With each lap of the California Speedway’s road course, I could see that the Porsche Carrera GT is everything an enthusiast dreams of, and more. With pro-driver Murray’s encouragement and his knowledge of the track – he raced there just a week before my test drive – in very short order we lapped the track as if dancing, the car and driver working in concert as one.

Any apprehension I felt during the preliminary laps was gone. Using as much of the car’s abilities as I dared, still Murray encouraged me to push just a little further. I didn’t hesitate; the car had shown it can respond and Murray, obviously comfortable with my abilities, allowed the Carrera GT and I to have our rein and run free. We blasted through the S-curves as if they were straight. The up shifts and down shifts were smooth and sure through the short-throw shifter. Surroundings flashed by in a greater flurry of colors than ever. Sneaking a glimpse at the speedometer, I saw the needle way up in the high 100s, yet it felt as though we were cruising down a freeway at the posted speed limit.

To say that putting the Carrera GT through turn after turn is a thrill could be taken as hyperbole. After hours and miles behind the wheels of untold numbers of high performance automobiles, each with their quirks and idiosyncrasies, I can count on one hand the vehicles that can compete with the Carrera GT in delivering fascinating good looks, astounding performance, and unflappable abilities on the race track. Far fewer are also as comfortable on a country road or a city street. With grace and confidence, the Porsche Carrera GT is one exotic that can do it all.