Setting The World Record

"Oran J Sands III" (merlyyn) 11/10/2015 at 14:19 • Filed to: None

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Not long ago I set a World Driving Record. In a roundabout. And didn’t get dizzy.

TL:DR I set a World Record for driving around a roundabout for 3 hours, 36 minutes and 24 seconds.

If you’ve ever missed your exit from a roundabout and felt embarrassed doing a second lap, rejoice! Because no one knows it’s your second lap. And that’s the whole theory behind my new World Record.

There was no earlier record, not officially. There’s a YouTube video of a couple of dudes circling a roundabout about 10 times, giggling the whole time. But no officially established record. That would take recognition by !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! or one of the !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! that officiate over such matters.

Setting a record or establishing one requires that certain rules are met. Is it repeatable? Is it quantifiable? I had to design the attempt and define the category both. I needed to design it so someone else could break my own record. So it became the Longest Time Driving in a Roundabout with certain rules to narrow the range of the attempt.

The Attempt

The idea was simple, how long can you drive around a roundabout before someone notices and/or the police arrive? Hopefully at least 3 hours. The execution was a bit more involved. Last thing you want is for something to limit your ability to achieve a record.

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I drove about a hundred laps of the roundabout over the next few months, noting everything I would need or need to do during the attempt.

The roundabout I chose was a !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! . Chosen specifically because it had multiple lanes so I wouldn’t block traffic. Also chosen because it wasn’t a perfect circle. That way I could vary my driving to keep loose and alert.

I also decided I wanted passengers, co-drivers if you will. I asked for volunteers (several Jalopnik writers were asked and politely refused. Few have cars they can manage to drive out of state anyway) Friends stepped up and would prove invaluable in keeping me focused during the attempt.

I worried about the police. I didn’t mind getting stopped but I didn’t want to jeopardize the attempt. Being forced to leave the roundabout would terminate my day and my attempt. I decided to reach out to local government thru a friend. And it worked! Getting the Mayor’s office on board was a massive relief, and solved my biggest issue.

Sidenote: Carmel, Indiana has more roundabouts than most states have total. We have a mayor that is probably known worldwide as the Roundabout King (or should be.) We’ve held international conferences about them. !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

The day of the event I had six volunteers on my crew and a number of local tv stations indicating they were on the way. We had great radio communications so my crew could deal with my needs. The NW corner of the roundabout is home to a church that nicely let us use their lot for coordinating the event and parking. We had 2 dozen donuts, hot coffee and Dramamine for those that feared their stomach wasn’t up to the task.

We planned to roll out at 9:00am but a late arriving photographer delayed us getting his equipment in the car. The start ended up at 9:10am and we were on our way.

Let’s take a moment and discuss the vehicle for this attempt. I could’ve driven anything and gotten the job done but where is the fun in that? So I decided my project car/DD would add some adventure to the day. How about a ‘87 VW Cabriolet with the top down? The perfect car for a beautiful fall day so why not?

The car had 2 action cams mounted, one looking backwards, capturing the passengers and one in the backseat facing forward. We also had a tablet recording the whole driving time via GPS using Map My Ride app. All of these things were powered with an Anker 5 port USB hub with their IQ charging tech. Can’t say enough about how well that works. Two-way radio was also on board and I was wired with the usual behind the ear/ talk in your sleeve ear/microphone setup.

OPPO and Jalopnik bump?

Things went well and soon the mayor dropped by. He parked in the middle of the roundabout (because Mayor) and delivered a Mayoral Proclamation declaring it Roundabout World Record Day. And then he jumped in the car and we drove around chitchatting about how much fun this was.

Mayor Jim Brainard and our intrepid Record Holder

And that’s how it went for the rest of the day, dropping off/picking up riders and one 3 second pitstop to grab a custard-filled donut. Which promptly oozed all over my hand. Kids, don’t eat and drive!

The car performed well. After all, we only drove 65 miles at an average speed of 19 mph. But the one unexpected thing was the constant turning left made the engine slide to the right about a 1/4” which in a VW means the shift linkage is no longer aligned. So first gear went away. Not a showstopper but annoying none the less.

We applied to Recordsetter.com as they use video to verify record attempts and respond much quicker than Guiness (12 weeks?). The whole attempt is on YouTube. The GPS route is show below. Looks like a kid scribbling with a red crayon.

If there is a moral to this story it’s to do what you dream about. Make it a reality. I thought about doing this for a year and then 6 months ago decided it was time. This isn’t achieving world peace but it’s making an attempt and succeeding. And that leads to do more of the same.

All photos submitted by Oran Sands

Oran Sands is 64 and should probably act his age. Not likely to happen however. He’s a fan of Harris Tweed, VWs and Nine Inch Nails.

Chariotoflove > Oran J Sands III 11/10/2015 at 14:30

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How uselessly, gloriously wonderful! Good show making a town event out of it, as well.

Also, nice tie.

$kaycog > Oran J Sands III 11/10/2015 at 14:30

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Congratulations! That’s a roundabout way of getting a world record!

Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To > Oran J Sands III 11/10/2015 at 14:31

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That was a fantastic read. I guffawed especially hard at the author bio.

Chariotoflove > $kaycog 11/10/2015 at 14:31

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Groaaaan! You should either get COTD or be banned for that one.

Sportwägen, Driver Of The Red Sportwagen > Oran J Sands III 11/10/2015 at 14:32

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If this doesn’t get front paged, there is no hope left for humanity

Oran J Sands III > $kaycog 11/10/2015 at 14:34

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This is what your badge was for!

$kaycog > Chariotoflove 11/10/2015 at 14:34

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Probably the latter.

Xyl0c41n3 > Oran J Sands III 11/10/2015 at 14:36

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You’re probably my new favorite Oppo now. And you remind me of my favorite English professor, who shared a similar manner of dress. Thank you for such a delightful post!

SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman > Oran J Sands III 11/10/2015 at 14:38

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That’s considered a roundabout?!?

WTF Indiana?!

Still, that’s awesome and congratulations!

Oran J Sands III > SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman 11/10/2015 at 14:40

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21st Century style. Mega size roundabouts are also found in Europe with numerous lanes. This one allows traffic over the top of a limited access highway. They don’t stop at all.

SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman > Oran J Sands III 11/10/2015 at 14:45

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Pardon me being befuddled, it’s still an amazing accomplishment. Everything from the preparation, community involvement to the choice of car and stickers and the hat is awesome!

I have a friend who lives in Carmel. I sent this to him.

Also Triton Brewing is close by and is my 2nd favorite brewery in the whole state of IN (3 Floyds takes the crown by a country mile, of course).

I hope you don’t keep acting your age!

gin-san - shitpost specialist > Oran J Sands III 11/10/2015 at 14:45

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Got a bit heavy on a the throttle there.

gin-san - shitpost specialist > Oran J Sands III 11/10/2015 at 14:47

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I like the fact that you were able to stay in a roundabout for 3+ hours when many drivers in my city (where roundabouts are infrequent) display their inability to even spend 3 seconds in a roundabout.

Oran J Sands III > gin-san - shitpost specialist 11/10/2015 at 14:49

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The best is when some elderly driver stops in the roundabout to let someone enter it. Why we don’t have more chain-reaction collisions is beyond me!

Oran J Sands III > gin-san - shitpost specialist 11/10/2015 at 14:50

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I did a couple of hot laps when no one was around :-) My son used to drift around the thing.

SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman > Oran J Sands III 11/10/2015 at 14:52

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My city has a lot of roundabouts and in the 7 years I’ve lived in it. I’ve never one accident in any of them (not even the aftermath of one). I hope that streak continues

Oran J Sands III > SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman 11/10/2015 at 14:52

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Triton’s a great place! I’m known by sight at most of the small brewers in town.

gin-san - shitpost specialist > Oran J Sands III 11/10/2015 at 14:55

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I’ve seen that numerous times, but the roundabout I use most often has two lanes to enter and the frequency at which people cut into my lane at the last minute or basically just hog both lanes of the roundabout is just way too high. There’s also a clearly labeled sign telling you EXACTLY what needs to be done, but in a city where yield signs seem to flummox people, the behavior in roundabouts isn't surprising but still appalling.

Jonee > Oran J Sands III 11/10/2015 at 14:57

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This is my new favorite world record. You’ve bested those fat twins on motorcycles I always remember from Guiness. Congrats!

Brian, The Life of > Oran J Sands III 11/10/2015 at 14:59

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Awww yissss!

dogisbadob > Oran J Sands III 11/10/2015 at 15:00

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I’d love to drive around this peanut a few times

SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman > Oran J Sands III 11/10/2015 at 15:10

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I want to be like you when I grow up

Oran J Sands III > SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman 11/10/2015 at 15:14

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Then don’t grow up!

Justin Hughes > Oran J Sands III 11/10/2015 at 15:29

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You are tempting me to try and beat your record, good sir. :)

Spoon II > Oran J Sands III 11/10/2015 at 15:54

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Haha, love it! Congrats on the entertaining record!

Axel-Ripper > Oran J Sands III 11/10/2015 at 16:02

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This makes me happy. Bravo, sir.

Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap > Oran J Sands III 11/10/2015 at 16:15

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I absolutely love this idea. Now try to set the longest FWD drift around a roundabout.

Oran J Sands III > Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap 11/10/2015 at 16:19

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That would be challenging :-)

Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap > Oran J Sands III 11/10/2015 at 16:20

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It might have to be raining.

BREADwagon > Oran J Sands III 11/10/2015 at 16:27

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Front page, NOW!

This is so awesome, congrats!!

JDIGGS > Oran J Sands III 11/10/2015 at 18:21

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I think you also set a record for longest trip a cabrio didn’t break down on! Just kidding.

Oran J Sands III > JDIGGS 11/10/2015 at 18:23

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I have to admit that was mentioned by more than a few.

Gamecat235 > Oran J Sands III 11/11/2015 at 11:45

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I love this post, would you mind if I shared it to other user created communities within Kinja? This is very likely my favorite Oppositelock post ever (and I’ve been here since 2010).

Oran J Sands III > Gamecat235 11/11/2015 at 11:47

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Share away! Glad you enjoyed it. Possibly the last I’ll post here.

Gamecat235 > Oran J Sands III 11/11/2015 at 11:57

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Now that you’re moving on to better and more adventurous opportunities provided to you by being a world record holder? ;)

Because I have to say, that between the driving, dress, open for anything attitude, love of beer and Nine Inch Nails, and positivity, your posts are immensely refreshing and a prototypical ideal of what this community could be, at its best.

Signed, a fellow beer and NIN lover (and VW driver - 2000 New Beetle) who at 40 still has no idea what he wants to be when he grows up, and sincerely hopes that you’ll stick around a bit longer.

Oran J Sands III > Gamecat235 11/11/2015 at 12:13

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We’ll see. I love to write and spend a fair amount of effort on my posts but I’m beginning to feel that perhaps the effort could be better spent elsewhere. And you’re right, the World Record thing has opened up a few opportunities. The story has not quite gone viral but was shared coast to coast.

Gamecat235 > Oran J Sands III 11/11/2015 at 12:19

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I shared it on my social media account of choice (google plus) which is a rare feat for me and I know at least one of the other moderators here shared it on his facebook account. You clearly have a way with words and an attitude we should all strive for in life.

If I make it back to Indiana soon, I would love to buy you a beer (I’ve been to Indianapolis four times for work in the last two years, so there is definitely a chance it could happen. And I’ve explored the craft beer scene in depth, kind of torn between Triton, Black Acre, and New Day as my favorite - though there are many that follow after that).

Oran J Sands III > Gamecat235 11/11/2015 at 12:35

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I’m always up to raise a beer with like-minded people :-) You should try Flat 12 brewery and Sun King as well.

Gamecat235 > Oran J Sands III 11/11/2015 at 12:44

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I actually just had my last bottle of Pinko on Monday night with my brother and wife. =)

Sun King makes some truly excellent beers as well.

Snacktastic Part III: the Return of the Spatula > Oran J Sands III 11/11/2015 at 13:49

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Thanks for sharing! This is awesome and entertaining and a great accomplishment.

atomicalex > Oran J Sands III 11/11/2015 at 15:43

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As a former Cabriolet owner (82 ‘vert), I salute you, good sir!

I recommend carrying around a two-foot length of 1” square bar stock, this is good for all sorts of engine repositioning jobs and fits neatly under the parcel shelf.

Lovely Cabby! TT exhaust? I personally suggest the Dual Downpipe with a gutted Borla. We call it “the Voice of God” here in Michigan.

Oran J Sands III > atomicalex 11/11/2015 at 15:48

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Alex! It’s Moljinar!!! How’ve you been? yes, gutted Borla with race downpipe. Good ear!

atomicalex > Oran J Sands III 11/11/2015 at 16:24

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Ha! I was thinking how many guys can there be with that name!!

Excellent!!!

pjhusa > Oran J Sands III 11/11/2015 at 18:18

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#phoshop

Owl is lost > Oran J Sands III 11/11/2015 at 18:49

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This is fantabulous!

Seat Safety Switch > Oran J Sands III 11/12/2015 at 11:58

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This is an awesome way to have fun with cars. It’s probably worrisome that my first instinct was to shop for A1 VW sway bars and wonder how many more laps you could do in the same time with more grip.

Oran J Sands III > Seat Safety Switch 11/12/2015 at 12:19

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Actually the hot setup is to remove the sway bar from this to reduce the rear end coming around.

Seat Safety Switch > Oran J Sands III 11/12/2015 at 12:41

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I’m gonna need to see some experimental data. Do you have about three and a half hours of spare time to test?

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Oran J Sands III 11/17/2015 at 13:19

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And this, ladies and gentlemen, I why I love OPPO. Fantastically well done and written about, sir!

Oran J Sands III > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 11/17/2015 at 13:28

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Thank you! It’s not the only article I’ve written (if you care to dig thru my posts)

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Oran J Sands III 11/17/2015 at 13:37

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I know I’ve read stuff from you before. Thanks for helping to make OPPO awesome.

WalkingContridiction > Oran J Sands III 12/09/2015 at 15:29

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Love everything about this story, especially the fact that you did this in a MK1 Cabby and you are a fan of Nine Inch Nails! Never grow old sir, you are truly an inspiration!

I despise roundabouts with all of my heart but this one looks pretty fun. When I get my 84 GTI done I’ll have to look for this one! I’m about 3 hrs away in Goshen, IN.

Flavien Vidal > Oran J Sands III 12/16/2017 at 05:17

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Holy crap!!! That’s awesome!!! I’m not sure what to say really, but damn near the coolest thing I’ve ever read on Oppo :)

Svend > Oran J Sands III 12/16/2017 at 05:44

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Sorry, didn’t notice the date the OP posted.

71MGBGT Likes Subarus of Unusual Colors > Oran J Sands III 12/16/2017 at 07:44

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That was a pleasure to read!

Frenchlicker > Oran J Sands III 12/16/2017 at 11:12

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Ah man, if I knew about this I would have had to join in the fun. Side note: while many people hate Carmel’s roundabouts I quickly fell in love with them. So much time saved not having to deal with asshats at four way stops.

Frenchlicker > Frenchlicker 12/16/2017 at 11:55

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Just realized how old this was. Makes it even more odd because I was super active on here back then.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > Oran J Sands III 02/11/2019 at 10:03

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I’ve only spent maybe 5 minutes at a time going round about, a round about I in my Cabriolet.

I applaud your car choice

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > Oran J Sands III 02/11/2019 at 10:12

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Hey Oran, my brother just shared this link with me this morning. What a fun story, and congratulations to you for realizing your dream. Question: you can still make it count when you stop and pick people up and drop them off? I mean, isn’t that a discontinuity ?

Oran J Sands III > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo 02/21/2019 at 13:06

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No, s long as I didn’t leave the roundabout and didn’t stop for more than 60 secs. Had a close call when a cameraman took forever to get out of the back seat. Left with 1 sec left on the clock!!

Got another roundabout record coming!

Oran J Sands III > Chariotoflove 02/21/2019 at 13:06

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:-)

Oran J Sands III > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles 02/21/2019 at 13:07

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Thank you, it turned out to be quite the beast for roundabouts.