Remembering The Sunday Drive
The Urge To Get Out

I challenge you to name a more human trait than to want what we can’t have. We’ve all been guilty of desiring the unobtainable at some point in time, and right now amidst a country-wide lockdown, I’ve been battling my DNA which is hellbent on steering me towards getting out for a long drive.

Sadly, regardless of what corner of the globe you call home, there’s a strong chance that you’re faced with a very similar dilemma. While I’m not sure how liberal or strict your local authorities’ approach to tackling the spread of COVID-19 are, here in Australia, driving outside of directly to or from an essential service can land you with a hefty fine.

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During the handful of occasions I’ve had a legitimate reason to fire up Project Nine for some essential driving, the sheer number of Highway Patrol officers has been overwhelming, especially during Australia’s first holiday season in isolation for generations.

It’s so easy to join the social media #stayathome choir, but just three weeks of living in Groundhog Day with small children and no escape is a routine that’s bound to make the best of us grow weary. If you’re in a similar situation and you’re managing to get by, I tip my hat to you.

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The very fabric of our universe seems to be unraveling with great pace, and selfishly, all I can think about is approaching the rev limiter in my Evolution IX as I rip across the horizon somewhere far away from home.

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Or even better, tackling a scenic mountain road with an entire entourage of petrol-addicted friends.

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Remember the good old Sunday drive? Oh man, it feels like a distant memory from an entire lifetime ago.

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Strange isn’t it? I mean, just a few weeks ago most of us were living life as usual, as we’ve done so for our entire lives. But now in this brave new world, we’re told it’s fine for your kids to be at school, but not at the local park. That it’s OK to line up with complete strangers for a fresh cappuccino, but not to share a coffee with friends at home. That’s how it is for us here in New South Wales anyway.

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If that’s not enough to come to grips with, I bet you’re still struggling with the concept that before March 2020, nobody you knew was capable of washing their hands or ever used toilet paper. Weird times, right?

The Need To Stay In

Now, if I sound like I’m pushing back against the whole movement, or trying to downplay the situation, I’m not. I’m simply airing some frustrations that I bet a lot of you may share. It’s not always easy to share unpopular opinions or thoughts. Especially online.

That said, I completely agree with the whole concept of social distancing, flattening the curve and the entire encyclopedia of COVID-19 news speak. I get it. It’s important. Not just for me, but all of us.

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Not only that, but I also made a conscious decision to be socially responsible and remove my family from the grid, and the hopefully statistics, a few weeks ago. Way back before any local social network mantra was formed, back when staying away out of ‘fear’ had similar social ramifications to wearing a tinfoil hat outside.

So what’s changed since then? Why the hell am I so fixated on driving when there are so many larger issues to deal with daily? Is it the need for a temporary escape? Perhaps it’s the frustration of trying to live within some many double-standard laws? Is it common sense knocking and pointing out that driving solo should be the safest environment on the planet?

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Of course, it’s only safe if nothing goes wrong. Imagine how quickly the situation changes if you breakdown, or as a worst-case scenario, have an accident. Yeah, I’m pretty sure the emergency workers called out could have spent their time more productively somewhere else given the current circumstances.

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Honestly, my recent craving for a spirited drive could be based on all of these reasons excuses, or maybe none of them. Really, it’s irrelevant. It’s an urge that’ll have to wait a wee bit longer. The important thing is to stay the course, be socially responsible, and to keep an eye on the bigger issues affecting the broader community.

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At the end of all of this, whenever that may come, old habits will feel brand new, passions will be renewed, and every one of us will no doubt have a deeper appreciation of what we as a community have.

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Not to mention, there’s bound to be some wild events and amazing opportunities to get reacquainted with your ride, the good roads, and the amazing people that make up our scene.

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While I’d love to throw down and urge everybody to stay sane by taking your car for a blast, I think it’s important for all of us to sit tight, stay home and maybe use the extra time at home to hone your driving skills from the comfort of your lounge inside your favorite driving games.

It really is time to stay in and drive.

Matthew Everingham
Instagram: matthew_everingham
matt@mattheweveringham.com

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29 comments

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1
Seb Agent-Orange Betts

Get an essential services job, gives you a chance to go for blast :p

Author2
Matthew Everingham

Car photography is essential, right?

3

What type of Skyline is that beige one? So diferent looks from GT-R.

4

That's what the fake GT-Rs looked like before they were hacked up by the IG kiddies.

5

11 years in grocery. I bet my opinions are more unpopular than yours. Fortunately the 'essential driving' thing isn't enforced where I live, so I can still enjoy a drive. Working grocery during this, I need it.

6

What an amazing article. Thank for airing frustrations as I share them all the way in the US. Even though restrictions aren't quite as tight.

7

So many nice cars here

8

One of the best articles yet, here on SH. It captures the state of things perfectly, but leaves room for hope. Amazing photos, too, warm and melancholic, probably like most of us are feeling right now.

Author9
Matthew Everingham

Thank you. Stay safe.

10

In Perth we are a lot luckier than the eastern side of the country. Beaches are still open, families still go to the local parks (though playgrounds and gym equipment is taped off) and the weather is still great. We can also still drive but are unable to leave the Perth/Mandurah metro area unless it is for work or we are part of an "essential service".

For those that aren't so lucky it may be a good time to work on something you have been meaning to do on your car but haven't had the chance. For those who have lost work and are waiting on government assistance there are still small jobs you can still do on your car that don't cost money or very little. Just think of staying home as forced savings and do something with your car to help lift your spirits :)

11

Strange to think how simple life was, just a year ago. Do what you want, go where you want, see who you want; seems simple enough. Maybe we've had it too good for too long. This time next year, hopefully, we will look back at today and think how crazy things were, how uncertain. The "return to normal" will take some time, and maybe it will never be what it was, but what has allowed us to survive this long is our ability to adapt to change. Let's look to the future like the horizon thru our windshields, uncertain but hopeful.

Author12
Matthew Everingham

Uncertain times ahead for sure. Hopefully, there are some brighter days coming soon.

13

I love you

Author14
Matthew Everingham

ooooft!

15

I can’t wait to go for a blast either mate! Stuck inside with the wife and kids for three weeks we’re all going a bit nuts but that’s what we’ve all got to do in New Zealand so it’s algud.
Man you have some awesome cars and pictures in this article!

Author16
Matthew Everingham

It's been a long few weeks. Stay safe and stay sane! :p

17

So you would actually get pulled over if you went for a cruise by yourself? Difficult to think of anything more socially isolating than that... Do what you want and just be responsible, the roads are empty right now, enjoy it.

Author18
Matthew Everingham

I know two people who've been pulled over and questioned while going about their day over the last week.
My family go through a LOT of bread and milk. Both essential items, and I only feel safe visiting a quiet service station that's on the other end of a twisty b-road not too far from home.

19

Awesome pics. My favourite, the maroon R32 next to the R33.

20

Awesome pics. My favourite, the maroon R32 next to the R33.

21

Don't get me wrong i love them, but can we please see something that isn't a GTR or a Porsche <3

Author22
Matthew Everingham

Hey man, there's a Ferrari, a Maclaren and even a pug nosed Renault in the mix. :p

23

Thanks for the fresh pics Matt,

24

As a fellow Australian and car obsessed petrolhead I share your frustration. I have an essential services job but I work from home now mostly. I've also noticed that used car prices for certain brands have now plummeted so maybe there is a silver lining to all this waiting? haha

Author25
Matthew Everingham

Time to buy that GT-R!

26

Over here in the states we did a drive around a loop of interstate in Charlotte, NC. Heres the FB post for the first one. The idea ot to get out every Friday 9 am to 11 am and just cruise the loop (about an hour drive) until this is over. Since we can't do any car meets or show.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=2852546421506911&set=a.291846547576924&type=3

Sounds like they really clamp down hard on you all in Austrialia. Stay healthy.

27

Nice to see some older Japanese cars in Aus that aren't rolling on HUGE Simmons wheels

28

Great read. Can very much relate as here in Melbourne my Pals who I drive with and I are going somewhat stir crazy. And you're right - the world does have bigger problems than us being able to drive our cars right now but there are days where it's difficult to reconcile the fact that there are mental health benefits of going for a blast in the hills - isolated, on your own - with the fact that it's not allowed.
I for one, am lucky. Living on the suburban fringe, I have a short twisty road that I can credibly take en route to grab essentials. So weekends, I've been getting a LOT of essentials.

Author29
Matthew Everingham

That's my trick, too. I live on the outskirts and there are a few fun roads between here and one of the shops I stock up on essential supplies at. I usually try to take a few different turns each time I head out which helps it from getting stale.

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