The Dodge Viper is a visceral thrill machine

But among the sea of Huracans, 458s and 720Ss, there were a couple of somewhat rarer beasts. Beasts such as this second-generation Dodge Viper GTS. Resplendent in that instantly recognisable blue with white stripes livery, this was one of the most eye-catching of all of the incredible cars lined up on the Grid.

Built in 1998 and powered by a remarkable 8.0-litre V10 producing 456PS (336kW), this Viper is an unadulterated thrill machine. Now, you may look at that power figure and wonder what all the fuss is about. A V10 Huracan produces anywhere from 580PS (427kW) to 640PS (471kW), so surely this 20-year-old car is an underwhelming fossil? Not a bit of it.

Indeed, that power figure in today’s world of seriously inflated performance metrics is largely insignificant. The number that really tells the story of the Viper GTS, however, is the quite alarming 664Nm (490lb ft) of torque that’s on tap from 3,700rpm and fed straight through the rear wheels. It makes for one of the most startling sensations of acceleration you will ever feel from behind the wheel of a car.

It's not so much the out-and-out speed, although that too is pretty remarkable – 0-62mph takes just 4.7 seconds – but the sense that this car might well attempt to send you into the nearest ditch if you dare concentrate at anything less than 100 per cent. It’s raw, visceral, and at times downright terrifying. But there is virtually nothing else you can buy that can replicate that sensation.

Even just seeing one of these parked serenely on the Grid during Supercar Sunday sparked the enthusiasm of a young child within me. It’s almost like spotting a mythical creature, you just don’t see many of these around, certainly not on UK roads. So it was a real treat to spend some time getting up close and personal and even talking with the proud owner of this particular car.

We spoke with Mark Lorimer about what it’s like to own a car like this: “It’s very quirky. They’re not as straightforward as a Lamborghini or an Audi or a BMW, there’s always a little bit of fettling to be done.

“It’s like a wolf in sheep’s clothing. You can just cruise along, but when you put the hammer down it sounds like it’s come from hell.”

Hearing the sound of that V10 roaring has surely got to be one of those bucket list experiences many car enthusiasts would love to tick off. It’s one thing listening to this thing being fired up on a Sunday morning in the middle of May, but to sit behind the wheel and have all ten of those cylinders under the control of your right foot must be quite something.

“It’s individual and it’s nice to drive something a bit different in this day and age. People stop me and ask about it, which is really nice, families with children that want to get in the car for a photograph or two.”

We’re not surprised, it’s the kind of car you can’t help but whip your phone out and snap. The kind of car we simply love to see here at Goodwood.