On The Drive Vegas : Hummer Adventure
Only a few steps from the Las Vegas Monorail Sahara Station, and only a short walk from the las Vegas Strip, one can experience a truly unforgettable off-road adventure in a Hummer. Peter Schiappa and Jim Wilson report on GM’S new ‘autotainment’ attraction, The Drive, Vegas (www.TheDriveVegas.com)
The Drive … 4–10–06
by Peter Schiappa (a.k.a. “Peter Piper”)
Not my usual electronic ignition, Tiptronic transmission, blower-backed, lightning-in-a-box, citation-sucking Mercedes-Benz SLK. No way. But, this was one of those unsought, unexpected, “nuthin’ gonna happin” days that I’m never gonna forget.
Jim called me. (That’s Jim Wilson, executive producer and editor of Vegas Buzz Radio.) “Let’s check out ‘The Drive,’ the GM sponsored driving experience at the Sahara Monorail Station.” ”Why not?” I say, “ Let’s go.”
Within the hour we were parked in the Sahara Hotel garage and entering the eleven-acre General Motors display. Red and black outfitted young hosts and hostesses invited us to view the newest GM products and to sign up for FREE test drives around several specially constructed tracks. What fun! We took plenty of pix until we were granted a ride in our especially selected Yellow Hummer H2.
We chose the ‘difficult terrain’ loop to see first hand what this crate could do. Well, after shifting into low-low and 4-wheel-drive at the touch of a button, our driver Roderick, traversed a narrow canyon by keeping all 4 wheels on the 60 degree inclined surfaces of the lateral walls. I had my window open and for sure, if I wasn’t tied in, I would have fallen out that window. He negotiated the opposite banked wall and I had to hold on to the safety grip with both hands to keep from falling into his lap.
Rod bore into s-curves with the rear wheels spinning out, then slowed quickly as we approached an irregular surface of railroad ties. Soon enough, the trail became a nearly vertical wall. He gunned the engine and we were instantly racing up a 60 degree incline. The road ahead disappeared almost as soon as it had appeared. Braking quickly, we teetered at the top.
It seemed like I was in a swinging cart on a Ferris Wheel anticipating the plunge down to terra-firma and the waiting crowd below. Then back into low-low for a 60 degree descent in full control, with no slipping or sliding.
Several NASCAR s-curves later, we left the track and sedately parked amongst the other vehicles just like any other family sedan. I stepped out onto the pavement as if I had just awakened from a dream.
This Ho-Hum day turned out to be a real HUMMER. – PeterPiper
Editor’s Note: Peter Piper, a.k.a, Peter Schiappa, is the zany host of the popular Peter Piper’s Podcast, and special feature photojournalist for Vegas Buzz. Miami-based National Radio Features ProducerJay Michaels also reports in the intro to the podcast
©2006 Vegas Buzz News Network
