[Wichita-SCCA] Signs you may be an offensive driver

[Greg Laws]

Hi all,

I've just now rolled in from a week of vacation, part of which involved taking the 944T down to Eureka Springs and Branson.  The car performed like a trooper with no problems whatsoever.  It was solid and secure the entire trip and used zero oil.  It was a blast to drive, especially in the tight stuff or when passing uphill.  <grin>

I read Brian's list and instantly recognized myself as a potential offensive driver.  This being the case, and because the Phrog is broken and won't be repaired before Topeka, I signed up for the Hallett PDX.  It will be Saturday only for me but I should be able to unwind the 944 Turbo enough to get a feel for what it was made to do.  I think that Chuck McCoy might come out (probably just to embarrass me with his 944na but it will be great to see him anyway! ).      :-)

By the way, if you ever get a chance then you've GOT to run Highway 90 in Missouri between Jane & Washburn.  It was 24 miles of constant turns and short straights, most of it 2nd & 3rd gear work for the 944T.  Fuel economy dropped from 26+ down to 19 for that bit but somehow I didn't really care!

Greg Laws  


  
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Brian Meyer" <brian at fiberdynamics.net>
To: "Wichita Region SCCA." <wichita-scca at wichitascca.org>
Sent: Tuesday, July 25, 2006 9:04 AM
Subject: [Wichita-SCCA] Signs you may be an offensive driver


> In an effort to promote a civil society we've come up with the following
> list to help drivers identify characteristics they may be unaware and
> most people would consider "offensive".  Since we don't live in New York
> or LA, people here are generally too polite to inform their fellow
> drivers that they're driving in an offensive way.  Unlike football, a
> strong offensive driving style does not necessarily make a reasonable
> substitute for a poor defensive one.
> 
> 1. You regularly and habitually pass people... on the right... on
> two-lane roads... and/or in the middle of on-ramps.
> 1a. Passing on the right in merge lanes is ok - if you can make it.
> 2. You consider speed limits to be set for really old people, driving at
> night, in the rain, in 5000 lb. cars on bald tires with poor brakes.
> 3. Considering 2., you figure the safe speed limits in good conditions
> with a car that has good brakes and tires and an alert driver should be
> around twice the posted number.  This of course includes those yellow
> recommended speed signs for turns and off-ramps.
> 4. You've done the math to prove out item #3.
> 5. You can financially rationalize getting the best radar/laser detector
> made, and you have a traffic attorney on speed dial.
> 6. You think that getting 10K miles out of a set of tires is pretty
> good, especially if they're the driven ones.
> 7. In traffic, you look at SUV's and "see" a series of big slalom cones.
> 8. You've actually raced a motorcycle because you thought you could win.
> 8a. If you actually did win, you're one of the rarest drivers in the
> world and therefore exempt from all of this (we're not worthy).
> 9. You know the make and model of all current state trooper cars... for
> all of your neighboring states... and can spot one before your radar
> detector goes off... even if they're unmarked.
> 10.  You secretly can't wait for when they invent flying cars and the
> highways are traffic free so you can enjoy them like they were designed
> to be driven.
> 
> If any or all of the above apply to you then you should be aware that
> most of society considers you an "offensive driver" and that you are
> probably offending people with your aggressive driving style.  It this
> bothers you, perhaps you should consider getting help.  Attend a SCCA
> Performance Driving Experience (PDX) event where you get to drive as
> fast as you want an there are no pesky troopers there to slow down for.
> Best of all you can set your conscience at ease knowing you won't offend
> anyone.  In fact the greatest comfort of all is knowing that most of the
> other people there are just like you so you're not alone.
> 
> Next PDX event is August 5-6 at Hallett.
> 
> Brian Meyer
> ...driver therapist
> 
> 
> _______________________________________________
> Wichita-SCCA mailing list
> Wichita-SCCA at wichitascca.org
> http://wichitascca.org/mailman/listinfo/wichita-scca_wichitascca.org
>
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