I'm a gearhead. Not a typical modern enthusiast (though if you look back a few decades, the typical enthusiast was pretty similar to me, at least in the states) or an armchair mechanic... I take my time and study independently before I fix something, and I also know a couple of professionals who can help me through fixing what I can't figure out.
As for what I drive, nowadays it's more practical, less speed (though my first car, back in 1997, was a 1971 oldsmobile with a 400 big block, so I'm no stranger to lead sleds or 12 second quarter miles)... and I'm studying up on moving away from petroleum-powered vehicles. Currently driving a 1974 mini that I can get 55mpg out of, and mostly storing my 1968 chevy van (except for those rare occasions when I need a utility vehicle... USAA is good about letting me store it most of the time and then insure it for a week of road use). Still trying to find an acceptable electric motor/battery/flexfuel generator combination to turn the van into a diesel locomotive-style hybrid. As-is, the damn thing burns too much gas. Unloaded, it can get about 21mpg if I baby it... and that 283 is about as economy tuned as an old small block can be.
As for racing games, I enjoy the hell out of the Gran Turismo series, though I'm rarely in the top thousand for any GT5 online challenge events. I'd say I'm decent at the game.
I still miss Motor City Online.
