The Adventurer with James M. Clash

Formula for Speed

Believe it or not, a novice can get behind the wheel of a real Formula One car. Just bring your checkbook, driver's license and some intestinal fortitude.... read more

Lamborghini's Murciélago LP640, to the Limits

This past April, Lamborghini invited me to Italy to test its new Murciélago LP640. In fact, they said, I would be the first journalist to drive it — and the only one to attempt its stated top speed of 211 mph. How could I say no? ... read more

Mario Andretti for a Day

Barreling down the front-straight of California Speedway at 165 mph in an open-cockpit, Indy-style race car, the world suddenly ... read more

Jerry Grant, Auto Racing's Roger Bannister

On Sept. 3, 1972, Jerry Grant did for auto racing what four-minute miler Roger Bannister did for track and field — he punctured a barrier that was ... read more

Skip Barber's Crash and Learn

Once you've mastered the fundamentals of racing in Skip Barber's three-day competition course, the temptation to take it to the next level is strong. For me it meant ... read more

Rick Mears, Oval-Master Turned Oval-Mentor

Rick Mears quietly retired in 1992 after winning his fourth Indianapolis 500 for team owner Roger Penske. The win ... read more

200 mph or Bust!

At 200 mph in an Indy race car, little things become larger than life. A loose crash helmet, over-revving an engine — even sneezing — can lead to disaster. I was about to ... read more

Bonneville Salt Stings

The Bonneville Salt Flats, 100 miles outside of Salt Lake City, Utah, still attracts its share of speed demons. For example, at the World Finals Meet in October 2004, Tom ... read more

The Autobahn at 200 mph

When Alois Ruf, owner of Ruf Automobile, invited me to Germany to attempt 200 mph (322 km/h) on the Autobahn in his historic Yellowbird, I was skeptical. OK, the Yellowbird is capable of such speeds ... read more