First snow of the year: A gearhead holiday. What's in a name?

"Ian Duer (320b)" (320b)
11/26/2013 at 20:52 • Filed to: None

Just got back from my inaugural session of power slides, donuts, and general winter automotive hooliganism. For me, the first snow of the year is like a little holiday. No matter how under-powered or boring a car may be, a decent layer of the white stuff brings out the inner hoon in all of us. It should be a holiday, at least for those of us with a touch of gasoline in our blood. The question is: what to call it.

(photo credit: steerbythrottle.com)

I tried on a few names. Hoonaween was too early sounding. Hoonsgiving was more time appropriate but was lacking soul. Hoonsmas was a bit late and just sounded weird. After (not) much consideration, I've arrived at the perfect name for the first snow. So, whether I'm late, early or just on time for your locale. I'd like to wish you all: Happy Hoon-ukka.

DISCUSSION (12)

vdub_nut: scooter snob > Ian Duer (320b)
11/26/2013 at 21:45

I like it. I usually call it Dia de los muerto bumpero. Also, "shit, I should have put on my snow tires" day.

EL_ULY > Ian Duer (320b)
11/26/2013 at 22:14

damn dude, I wish I could get my c5 avant quattro all sorts of oppo round that place. No snow on the Texas Gulf coast, ever :'(

MtrRider Just Wants Doritos > EL_ULY
11/26/2013 at 22:39

If it ever snows where I live some weird shit is happening to this planet. I might just have to check out those electric cars.

EL_ULY > MtrRider Just Wants Doritos
11/26/2013 at 22:54

lol right?

Fuel_of_Satan > Ian Duer (320b)
11/26/2013 at 23:12

Congrats on first snow, we haven't even had that in (My part of) Norway yet! Can't wait for it, I even got a few industrial estates that are traditional hoon-nauguration spots.

Remember; There is no going home until you have to dig ice from the rear wheel wells or the cops tell you to!

Ian Duer (320b) > EL_ULY
11/27/2013 at 00:37

Maybe not the gulf coast of Texas, but a friend of mine from Austin tells it actually snowed there. Had no idea it could snow there even.

Ian Duer (320b) > vdub_nut: scooter snob
11/27/2013 at 00:38

Ha. Those are also good names for it.

EL_ULY > Ian Duer (320b)
11/27/2013 at 00:46

heavy sleet that can stack and in which one can make snow balls isn't really snow. im talking genuine stack 2 ft deep and like powder. I've never seen snow in my life :( It might sleet to heavy sleet every other random year but most of it melts as soon as it touches the ground or after an hour. One day though. I have a AWD and a 4WD vehicles along with a set of RWD sedans(e36 & W210), MUST HOON IN SNOW once in my life! :]

Ian Duer (320b) > EL_ULY
11/27/2013 at 01:04

My e36 is/was definitely my weapon of choice for snow-time-shenanigans. Find some kind soul that will let you try out their car with winters on it. On 205 winters tires you can do some pretty sweet stuff. One year I still had my 235/40 summers on when we got an early snow, it was basically useless. Snow is great fun with the right tires, but I can see where it scares people who don't know better.

EL_ULY > Ian Duer (320b)
11/27/2013 at 09:26

nice, 205's definitely sound fun :] i'll keep that in mind, never driven on snow obviously or felt the difference made by snow tires. On day buddy. The e36 will most likely be the weapon of choice as well, or the big W210 lol, that would be a trip

Ian Duer (320b) > EL_ULY
11/27/2013 at 09:46

It's not so much the size of the vehicle it's how you use it. Wait what are we talking about? In my experience longer wheelbase just means less prone to rotation, but doesn't make that big of a difference. I had an Aerostar (rwd minivan) which had a good 9 in of wheelbase on the w210 and it was still a hoot in winter, not least because I'm sure there were a lot of people who thought there was some sort of crazed soccer-mom in town with a penchant for drifting.

EL_ULY > Ian Duer (320b)
11/27/2013 at 12:36

lol that's true :] There is always the beach though to see if the longer wheelbase is less prone to rotation, might have to test that :]