View Full Version : Spring Training


count_schemula
03-19-2003, 01:40 PM
I'm rolling 85 North. Morning traffic. The roads are not wet, but they are not dry either.

As _ALWAYS_ minding my own business, fussing with the iPod. I'm disgusted with myself because rather that fight the good fight, I'm passing on some inside lanes. Lane rangers and paint vans are in the far left lane and I'm in no mood to ride people's ass for the betterment of society.

la-la-la, got Deerhoof playing... wait... is that Ron17? A black E36 M3 with tinted windows and a "BIMMA" plate. I pass and keep going. Not blowing anyone off the road but a few over the limit. Interest piqued, my lil' S52 powered friend picks it up a little and while he's still behind me we are now a good 10-15 over the limit. What does this mean? I get on my cell phone and call my Tarot card reader, Miss Speedo. She say's it's on. I can't argue with that.

The traffic clears near Spaghetti Junction. We are past most of the places I've ever seen speed traps. I'm inside but my M3 friend is outside in the lane next to the outside lane. That must be my spot! I ease over. He's better dressed than I am and he has a tight hair style. I already kinda waved and did a thumb wiggle earlier, so enough with the niceties.

I assume my spot on the outside and slip it into fourth. We synch up and I assume we are both about high 3k in fourth. I assume we have fairly similar gearing. I'm not the best technical street racer, so I'm trying to figure out what to do, honk the horn? wait for him to hit it? Then I recall some threads I had read. Don't jump it, but make it clear that it's on.

I make it clear. He's on it as well and the speed mounts. Pretty cool, both engines are making that sound and I check my side mirror while watching my tach and scouting for traffic. I can see his side mirror in mine, but that's prolly as much the "start" as anything.

We wind out fourth and I hit fifth at exactly 6000rpm. I let it engage and the speedo is starting to move with purpose towards 120mph. I let up because it is obvious we are racing and that's just an extra layer of tickets nobody needs. If I had it to do over, I'd run to 130mph, but hey...

By the end I think his nose was at my tail. I did not blow him away by any means and I have no idea if he has any mods. He did have a "BIMMA" plate and knew how to street race, so I'm thinking intake and maybe a chip are possible, but I have no idea. Maybe I'm just trying to make myself feel better by thinking this!

He eases toward a different freeway and gives me the hazards, I give him a 2x flash of the high beams and everyone lives happily every after.

----

A lunch errand this time is the culprit. I see a hopped up Mustang approaching. I get my butt into plain view, to see if that gives him any ideas. Seems to. He advances. Excellent. Typical of a 'Stang I can hear exhaust. Car looks tight. Could have been a Cobra from a couple of years ago, not sure. Anyway he did approach with the aire of "I'm faster than your BMW Civic" and here's my exhaust note.

Traffic is a little heavy but the outer lanes are opening up. I get behind him and slip it into fourth. I'm in a real nice spot, if he hits it, I will be so on him. He does not exactly hit it. I'm at 4000rpm though! I can't waste that! I hit it and move to the inside and run fourth to 6000rpm and execute a 5th. He hit it where he was, but even after I moved inside and re-emerged I was ahead. I don't think he expected that, and like a good Iraqi soldier, his will to fight seemed sapped. This was much less of a race than an excuse for wind fourth out AGAIN!

Anyhow, April 5th should be fun! :devillook

The regular season starts!

SilverStreak
03-19-2003, 01:45 PM
Nice, Count! :buttrock

Ron17
03-19-2003, 02:33 PM
Atta boy!! Nice runs!!

That was not, however, me that you ran this morning. You did describe my car, except for the plate. I just have a standard GA plate and a flat-black frame -- no ///M or BMW frame.

What time was this in the morning? You described a section of my daily commute. If I knew what time you were typically going through there, I might be inclined to change my departure time. :devillook

Of course, my clutch is slipping badly now in fourth and fifth RIGHT in the middle of my powerband, but I'm going to remedy that very quickly.

By the way, be careful going 85N right at Chamblee-Tucker and also right at Spaghetti Junction. I've seen cops numerous times right there on the Chamblee-Tucker exit, as well as sitting up under the overpass there on the right-hand side. Then, right before you start to go under Spaghetti Junction, at that Pleasantdale Rd. exit, I've seen a state trooper about three or four times. ALWAYS be careful coming around that gentle right-hand curve before that exit. Keep your eyes peeled and try to keep a car in between you and that line of sight. Never come blasting around there by yourself, with no shield, at high speeds.

count_schemula
03-19-2003, 02:48 PM
I did not think it was you since there was no animated "finally, Count Schemula!" to him.

One of my favorite places to speed is 285 west to 85 south. For some reason I just love that bridge. I've led many an idiot SUV to hard breaking on that deceptive second turn.

I don't do a daily commute. I was partying downtown and had to grab some guest bedroom. I was just going home the morning after.

April 5th looks good for the Atlanta meet, if I don't see you before then!!!

Thanks for the heads up re: the man... I do try to keep track of where I see them. I really can't believe I don't have a ticket yet. I don't use radar, but am pretty good about watching behind, looking ahead for the tell tale brake light parade, etc.

Ron17
03-19-2003, 02:55 PM
Originally posted by count_schemula
I did not think it was you since there was no animated "finally, Count Schemula!" to him.

One of my favorite places to speed is 285 west to 85 south. For some reason I just love that bridge. I've led many an idiot SUV to hard breaking on that deceptive second turn.

I don't do a daily commute. I was partying downtown and had to grab some guest bedroom. I was just going home the morning after.

April 5th looks good for the Atlanta meet, if I don't see you before then!!!

Thanks for the heads up re: the man... I do try to keep track of where I see them. I really can't believe I don't have a ticket yet. I don't use radar, but am pretty good about watching behind, looking ahead for the tell tale brake light parade, etc.

1) The meet will have to be postponed, I think. Either that or I cannot make it and I dunno if anyone else knows the route. As it turns out, I have an unavoidable conflict on that date. I just realized it, so I have to post a change of plans.

2) State troopers, as I'm sure you know, are now exclusively laser, so it's good that you watch the brake lights. That's the best detection device that you can get.

3) I'm always reticent to REALLY push it on that bridge. I just foresee a massive plummet should something go terribly wrong. That would not be fun. :nono

count_schemula
03-19-2003, 03:02 PM
1. I know the North Georgia mountains... but... I can't race punknamedjimmy's Jeep!

2. Troopers just give me the fear. There's some history here and it's not all vehicle related...

3. I raced an E30 M3 in my 944 on the bridge a long time ago. We sliced some traffic and kept it near 100mph. Ever since then, I can't go slow up there.

Scary, but that's why I like it. I know it pretty well by now, although, I have to admit, I sat here have bad thoughts about flipping over the side just recently and falling 200 feet or however far it is. :(

Are my lug nuts tightened? Whee!

count_schemula
03-19-2003, 03:06 PM
Originally posted by Ron17
As it turns out, I have an unavoidable conflict on that date. I just realized it, so I have to post a change of plans.

:evil2 I'm not _that_ scary! :evil2

:stickoutt :stickoutt :stickoutt

This may have to turn into an impromptu wing run! :boobies

Ron17
03-19-2003, 03:32 PM
Well, if you want, I will pass the reigns of this to you. Or, we can reschedule.

Sticky
03-19-2003, 04:08 PM
Damn, too bad that was not ron. I would pay money to see that punk get put in his place :stickoutt