The Mentor, The Mentee And The M2: A Dream That Came True

Who doesn’t love sports cars? We paste posters of them on our bedroom walls, watch tons of videos, and imagine ourselves behind the wheel launching off the start line or sliding around corners. Growing up, this dream seemed far, far away. That is until I became an auto journalist and then the chance to meet my heroes became a genuine possibility. But starting fresh, I’m still on the very first rungs on a very tall ladder, having joined less than a year ago. The opportunity to realise that fantasy arrived when I was called to help out with the BMW M2 shoot. Would I get a chance to sit in the car, maybe sit in the driver’s seat? Maybe they would ask me to help park it during the shoot? Even that would make my day. 

The First Look

Early in the morning, I headed to Tamhini Ghat. It was dark, and I lacked sleep, but excitement was coursing through my body. I just could not wait. After reaching the shoot spot, I locked my eyes on the road in anticipation. And there it was, the BMW M2,  in a bright red hue.

It was close to 6AM, and rays of sunlight started penetrating their way from the mountains and lit the spot where we were standing. The car's beauty became even better. I could not believe it, the BMW M2 was right in front of me. I went up close, starting to admire the effort and time that must have gone into designing the M2. I rested my hand on the bonnet gently, feeling the car for the first time. It was exhilarating! 

A Student - A Teacher

After spending nearly half an hour looking at the car and taking pictures, we started the dynamic part of the shoot. I sat in the passenger seat of the M2, with my senior Alan D’Cruz behind the steering wheel. Yes, it was finally happening! Just the sound of the engine rumbling to life gave me goosebumps. He put his foot down on the pedal. The moment of inertia immediately pulled me back, and I could feel the force being exerted. I had never felt like this before. This was new, exciting, but also a little scary. 

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Throughout the shoot, I was in the passenger seat while Alan was telling me about the car, and it's not like I didn't know anything, I came prepared, but there is a difference between bookish knowledge and hands-on experience. The specifications, numbers, and the stats you see on the websites replaced with ‘steering feedback’, ‘brake feel’ and ‘corner grip’: concepts I knew about but was now finally learning what they meant. 

Throughout the day, we were going through the sharp left and right turns of the western ghats, and while I was constantly on my toes, Alan was calm as a sunny day. That's when I realised that I have so much left to learn. Feeling the g-forces, and watching out of the corner of my eye Alan’s quick steering inputs and the way he was playing with the throttle left me wondering if I would be able to do as good a job if I were in the driver's seat.  

Fear and Excitement

Afraid. That's the word I’ll use to describe this moment. The shoot was over by noon, and we decided to head back to the office. While we were heading towards the car, something happened that changed my day completely: the M2 keys ended up in my hands!

Alan, after a long, tiring shoot, nonchalantly handed me the keys to the M2, sat in the passenger seat, and asked me to drive. Me? Drive the M2? Surely he was joking, messing with the new guy? Was I somehow dreaming? Perhaps if I pinch myself, I’ll know. Ouch, nope still awake, still standing with the M2 keys in my hands and Alan is still sitting in the passenger seat. 

There I was, gripping the steering of the M2 tightly with both my hands, nervous, and afraid. What if I screw up? Is this a chance for me to prove myself? What if I do something wrong? Thoughts like these started to puncture their way into my head. But I had to do it, I had to drive, I had to live this moment, this is something I’ve been wanting since I was a kid. So even with all the fear rushing in my system, I decided to push through.

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As soon as I started the car, I could feel that it was different from any other car I have driven. I gently started to press the accelerator, and the moment the car started moving, my fear started to grow. Fearing that I’d make a mistake, or do something wrong, I slowed down the car. Can you believe I was driving the BMW M2 at 30kmph? People on bikes passing us by. I didn’t want my experience to be like that, I wanted to do more, go faster. I didn’t want to let my fear get the best of me.

So in an effort to make this a good experience, I started to speed up. I was still very afraid, and driving it through the narrow ghat roads, full of sudden turns, made me even more afraid. I could not push the car to its limits and soon realised that the M2 is not under my control.

I drove it for about 40 kilometres, and throughout the drive, Alan was telling me more about the car and tried to help me get control of this beast. After around 10 kilometres, my fear started to vanish, and excitement started to rush through my veins. I started to enjoy those sharp turns and tried to go faster. My body wanted to connect with the car and become one. The rush I was feeling was something that can’t be described, it can only be felt. I tried to push the car further, and while the car was ready to be pushed, I wasn’t. I tried my best, but I still could not control the car and pulled back.

An Unforgettable Experience

I went to the shoot only expecting to look at the car and sit inside while my senior was driving, but I got something more. I got my first experience with a sports car. I drove the BMW M2 almost a month ago, and I still cannot forget a single detail. I have driven many cars over the years, but this was not like any other car. It was a completely different experience. It is a memory that I will cherish forever.

But is there anything I regret? Yes. I regret not going faster. I regret letting my fear take over. I regret not pushing the car to its limits, and I regret not being able to control it. While driving the car, I could feel it wanted more. It wanted me to go faster. It wanted me to do what it was built for. Maybe I'll get another chance. I still have a lot to learn, but one thing is certain: the next time I get an opportunity with the BMW M2, I will not come back with any regrets.