If you must drive "spirited" on the street.

"Robert Maxwell" (madmax13d) 10/04/2013 at 02:21 • Filed to: Touge, Practicaladvice.

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(Putting Flame Suit on)

This by no means is an endorsement of this practice. However, we live in the real world, and it is still gonna happen. So here is my basic guide, from somebody who has participated in this activity in both the States, and Japan. So, here is my ground rules for a safe (and fun) time. Most of these are common sense.

1.) Always go at night, and make sure it is sparsely populated areas. This is self explanatory, you do not want to doing this in a crowded. I do it at night for the same reason, also because between about 11PM and 4AM, there is the least amount of traffic on the roads.

2.) Do not cut lanes. Again, safety is first priority. Even at night and being able to see headlights, that is no assurance of what is around the next corner. You can still learn much about the handling of your car by keeping it in your lane, and is a good education in of itself.

3.) Do not exceed 8/10s. Again this has to do with safety. It gives you a margin of error.

4.)Make sure your car is properly maintained. This is a must for day to day, however, it means X64 anytime you are putting any kind of stress on your car. Also, if you have adjustable dampers, and have it set for a track, it would behoove you to adjust a few clicks softer. You will stress your brake pads, if you have a slameed car, you will not have a good time. The road will not be completely perfect, which is another argument for running at 8/10s.

5.) Check your ego at the door. If someone demonstratively faster then you, let them by. Also, be sure to not let the "Red mist" take you. Your life is much more important then your pride.

6.) If you run with friends, make sure the rules are understand and egos are checked at the door. I've had good days on the mountain ruined by a friend who's ego outpaced his talent. Its a bad situation for everybody, if someone wrecks.

7.)Be prepared for changes in the weather. If you car has an meter for external temperatures, use it. Also, at night, fog and haze may roll in, limiting visibility. Do not pretend its nightfall at Le Mans, and attack through the fog. It doesn't make you a hero, only an Idiot.

8.)Have fun, enjoy the car and the road in the safest, most productive way you can. Also, if your driving in the mountains, stop at the top and enjoy the view.

TSLA > Robert Maxwell 10/04/2013 at 02:25

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I go at night so I don't see who I run over. flame suit deactiviated

Robert Maxwell > TSLA 10/04/2013 at 02:30

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For me, the night, and a decent set of headlights does away with the glare you get during the day, with the added bonus of less slow moving traffic. Helps with visibility, for me, because I am pretty light sensitive. Remember, its the differential of speed in traffic, rather then speed itself, is what makes speed dangerous.

Squid > Robert Maxwell 10/04/2013 at 02:45

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I used to go out on drives at night, then I moved to where there are shit tons of deer, and on my last mountain road outing a motherfucking bear ran across the road not even 200 feet in front of me while I was exiting a corner at ~45 MPH. . . It's too fuckin scary if you have to worry about wildlife that can destroy your car whilst being a free spirit at night. . .

Robert Maxwell > Squid 10/04/2013 at 02:47

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Deer do happen at night, however, where I am, its not really an Issue. I also have a passenger to spot wildlife for me 90% of the time I go. It's a rough guide, by no means perfect, but I think provides a good framework for people to work with.

PRBot II > Robert Maxwell 10/04/2013 at 03:12

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You had me until point #1.

Squid > Robert Maxwell 10/04/2013 at 03:48

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Oh yeah, I was just stating my case. I pretty much have the same subset of guidelines I follow while out on my drives. It just kinda sucks that there are so many big animals where I just moved to that like to hang out on the side of the road. My little Miata is no match for anything bigger than a rabbit. . . It just kinda sucks that the deer and bears have to go and ruin my fun on a road that was built through their home. . . .

If I end up keeping my car for the long haul, a proper HID upgrade kit will be put on so I can actually see better while out at night.

Robert Maxwell > PRBot II 10/04/2013 at 09:08

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Like I said, its a guide, and some may apply to some more then others. For me, and my personal consideration, that is important. I developed these living in two of the most congested road environments known to man. (Japan and Southern California) Traffic density therefor is much more important then wildlife.