Wheel weight FIASCO!

[BKOMAR]

I have had my SC for a few months now and I am getting more and more used to driving it compared to my 914's. Last week I wanted, just for one time, to see what the top speed of this car was. I live out in the country and my kids go to school in a town about 10 miles away. There is a stretch of long (4mile) straight road in between. It was clear and dry and I was in the "mood" so I thought I would try her out (no kids in the car on the way back). All was fine and I was approaching 5900 in 5th and I heard a loud BANG and then another in the front left of the car. I immediately slowed down and felt out the car and checked the gauges and all seemed OK. I cruised the rest of the way home without incident. When I got home and into the garage I noticed the side- marker light hanging out by its wire, and a Quarter size chunk of paint missing from the top of the left fender. I could see up under the fender was a metallic looking gash, and upon further digging around, I found that the PO had had the wheels balanced and the boneheads had put on the hammer-on wheel weights. I could clearly see where the culprit had come off the wheel. I took the car in to the most respectable body shop in the area and it will cost $260 to fix the dent and repaint to match. I am sitting here at work doing 16 hours of OT as I type this... $$ that I was hoping to spend on something else *sigh* In the back of my mind, I know it is childish and irresponsible to take the car up to that speed... but we all have to try it once don't we? I plan on getting new Kumhos before the DE in May and the wheels will be balanced using the proper weights. I don't plan on trying the "top speed" thing again... now that I know what she can do. Bottom line is...I guess... you play...you pay! Brian