The Cerbera Speed Six is the girls' version right? Real men drive V8's. Tell that to Martin Short...

(Having signed the numerous disclaimers) I limbered up and clambered my way unceremoniously past the roll cage and into the Speed 6 GTO. Shorty's lithe frame was firmly ensconced in his narrow driving seat, whilst I loaded myself on the raised floor where the passenger seat would normally be, trying not to tread on the various fuse boxes and paraphernalia that are bolted into the footwell.

Grasping firmly onto the roll cage above my head, I prepared myself for what was bound to be a very quick lap of Duxford. With engine fired up, Martin slotted the gearstick into first and we jarred off down the perimeter road. There's nothing smooth or comforting about the GTO - it's brutal! Holding on with whitened knuckles we roared up the outside of the queuing road cars and the solid suspension jolted us firmly as we rounded the corner to the runway.

Onto the brakes prior to the dip in the road and a hint of just how much stopping power was there. Around the bend, straighten the wheels and the straight six howled into life. V8's may resonate with our souls somehow, but this tuned six sounds glorious. The revs rose and rose and we were soon heading for take-off speed. As my grin broadened, the road cars fell into our wake and had the runway been longer I'm sure we could have taken off.

With the end in sight, it was obvious that Shorty was about to fully demonstrate the monster brakes. Holding on for dear life I was subjected to immense forces as the speed was scrubbed off so much faster than it had been gained. The braking capability was even more impressive than the acceleration.

Back to base and 'Out you hop' quips Martin, knowing I've got another arms and legs extraction feat to perform, much to everyone's amusement.

Mmm... straight sixes... ok, I'm converted!