Sad but very true. I got my car genes from my dad. He raced dirt track stock cars in the late '50's. On the highways, he never could figure out what the speed limit was. I can remember many police stops for speeding while sitting in the back seat. He always opted for the biggest engines he could get, no matter whether it was the family cruiser or not. For my 35th birthday five years ago he paid for he, my brother, and me to drive 80 laps with the Richard Petty Experience in Las Vegas over two days. It was incredible, and he had as much fun as anybody, even though he was having trouble on the second day getting his 61-year-old (and out of shape) body through that window over and over again. Interestingly enough,
Motor Trend was shooting their "top speed" issue at the track that weekend, which included Ferrari, Porsche, Panoz, Aston Martin, and this little ol' blue Dodge with white stripes. We were able to get up close to all of the cars between runs and it was the first we had seen a Viper up close. All were impressed, including my dad.
A couple years later I bought my very own GTS. My dad had loved my other "fast" cars (Grand Nationals, Impala SS', Vettes, etc.), but I just KNEW he would have a ball with the Viper. When he came out to our house about six months later, I was SO excited to give him an introductory ride and then toss him the keys. He couldn't do it. He had tears in his eyes when he explained that he recently developed a medical condition that is indeed related to the inner ear and is not that uncommon. It has to do with a small growth on the inner ear bone as I recall. The results were that stronger acceleration causes intense vertigo and nausea, as well as occasional tunnel vision. He explained that he had real trouble on airplane takeoffs as well - this, for a guy who flew 100,000 miles a year for 20 years. Nonetheless, he bravely said he would take a quick ride in the GTS. We made it about two miles. I never went full throttle (I am not quite that callous), but did give it a gentle squeeze hoping that gradual acceleration would be okay. It was not. He turned darn near green and we babied it all the way home. He kept apologizing and I felt absolutely terrible. Not only for causing him any discomfort, but because my "speed idol" would never get to enjoy the one car that would have otherwise blown him away. He walked around that car every chance he got when he was here, but he never rode in it again.
It is a very real medical condition and can be diagnosed by a competent ear, nose, & throat specialist. In my father's case, it started with hearing loss and was referred to as
"Otosclerosis" . I think there may be additional complications in his ear(s) which is producing the vertigo. I know that one such thing, "alternobaric vertigo" is caused by different changes in pressure, such as diving or quick altitude changes. I believe that sudden pressure from acceleration may or may not affect that as well. Of course, I am anything but a doctor. My advise, see yours!
Chris