u2019s owned a couple Porsches and has a racing background, and the guy is a walking Porsche manual.\u00a0 There\u2019s no piece of this car he can\u2019t go into meticulous detail on.\u00a0 He\u2019s not just spouting facts in your direction, he\u2019s more of a show-don\u2019t-tell kinda guy.\u00a0 His face is stoic as he pilots wicked takeoffs and tight curves.\u00a0 My face, however, is more Cheshire Cat<\/a>.<\/p>\n From the backseat, I can feel my body\u00a0press firmly into the seat each time we take off.\u00a0 I\u2019m one with the Porsche, leaning into curves – my hair standing straight out from the sheer force.\u00a0 I\u2019m laughing.\u00a0 Why am I laughing?\u00a0 Because I\u2019m having the time of my life.<\/p>\n Absorbing the Panamera\u2019s interior, I’m cradled in lush suede and taut leather.\u00a0 There\u2019s individualized comfort technology for the back seats, with a touchscreen interface.\u00a0 There\u2019s plenty of room to move, something one wouldn\u2019t usually associate with the backseat of a Porsche.\u00a0 Being in the back almost feels like being in the driver\u2019s seat.\u00a0 Almost.<\/p>\n It\u2019s time to make the move into the pilot\u2019s seat, and as I settle in, I feel like I\u2019m at the helm of a rocket.\u00a0 I\u2019m sitting low, but the console and all controls are high \u2013 I barely have to move to reach anything, but again, I don\u2019t feel cramped.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Here are the power and handling stats swirling in my head as I lift from my launchpad:<\/p>\n V8 Twin-Turbo Engine<\/p>\n 550 Horsepower<\/p>\n 567 Pounds of Torque<\/p>\n All-Wheel Drive<\/p>\n 8-Speed Transmission<\/p>\n 21-inch SportsDesign Wheels<\/p>\n 4 Driving Modes \u2013 Normal, Sport, Sport Plus and Individual<\/p>\n If you know cars, you know these stats mean raw power, but they also denote superior handling.\u00a0 You don\u2019t need to know a lot about cars to know what you\u2019re feeling.\u00a0 At high speeds, and in sharp turns, I felt glued to the asphalt.\u00a0 I felt zero slip, and trust me, I tried.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n I don\u2019t recall looking at the speedometer once, which is odd.\u00a0 I didn\u2019t feel like I was going all that fast, but something tells me I was.\u00a0 How do you drive a Porsche slowly, though?\u00a0 It seems an injustice to the machine itself.\u00a0 Now, I understand why so many enthusiasts flock to places like the Pinehurst Concours<\/a>\u00a0for the Porsche Driving Experience, or head to Virginia International Raceway<\/a>, eager to open up their Porsches on a real track.<\/p>\n Time flies behind the wheel, and when the last grain slips through the hourglass, I’m sad to part.\u00a0 This must be how astronauts feel when they land back on Earth.\u00a0 Leaving all that wonder and glory behind is rough, but I’ll always remember the rush.<\/p>\n![\"2018](\"#BLOGPATH#\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/Screen-Shot-2018-01-15-at-2.16.42-PM.png\")
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