In an attempt to shrug off the haze from last night’s string of parties, I thought I'd go for a drive. But instead of heading up Park City’s Hummer clogged Main Street, I opted to stretch my wheels on VW’s closed circuit, off-road terrain course just south of town. It’s one of the bennies offered to all festival goers. Upon arrival at Richardson’s Flats, I had to wait a few minutes while they rustled up a rig. Apparently, power pop synth band The All-American Rejects had taken a joy ride on the course earlier in the day. Going triple the allowed speed, one of the Rejects managed to not only rip out the windshield cam, but had shredded the power steering. Must've been his way of getting amped for tonight’s gig at Harry O's. Anyway, soon enough I was outfitted with my very own, brand-spanking new, V10 twin-turbo diesel 2007 VW Toureg, a $70k proposition when fully loaded. With 310 horses beneath the hood and a Skip Barber Racing School instructor riding shotgun, I was off to the races. And what a ride. The Toureg powered up a 30-yard, 35-degree incline, basically a vert dirt wall and the steepest thing I've ever driven up, by far. On the "variegated terrain" (aka a field of three-foot deep frozen mud trenches), the Toureg's adjustable air suspension kicked in (as did a few of the onboard warning sensors). With only three wheels on the ground, it still handled like a dream. The instructor told me I'd done "an expert job." Much better than Desperate Housewife Teri Hatcher, I'm told, who, too scared to drive the course opted instead to pose beside the SUV for a photo op. Keep it to Wysteria Lane, Hatcher, I'll handle the rough stuff.
