In the Red 360, he blew past it with his right foot on the floor.

The day was lovely, the top was down, the sun was shining, and Andretti was smiling, driving, talking, and having fun.īy the time we got to the predefined turnaround point, Mario had already been there three previous times, and he knew where it was. Our drive route took us 12-13 miles out from his winery to a pre-scouted, turnaround point, then back. He enjoyed paddling the F1 robotic gearbox, and got the most out of the Spider’s mid-engined handling persona. The Ferrari was his clear favorite (big surprise there - or not). A comfortable and smooth GT for long fast drives, he called it. He praised the Z8 for its smooth and strong V-8, stable chassis, and liked that it had a 6-speed manual gearbox, which he shifted masterfully. Somewhat ditto the automatic-equipped Aston Martin, with praise for its howling V-12 engine, and less glow for its somewhat sluggish slushbox that shifted far too softly for his taste. Mario Andretti behind the wheel of the Ferrari F430 The idea was that he would attack the backroads not far from his Napa Valley winery property in each car for about 25 miles, and I would ride along, make notes, and take a few photos. It’s been my distinct priv to ride along with him on three occasions the first during an exotic car road test program I was involved with (Ferrari 360 Spider, Aston Martin DB7 Volante, BMW Z8, and Mercedes-Benz SL55 AMG). Super Mario brother needs no introduction here or anywhere else.

I’ve been in the right seat with a lot of great drivers, four-time Trans-Am champ Tommy Kendall (very sharp guy, and really understands the physics of what’s going on with a car when accelerating, braking, and cornering), Randy Lanier, early 80s IMSA prototype champ (butter smooth, and willing to share his secrets and suggestions), George Follmer (best heel-and-toe double-clutch downshifter I’ve ever seen) and then, my uber hero and friend, the incomparable Mario Andretti.

Or legendarily world-class – like Mario Andretti. No matter how good a driver you are or think you are, I’ve learned that you really discover how marginal a driver you might be when you ride with or get schooled by someone really good.

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