Sudhir “Banzai” Matai extols the pure pleasure of driving in the emptiness of the night.

Tink, tink, tink… it is the unmistakable noise of metal cooling after a ‘spirited’ drive. Tink, tink, tink… as a crisp chill collides with hot metal. A noise that is even more pronounced in the dead of night. 

Tink, tink, tink… I’ve driven through my neighbourhood at low speed so as not to wake any of the neighbours or their furry security guards, but sitting in the driveway waiting for the motorised gate to close the car reminds me once more… Tink, tink, tink.

There are few times or places left for driving enthusiasts to enjoy our favourite pastime. Road capacity can’t match the rate at which we buy new vehicles. The quality of driving seems to deteriorate with each passing generation. And there are fewer and fewer scenarios where it’s socially acceptable to enjoy the art of driving.

However, there is one place that still seems to provide the pure joy that means so much to a select few of us: the solitude of the night drive. In my more carefree (read: party-going) years I’d often be on the road long after most folks had gone to sleep. As time passed it was the drive home that I enjoyed more than the hours which preceded it.

The wee hours of the morning, between the time most people have gone to bed and the service industry heads to work are some of the most magical I have experienced behind the wheel of a road car.

Late on a weekday night, or the very early hours of a weekend, provide a road network that is nearly devoid of other road users, of any kind: cars, public transportation, commercials or lycrans on their two-wheel machines. 

And don’t get me wrong, it’s not about driving too fast without fear of retribution. It’s about having few, if any others, around you. A time when you get to simply concentrate on the matter of applying full mental capacity to the act of driving rather than being side-swiped by some buffoon texting mid-drive.

Of course, it helps if the vehicle you’re steering has a sporting or performance slant, but I’ve enjoyed many night drives in some less than sparkling cars.

Typically, I won’t muddle these ‘spiritual’ moments with an audio track aside from those coming from the engine room. If the drive requires perfect, rev-matched downshifts and a third pedal it can be even more memorable.

A handy side-effect of low-light conditions is that even moderate speeds can feel fast. This is particularly true of narrow roads without street lamps. The lack of one sensory input and inky surrounds heightens the perceived danger. 

On many occasions it was a German sporting saloon. On a few others it was low slung with just two seats. Many times it was a four-pot, naturally aspirated hot hatch. Even SUVs have played the same tune sitting in my driveway after taking the long route home for no particular reason.

Tink, tink, tink… the confession of a willing accomplice of another night drive.

Words Sudhir “Banzai” Matai Twitter | Instagram