I've been almost as gutted as Ed, not to see the SC Exige upon my return from Germany after hours of chatting about it with Ed and weighing up the various pro's and cons. Seeing the pics from Donnigton, and peoples feed back the car did indeed sound tremendous..until it broke.
Still thanks to JPS and Ed's wallet, Chewbaka was now ready for collection (see the number plate). It even roars like a wookie when the SC fires up!
We arrived in Newcastle, and Dan picked us up. At this stage it was still odds on that i would be driving for the duration due to Ed's overindugence the night before, but alas, just as I was eyeing up the drivers seat, he made a remarkable comeback ( like Liverpool in the Champions League Final the other year) and off we went.
After an initial panick attack, think it was Vtec not engaging due to the engine still being cold, we hit the A1 and started the trek north. First time the SC cut in on the way up the slip road, the permagrin appeared and as we sling-shot past everything towards the merge with the A1, there was no doubt that very very few things would be able to stay with this car - tremendous.
The seats are awesome, its noisy, and there is a real purpose about this car. Until the tyres are warm it will spin up easily in the first 2 if not 3 gears if it is at all slippy, or you are a bit insensitive with the right peg. Steering wheel is a Lotus Sport Momo effort, which i like but Ed doesn't seem sold on yet. Stereo - WTF like you can hear it!
We managed to negotiate our way out of Newcastle, heading for the A68 and the airport, and then out to the counrty side and up went the pace.
Overtaking ability is remarkable. Once the supercharger is on the go, it is significantly rapid. Instant movement, even using 5th (when i could get it in) or 6th most cars are despatched with minimal fuss. Line of traffic are comfortabley passable.
Ed drove for about the first 30 miles, and then stopping to relieve the squirrel bladder (A paine family trait it appears
) offered me the keys. We were about 30 miles south of Jedburgh, and heading towards Carter Bar.
I used to drive this road a lot, so I know it reasonably well, and very well from Jedburgh north. (as poor Ed finds out as i can desribe exactly what is about to unfold in front of us!)
The first straight we get is empty, decide to floor it. Through 3rd into 4th and there is no let up, by this stage the Permagrin is massive, and Ed is no doubt thinking WTF have i done! Must have seen nearly 140 tuts, but very briefly, and with no-one else about. I like this car!
On the climb to the border traffic gets heavier. Not an issue with this car though. Tiny straight offer the opprotunity to skip past 2-3 cars safely such is the passing power and stopping power. Give Ed a slight fright on the way to the border itself, after skipping round some more traffic on an open corner, which the Exige digs in to and really powers round, simply awesome. Didn't quite intend to go past them at the pace we did, but what surge from the engine, and the car rails the bend -Tremendous!
Andrenalin is pumping now - its a real honour to be given the chance to drive this
We hit the Border and then down the other side. Those of you that know the route will be aware of the various "s" bends the way down the hill and the Exige again rips round them, with left foot braking being made so easy to modulate by the awesome pedal feel . I have never driven a car this easy to left foot brake with. I love this car!
Only snag is getting it in to 5th which doesn't seem to be opposite 6th and I'm scared of selecting 3rd! Also going from an S2 found heal and toeing intially quite tricky due to the difference in pedal bite.
We head for Melrose with a few more overtaking antics but nothing daft, to get a belated Mothers Day pressie for Mrs G (that washing deserves thanks!). Suitably equipped wih Champers we take the long way to my M&D's, via the Gattonside bumps. (and a petrol station, well 2 actually first one was shut - this is the borders remember!)
Don't air Ed's car for fear of killing it due to the ride height, but do open it up again once over the bridge, whose name i've forgotten. Really open it up going up the hill, through a series of bends, and even when it does run out of grip, its very controllable. Huge lateral grip round the bends, but really only using this power as the roads are deserted. Ed announces that I'm driving the car "like i stole it" - sorry mate
(it would have been rude not to and the Sc is SO addictive!)Roll in to M&D's for lunch and to reflect on an awesome car and drive! Realise that I have been sweating due to the level of concentration and effort I've been putting in driving this car!
Head north with Ed driving after that, and give a few pace notes to aid over taking!
Arrive back in Edinburgh, and get back in to the Eclass - gutted. Turn it on, and am in disbelief at how quiet it is.
Honda Elise boys - very much under the same spell as you now and really starting to count the days till the Atom.
Ed- a massive thanks for the trip dude - that is an awesome car
Your welcome matey! Quality write up as per usual! 
