I had the opportunity/pleasure/honor? of getting the Ironman experience last Thursday thanks to Chris. After several weeks of trying to line up our schedules, I finally flew down to Birmingham last Thursday. It was cold for AL standards (in the mid to high 50s) but it was literally freezing and snowing when I left Chicago, so for me it felt great (isn't that sad?).
We went to get Ironman out, and I have to say, it was weird seeing a finished cobra up close... I work on KM647 almost everyday, with the doors gone, no hood, no dash, no wheels, etc... it was pretty neat to see the car as it is supposed to be.
Chris did a fantastic job putting Ironman together. When you see how the car came, a basic shell with mix matched parts, etc... it is pretty cool to see that it is a full blown car now, which haul ass. That 527 is ridiculous! It sounds sooo good too. Torque heaven. Believe or not, this was actually my first ride in a Kirkham ever, so I was a bit anxious to see what it was going to be. I'm glad to report it is just as I imagined it, and even better. The ride is firm but comfortable. It handles really well with relatively light steering wheel. The brakes work really well and the pedal pressure is just like some of the race cars I have been in. The sitting position, and leg room is just fine.
We took a real nice drive, and I was impressed by every aspect. It also helps that it is a beautiful time of the year for a drive down in AL. The trees are all red and yellow, the temp was nice. I love how those pipes sound too. Deep, with the cool flutter during shifts, and angry when you step on it. Although after a while, without ear protection, it slowly gets to you (especially coupled with wind noise).
After an awesome day driving around AL I took a flight home, back to the cold midwest.
Here are some pictures. They are not the best but you get the idea. I also am working on transfering some video I took of the drive from dvd to youtube, but it is giving me trouble. In any case, huge Thanks to Chris for a fantastic day.
The Ironman Experience
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