It's not everyday one gets a chance likes this.  I got to drive my mother's Toyota Corolla.

After the keys were tossed my direction I was alone with the car, a car with no boundaries and no inhibitions.  The pinnacle of Japanese engineering  and optimizations, it reeked of a thoroughbred nature.  The boxy shape, the humble stance, the 14" steel rims clad with plastic hub caps and Cooper Ultra Ralleye Sport Tour radials foretold of an experience laden with adrenaline.

I fastened myself into a cockpit that  a Formula 1 driver would be envious of: A 3 point safety belt, fuel gauge, 85 mph speedo, and 1 pine tree air freshener.  The four banger sprang to life and I was on my way looking for less capable prey.

As luck would have it I pulled up besides a Z28. A glance over to the paltry machine made clear we were "on" for a race.  The light turned green and I gunned the rocket ship away.  The engine and car were so smooth I didn't notice the rapid pace of acceleration, what a smooth machine.  As I looked at the speedo and noticed it was up to 20, I looked back at the Z28 I left behind.  My victory was short lived as I realized at that moment he was in the turn lane.

With much regret I handed back over the keys and got back in the SHO.  But the memory of the Corolla will always remain.