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Too often we're tempted to show the power of our cars or our driving ability when pressed by another. It requires great restraint to hold back. Spirited driving is in my opinion, a way to drive agressively and with restraint thereby not endangering yourself or others. Knowing when to concede....knowing when enough is enough.
Many times the ones pressing us to race are kids. Kids that have yet to learn the driving skills that many of us learned (dangerously) when we were younger. It is foolish to face off against these kids. As a teenager, my buddies and I were out in his 1976 V-6 Capri when another 3 folks in a Mustang challenged us. We thought we were hot stuff racing side by side through country roads at midnight. As we approached a tight left, my buddy knew we were traveling too fast and he immediately backed off. Apparently the other driver didn't know the road and all we could do was watch in disbelief as he tried to take the turn at speed. His understeer pushed him off the right shoulder and when the rear tires came back to traction...he shot across the road at tremendous speed...down an embankment and head on into a massive oak tree. We were helpless and in shock as we watched the doors fly open and the bodies crumple as the horn blared. We went immediately to the closest house and phoned the police and ambulance. We were too young, stupid and afraid to hang around. The paper reported the next day that the guy had been drinking and had his girlfriend in the front seat with him and her sister in the back. The back seat passenger was paralyzed for life, the driver had multiple injuries and the passenger was in intensive care for months.
That was a sobering lesson for me and my buddies and we never raced that way again. I have always been a "Spirited" driver and will always try for the hole shot from every stoplight..whether in my Camry or my 911. I pick my races wisely, I don't have anything to prove to anyone....just myself that I know when to say when.
And I now have 2 teenagers to think about...and yes, I have taught them how to handle the Porsche and other cars with respect....Autocross should be mandatory discilpine for getting your DL.
FWIW
Chris Baker
[This message has been edited by Shakenbake (edited 01-11-2001).]
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