IT is easier to walk to the North Pole in flip-flops than it is to drive from Birmingham to Great Yarmouth.
The route brings unsuspecting drivers into contact with a road - I'm using the term in its loosest sense - that would test the patience of a saint. The A11 is its name and motoring pain is its game.
The Pope is unlikely to be looking in my direction for sainthood after a journey - for what thankfully turned out to be a wonderful weekend - that was only made survivable by the fun and frolic of the Vauxhall Vectra SRi.
This 2.2-litre beast was fast out of the traps and hungry for more when the pedal hit the metal. With the aforementioned devil's own road looking like a gang of hyperactive moles had decided to lay waste to anything resembling a piece of tarmac, the Vectra's handling and ride were superb.
The car is Vauxhall's answer to critics who had identified a gap where the motor giant's sports models should be.
The new SRi range - which also features the 1.8-litre and 2.2-litre diesel - answers the doubters emphatically.
Vauxhall engineers have attempted to develop the perfect balance in the final chassis settings for the SRi with the aim of boosting driver appeal. The whole SRi range not only handles exceptionally well, but has a youthful, sporting image that is designed to attract the attention of young executives.
Judging by the looks the car drew around town - and while stuck in roadworks - all the effort has been worthwhile. The image and high standards are carried on inside too, with sports seats and leather steering wheel.
I did like the look of this car. It features deep front and rear bumpers with a unique honeycomb grill above and below the number plate. Colour-keyed contour sills run down the side from front to rear wheel arch and a subtle rear lip spoiler is featured on the tail-gate. The rear also features a visible, oval chrome exhaust.
Darkened headlights and tail-lights take the smooth operator look a stage further while the 17-inch six-spoke alloy wheels fitted with ultra low profile tyres are as sexy as Atomic Kitten.
Highlighting just how competitive this sector of the market is, the SRi range is being introduced at £16,545 on the road for the 1.8-litre model. The 2.2 version costs £17,045 - a lot of car for the money.
Inside there is chrome on the fascia and doors, chrome rings on the dials and gear shift housing, leather covered sports steering wheel and eight-way adjustable sports seats. Comprehensive standard fittings include airbags, air conditioning, cruise control, electric front windows, electric heated mirrors, CD player, trip computer and front fog lamps
Quiet and sedate under normal motoring conditions, the Vectra I drove turned in a pleasing performance at the business end. It felt quicker off the mark than the advertised 0-60mph figure of 9.2 seconds and handled a family of four plus luggage comfortably.
Now all the Vectra and its long suffering driver needs are some decent roads to travel on.
FAST FACTS
Vauxhall Vectra 2.2 SRi
Price: £17,045
Mechanical: 145bhp, 2,198cc 4cyl petrol engine driving front wheels via 5spd gearbox.
Max Speed: 134mph
0-62mph: 9.2secs
Combined mpg: 32.8
Insurance Group: 8
CO2 emissions: 206g/km
BiK rating: 23%
Warranty: 3yrs/ 60,000 miles; 10yrs antirust.