Miata Mailing List: October 1997, Message #439
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From: 	"John C. Day" <jcday@garlic.com>

Subject: Re: my corner story

Date: 	Thu, 2 Oct 1997 20:49:25 +0000



Robert Ullrich wrote:

 

> Seems to be a thread running here regarding the fact that our fun little

> cars handle better than a lot of OTMs.  With this in mind, an anecdote is

> in order.



Well, it's hard to match enticing a Porsche driver to reveal his

inadequacies so thoroughly, but...



One late night this summer I'm almost done with my romp home from work. 

Beautiful night, stars everywhere, still really warm, deserted country

two lane, and I've been able to wind it out all the way home though 20

miles of twisties.  Now I'm on a pretty straight section doing about

7000 in third and I come up behind an nice looking lowered Chevelle

that's going 50 mph or so, and I just sorta zip by him without a second

thought. 

 

Pretty soon, though, I notice his headlights catching up behind me, but

we're getting close to town so I'm slowly tapering off towards 70, then

60, and in no time he's right up on my back bumper.  Tons of room to

pass if he wants, but doesn't, just stays right there.  I'm starting to

worry just a bit.  We're just about into town now, so I'm not going to

be suckered into blasting into town way over the limit, so I just ride

it out, doing about 55 in a 45, with him acting like a utility trailer

with headlights.



Now I'm approaching the first traffic light in town (Hecker Pass/First

St and Santa Teresa, for any locals).  To turn right at this light, one

drives through a narrow concrete channel - the curbs are a good 6-7

inches high on each side, and it's an extremely abrupt right turn to go

through it.  Normally, I just go straight.  Normally.  But, well, you

know, it was there, and it looked soooo, ummmm, useful.  So, with Mr.

Chevelle still looking like he'd like to put his V8 in my trunk, I run

pretty hard right up to the turn, jump on the brakes at the last second,

hit 2nd and whip through the channel turn as hard as I dare.  Sure

enough, CRASH - I look back in my mirror just in time to see sparks

flying everywhere as the Chevelle misses the channel and all that

lowered suspension gets introduced to Portland's finest.



Hehehe.  I even cruised by the next day to have a look at the scars on

the concrete - groooovy.  Hehehe.



The commercials we could make...



-- 



John C. Day,  Gilroy, CA, USA    jcday@garlic.com