Seven Race Vehicle

There have been many great vans in American history, the Mystery Machine for one, Van Halen for another. And so, after more than a decade knocking around in our stretch V8 Ford cargo beast, the rear-most seats mostly serving as twin love seats in the Seven kitchen, we swallowed hard and replaced it with a brand new minivan.

The times have changed. We are older, if not necessarily wiser. Is the new van more comfortable than the old one? Yes. Is it faster? Definitely. Are mini-vans cool now? Probably not, but when you have your minivan racing-striped and logo'd like a pro tour team car, you feel the rush of wind in your face and smell the fine waft of embrocation streaming off the back of the peloton, and you say to yourself, "This! This is where I belong."

You put a box of donuts on the seat next to you and wonder if your giant coffee will fit in the cupholder. Then you pull into the parking lot at the race and know you've arrived.