Kevlar
09-25-2003, 12:16 AM
Reader's Digest Version... The original was way to freakin' long and was lost once when the computer decided to freeze :mad:
Driving past the Mercedes Benz dealership today... I see a silver C class moving through traffic after pulling out of the dealership. So I move in to investigate. Turns out, it's a Silver C32 (do they sell anything other than silver?) with two gentlement in the car... one looks to be a salesman, and a passenger... not sure. There is a plate in the rear window not in it's regular place.
After investigating, I'm following them hoping they are on a test drive. Lets see if we can follow these guys around a bit. We get to a nice stretch of open road, and the C32 jets off... but I'm right behind it. I'm not loosing any ground, but I'm not making up any either. Not sure if it's because of him getting the jump or if he's just matched for power.
After 3 brisk acceleration runs, I'm right there... he knows I'm there. The passenger is looking over at my car constantly as I'm now at their rear bumper on the passenger side. I've matched their pace and the driver goes for it one more time... but this time I'm ready...
Starting from the rear bumper, I manage to pull my way to the front door before shutting it down. SWEET :buttrock
But now, this is what I'm hoping for... they put their blinker on and make for the common test driving location.
Location... two lane road with plenty of forgiving corners with the occasional tight one here or there. Mind you, I've done this road a billion and one times. I could probably drive it in reverse with my eyes closed and two feet tied behind my back, but then we rocket past the common place they switch drivers. So I'm guessing it's not a test drive, but possibly a salesman giving a ride to a friend or two salesmen. Not sure which, but the C32 isn't slowing.
I'm sticking to them like glue... not close, enough room to make my presence known, but enough room for them to make a mistake as the first corner is coming. First corner, C32 goes powering into the corner, I'm still a little ways back... but preparing for the corner. C32 hits the corner hard, it dives down and turns in... pretty nice and I see the tail start to swing wide.
Oh... intentions are known and now, I'm going to make every attempt to make sure those intentions are futile. I grab 2nd gear and hit the corner and pour the power on coming out of the corner. Ha... C32 is losing ground to me and I'm coming up behind them forcing me to lift...
Ok... so many the C32 lost power exiting the corner because of his tail wagging antics... while cool, probably slowed him down, but he showed his hand, I knew he was going to be pushing it the rest of the way.
Second corner... C32 goes diving in late, waiting to the last second to hit the brakes. Confident... I'm right there with them. I over brake which works in my favor as I'm back on the gas earlier through the corner. I hear the C32 with the throttle on, but my corner speed is faster... and I'm reeeling the C32 in. :redspot:
A few more corners like this proves the C32 can't making my entry/exit speed and each corner I'd pull him in forcing me to lift. He can't get away from me until I'm forced to lift, then he pulls away.
Upcoming... favorite corner. It's a tight right hander into a fast sweeper that rewards those that brake late. I ease off the back of the C32 giving him plenty of room as I do not know how well this guy is going to take this corner. I see him swing wide to make the widest arc around the corner. Tisk tisk. I'm on power and brake at the last minute which pivots the car just enough so I'm back on the power quickly.
Our exits speeds were so different on this corner, I was pulling in the C32 like a dead fish on my fishing line. I had to lift quickly to avoid making this guy feel like a Burger King drive thru. I stay on his tail tho as the C32 is known for mid to upper range power/torque which should work to his advantage through this sweeper.
Sorry... no sale. Apparently, the C32 or the driver was lacking. While still moving quickly, I was right there. If I had room to pass, I could've.
Finishing the sweeper, there wasn't much after that except a few more repeats of the above, but C32 while fast straight, couldn't put it through the corners. I won't blame the car totally tho as it might have been the driver as well.
Still a super fun run tho.
Driving past the Mercedes Benz dealership today... I see a silver C class moving through traffic after pulling out of the dealership. So I move in to investigate. Turns out, it's a Silver C32 (do they sell anything other than silver?) with two gentlement in the car... one looks to be a salesman, and a passenger... not sure. There is a plate in the rear window not in it's regular place.
After investigating, I'm following them hoping they are on a test drive. Lets see if we can follow these guys around a bit. We get to a nice stretch of open road, and the C32 jets off... but I'm right behind it. I'm not loosing any ground, but I'm not making up any either. Not sure if it's because of him getting the jump or if he's just matched for power.
After 3 brisk acceleration runs, I'm right there... he knows I'm there. The passenger is looking over at my car constantly as I'm now at their rear bumper on the passenger side. I've matched their pace and the driver goes for it one more time... but this time I'm ready...
Starting from the rear bumper, I manage to pull my way to the front door before shutting it down. SWEET :buttrock
But now, this is what I'm hoping for... they put their blinker on and make for the common test driving location.
Location... two lane road with plenty of forgiving corners with the occasional tight one here or there. Mind you, I've done this road a billion and one times. I could probably drive it in reverse with my eyes closed and two feet tied behind my back, but then we rocket past the common place they switch drivers. So I'm guessing it's not a test drive, but possibly a salesman giving a ride to a friend or two salesmen. Not sure which, but the C32 isn't slowing.
I'm sticking to them like glue... not close, enough room to make my presence known, but enough room for them to make a mistake as the first corner is coming. First corner, C32 goes powering into the corner, I'm still a little ways back... but preparing for the corner. C32 hits the corner hard, it dives down and turns in... pretty nice and I see the tail start to swing wide.
Oh... intentions are known and now, I'm going to make every attempt to make sure those intentions are futile. I grab 2nd gear and hit the corner and pour the power on coming out of the corner. Ha... C32 is losing ground to me and I'm coming up behind them forcing me to lift...
Ok... so many the C32 lost power exiting the corner because of his tail wagging antics... while cool, probably slowed him down, but he showed his hand, I knew he was going to be pushing it the rest of the way.
Second corner... C32 goes diving in late, waiting to the last second to hit the brakes. Confident... I'm right there with them. I over brake which works in my favor as I'm back on the gas earlier through the corner. I hear the C32 with the throttle on, but my corner speed is faster... and I'm reeeling the C32 in. :redspot:
A few more corners like this proves the C32 can't making my entry/exit speed and each corner I'd pull him in forcing me to lift. He can't get away from me until I'm forced to lift, then he pulls away.
Upcoming... favorite corner. It's a tight right hander into a fast sweeper that rewards those that brake late. I ease off the back of the C32 giving him plenty of room as I do not know how well this guy is going to take this corner. I see him swing wide to make the widest arc around the corner. Tisk tisk. I'm on power and brake at the last minute which pivots the car just enough so I'm back on the power quickly.
Our exits speeds were so different on this corner, I was pulling in the C32 like a dead fish on my fishing line. I had to lift quickly to avoid making this guy feel like a Burger King drive thru. I stay on his tail tho as the C32 is known for mid to upper range power/torque which should work to his advantage through this sweeper.
Sorry... no sale. Apparently, the C32 or the driver was lacking. While still moving quickly, I was right there. If I had room to pass, I could've.
Finishing the sweeper, there wasn't much after that except a few more repeats of the above, but C32 while fast straight, couldn't put it through the corners. I won't blame the car totally tho as it might have been the driver as well.
Still a super fun run tho.