This Saturday I was driving my 1998 328 convertible (in "Hello, Officer" Hellrot) through Pinellas County, Florida. At a stoplight on US Highway 19 (six lanes in this spot), I was the first car in the center lane, pulling up next to an already-stopped white Fourth Generation (1999-2004) Ford Mustang Coupe with some tastefully-done aftermarket aerodynamics added.

I figured, nice show, let's see it go, and stepped on the gas when the light changed. From a dead stop I got about 1/2 car length on him before I heard the boost kick in and his tires squeal out. Yep, he was playing with me on the start - I knew it was allready over, and let up on the gas immediately.

About halfway into the intersection my radar detector pegged 9/9 for KA band. The Mustang was already leaving the intersection at what must have been 70+ when the Florida Highway Patrol Crown Vic that was in the right lane at the intersecting street jumped in with full lights and sirens. My heart skipped a beat as I considered whether he'd try and pull us both over for racing (in retrospect - fat chance) and I watched the cop follow the Mustang across the road to the center turn lane (?wtf).

I was laughing out loud as I passed by the stopped cars at the legal speed limit.

Oh, and did I mention this was in a construction zone? :devillook Granted, it was a Saturday night and there were no workers present. Florida gives a break for that - lucky him.

I knew I was "killed" the moment he turned on the blower. And apparently, so did the Patrolman...

Nice, I have had that same thing happen to me before on a couple of occasions. One time though, I wasnt so lucky. I instigated a race with another BMW and we blew past a cop and he pulled both of us over. Then when he let us go, a little ways down the road the other guy pulled up to me and flipped me off. I felt bad, but he didnt have to race. Ohh yeah, and i fought the ticket...and won.

That's wasn't a 4th gen. mustang... it was an 8th generation if it was a 99-04

So you instigated a street race, and then knew the road was being patrolled and did even make an attempt to warn him (I guess it may have been too late?), while laughing at him.. sounds a bit jacked up in my opinion. Nice job buddy.

I lived in Largo for two years and worked in Tampa, Pinellas county is the worst- they'll pull you over in pairs if you ride your bicycle too fast.

I had a guy in a big Dodge truck next to me last night at a red light, I was in the left lane and he was in the right, when I realized I need to make my right turn into a plaza just about 200 ft past the intersection. I knew this guy would not let me in front of him (he had that "look") so I revved up my engine and smiled at him, when the light turned green he smoked 'em and was gone, I just slowly pulled away into the right lane and made my turn.

Ha ha.

You could say you were just "sandbagging" at the start, and being pulled over is no excuse to stop the race....sooo in some way, i guess you could spin this story into a win for you...so thumbs up :D

neither of you noticed the cop befor the race?

whoops....i bet that mustang owner just bought a radar detector!

I lived in Largo for two years and worked in Tampa, Pinellas county is the worst- they'll pull you over in pairs if you ride your bicycle too fast.

I had a guy in a big Dodge truck next to me last night at a red light, I was in the left lane and he was in the right, when I realized I need to make my right turn into a plaza just about 200 ft past the intersection. I knew this guy would not let me in front of him (he had that "look") so I revved up my engine and smiled at him, when the light turned green he smoked 'em and was gone, I just slowly pulled away into the right lane and made my turn.

Ha ha.

AHAHAHAHA! well played sir.

My brother is a cop in Largo, so I can't say too much about Pinellas County cops. This was in Pinellas Park - on US19. They're notorious for pulling people over on that road - and it's really bad now between the holiday traffic and construction.

That's wasn't a 4th gen. mustang... it was an 8th generation if it was a 99-04

I know nothing about Mustangs - except my opinions that I'm keeping to myself (Mom always said if you can't say something nice...). I got the info from wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Mustang#1999.E2.80.932004). If you're an expert, you may want to tell them they're wrong.

So you instigated a street race, and then knew the road was being patrolled and did even make an attempt to warn him (I guess it may have been too late?), while laughing at him.. sounds a bit jacked up in my opinion. Nice job buddy..

Thanks. And back atcha buddy - welcome to the forums.

I didn't instigate anything - I took off like I always do when I'm first in line at a stoplight - a bit spirited yes, but no tire chirp or anything stupid. As for knowing the road was patrolled - like I said above, it's a bad area and anyone with a boosted car would know that too. I didn't see the cop - and the guy in the Mustang was closer to him anyway. Saying it was a bit too late to warn him is an understatement - my radar went of FIFTEEN FEET into the "race".

Just thought it was a funny story, with a bit of irony when a car that sounded like it had a jet engine under the hood got tagged within 50 feet of spinning its tires.

Thanks. And back atcha buddy - welcome to the forums.

I didn't instigate anything - I took off like I always do when I'm first in line at a stoplight - a bit spirited yes, but no tire chirp or anything stupid. As for knowing the road was patrolled - like I said above, it's a bad area and anyone with a boosted car would know that too. I didn't see the cop - and the guy in the Mustang was closer to him anyway. Saying it was a bit too late to warn him is an understatement - my radar went of FIFTEEN FEET into the "race".

Just thought it was a funny story, with a bit of irony when a car that sounded like it had a jet engine under the hood got tagged within 50 feet of spinning its tires.

Ah, I see... too bad for Mr. Mustang. Thanks for the welcome and nice "kill" :)

Yes, too bad indeed. I still chuckle when I think about it - I think it's more because my brain went from:

"oh my God it sounds like his intake is going to suck off my rear valance" to:

"oh my God it's a cop we're all dead"

in milliseconds. :rofl

It was one bad-ass mustang that's for sure, and I wouldn't have objected to getting killed by him even if the cop wasn't there. Makes me rethink the whole naturally-aspirated thing. Nah. I'd be better off putting my spare cash in a hole in my backyard. At least that hole wouldn't lead to me getting MORE tickets...

Nice. I've been in a few close calls myself. I'm not a fan of Mustangs but sounds like this would have been a nice one.

I know nothing about Mustangs - except my opinions that I'm keeping to myself (Mom always said if you can't say something nice...). I got the info from wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Mustang#1999.E2.80.932004). If you're an expert, you may want to tell them they're wrong.

I wasn't trying to be a dick, I was just pointing it out. Mustangs aren't that bad. IDK, I guess you have to kind of have to have a feel for them.

Mustangs aren't that bad. IDK, I guess you have to kind of have to have a feel for them.

I actually like the styling of the current and recent models. A friend of mine has a GT and it has some major cojones.

It's the interior/cheap plastic dash that is the suck and has kept me from ever considering buying one.

Nice, I've used the same tactic before, instigating somebody to speed off so I could my my right turn unobstructed.

That's wasn't a 4th gen. mustang... it was an 8th generation if it was a 99-04

the 98-02 fbody is a 4th gen(its GM....lol)


Pretty cool, its always interesting when you hear that whine coming up on you...lol
Andrew