Preparing to go 150: advice?

[Formerly Steve Wilkinson]

I'm doing a very short piece for Popular Science, probably no more than 100 words, as part of a series we're starting, "Five Things to Think About..." In this case, five Things to Think About Before Going 150 mph on a Highway.

Obviously this will be more for fun than a serious suggestion that anybody do it, but I'm open to suggestions: What are the five things that you'd make certain to do, check, think about, confirm or whatever if you were about to take your 911 to 150 or more on a public road?

Having done it a number of times. I've got my own ideas, but I'm sure there are people out there who have better ones. (My all-time U. S. record is an indicated 168 in eastern Oregon in a 928 S4, but I had an Audi RS 6 up to 160, 163 and finally 165 three times in Colorado a few months ago.)

Obviously tires are the first thing to think about. Another is to be aware of the legal ramifications, like going straight to the county jail. Another would be to pick a straight road with a considerable sightline and no intersections... But you tell me. What are the five most important things you'd think about before topping out your beast?

Stephan

[s_wilwerding]

-Check tire pressures
-Make sure there aren't any pedestrians or slower vehicles around
-Make sure your brakes are in good shape and that the fluid has been changed recently - at some point, you're going to have to slow down!
-Be aware of how handling and response change at that speed
-Have plenty of money for bail

[RickM]

-Tires/Wheels/Lugnuts
-Law
-Cement
-How good your life is/was
-How to explain the skid marks to your wife

[norustscott]

Location, Location, Location,

[Wil Ferch]

Tires ( condition, recent nails, pressures lug nuts tight..)
Brakes ( pad thickness, integrity of lines/no leaks)
weather ( no rain/ snow/ fog)
time of day ( sun, sun angle, amount of people on the road)
Helmet and/or race typr safety gear ( why is this any less dangerous than a DE?)

If six....steering/suspension linkages, CV tight...

----Wil Ferch

[don911]

yeah, that's a good idea.

[roGERK]

Firstly, why not simply say never use a public road, and instead suggest a disused airfield or seldom used airfield with a long runway?

But, if you are going to use a public road, the time is important.

The early hours of the morning in summer are good. The light is good and getting better, and frequently the winds are light an hour or so after dawn. In the remoter parts of the USA, your chances of meeting another vehicle are slim.

You can do a "patrol" at legal speed along the piece of road you intend to use, then return and touch 150 or whatever.

Be aware that early 911s without spoilers get very light at 120+. It feels as if you could take off by gently pulling back on the steering wheel. So if you use an early car, make sure the wind (especially cross winds) are light.

Obviously the condition of the car has to be acceptable, and make sure the tyres and brakes are good. To get up to a fast speed quickly, make sure you use the gears, and don't change into 5th too soon.

- roGER

[CHILI]

Check your Life insurance Policy.

[aigel]

I am unsure what you are about to write, but there is no five points that should get anyone to believe that this can be done safely! I don't see the "fun" in writing about it either.

Have you thought about your life and more importantly the lifes of other people you will take and turn to hell if anything goes wrong? Have you thought about the fact that most every crucial variable that your life and other's depend upon change with the power of two depending on speed? Under this aspect, 150mph is NOT twice 75mph, it is four times 75mph! We are talking braking distance, wind resistance, forces your tires see, lift, etc.

Go to the salt flats or to a race track for Pete's sake. While you say that this article is for "fun", I think it is ludicrous to advertise having gone in excess of 150mph on a public road. To me it's like publicly admitting and advertising that you DUI on a regular basis.

Now this is just my two cents and it is a strong opinion, take it for what it's worth and don't take offense, that's not my intention!

Cheers and happy motoring,

George

[Dantilla]

Mental preparation- At high speeds, a slight bump of the steering wheel results in an unintended lane change.

[DavidI]

I think that the idea is irresponsible and selfish. You could hurt yourself and other innocent people.

Hopefully you are kidding....

[LeeH]

Driving through New Mexico on some very deserted two lane back roads I found triple digits too tempting in our Audi A4.

While at more reasonable speeds I saw two things on the same road that really got my attention:



Either would have been really bad for someone travelling at >130.

[David]

I think number one on the list would be a car that can go 150.

[CarreraS2]

I do have to say . . . that seems like an unusual piece to have in something like Popular Science, unless it is totally tongue-in-cheek and offers absolutely no serious advice about how to go 150 mph on a public road.

With so many other subjects in the world, that just seems like one that is best not touched at all. Even if it is just joking . . . never overestimate the reader.

Just my opinion.

[flatlander]

how bout

no hot coffee between your legs during the "experiment"

[Rot 911]

Mongo say "Speeding bad, very bad." I would never advocate such a thing! Unless of course there are some kids or old people in a crosswalk.

[tsuter]

I tried to go 150 here.

[Rot 911]

Originally posted by tsuter
I tried to go 150 here.

Not gonna happen on that hog!

[makaio]

IMHO is just plain stupid to do 150 on public roads. It's not worth the risk, unless you're on the autobahn.

On a side not, Kurt just sold me on the idea of putting a 930S wheell in my CAB.

[dotorg]

Not that I'd admit to having done it, but its good to know how quickly you CAN get to 150 so you know how much room you need to do it.