Living Life With One Speed: Fast
The Art of Driving Stick Shift
Living Life With One Speed: Fast
Life’s Racetrack
The moment I saw Wally online, it was like swiping right on destiny. Arctic silver with Metropol blue leather, a six-speed manual (naturally), heated seats, and a convertible? I knew I had to meet her in person. And when I did? The moment the engine turned, I was all in.
Wally—short for Waltraud, an Old High German name meaning ruler and strength—is a stunning early Porsche Boxster S from the year 2000. Every time we accelerate, the sensation of speed travels straight through me—undeniable and electric. Just how fast could Wally go? Well, we were about to find out.
Monticello Motor Club
Enter Christina Nielsen—a three-time pro racing champ—who invited me to a high-performance driving day at the Monticello Motor Club, courtesy of her organization Accelerating Change. Along with fellow pro driver Aurora Straus, she was hosting a women-only track day on Monticello’s 4.1-mile rollercoaster of a racetrack: 20 turns, killer straights, and an invitation to push the pedal through the floor.
Listen to Your Car (and Your Instructor)
Driving stick always made me feel more in tune with the car - more control, more connectedness. Of course, that wasn’t always the case. Flashback to teenage me, learning to drive a manual in Germany on an Uebungsplatz (a designated "no-license-yet" driving area). My Dad was brave enough to be in the passenger seat. I popped the clutch, the car bucked and died. Restarted. Confused the gas with the brake. We nearly ended up in a canal. A thrilling, deeply humbling beginning.
Canal at the Uebungsplatz in Hamburg, Germany
Monticello Motor Club
Fast forward to my first time on a real racetrack—déjà vu. My ride-along instructor discovered, within seconds, that I needed a moment to figure out left from right. (Hey, some of us are gifted in other ways!) So, he added hand signals to help me find the racing line, time my braking, and cue the gas. As I gained a feel for the track, I also started to understand how Wally was reacting to it. The right instructor made all the difference, guiding me through the essential techniques while making sure I stayed grounded in the basics, even as my speed picked up.
On the MMC Racetrack
Build Up Speed
The day was broken into four track sessions. I was practically vibrating with anticipation - but in that first round, I took it slow. Just feeling out the course. But by round two? Let’s just say I was doing things with Wally that NYC traffic would never allow. It’s all about the tires. The grip. The dance between traction and speed.
While riding shotgun with Aurora Straus and Christina Nielsen during their demo laps, I experienced firsthand the delicate balance between the car's speed and the tire’s grip on the track. Quick reflexes, immense physical strength to manage the sharp braking and acceleration, and a fearless approach to curbs, rumble strips, and painted lines - every element came together to carve the perfect racing line at full throttle. What a rush!
Be Patient to Be Fast
Patience and racing don’t exactly go hand-in-hand in most people’s minds. But after my third session, I realized: speed loves patience. Knowing when to wait for a late apex gave me the power to blast through the straights with purpose. By the final session, I was a new woman. Inspired. Focused. Determined to channel my inner Waltraud. I began to look farther down the track, anticipating each turn, giving myself the space and confidence to push Wally and myself to the edge. With my racing line committed to memory, I could feel the tires’ grip not just through the wheel but through the seat - Wally responding with effortless acceleration. Lap by lap, we built speed, breaking past 100 m.p.h., charging toward each braking zone before diving into the next hairpin with patience and control.
When I pulled off my helmet at the end of the day, I was breathless - sweating, heart pounding, completely alive. I had heard everything Wally had to say, and I wasn’t afraid of the rumble strips anymore. Driving her on the track had been a rush of adrenaline, a physical challenge, and one of the most deeply satisfying experiences I’ve ever had.
Until next time,
