Newscaster forced into autocross ride on TV

5spd cuda -- Thanks for the comments.. I'd taken a few of my drag racing friends on rides at the Monster Autocross... they were almost afraid and thought my driving was crazy.. fact is, I was under full control all the time (as most of us autocrossers know that we are under full control... most of the time!).

Mitch

Hi Mitch, I guess you know about my "perfect timing episode". Except for one cone on Sat. all my runs were clean. Not as quick as I would like, but clean until Sun. I was giving a "demo ride" to Paul Field, one of the novices who showed up in the brand spanking new yellow 6.4 SRT Challenger. I was coming down off the banking just past the entry gate when the traction control in my right foot malfunctioned. Lit the tires up and just totally looped it. All I could tell Paul was "at least you know I wasn't phoning it in, I really was trying". The only time I really lost it, I had a novice for a passanger. Perfect timing.

Enjoyed watching that!

To learn the limits of the car, a good driver will take the car to and beyond its limits, repeatedly, so you can drive right up to the maximum limit as a constant... another term is called "threashold driving". Its OK to lose it and spin... that's how the limit is eventually found.

I think that's one of the best things about autocross. You can push to the limits and if you happen to cross over usually the only real damage is to your dignity.

Other "driving limits" include:

1. If the corner workers run away with fear when you approach the corner.

2. You only turn the wheel with anticipation that the car will turn while you already realize you're not going to make the turn.

3. You finally take a stretch of the course at 6000 rpm in 3rd gear when you were previously taking that same stretch of the course at 6000 rpm in 2nd gear.

4. The rescue team prepares to go after you but instead you fool everyone and keep on going.

5. After you've just made an amazing run on the course, you're shaking, phsically, but you're trying to remain and act cool to other's who are applauding your run.

6. The timing/scoring team presume there must have been a malfunction with the equipment becuase the time was, simply, too fast to believe!

And the list can go and on and on. Actually, there's a great listing previously published in Car and Driver and/or Road and Track magazines from many years ago... called ~~ "Are you driving the limit?"

Look at the guy. He looks pretty seasoned to be thrown around as a passenger. I doubt that many guys his age are into this sort of thing. It is encouraging when I see someone over 50 that still likes to race, whether it is Road course or drag racing. It gives me hope for my future.

Once we're "over the hill.." we'll go FASTER!

I want to make clear that I meant no disrespect to the elder members here or elsewhere. When I meet an older guy with similar interests, I really enjoy spending time with them.

I didn't see it as an insult, so no problem.

50! Only 50? I'ld be happy if I could still remember 50. I am too old and senile to even remember 50.

What did he say? (Christmas vacation)

Damn youngins......

GET OFF MY LAWN!!!!!!

How's that again... "if you don't like how I drive, then get off the sidewalk!'?