Scary fishtail

[NYNick]

Coming home from a golf tournament in the 78 SC, 730pm and dark out. I'm accelerating hard onto the on ramp from 287, onto the Sprain Brook Parkway. There's a Mini in front of me but it's in the right lane, preparing to take the right exit south. I'm in 3rd and going hard...60? 65? 70MPH?

As I start to pass the Mini he decides he isn't going right, and pulls left in front of me at the last second, 10 yards ahead. At this point my forward momentum is such that there's no way I can stop in time. I hit the brakes...maybe too hard?

My car immediately fishtails left, and I see a concrete barrier over there. The car skids and squeals. This is a scary moment. I let off while correcting, and the car straightens right out. The Mini is slowing down the whole time, brake lights on, while I'm peeing my pants and hoping I can get it under control.

Crap, was I going too fast, or was he an idiot?

Doesn't matter. The car performs perfectly, and I can't help but thank my lucky stars it doesn't have ABS. Those 10 yards would've never been enough.

I continue on my way. You never know when it'll happen, but when it does, I'd rather be in a Porsche to avoid it.

Nick

[Reiver]

Glad it worked out....saw on that S wheel and it'll straighten out.

[winders]

Originally Posted by NYNick

Crap, was I going too fast, or was he an idiot?

Yes.....

[Kevin911sc]

I have to second the...not having ABS part, another "safety feature" I'm safer without

[Tippy]

ABS ='s no scary fishtail......

No ABS ='s scary fishtail.

So fill me in on how ABS is bad?

[regency]

or, ......Code Brown....that's all.

Steve

[Unobtanium-inc]

I know that ramp well. There's always a lot of opportunity for criss-cross-crash. Glad you made it through unscathed! - Matt

[Kevin911sc]

Originally Posted by Tippy

ABS ='s no scary fishtail......

No ABS ='s scary fishtail.

So fill me in on how ABS is bad?

Unless it is a relatively new or very expensive ABS system.... You "Can" stop faster without ABS than with it.... its a safety feature not because it helps you stop faster, but because it allows you to steer around an obstacle. Im sure a lot of mustang owners and guard rails would disagree with ABS = no fishtails.... its all about weight transfer

[The cap'n]

Originally Posted by Tippy

ABS ='s no scary fishtail......

No ABS ='s scary fishtail.

So fill me in on how ABS is bad?

There is in this thread evidence of a widespread lack of understanding of ABS and how it works. There is also some evidence of an apparent lack of situational awareness ... Plan for the worst, hope for the best.

The Cap'n

[Bill Douglas]

Originally Posted by regency

or, ......Code Brown....that's all.

Steve

Yep, a serious code brown.

[catuck]

I let off while correcting

I'm amazed your car didn't whip around into a spin. Letting off in a turn is what causes that. You're very lucky! I've had luck (at autocross) left foot breaking to pull out of a spin but usually I just mash down on the throttle!

Doh! I just reread - you let off the brakes! That makes more sense

[NYNick]

Thanks boys.
It was indeed a Code Brown.

[dnovick911]

From my motorcycle days, just assume EVERYONE around you is out to hit you. Trust no Mini. So in this case, you took a little risk but didn't really have a plan to properly deal with the Minis change in course. Seems you got a little lucky. Not being condescending here though, I'm sure this has happened to most / all on the board, including me. I agree with the comments on weight transfer, but do not know enough about ABS to comment good or bad in THIS situation. For the most part, I bet ABS would save your bacon more often that NOT having ABS. Keep the shiny side up! Dave

[Joe Bob]

I always flash my high beams when passing anyone that has potential to be an asshat.

[Ronnie's.930]

Originally Posted by Joe Bob

I always flash my high beams when passing anyone that has potential to be an asshat.

That works? I would think that flashing high beams would draw out asshattery from someone that has the potential for it.

[porsche930dude]

Originally Posted by Ronnie's.930

That works? I would think that flashing high beams would draw out asshattery from someone that has the potential for it.

Thats true. I would definatly pull out in front of or accelerate and not let that light flashing asshat pass me.

[NYNick]

Well, I live in NY, so I'd have to have my high beams on full time!

[Joe Bob]

I guess we are a bit more polite out here. Laying on the horn and/or full high beams would be rude.

Kinda like a LIGHT double tap when behind someone that sits at a green light.

[Ronnie's.930]

^^^ In TexASS, doing that would likely result in the driver stepping out of his vehicle and waving a no-longer-concealed handgun in the air.

[Rich Gas]

Never report a close call, a spectacular driving maneuver, sliding, redlining, excellent skill or any other outlawish type behavior. You will be weighed and measured.