Fastest ticket you walked away from?

Jgordon · 08-23-2004, 05:37 PM

The recent "How fast on a public road" thread had a couple of ticket stories. I figured between all of us, we must have had or heard some good stories.

How about it?

Carrera3.5L · Carrera3.5L's Garage

Not a real good story to tell, but when I was in my late teens I was racing my buddy in a modified 240Z with my heavily modified Jetta with 160 bhp (that was alot for a VW in the late '80s).

It was 11 on a weeknight and we were literally by ourselves on Interstate 5 in San Clemente. We were both over 125 mph when the red lights came on from a cop sitting on an on-ramp and after catching up to his in his 5.0L Mustang he told both of us to pull over via his loudspeaker (yes, we could hear him loud and clear).

He just asks us what the hell we were doing. Neither of us had a good answer for him. He asked if we had been drinking (we hadn't) and said since there was no other traffic and it was late at night to slow the hell down and get out of here.

I thought I died and went to heaven. I didn't go over 55 mph for a few weeks though...

Sorry, I warned you it was nothing exciting.

Ralph

67nin11 · 08-23-2004, 06:15 PM

on my way to work @ minot afb north dakota (divided highway , empty, flat and straight as far as you can see) redline in fourth on a 86 FZ-750 (150 mph?). as we pass each other he hits the lights.
him: "son do you know how fast you were going?" me: "uuuh i dunno 75 - 80?" him: "ho ho ho, NOT EVEN CLOSE. i hand over my license,two minutes later he returns with a ticket for 98 in a 55 and sends me on my way.
i found out later that anything above 100 is criminal, i guess he didnt want the paperwork. didnt get off but it only cost me 100 dollars.

billwagnon · 08-23-2004, 06:50 PM

just a warning for 45 in a 35 in my 81 ToyoTercel. 63 hp so you had to floor it to get speed

got a ticket a couple months later going the other direction - uphill!

SteveStromberg · 07:01 PM

Well Over 100 mph on the Pine Ridge reservation.I was interveiwing a BIA Off duty cop (for a doc Vid) when about five minutes later Two BIA cars pull up. We chatted for a few minutes and they left.They had been chasing me from Pine Ridge to Wounded Knee (It was sunday morning )but the Dodge Station wagon with the 440 was I was driving to much for their SBC Impalas. I did not even know they were after me..

Formerly Steve Wilkinson · 08-23-2004, 06:55 PM

I have a good friend who is a cop in the town next to the one I live in, and his chief is also a buddy, including being my scuba certifier and gym-rat friend. Dave told me recently that he'd stopped somebody in a Turbo doing a radar-clocked 137. "I yelled at him a lot," he told me, "but the guy was wearing an $8,000 Rolex and driving a $100,000+ car. He isn't going to hire a lawyer and get out of it? Gimme a break, For me to give him a ticket is wasting everybody's time."

Understand that Dave DE's his 3-Series at BMCCA events at Lime Rock and the Glen. We should all be so lucky to be stopped by such a cop. Oh, and it also happened a few days after I let him drive the press-fleet GT3 that I'd been loaned and we'd been doing maybe 120 down the same stretch of highway...

Stephan

atlporsche · 08-23-2004, 07:02 PM

walked away from a +20...but I'm not really sure how fast I was going.

cresting a hill in ohio, i find myself staring into a pair sitting in the median. one facing me. an alarm must have been on because he non-chalantly glances up, looks back down, the looks up REALLY surprised. He then stares straight at me, and I straight back at him, equally surprised. He didn't even get a chance to put the lights on...I immediately went for the right side of the road, stopped with my blinkers on, and had my license and registration ready...awaiting the worst.

"You know how fast you were going?"

Me: "no sir, I was passing the car that was along side of me, I suspect it was pretty quick"

"where you going so fast"

Me: *truthfully* "I'm off to my fiancee's aunt and uncles for thanksgiving dinner, and I'm late"

"You ever meet them before?"

me: "no sir."

"well, you can share this story at the dinner table tonight. I'm giving you a wedding, thanksgiving, christmas, and birthday present for this year, and all years to come, dont EVER let me see you around here again."

WHEW!!!

sjd
...never knew how fast I was really going.

johnsjmc · 08-23-2004, 07:09 PM

I have been caught a couple of times and let off easy. (a few other times I wasn,t so lucky) First time that comes to mind was in the early 70s I was travelling on a heavily modified 69 750 Honda . The traffic bunched up ahead and I slowed to see a 2 car and a motorcycle roadblock .I thanked my lucky star that it wasn,t a few mles earlier at speed. A cop walked out into 3 lanes of traffic and waved me down. In the cruiser they told me I had been clocked for the last 15 miles by an airplane The officer in the plane wanted to know the make of bike. They wouldn,t tell me my speed but said I hadn,t gone less than 110 for 15 miles.I was charged with 80 in a 70 zone. The other time was in a 1986 944 turbo in 87 I blew past a police car parked on a side road The road was a 2 lane highway with a speed limit of 55 .I was probably doing about 85 I was stopped about 20 miles later and the officer jumped out white knuckled and shaking and said he had to go 110 to catch me I replied "then who is being more irresponsible all you had to do was turn on your roof lights and I would have stopped. "We had a nice long chat and I was let go with the warning" Keep your speed down there's another speed trap about 15 miles down the road " I thanked him and withdrew the remark I made earlier.

LeeH · 07:41 PM

78 in a 35. Couldn't believe it. The company I worked for was going out of business and I was running late heading to a store to disassemble some equipment. Saw an old lady ahead and she was going 35, just like the sign said. Problem was the road was going from four lanes down to two - if I got stuck behind her I'd be stuck there for several miles.

I downshifted the Plymout Laser Turbo and let the boost do its stuff as I blew granny's doors off. About 30 seconds later I saw the blue lights in my mirror. The cop was mad when he came up... In my most humble voice I said, "Before you start writing can I tell you my story?" He said, "I'm listening." I told him how I was going to be out of work in a week and there were guys waiting on me to bring the tools to take out electronic marketing system out of the store. He knew what I was talking about... I said that all that didn't justify the speed, but it was the truth.

After running my license he came back and said, "I can't believe I'm doing this, but you better slow down."

Drago · Drago's Garage

'72 Chevelle Malibu with a fairly well built 350 (carb(s), intake, heads, pistons, igintion, exhaust, rearend).

...I was bent on breaking my brothers personal record from Kirkland to Bellingham, WA.

It's only 90 miles or so but filled with plenty of "opportunity spots" for the WSP. My brothers record is supposedly 55 minutes, exit to exit in a bond stock '83 Firebird (yes, this is how I grew up).

Me...I'm a late teener with my best friend Craig ridin' shotgun. There is a 5th of Jack Daniels waiting for us at my buddies apt. at WWU with plenty of party opps. the rest of of the weekend.

We were motivated.

We'd been rockin' 'n rolling for about 50-60 miles when I get a bad feeling approaching an elevated overpass in the middle no where. I look to my right as we blow through...sure enough...WSP waiting. I *casually* apply the stoppers while my shotgun man takes note.

Yep, he's a comin'. Crap...slow it down. Mind you...we were probably pushing a buck twenty in a 55 when I saw him.

Couple of miles later he pulls us punks over and is actually very cordial...until the lady in the yellow Mercedes pulls up. Turns out we passed here in the flats near Mount Vernon like she was standing still and now wanted retribution. Cops was cool with it though...sent her on her way shortly.

Did I mention that I had a "for sale" sign in the Chevelle?

Cop comes back...does a quick "you should really slow down" and "off you go"...then asks:

"Whatdaya want for the car?"

Not a joke...he asked.

Told him 5K. Too much he says...have a nice weekend.

We had to break into my buddies apt. to get to that bottle of Jack.

It didn't last long and neither did we.

It was a great weekend until we broke down on the way home.

osidak · 08-23-2004, 08:05 PM

Got off once while driving a 993. Hit 120 in a 45. Was fueling up at a gas station when a cop pulled in and started to yell at me and then told me to slow it down. I can only guess he didn't actually see me but heard me and assumed it was me because of the car. Of course I slumped into the seat with heart pounding

Pulled over once near Wilmington NC for doing 75 in a 35. Caop asked if I knew how fast I was going. For once I could honestly say I didn't. I explained I was distracted by a conversation I was having with my wife and was simply keeping up with this truck in front of me. He asked me if I had any tickets in NC and I told him no.

Came back to 10 minutes later and asked me to slow it down and keep my mind on the road. I thanked him and was on my way.

porschenut · 08-23-2004, 08:10 PM

I've got some goodies for you. I didn't walk away from any of them, but you should enjoy this.

Once in '88 I got 2 4-point speeding tickets in one weekend.

Two years later, I got 2 speeding tickets ON THE SAME DAY, BY THE SAME COP, IN THE SAME SPOT. While driving up I-70 into the mountains from Denver, I got a ticket in the morning. That afternoon, coming back down from the mountains, the same cop was working the other direction in the same spot, and he got me again. As he walks up to the window he says, "well, this is a first for me!" It was enough to put me over the limit and my license was suspended for 3 months.

18 months later, I was stopped on my motorcycle for reckless driving (a 12-point violation, automatic suspension), plus no MC license (another 4 points), expired registration, and no insurance (3 points). A total of 19 points in a single stop, and you're only allowed 11 in any 12-month period! Bye-bye license for another 6 months.

During the 6-month suspension, I was driving a car with an expired license plate. Cop stopped me. I thought for sure I'm going in this time and it's gonna be costly. Cop comes back and says "Just a $10 fine for the expired plate sir. Here you go. Have a nice day." I was stunned. Apparently he didn't even run a check on my license.

3 months later, while my license is still suspended, I get stopped for running a red light. OK, this time my luck's run out. He's taking me in. Better get all my valuables out of the car so I can take them with me.....Here he comes back with my license and registration....this is it......"Sir, I've written you up for failure to obey the light....Have a good night and be careful." You gotta be kidding me! This guy didn't check my license either?

All of that happened quite a while back. I've only gotten 1 ticket in the last 8 years.

Paulporsche · 08-23-2004, 08:12 PM

1 My girlfriend was driving my 911 northbound through western PA about 50 mi north of Pittsburgh, while I was dozing in the passenger seat. She gets pulled over by a Highway Patrol officer who followed her doing 95. When asked to produce her license she replied (truthfully) that it had been stolen just prior to our trip and she hadn't received a replacement yet. In fact, all her ID had been stolen. She told him that since this was my car, which she hardly ever drove, and since the car was from Canada, which uses the metric system, she didn't realize she was going so fast. At least when he asked for registration and insurance, I had them. The trooper gave her a white form he tore out of a book. When she asked what she was to do with it, he told her to drive to the next rest stop and throw it in the garbage, since it was just a warning. We drove off as he advised her to "keep the speed down". It was then that I reminded her that, since the car was originally from FL, the speedo was in Imperial measurements!

2 After a raceteam party one night just prior to the Champcar race here in Toronto, which is held on a temporary circuit on public streets around the fairgrounds, I took the opportunity to drive the 911 around the circuit with as much speed as I could muster. The roads had been closed for practice and qualifying so they were empty. After getting nearly the entire way around the lap, I was waved down by a local cop standing by the side of road. When he asked what I thought I was doing, I replied that I was just trying to find my way out of the fairgrounds, and "BTW was that the exit over there?" With a (perhaps feigned) look of disgust and a "Try to keep it under a hundred" he told me to get out of there, which I promptly did.

Rufblackbird · 08:21 PM

mine was a 76 in a 35 zone...on base.

Buddy's '85 Vette with rebuilt motor (alum. heads) and rebuilt trans. He was thinking of selling it. I was tempted.

Let's just say, I will never ever speed on base again. It was stupid, especially since my supervisor just warned all of us that the cops are on the lookout. I wasn't clocked at the speed, but that's the last I saw of the digital speedo when I noticed the flashing lights.

Almost went to federal jail that day, but the cop must've been in a good mood. Either that, or he didn't have time to clock me. By the next morning, I got a call from the first sergeant.

lateapex911 · 08-23-2004, 09:25 PM

I've been lucky....I have three stories... but I'll limit this to two..

the most Scot free I got was when I was doing 75 in an Acura Legend (my Mothers car..sorry Mom!), at midnight in a residentiol (4 acre zoning!) 25 mph zone. Well, I was going faster, but it dawned on me that the radar detector ws in the other car, so I backed off thinking, "No cops gonna be here THIS late!"...as the speed dropped the lights started flashing on at the side of the road. Uh oh!

I stopped so fast he overshot, so I had the paperwork ready, the keys on the dashboard, hands on the steering wheel, window open, and the interior light on.

Cop says, "What the HELL are you doing???" What do you say to THAT??? I figured admit nothing, but be honest...so I said, "I am driving like an ass"....He stared as I explained my situation (I had a reason, kinda), then listened as I gave reasons not to do what I was doing, then walked away shaking my head at my apology. I didn't say I was speeding, just being a jerk.....he returned with my ppwk, and said "Get outa here" and rolled his eyes. I thanked him and disapppeared into the night. Phewwwww.

My second story has me driving in my RX-7 turbo on the way home from a party. I was sober, but the car was low on gas so I was doing a steady 50, again on a windy road in a 25 zone. Cop pops up over the hill traveling in the opposite direction, fires his radar, and I know I'm toast. But he doesn't hit his brakes or turn around, as far as I can see!

Later, I see the lights flashing in the mirror, in pursuit but way back. In a split decision I decide my points are at the point that I won't be driving with one more ticket in the next 3 months, so I go for it. Too bad I turn onto the straightest road I had ever seen. Two lanes, residential, 2AM. Speeds build, and I hit over 120, before I was able to make some quick turns and loose him. I pulled over behind a building and sat...for hours.

After an hour sitting there my pulse was higher than 80....my resting pulse is in the 50s! In all my races on the track I was never so nervous...I vowed to NEVER run again, and haven't.

Recently I have been very lucky and have no points.

Fishcop · Fishcop's Garage

I use to always give myself the sternest of cautions... then let myself off

That was a different time/place/world. We have cameras down here now that do all the work for the government...

86Carrera · 08-23-2004, 11:47 PM

It was 1981. I just bought a 3 year old Scirocco and was taking my college roomate for a ride up PCH near Malibu. It was dark, about 10pm, and we were headed north.

Many of you are too young to remember the Scirocco but it was a great car. By 78 they had them fuel injected and if you were lucky you got one with the optional 5-speed.

Anyway this 1.5L 4-speed topped out at 105mph at about the same time I saw the red lights in my rear view mirror. All 4 sets.

Yup got pulled over by 4 CHP doing 105 on PCH with an open 6 pack in the car.

The cop motions me to roll down my window and the only thing I could think to say "was what's the problem officer was I speeding?".

The cop and his partner thought that was hilarious. They appreciated the levity and let us go with a warning (after confirming we weren't drunk).

It turns out that stretch of PCH was used back then to run drugs between So. Cal. and No. Cal. They had bigger fish to fry and were really cool. So were Sciroccos, especially 78 - 81.

Carrera Charlie · Carrera Charlie's Garage

It was December 23rd, 1982 and I was driving to my girlfriend's house (now wife) in Sydney (Australia) from Melbourne and had to be there in time for Christmas Eve. I rented a 5-series BMW and hit the road early to cover as much ground as possible. On a beautiful long stretch of highway I open it up, cruising around 110 km/hr. I saw an orange Ford ahead of me moving rather agressively and I decided to catch up. As I neared the Ford, it continued to speed up and we began a nice game of catch. I finally put the hammer down and pulled along side the car at 160 km/hr. Looking over to see who would drive so fast on a well-traveled road, I finally noticed the "Victoria State Police" patch on the officer's shoulder. Immediately, there was a second orange Ford in my rear view mirror with a similarly dressed occupant gesturing me over to the road side.

I passed the first Ford at 170 km/hr, pulled in front of him and made my way to the shoulder. The grin on the officer's face as he approached me was sickening ... I knew I was done. He said "G'day, license please" and when I handed him my New York State license, he looked back at the other car with great disgust and shouted "You got a bloody tourist!!" He proceeded to tear me apart verbally for abusing the laws in Victoria and threatened to lock me up over Christmas holidays. He then handed my license back to me, said he was giving me the biggest Christmas present I would get that year and told me to keep it under 100 km/hr to the Victoria state line.

I sheepishly followed his advice until crossing the state line and once again opened it up in New South Wales. Wouldn't you know it, a police car in the opposite lane sees me at mach speed, pulls a u-turn and stops me again. Virtually the same lecture and result ... a stiff warning to keep my speed down and get out of his sight!!

I checked into a motel shortly after stop number two, knowing I had tempted the fates twice that day and managed to beat astronomical odds. Thank God for being a foreigner Down Under!

Regards,

Schrup · Schrup's Garage

I was merging west from north on a freeway at about 90mph, then floored it up to 130. The cop was coming from the south, saw the blue flash of my Firebird, & merged behind me. It took him 3 miles to catch up to me & when I saw his lights I pulled over. He was very polite & asked me if I was late to work cause it was early. He wrote me up for 29mph over ($144) & let me go.

A couple months ago a city cruiser caught me passing on the right & speeding. The cop told me "You should look in your rearview mirror before doing something stupid". He lectured me a bit then, let me go. Damn roll bar reduces my visability out the back, got to fix that.

Mark McClure · 08-24-2004, 12:44 AM

Back in the UK I used to race bikes. On the way to work their is a stretch of 15 miles of twisty country road......Ideal practice. One day a cop on a bike watched me turn into the road and followed I did not know he was behind. Never saw him again until the next day..waiting for me! He pulled me over and said " I was doing 80 and I never saw you again" my thought was "unless you touched 120mph and had your foot pegs on the ground on each corner you had f*** all chance of seeing me" what I said was "oh" very acticulate.

A few days later he was waiting at about 1/2 mile up the road witha speed gun. As I came over the hill with the front wheel in the air I saw him and braked heavily...........enough to get the back end off the ground. NO ticket just a very unhappy looking cop.

To end the story about a year later a car pulled out on me as I touched 95mph...........totalled the bike........pushed the car engine into the passenger seat. I got away with minimal injuries due to the fact I flew over the car!

Lesson learnt....race AND practice on the track!