Whats the best driving you've send on public roads
Discussion
Has to be one of 2 situations that I've both experienced while driving in the mountains:
First was when I had my Elise and I was following the french equivalent of a granada. Its was dark so the guy couldn't see what I was driving. Anyhow I was approaching a round-about when the guy (young) was coming from the next exit and cut me up, we both left the round about at the same exit with me following. Anyhow we then proceeded descende down the mountain at a 'good' pace but I have to give all the credit to this guy - at just about every single corner he just oversteer ALL the way around each corner , on the limit, all the way down the mountain in a shitty old 4 door saloon - must of take a lot of skill and balls. The elise wasn't stressed at all and I could just drive normally behind him, but it was quite impressive seeing this guy going sideways at nearly all the corners all the way down the mountain!
The second was just recently when driving up to the local ski station early in the morning. I was in my bi-turbo and this frenchy was following my in a renalt van - I could not shake him off my bumper at all. We drove for about an hour and evey time I pulled slighly away he was up my arse again - Incredible. I mean I'm not a fantasic driver but have been racing on the track for about 3 years and are usually one of the faster cars plus you just 'can't' hang about with 408 horses under you bonnet. But this guy could drive SO much better than I - I'd love to see him drive up the mountain in my car!!
First was when I had my Elise and I was following the french equivalent of a granada. Its was dark so the guy couldn't see what I was driving. Anyhow I was approaching a round-about when the guy (young) was coming from the next exit and cut me up, we both left the round about at the same exit with me following. Anyhow we then proceeded descende down the mountain at a 'good' pace but I have to give all the credit to this guy - at just about every single corner he just oversteer ALL the way around each corner , on the limit, all the way down the mountain in a shitty old 4 door saloon - must of take a lot of skill and balls. The elise wasn't stressed at all and I could just drive normally behind him, but it was quite impressive seeing this guy going sideways at nearly all the corners all the way down the mountain!
The second was just recently when driving up to the local ski station early in the morning. I was in my bi-turbo and this frenchy was following my in a renalt van - I could not shake him off my bumper at all. We drove for about an hour and evey time I pulled slighly away he was up my arse again - Incredible. I mean I'm not a fantasic driver but have been racing on the track for about 3 years and are usually one of the faster cars plus you just 'can't' hang about with 408 horses under you bonnet. But this guy could drive SO much better than I - I'd love to see him drive up the mountain in my car!!
Not really wanting to talk about driving fast on public roads but.....
On my last visit to the Angelsey track, I took the car along the twisty A5 route. We were packed lightly, two-up but with 400bhp/tonne it shouldn't hang around.
Anyways, at an average to quick pace round the windy roads a car suddenly appears in my mirrors. I couldn't see what on earth it was (at night, tiny wing mirrors, lots of glare, all I could see was that there was no siren on the roof) and the glare was beginning to annoy me so I put my foot down a little more to leave him.
Two minutes of slightly more feverent driving later, which is usually enough to leave a large distance to the car behind, and the lights are still glaring at me. So, time to really try.
Ten miles later I still haven't lost the car behind me (if only briefly through the very twisty section). We pull up to the lights and it's some beaten up old Escort, the driver winds down the window, leans out and says in a Welsh accent "Bit slow tonight aren't we lads" and pooters off at the junction
Humbled me I tell you
Probably a rally champion or something....at least that's what my ego is shouting at me to try and keep itself alive
________________________________________________________
graeme finlayson | tyre warmer | fluke motorsport
graeme.finlayson@vicorp.com | www.fluke-motorsport.co.uk
On my last visit to the Angelsey track, I took the car along the twisty A5 route. We were packed lightly, two-up but with 400bhp/tonne it shouldn't hang around.
Anyways, at an average to quick pace round the windy roads a car suddenly appears in my mirrors. I couldn't see what on earth it was (at night, tiny wing mirrors, lots of glare, all I could see was that there was no siren on the roof) and the glare was beginning to annoy me so I put my foot down a little more to leave him.
Two minutes of slightly more feverent driving later, which is usually enough to leave a large distance to the car behind, and the lights are still glaring at me. So, time to really try.
Ten miles later I still haven't lost the car behind me (if only briefly through the very twisty section). We pull up to the lights and it's some beaten up old Escort, the driver winds down the window, leans out and says in a Welsh accent "Bit slow tonight aren't we lads" and pooters off at the junction
Humbled me I tell you
Probably a rally champion or something....at least that's what my ego is shouting at me to try and keep itself alive ________________________________________________________
graeme finlayson | tyre warmer | fluke motorsport
graeme.finlayson@vicorp.com | www.fluke-motorsport.co.uk
Its knowing the road that lets you do the A5 quickly. I do it regularly and have done for years as my folks live on the island.
It was that A5 a lorry and a Horsebox in front of it that convinced me that only a performance car would satify my needs for parental visiting.
Oh - isn't the A5 WONDERFUL in the summer - roof off, early morning sunshine, mountains, bliss.
It was that A5 a lorry and a Horsebox in front of it that convinced me that only a performance car would satify my needs for parental visiting.
Oh - isn't the A5 WONDERFUL in the summer - roof off, early morning sunshine, mountains, bliss.
Saw a fire engine oversteer through the junction outside Fulham broadway tube station during the rush hour. Cargo of water sloshing around in the back must make for an interesting weight transfer on turn in.
p.s. Back wheels stepped out a good four foot
Edited by atg on Monday 21st January 18:25
p.s. Back wheels stepped out a good four foot
Edited by atg on Monday 21st January 18:25
An old boy on a super-scoot. 500cc of mildly tuned twist&go. Could hardly keep up with it in heavy traffic. He cornered in a wobbly way, but snicked in and out of the cages with total confidence, and not using the brakes. He kept up a constant 60mph, not an mph more or less. I was up to 80, down to 40. Excellent rider, and I did not try to embarrass it on the straights as I was having so much fun following!
Felt no shame at not keeping up all the time - the guy was taking some incredible risks. I overtake into traffic, but this was exceptionally daring, but SMOOTH.
Seems like the smoother you drive/ride, the faster you get someplace for the same effort???
C
Back, back into the mists of time (about 20 years ago) I was the proud owner of a Mk2 Triumph Vitesse, cunningly fitted with a 150bhp 2.5 engine, and tweaked in all the right places to make it handle quite reasonably (for its day!).
Doing my boy racer bit on one of my favourite twisty bits I caught up with someone going a lot slower. This guy obviously noticed me catching him and he went quicker and quicker. I stretched my meager driving skills to the absolute limit and I only just managed to stay with him. Incredibly, the other car was a citreon 2CV and you will not believe how far those things can lean over on their skinny tyres without actually falling over. I nearly pissed myself laughing but I had to give it to the guy - he was considerably better than me!
Doing my boy racer bit on one of my favourite twisty bits I caught up with someone going a lot slower. This guy obviously noticed me catching him and he went quicker and quicker. I stretched my meager driving skills to the absolute limit and I only just managed to stay with him. Incredibly, the other car was a citreon 2CV and you will not believe how far those things can lean over on their skinny tyres without actually falling over. I nearly pissed myself laughing but I had to give it to the guy - he was considerably better than me!
It's not all skill/knowing the road. - you are telling tales of various sheds keeping up with the shinies motors. How about:
- You drive in front, therefore they know how sharp/fast the bend is and whether it is icey etc.
- The 'its a cronk and I don't care if I crash it' effect. I used drive an old shedscort for 3 years as a commuter - I thrashed the pants off it and I wouldn't say I humbled any exotica, but when your car is worth didly squat and it predictably slides at 40mph instead of 80mph you can REALLY drive it on/over the limit.
T/.
- You drive in front, therefore they know how sharp/fast the bend is and whether it is icey etc.
- The 'its a cronk and I don't care if I crash it' effect. I used drive an old shedscort for 3 years as a commuter - I thrashed the pants off it and I wouldn't say I humbled any exotica, but when your car is worth didly squat and it predictably slides at 40mph instead of 80mph you can REALLY drive it on/over the limit.
T/.
quote:
- You drive in front, therefore they know how sharp/fast the bend is and whether it is icey etc.
Definitely agree with that one. A68 over the Scottish hills I had some BOB in an Astra Van keeping up with me because I was slowing to get round corners without finding a sheep in the road etc. He no doubt went home to boast how he kept up with me in his white shed.
Ted You are of course aware that there has never been a vehicle manufactured that can outrun a dirty white Astramx van Can't remember which comedian said that - might have been Jasper Carrott? (A mate of mine was passed at 120 on the M40 by one - he said it went past like he was standing still!!!)
Can't remember which comedian said that - might have been Jasper Carrott? (A mate of mine was passed at 120 on the M40 by one - he said it went past like he was standing still!!!)Along the 'white van' lines and vaguelely on topic, I was visiting a quarry in Derbyshire (on business) in my white 4x4 Toyota pick up (in 2wd at the time), and through the twisty stuff, managed to loose a colleague in his Fiat eurobox.
Best driving I've ever seen (and one of the most spectacular bits of m'way) was on the Brenner pass into Italy. We followed a German guy in his mid 80's 911 cabriolet and, not knowing the roads, we would never have got to Modena as fast without him. As we exited the Autostrada, he sportingly slowed to acknowledge us with a polite wave, then shot off into the disctance again like a nutter.
Best driving I've ever seen (and one of the most spectacular bits of m'way) was on the Brenner pass into Italy. We followed a German guy in his mid 80's 911 cabriolet and, not knowing the roads, we would never have got to Modena as fast without him. As we exited the Autostrada, he sportingly slowed to acknowledge us with a polite wave, then shot off into the disctance again like a nutter.
quote:
quote:
Seems like the smoother you drive/ride, the faster you get someplace for the same effort???
I think the smartarse answer is that the better your driving/riding skills the more likely you are to drive/ride in a smooth manner?
Difficult to know which comes first though, speed or smoothness?
Ye olde granny stereotype is probably fairly smooth, 'cos she drives so SLOW !
Must admit I have been shocked when I try the "do not use brakes technique", at just how much more observant you need to be, and how much quicker A->B, while keeping terminal velocity down ! The Max Power guys are easy to keep up with, because they are so erratic.
I have a serious question for you guys, maybe needs another thread.. later.
I think it was Clarkson who said that the fastest vehicle on the roads was an Astramax.
Agree with trefor's comment. Had to sell my Mexico when I got my first mortgage and replaced it with a shabby orange Avenger 1300. Tidy handling, not enough power to break traction, quick gearshift. In the urban cut-and-thrust I was much more assertive in it than in my previous 'drivers' cars. A bit like James Hunt's A35 van - you don't have to be going fast to have fun and everybody gets out of your way 'cos they know you wouldn't be too concerned if you picked up the odd dent.
Not saying my driving was 'good' but it was efficient.
On the subject of comedians, why does everyone think 'Delboy's' van was a Robin Reliant? No such thing, nor was it a Reliant Robin. It was a Reliant Regal Supervan III.
Sorry, I've wandered off-topic into anoraksville but I had to get that one off my chest.
Agree with trefor's comment. Had to sell my Mexico when I got my first mortgage and replaced it with a shabby orange Avenger 1300. Tidy handling, not enough power to break traction, quick gearshift. In the urban cut-and-thrust I was much more assertive in it than in my previous 'drivers' cars. A bit like James Hunt's A35 van - you don't have to be going fast to have fun and everybody gets out of your way 'cos they know you wouldn't be too concerned if you picked up the odd dent.
Not saying my driving was 'good' but it was efficient.
On the subject of comedians, why does everyone think 'Delboy's' van was a Robin Reliant? No such thing, nor was it a Reliant Robin. It was a Reliant Regal Supervan III.
Sorry, I've wandered off-topic into anoraksville but I had to get that one off my chest.
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