Mt Tam I am's Driving Journal

Originally Posted by MightyBobo

Here's an addition for you all.

Was riding back home on my usual, all-thruway commute. Around Baltimore, we have the Beltway (aka, 495). Its a free-for-all during rush hour. The speed limit is 55 around the whole thing, but that is a joke here: 65-70 is typically what you do. And I was doing just that in the Vette today (71 to be precise). But, for some reason, today was different: traffic was considerably less sparse. I have a feeling it had something to do w/ the World Cup, but who knows.

Anyway, at some point on my way home, most traffic diverts off of the beltway, and this time I was left all alone and in the left lane. Typically, it's locked up with vehicles. Well, turns out the local cops found a new hiding place they've never used, and even after I spotted him a good 1/4 of a mile away, he got me. I knew, because I had tons of time to get up to him and watch him get out of the car, and point to the shoulder, so off I went.

He re-positions the cruiser behind me so I can "assume the position." And this is where it gets funny, because you know your traffic stop will be painless when the first words out of his mouth are, "Hiya, I'm Officer XXXXX. Just so you are aware, this traffic stop is being recorded via audio and video. So, what year is she?"

I almost crack up laughing, but I keep my cool and tell him it's an 03, just got it a couple months ago to replace the old car that I take to the track, and how I wanted a C6 but the C5 Z06 was a far better bang-for-the-buck.

Him: "Ahh...yeah, I own a 2011"
Me: "Z06?"
Him: "Nah, Grand Sport"
Me: "Great choice, best bang for the buck in the Vettes"
Him: "So you hit the track? Where at?"
Me: "Oh, Summit Point, VIR...couple others..."
Him: "Ahh...yeah, I take my motorcycle out there...well, license and registration if you would please."
*hands it to him, still randomly talking about Vettes and stuff*
Him: "Alright, well if everything checks out, it'll just be a warning"
*He starts to walk off, then comes back*
Him: "Oh right, I got you doing 71 in a 55"
Me: "Yeah...I know...I saw the HUD" And we just laugh as he walks off.

Funny when the cop almost forgets to tell you what the hell he was pulling you over for :-p

Anyway, so I haven't had a ticket since...christ...probably 2006 or 2007, and have never been pulled over since. So my record is clean, and after a brief wait, while laughing and reliving the conversation in my car, he lets me off. I shake his hand, thank him for his service, and tell him that he's got some good new hiding spots because I've been hauling this commute for 2 years, and it was the first time anyone was ever there.

Originally Posted by MightyBobo

I really need to get some AutoX in at some point. They are all so far away from me :-/

Originally Posted by blackcherry20

I bet there is something close. If not maybe you could start it

I am actually thinking about that myself. The closest cars and coffee (there are TWO!) are 1.5 hours from me.

Solution: make one of my own

Just need to figure it out. And find the courage and energy to do it

Originally Posted by blackcherry20

Sooooooo....

I have now had the Miata through 3 full auto-x events.
EDIT: this data is in E class only...
Event 1: 20th out of 26
Event 2: 9th out of 19
Event 3:5th out of 16

Raw (all registrants) I was 34 out of 84 entries!!! Lol!

I am flogging that poor little Zoom Zoom!!

Harry is still my love tho

Originally Posted by Mt Tam I am

I have had little to write about as of late. Yesterday I had some brief fun.
I was stuck behind a couple of cars that unexpectedly pulled over together. I was on the gas and noticed the VDC was on so I fixed that. The car roared to life and sounded so good I smiled immediately. Cars were in a solid line going the opposite direction so no cutting corners allowed. I touched a rear tire to the yellow line and some economy car blasted it's horn for a few seconds. Can't complain too much but I was in my lane and in control. I got about two miles of this when I encountered another slow mover. After a minute I came to an intersection that had the cars ahead turning off while another car (truck actually) wanted to roll the stop sign and jump ahead of me. I pressed him and he stopped as he should have. I had one more mile home without interruption.

What a great run home. Could have been better but not recently.