News

He launched into the history books — the Canadian astronaut who took two groundbreaking treks into space.

On his last mission in 2007, he logged nearly 18 hours performing space walks — a Canadian record. For all his efforts, Dr. Dave Williams last month received NASA's Exceptional Service Award for his outstanding contribution to spaceflight programs.

Despite his accomplishments, he remains well-grounded, even when it comes to his wheels. He skips the expensive, exotic brands and goes for a practical, unpretentious ride — one that's still edgy, youthful and fun to drive — a 2008 Infiniti G37 S coupe.

"I've been part of the Nissan family since 1990. I've always driven a 300 or a 350; it just seemed logical as I was looking to trade in the 350Z. I had to get something that had two extra seats. So the G37 S was the perfect combination.

"I don't buy a vehicle for status. I buy a vehicle because, for me, it's important to have a vehicle that meets my fairly demanding requirements.

"The G37 is not the kind of car I suppose everybody would just go out and buy. To me, it's the kind of car that a dedicated performance driver would be interested in buying. It's not that it doesn't have wide appeal; it's a fantastic car.

"But it truly caters to people who are serious about their driving. I'm quite serious about my driving. I don't multi-task when I'm driving. I'm totally focused. I keep two hands on the wheel at all times. Anything can happen and you need to be ready for it," says Williams, who is director of the McMaster Centre for Medical Robotics at St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton, in addition to being a physician scientist at both McMaster University and St. Joseph's.

"I was looking for a 300-plus horsepower car that incorporates all of the modern features in terms of vehicle control, vehicle dynamics, handling capability, braking, acceleration, power and the luxury amenities.

"I never really looked at an Infiniti line before so it was exciting looking at this. It's pretty cool. You get a performance car that integrates all these high-end luxury features as well."

The G37 has an optional technology package — a must-have for Williams. "I'm used to working with leading-edge technology and I'm used to the avionics environment of a well-designed cockpit and airplane.

"To me, a car is just an extension of using technology in that environment ¡K I'm seamlessly integrated into the driving environment with the Infiniti.

"On the steering column, you got everything within reach of your thumb and forefingers so I can shift, I can control all the technology. In the aviation world, we call it the magic," says Williams, who accumulated more than 687 hours in space. He became an astronaut with the Canadian Space Agency in 1992 — selected from more than 5,300 applicants. He officially retired as an astronaut March 1, 2008.

"People often say you must drive fast, you must be a risk taker because you're an astronaut. Sure, way back, I had a Honda dirt bike and used to motocross that.

"I do enjoy driving fast, but I do it on the track not on the streets — doing it on the streets is crazy," says the native of Saskatoon, who now calls Oakville, Ont., home.

"In the space program, we don't take chances; we manage risk. If I go out and fly an airplane I do a walk-around of the airplane. If I go to the car, I actually do a walk-around and look at my tires and make sure the pressure is okay. How many people even think about their tire pressure and how it affects their ability to handle the car?

"All those things add up to creating a potential problem. If you don't manage that it just increases the risk when you're driving." Incidentally, the 54-year-old has never had an accident since he started driving at 16.

While Williams made repairs to the International Space Station, he doesn't tinker with his G37. But he pulls out the wrenches on his other car — a 1969 Triumph Spitfire he bought in 1970 for about $600.

"I get out all my tools and mess around with it. I've rebuilt the motor three times, put in oversized pistons, put in a header system— just totally revamped it, totally rewired it three times as well. If you enjoy working on cars, it's a great car to drive," says Williams, an honorary ambassador of the SmartRisk Foundation.

He should have tinkered with the VW he owned when he started working as an emergency physician at Sunnybrook Hospital.

"I was driving a Volkswagen Beetle convertible bug and it was 15 years old. The thing that was endearing about that car was reverse didn't work.

"I remember strategically parking in Sunnybrook's parking lot so I could get out in first gear and not have to use reverse. Half way through the day, a visiting resident needed a drive from Sunnybrook to Toronto General. So I said, 'I'll give you a ride.' We go out to the parking lot and somebody had parked in front of me, blocking me.

"Of course, normal people would just put it in reverse and back it out. Well, if reverse doesn't work, you can't do that. I ended up manually pushing the car out, getting it turned around, tried to start it, it wouldn't start.

"I ended up bump-starting it in first gear and the resident was quite impressed, going 'And you're an attending physician? How much money do you make?'ƒ" he laughs in retrospect.

Williams' wife, Kathy, an Air Canada pilot, drives a Nissan Pathfinder, but these days, she's eyeing something else. "She's liking the Infiniti as well. It's kind of a wrestling match: Okay, who gets the Infiniti today?"

If he could have his dream car, he'd skip the Infiniti nameplate and the exotics altogether.

"Why not get a Ferrari? Practically speaking, I'd lean more towards a BMW M5."