Fearing the worst, you do what any self-respecting bloke does. You stifle a whimper and close your eyes, hoping the impending impact won't hurt too much.
Nothing happens.
Opening one eye, I see we're around the corner - how did that happen?It happened because fortunately, the friend driving is four-time Otago Rally winner Chris West, of Timaru, in his Mitsubishi Evolution 10.
West is one of the top drivers in this year's Rally of New Zealand, and for good reason.
I reckon he has ice in his veins, unlike some of the passengers who had already been for rides in other rally cars as part of the Otago Rally preparations yesterday.
They clamber out of the tight-fitting seats and out through the roll cages in their fireproof suits and helmets, and a few expletives escape, followed by personal promises never to do it again.
I guess you can't blame them. Especially when the organisers make you sign forms waiving insurances and lawsuits, and asking for next of kin details.
That only added to my anxiety.
When my boss asked me to write a short, colourful story about my experience, I asked, ''How colourful? Do you want peas, carrots and corn colourful?''
Sitting in the idling ''rocket'' awaiting launch, I ask West if there is anything I should or shouldn't do - you know, like grab hold of anything that might get in his way if I start to panic.
His face is expressionless as he tells me (a first-time rally car passenger) to ''Just sit back, relax and enjoy the ride''.
His face remains expressionless throughout the entire two-and-a-half-minute rollercoaster ride around Laings Rd, a non-public forestry track near Whare Flat.
I can tell you, reaching speeds of more than 200kmh on a gravel road fit for mountain goats is truly terrifying at times.
I'm man enough to admit I held my breath for the first 30 seconds.
But as the jaunt progressed, I began to feel I was in safe hands, sliding around corners and watching the trees start to blur as the speed increased.
False sense of security?
I think not.
It's definitely not for the faint-hearted or lovers of Sunday drives, but I've had a smile on my dial since the ride, and I recommend the experience (preferably with a professional driver included).
You don't even need a plastic sick bag or special underwear.
There's no point in being terrified because at the end of the day, it's exactly as West says - you're strapped in and all you can really do is just sit back, relax and enjoy the ride.
