Street driving ettiquette. Am I a Bully?

[BillyGman]

I have a question for you guys. It's really one about sportsmanship, but also about social standards while behind the wheel.......

Now I know by asking everyone this, I'll be opening myself up to comments about safety, and the possibility of causing a traffic accident, so let me first address that issue before I even pose the question that I intend to ask.

Let's face it, very few of us (if any) have purchased a Marauder to drive mellow. I think there are very few people who will deny that, and of those who might try to, the first thing I'd ask them is: Why did you buy a Marauder then if you intend to drive it slow all the time? Why not a standard Crown Vic w/out the performance package? If you never drive fast or break the speed limit atleast once in awhile, then why wouldn't 220-230 gross HP have been enough for you? Why did you need to spend another 5K to have 300HP? Did you actually pass up the standard Crown Vic, or the Crown Vic w/the performance package to spend several thousand dollars more just for the mag wheels and the shiny tailpipes? I mean let's get real. Uh?

Okay, now having difused any potential criticizm about driving fast, which would be irrelavent to my intended question, I can now move on to ask away...........


I don't drive real crazy in moderate or heavy traffic. Yes, I drive fast sometimes, but I don't tailgate people, and I give my turn signals when I'm changing lanes, and when I'm turning. So even though I DO drive fast sometimes, I usually am curtious.

Here's the question......lastnight I'm driving on a main road that I know by heart, and one that is two lanes in each direction. It isn't a highway, but it's close to it since it IS a main route, that hasn't any parking on it, and does have break down lanes on each side.

It's well lit, and has traffic lights every halfmile, and in some places every quartermile(very tempting when traffic is very light). It goes through three sparsley populated towns (one of them is mine) and after 10:00 pm has very little traffic on any given night. It also has very wide and spacious lanes.

Let me also point out that I NEVER drink and drive at all, since I haven't even had a beer, nor a glass of wine in 22 years now(and I do NOT miss it). It's bad enough to drive after you've been drinking (which isn't even acceptable as far as I'm concerned) but it's just plain foolish to drive fast after you've been drinking. It's a much more lethal combination than driving fast while sober is.

So these two ricer boys (one in each of two cars) come flying by me. I see them coming and I was real tempted to hammer the gas pedal down, but I just mellowed out and let them pass since I was alreay doing 55 in a 45, and they were both doing about 75. So I knew right away before they even caught up to me that I would've had to bring it up to about 100 MPH to show them who's car is Boss. And doing 100MPH in a 45MPH zone is just plain insane, and it's where I draw the line.

Remember, this is NOT a highway I'm talking about. The speed limit is 45 MPH. It would be different if one of these ricers challenged me or even if I wanted to challenge them from a stand still at a traffic light, because that way by the time I took it up to 55 or 60MPH, I would've been a number of car lengths in front of them, and would've already proven that they cannot keep up w/my car as long as I didn't want them to.

So after they both go by me doing about 75MPH, they are both standing still at a traffic light about a mile up the road side by side, and reving their weed wacker sounding squirrel driven wheels under their hoods that they refer to as "engines", and w/black smoke coming out of their fart pipes. I pull up right behind one of them in the left lane. All three of us are waiting for the light to turn green, and then it does.......

They both take off, and I'm right on their bumpers and having to intermittenly let off the gas pedal to prevent my car from ramming into them and pushing them off the road. I kept on thinking to myself, "come on, why don't one of you move over so I can blow right by both of you?"

We then all had to stop for the next traffic light after getting up to about 60 MPH (in slow motion. It seemed like it took forever for their cars to get up to that speed, and they were in front of me). When the second light turns green, the same thing happened. So one of them finaly moved over and then I passed both of them, however they knew that they were no match for the Marauder, and they simply let me go by unchallenged.

I then tried to bate them by hitting my turn signal indicating that I was getting on the highway, and one of them followed me. I thought to myself "Great, now you're gonna see who's who, and what's what ricer boy." But even though I kept pretty close to the speed limit and even got into the passing lane, the guy wouldn't follow me, and he soon got off 2 exits ahead.

So what's the point of this entire story, you say? It's this......after I finally got off the highway, I thought to myself, "ya know Billy, those two guys knew eachother, and were just two friends having a little fun. They weren't running crazy in heavy traffic, nor on a congested street that has parked cars running along it, and an intersection every 200 feet. And they weren't passing people on the shoulder either. They were initially moving faster than I do on that street, but they weren't riding people's bumpers either.

They obviously knew eachother the way that they were talking back and forth and joking w/one another while their cars were side by side at those two traffic lights w/their windows rolled down. Their actions had nothing to do w/me. But here I come Mr. Big Bad Marauder driver, and I had to prove something to them. Right? BIG DEAL!!!

I must admit, that when it was all over, I thought, "Bill, why did you have to Bully those guys? They weren't tailgating you, nor did they challenge you. And neither one of them were even on side of you at a traffic light." So I think that I kinda learned something from that. It didn't show a whole lot of class on my part I must admit. Just cuz you can fly right by someone doesn't always mean that you should. I must admit that what I did was a bit tasteless. I'm sure that those guys didn't say, "Gee, that Marauder is really fast!". They probably said, "Who is this jerk behind us, and why doesn't he just go somewhere else and leave us alone?"

And I couldn't blame them if they did. :cool4:

Is there atleast a few people here who can relate to what I've said. Just because we "CAN", doesn't always mean that we "SHOULD". There should be some lines that are drawn no matter how fast your car is. Otherwise, you do NOT own your car, it owns YOU!!!

I like driving fast some times, as well as racing my car at the dragstrip, and even occasionaly at a traffic light while alongside someone else when it's a wide open street that's uncongested, and doesn't have heavy traffic, nor hidden driveways, nor a whole lot of parked cars along side it. But that doesn't have to mean that the faster that I get my Marauder to move, the more obnoctious I will become. :coolman:


...I didn't mean to make this post so long, and I just realized that I probably should've placed it in the Story forum, but I hope that this helps someone else see what I've realized through this little experience. Can anyone relate to, and even agree with what I've written???? Because if there isn't anyone who can, then quite frankly, I don't even want to be a part of this board anymore. But because there are so many great people on here, my guess is that there are a number of you who can relate and agree w/me on this.

[stevengerard]

I see where you are coming from, I hardly ever race anymore - just too dangerous, not for me but for the child running across the street or the other driver who hesitates or does something stupid. Since I have only had the Maurader 4 hours I can say I have already had to be patient, a few people trying to bait me at a light, can't do it, not with an engine that hasdn't been broken in. I get that all the time with my 442, in the end I just leave folks wondering about how fast it really is. Except last summer when I blew the doors off the guy in a new Lexus sports car on a highway in Michigan.

[BillyGman]

I think it's all good sometimes Steve. But, it just doesn't have to be where ever, and whenever. because if it is, there's something wrong, and you are out of control. And that's the way that I felt after thinking about this incident. "Out of control". We should be able to turn it on and off, when we believe it should or shouldn't be. It shouldn't be a kind of thing where, if you CAN do it, then you always will.

We should be able to tell ourselves "NO, NOT this time" atleast once in awhile. Because if we cannot, then we're acting like kids.

Do I luv doing a hairy burnout? Absolutely!!! Do I luv taking it up to 100 MPH? YES!!! But not anywhere, and any time that I can. The situation has to be as controlled as it possibly can on the street. There's always a risk factor on the street, but only the lesser risks should be taken, and it shouldn't be a constant thing every time we get behind the wheel.

And this whole thing that I'm bringing up isn't only about safety either. Like I said, if those ricers were challenging me, then maybe that would be different since there was hardly any traffic, and it was on a highly visible, and straight road. But they were minding their own business. They passed me because they were following eachother. They weren't challenging me at all.

So I should've minded my own biz, and let them mind theirs, instead of thinking tht I shouls jump in their between them, and show the ricers what "a real car can do"........

[rookie1]

No bullying went on that I could see from your story. Most car guys even ricer owners have an appreciation for power. The only thing we MM owners have to worry about is other drivers thinking we're the cops, that's a sickening feeling in those first moments when you think you've been nabbed.

I am curious as to why you felt the need to pre-defend your driving habits and your enjoyment of exceeding the legal limit. I didn't want a slow car or I would have bought one and I haven't noticed alot of politically correctness on this forum (in my short time here so far) regarding that subject.

[BillyGman]

There are a few I've noticed who like to give lectures. One of whom I think might not even own a Marauder himself. So I was trying to prevent this thread from going in an off-topic direction that I don't care for it to go. That's all. Also, there are a couple very young and inexperienced drivers on this board, who are great guys (both of them are teenagers) and I wanted to make it clear that as much as I luv driving fast, and taking the power of my car to the limit, I don't use all of it's power anywhere, nor every day for that matter.

I DO appreciate your response, however I must admit that I'm not in total agreement w/you on this one. I keep thinking how if that was me and a fellow Marauder owner who I knew from this board, and some guy in another car started riding our back bumpers just to get our attention, and to show us that his car can dust us both, I would've probably thought the guy was a seriously egotistical moron since neither one of us challenged him at all, but were merely challenging eachother. Especially if the guy had a totally different car than we do, that wasn't even a RWD V8, and wouldn't even have been appreciated nor admird by either one of us Marauder owners.

I think that you just have to reverse the situation and put yourself in their shoes. That's what I'm doing. The next time any ricer boy challenges me at a traffic light, I'll show him what a V8 engine can do, and I'll have fun doing that, but this was different. Nobody was challenging me at all, and I just had to try and jump in there between the two.

I just didn't feel too mature doing that.

[Haggis]

BULLY!! :nono: :shake: :coolman:

Then again. :up: :rock: :banana2:

[TAF]

This morning...I was saying my prayers....and as I have done EVERY morning for the last 6 months, Billy....I included this request...."Dear God, please also look after BillyGman. He's a REALLY good guy, sends me great PMs...and if there is any way in your Plan to provide him with a new Ford GT..." Then out of nowhere, on a warm spring morning, as the sun was coming up....a LOUD CRASH of thunder...BOOM!!!! And you know what God told me Billy? He had a Ford GT in his plan....until you did this^^^to those ricer-boys. He said "I could NEVER trust Billy with 550 HP".

Uh...so....sorry, Billy.:shake: :cry: ;)

[BillyGman]

:mad2: Okay, so i guess this entire thread is shot now.......thanks a lot Todd. Now i want to get that GT even more now just to see you in your Marauder to blow right by you!!!!!!!!

[BillyGman]

Uh, anyway, I still hope that I was able to get through a deeper message to those of you who are a bit more cerebral than Todd. :rolleyes:

[TooManyFords]

No post is ever simple with you, is it Billy... :D:D:D

I think you need to see a priest to absolve you of your guilt. :cool4:

Personally, I limit my street racing to only those that intentionally call me out at a light and we look at each other and smile before it turns green. I don't want hard feelings when the other guy loses.

Cheers!

John

[merc406]

You have your ET slip, you shouldn't feel the need to race on the street, :shake: besides, the JapCrap :puke: isn't in the same league as the Marauder. :rasta:

[BillyGman]

No post is ever simple with you, is it Billy... :D:D:D

I guess not John. It must just be me. ;)


.......or it's because of guys like Todd!!!!! :uzi: :uzi: :uzi:

[SouLRioT]

I myself usally dirve above the limit, never really challanged either, but on the point of if I were driving side-by-side with a friend, I'd really only do that if we were racing, or at the light, because i'd rather be lined up the side-by-side. I hate it when its a two lane hwy and two cars are side-by-side. I'd just let you drive by, and rookie1 has a good point that they prolly thought you were a unmarked leo too. Bully no, guy who scared the crap out of them, more than likely.

[BillyGman]

You have your ET slip, you shouldn't feel the need to race on the street, :shake: besides, the JapCrap :puke: isn't in the same league as the Marauder. :rasta:

yep.....I guess that my thinking on this is somewhere in the middle of your comments and NotTooMany Ford's comments. I do like to race once inawhile on the street from 0-60 MPH, or from 55-100 on the highway as long as traffic is very sparse, and there's wide open asphalt.

But loike you've implied, these Japanese beer cans weren't even in my league, and the guys driving them were young enough to my sons, and probably work at McDonalds by the looks of their cars. And I still focus on the fact that neither one of them really were challenging me. They were just friends having a good time when I jumped in to pounce on them both.

I think that I just cheapened our image, and the Marauder image by doing that, and I'm glad that there wasn't a whole lot of other motorists around to see that. I mean, you should've seen how I was harrassing them during their little race w/one another. i was darting back and forth from the left ane to the right lane almost playing tag w/both of their back bumpers as they were trying to get away from me even though they couldn't.

I guess it all sounds kinda funny, and Todd I'm sure is getting a kick out of this, but I just felt really juvenille after it was over. It wouldn't happen again, I can tell you that.

[merc406]

Your alright, and honest too.. :rock: :rasta:

[BillyGman]

and rookie1 has a good point that they prolly thought you were a unmarked leo too. Bully no, guy who scared the crap out of them, more than likely.

I don't think so, because first, my car is pretty loud, especially when I wnd it up.
Secondly because they both had just went by me doing 20 MPH faster than I was, and 30 MPH over the speed limit just about a mile before that, and now the both of them were racing eachother. So no way did they think I'm a cop.

[TAF]

Alright Billy...here's my honest answer. I think you're being a little hard on yourself. But your reflection on the incident is "spot-on". Those 2 guys were friends, out having fun in their cars...and you "crashed their parade" a little. I think our car lends itself to being challenged rather than cruising for one. The "stealth-nature" of the Marauder lends itself to that. Stick to taking on guys who want to take you on...like me.:P

I kinda equate it to the guy the other day that came in here and posted a thread to get us all excited. He did the "electronic equivalent" of walking into a room full of folks, with a common interest and passion, having varied conversations about their passions....walked into the middle of the room and took a big :censor: then stepped back and wondered why we were all complaining about the smell.

My advice would be to stick to direct challenges from folks. Like the one I posted above.:D

[Smokie]

Billy, I found your post insightful and found myself nodding my head in certain passages that I found very similar to my own thoughts. As we make changes to our cars and make them more powerful there is a very natural tendency to find out what it can do and who we can leave in the dust. it is very easy to feel or imagine that we have been challenged; when in reality there was no challenge.

I have always enjoyed speed and the adreline rush of a race. Having been witness to several fatal accidents in 34 years as a licensed driver, having 3 sons, my youngest is 20. having lost a dear member of my family to a high speed reckless driver, it tempers my judgement and even when I do an occassional high speed romp; there is always a little voice in my head telling me: you don't have the right to kill anyone over a moment of fun.

I chose very carefully the moment when I romp & stomp, actually I have a few little rules that I don't violate.

It must be broad daylight.
Dry pavement.
No alcohol in my body.
Never do it when angry.

I don't think you are a bully at all, I think the fact that you think and question is good, makes you responsible.
Bad drivers don't think and they always believe they are right.:up:

[BillyGman]

LOL.... yes Todd, I remember that guy who came on here. That was rediculous. And that's a pretty good comparisant. Yep, you hear what I'm saying.

[Petrograde]

okay Billy,... maybe you bullied them a bit. But,... it's not like you went out and said "alright,.. where's some ricers I can f*** with?" So I guess you did it unintentionally.

Besides,... Power Corrupts! :lol:

You may have felt a little guilty afterward. What I see is this: an empty highway, 2 ricers revving their puny motors, and the only thing between you and them is air and opportunity! I probably would've done the same,.. or similar.. (I'm paranoid about tailgating,.. I don't do it)

As far as racing on an empty road.... I'll do that without a shread of remorse! Why not? I don't see a problem with that. Unless you race up to a minivan full of kids, or any other car.

let the flames begin.

[BillyGman]

Smokie, those are some good points you've brought up too. And thanks for the words of encouragement and wisdom there pal. I agree w/you. I lost a brother in a high speed car wreck (my brother Mike left two kids behind because he literally split his Porcshe 911 in half around a tree while doing 100+MPH during a race w/another motorist). I also lost a co-worker in a car wreck (his engine came out of the car when he hit a tree doing 100+MPH).

I also knew this guy who was flying downa side street w/his motorcycle at night that wasn't wel lit. He hit a parked car. The bike stopped dead in the trunk of that car, but the guy kept on sailing through the air and his body knocked down a tree. Needless to say he died on impact. NOT pretty.

There was another motorcyclist who couldn't wait for the cars in front of him that occupied both the left and righthand lanes on the highway he was riding on. So he decided to pass them both by using the breakdown lane. But there was an abandoned car waiting for him in the dark of the night in that breakdown lane that night. He hit the car so hard, that the bike actually moved it 33 feet. yep, he was dead alright.

Please don't anyone say, "Hey, when your time is up, it's up"...that is one of the most ignorant statements I've ever heard.

Yep, cars are fun, but we are all like a fragile egg on wheels that's ready to break while driving down the highway. Yes, we have these Marauders to drive them hard, and I often do. Marty saw how hard I like to drive my Marauder, and how playful I can be while behind the wheel, but I also think that there has to be a balance in our driving habits, and that we all need to have some personal rules like you have listed Smokie. Good post my man.

[BillyGman]

Incase anyone sees a contradiction in my statements, let me point out that like I said, i don't tailgate other drivers while I'm behind the wheel. Atleast not unless I'm racing them, and even that is out of character for me to do that. if it was a race against me, i would've been in the other lane as my opponent was, instead of in the same lane. But that's just another reason why I was out of place there.

We never went over about 60 MPH during the incident, because I could tell that these guys both new that I'd blow there doors off w/my car. So they both let off the gas at about 60MPH.

[CRUZTAKER]

You did ok Billy...it's all a part of being defensive. To be defensive and avoid accidents...one must be somewhat aggessive as well.

The marauder just brings out the marauder in folks!

[Haggis]

... I think that I just cheapened our image, and the Marauder image by doing that, and I'm glad that there wasn't a whole lot of other motorists around to see that. I mean, you should've seen how I was harrassing them during their little race w/one another. i was darting back and forth from the left ane to the right lane almost playing tag w/both of their back bumpers as they were trying to get away from me even though they couldn't.


I'll say it again: BULLY

Just like a cat playing with some mice. You should be ashamed of yourself!

Rock on Billy, way to smoke them Ricers!! :rock: :rock:

[BillyGman]

Boy, I think it's a god thing you 2 guys aren't my concsience(sp?). I'd be whole lot worse if that was the case!!!! :eek:

[dwasson]

Billy, sometimes you can't resist showing the ignorati the truth. I understand. It's not bullying but it is a mission doomed to frustrate you. They'll lie to each other about why they lost and by the tine they get to the bar they'll convince themselves that your car had a prostock scoop with a blower.

[PhkinQk]

Hey Billy,

Guys like that look for others to "play" with, if you will. When I'm out in my Mustang or my buddies 9 sec GN (boost dialed down to 10lbs from 32lbs when on the street) we enjoy showing our trunk lid to the kiddies. I've done it often with the Marauder too.

I'd not sweat it, if they didn't want anything to do with you they'd have backed away. And usually my experience with the Marauder when I'm flying people think it's a cop car and always get the hell out of my way anyway, lol.

See ya on the road....

[Haggis]

Remember to play nice with the little Kiddies now...and don't go picking fights.

[Heavy351]

From the ricer's point of view you were probably a bully, but in your defense you were reminding the of the proper order of things.

Enthusiasts of all kinds (not just cars) run in their own little universe with like minded people. We all have seen time and again what happens when someone tries to move outside of that (witness the Landrover crossposting pissing match)

To these 2 guys you were some outsider who falls outside there scope of cool or fast.

Imagine for a moment you were screwing around on the same road with another marauder board buddy and someone in a 911 turbo does exactly the same thing to the both of you. do you:

1. marvel at how fast and cool he is?
2. think "smackoff" and "needs to spend X to buy a Y to thinks he's better than us" and forget about him and get back to foolin' around with your Marauder buddy.


That is why bench racing outside of our "world" is so pointless, especially on a message board full people who cannot relate to our little universe.

Now out on the open road when someone who is obviously venturing well outside of the world where he may be the big dog, it is entirely your choice to slap him around a bit for his poor judgement.

Now, a few weeks back I "raced" :shake: a Lotus Esprit turbo (a 4 banger!) of an older vintage from light to light. Needless to say I was spanked but I was not expecting to "win". Of course, I had no great desire to post it here I did it for the fun of it. Now Lotus boy was probably laughing at my obvious insanity.
We are all the same.....

[woaface]

I'll get a chance to comment on this soon.

I saw a Lotus Esprit V8 the other day! Red...oooooo.

[BillyGman]

Well, many of you have brought out some very interesting and thought provoking points. And here I was wondering if I would even get much of a response concerning this incident. This is a pretty cool board!

[Haggis]

Well, many of you have brought out some very interesting and thought provoking points. And here I was wondering if I would even get much of a response concerning this incident. This is a pretty cool board!


You still a BULLY!! :lol:

[BillyGman]

no mercy........wait until I see YOU on the street!!! Mr. Hyde will come out :flamer:

[merc406]

You still a BULLY!! :lol:


Double that :lol: :lol:

[Haggis]

no mercy........wait until I see YOU on the street!!! Mr. Hyde will come out :flamer:


:lol: :lol: :lol:
My friend.....

[woaface]

I tend to watch my mirrors and know what's around me, and what will be around me. I try to predict the conditions from where I am to a half a mile ahead or so at all times. I see these guys come up in my rear view mirror and I gas it then, so when they do catch up, I'm doing almost what they're doing. But then they slack off like the :censor: they are. So I end up doing 10 under waiting for them and they just lag behind...as if their pants fell of AGAIN and they can't reach the gas pedal.

Yes...ricers are uninteresting in this town.

I don't think you were too bully. But as a kid, I'd rather (if I were you or them) pull up slowly and rev an engine to ask if it's ok to join the fun. OR hope they never saw you, come up on one's bumper really fast, flash the lights and then gun it around them (if that's so an option).

BTW a Grand Prix 5speed smoked me the other day. From stop light to speed limit. I SWEAR I could have beat her HAD I not had 800lbs of people in the car taking up my other 4 seats. :shake: She only had me by a few feet when we hit 50.

[PhkinQk]

This morning going to get my spoiler on, I dusted a Volvo S80, not a ricer but feels just as good............

We can start a Ricer Bully Club........ lol.

[duhtroll]

Billy - I probably woulda done the same thing, because when it all comes down to it we like having fun in our cars too. :)

I would say within the limits of safety (and everyones limits are different) it's OK to smoke, and be smoked by the appropriate competition. If they didn't like it, you can't feel sorry for them.

I'll probably someday challenge some car I know I should have no chance against, just to see what happens. There's no shame when you're expected to lose. The real challenge is winning when you're supposed to win, IMO.

Enough rambling from me - I think the most important thing is making sure no one gets hurt.

Thanks,
-A

[woaface]

I'll probably someday challenge some car I know I should have no chance against, just to see what happens. There's no shame when you're expected to lose.
I do that all the time. It's an odd feeling to stand still.

[duhtroll]

I should add that *finding* said car in Iowa is not the easiest task.

I challenged a 911 once for that reason, but I beat him. :shake:

<sigh> I'll keep looking.

:D

-A

[BillyGman]

Okay then.....here's a challenge for everyone: name one scenario that would give you a pretty good shot at showing off your Marauder's acceleration, come out on top, and yet would still back off because of self-control. If you cannot think of a time when you said "NO" to yourself, or atleast a hypothetcical situation that would occur where you say "no, I will not participate" then you're an accident and maybe even a fatality waiting to happen.

Now I myself can and will list atleast one scenario where I did back off, however I'm gonna let some of you guys go first. many of you guys have given me a pat on the back here, and as your fellow board member I can appreciate your support, but I cannot fully accept what many of you are saying until you can atleast list one potential situation where you would eny your ego, and simply refuse to participate.

Smokie said that he has some personal rules that he sticks to, and so do I. What about the rest of you? Some of you have briefly touched on that, but some of you have only talked about how you enjoy smoking ricers. Let's hear about more than what you enjoy, and about how you draw the line somewhere, and exactly where those lines are drawn.

Yes, I'm challenging you guys. Who can meet that challenge? It's a question like this that separates the men from the boys regardless of how fast your car is.Just because you earn enough money to have purchased a fast car doesn't neccessarily mean that your man enough and responsible enough to be in control of that power that you now have under that hood.

So come on guys. Show me what you got. Smokie already has. As did a couple others. I can only fully accept and respect your viewpoints about dusting people at traffic lights and even at the dragstrip, if you can talk also of you're able to also have a balance by being able to exercise some self-control (aka "temperance". A word that is unfamiliar to MOST people in our society weather they drive fast or not).

........"so do ya feel lucky punk? Make my day"...... :shot:

[TAF]

On my way up to Team Ford a couple weeks ago, a Red Ferrari Mondial pulled up next to me at the light (right in front of Cracker Barrel on Delk Road...those of you who've been to breakfast know the spot). He looked at me, smiled and when the light went green...he was GONE before I could even press the gas.

It was a red flash of beauty....

Is that what you mean, Billy.

[teamrope]

I'll say it again: BULLY

Just like a cat playing with some mice. You should be ashamed of yourself!

Rock on Billy, way to smoke them Ricers!! :rock: :rock:
What he said... ya thats it. :stupid:

[BillyGman]

On my way up to Team Ford a couple weeks ago, a Red Ferrari Mondial pulled up next to me at the light (right in front of Cracker Barrel on Delk Road...those of you who've been to breakfast know the spot). He looked at me, smiled and when the light went green...he was GONE before I could even press the gas.

It was a red flash of beauty....

Is that what you mean, Billy.

It depends Todd. Did you abstain from racing the guy simply because you thought that you would lose? If that's the case, then that's NO what I"m talking about. I'm talking about a possible situation via experience or hypothetical, where you can honestly say that you abstained from participation or would abstain even if you believe that you can win, simply because it's too dangerous or simply wouldn't be wise due to the risk being too great for disaster.

It has a lot to do w/the personal rules that Smokie listed in his post which he has set and follows. I will some of mine, buit I want to hear from you guys first to see if some of you even have any.if you don't, that isn't good.

[Glenn]

I am not one to even reply to this thread. So please excuse my thoughts. I guess you could call me a bully on the interstates where it is unsafe to go less then 80 or the trucks will actually blow you off the roads. But, it is 4-6 lanes and a location where the MM can really show its stuff even to the ricers. I try (and I say try) to keep my Bully driving to the interstates. It is just not safe to drive fast on local roads. I really hate to sound like I am preaching here. I am not a saint. I have had my share of runs on local roads. But, I do try and not do it. Sometimes it is very hard to control even for an old man. But, man I love to drive on those mile long entrance ramps with trees on both sides and no LEO. And yes, it is fun to drive behind someone and then have the sea of cars part in front of you. It is even better to blow my another MM in the middle lane and he does have a pray of even responding to you. I'm hooked and can't help it. But, it is on the interstates. I normally drive like an old man on the local roads even 4 lanes. I would be happy to Bully with you Billy on the interstates, but I think I would lose, your car is way too strong for me. Got to go, my wife and me are going on a trip today on the (you guessed it) interstates. It will be fun.

Glenn

[BillyGman]

Okay, atleast there's one member that has responded w/some personal driving rules thyat he makes an effort to stick by. I don't have thje same rules as him that I stick by, but I respect him for that. Anyone else? It's getting mighty quiet here all of a sudden. Why is that? Too much of a challenge for you guys to handle????

Where are all you tough guys who were posting in here before? Are you only up for a challenge while behind the wheel of your marauder? I hope that isn't the case for your sake.......

This isn't about being an angel behind the wheel of your car. I definatyely am NOT. But I want to hear about the kind of balance that Smokie related to us by listing his personal rules of things he doesn't do while behind the wheel. What do you other guys have to say about that. if you have nothing to say then I question weather you even belong having a fast car or not.

And if thjat's the case, I definately hope thay you never get a supercharger.

[JamesHecker]

I can relate to the story. I often jump off the line just to feel the thrill of burning rubber and rapid accelleration. And I have felt bad afterwards about scaring other drivers with screeching tires. Now I try to limit breaking the rear wheels loose to only when I am by myself or next to someone that obviously wants to play.

And most of the time when I am next to someone aggresive, but not in the same league I will stand down and let them go. ( most of the time that is :D ).

I did get my tail spanked by a Trans Am the other day though :fire:

What's up with that? I didn't think that should have happened. Can a stock one do that?

[duhtroll]

Billy - some of us are doing other things today. That's where we are.

If the whole point of the thread is exercising self control, then if it makes you feel better I only race someone about 1 in 5 chances I have to do so.

Most times I give them the "you're not worth my time and fuel/blow off" wave.

On the occasions that I "drive fast" (meaning in excess of 5-10 over the speed limit, which is my M.O. 80% of the time):

1) I am on an open road by myself
2) One of the aforementioned races - average maybe one every two weeks driving 100 miles per day
3) My wife calls me telling me she is going to the hospital because something might be wrong with the baby (other than that it's mine) - happened yesterday.
4) Krispy Kreme has an all-you-can-eat promotion

Does that help?

-Andrew

EDIT - the baby is fine, BTW

[MapleLeafMerc]

I have a thought or two about self-control as it applies to driving.

It is human to give in to the temptation to be reckless now and then. We have all taken chances we shouldn't have taken or didn't have the right to take.

The serious stuff I did was many years ago when I was young and "invincible". Looking back, I know that I've easily scared/offended my share of fellow motorists and even the odd passenger.

My driving habits mellowed when I got married and had children. At that point it dawned on me that it was no longer Larry, frustrated Nascar driver, but Larry the husband and father. I no longer had the right to take those kind of risks (if I ever did), because others depended on me coming home safely. Besides, I don't want to be like Albert Brooks in Defending Your Life, explaining in heaven how he killed himself in his brand new BMW for the sake of a momentary thrill.

I like the 0-60 stuff still but can't remember the last time I hit triple digit mph. Dangerous and very expensive.

I don't know if this answers the question but it's from the heart. ;)

[jaywish]

Hey Billy,

I have 1 question for you.

Did you use those 50's you have mounted behind the turn signals?

That would be bullying.

I mean 50's come on... those little rice burners don't have the GVW capacity to even mount 50's.

[Redster]

I was on I35 near one of those famous Texas left hand exits (for those that know, the split just north of Hillsboro), I need to go left. There was a Contour of all things, all over my butt. So I keep going faster, thinking I'm staying out of his way. This continued all the way to the exit by which time the speedo is on 90. Soon as I take the exit I hit the right lane to get out of his way. He goes by and nearly looses it. Kinda weird watching a fwd get loose at 90. Anyway, I think to myself it's not worth it.

[rookie1]

[QUOTE=Heavy351]Imagine for a moment you were screwing around on the same road with another marauder board buddy and someone in a 911 turbo does exactly the same thing to the both of you. do you:

1. marvel at how fast and cool he is?
2. think "smackoff" and "needs to spend X to buy a Y to thinks he's better than us" and forget about him and get back to foolin' around with your Marauder buddy.

No, I'd be thinking I wish I had Zack or Mac's car and then if I still couldn't handle that sauerkraut burning piece of *****, well i just don't know what I would do.

P.S. Billy you are waaaay over thinking this whole bully thing, i grew up in Detroit and a fast car was a fast car and whoever wanted to play played. I raced a new corvette on my motorcycle all the way down Woodward Avenue once and we obviously weren't in the same class it was just plain fun. Those two kids probably forgot about you after all of 45 seconds.

[rookie1]

Okay then.....here's a challenge for everyone: name one scenario that would give you a pretty good shot at showing off your Marauder's acceleration, come out on top, and yet would still back off because of self-control.
My Valentine 1 was blinking.

[teamrope]

Billy, I came across this thread this morning right before I had to run out of the house. By previous post was to "Bookmark" it.

I can see your line of thinking and probably would feel the same.

I've backed out of a few that I knew I would win hands down. Last weekend I had a bone stock Honda accord with 3 teens in it ridding 10 ft off my ass at 50 on a country road. there was traffic coming the other way and we were entering a 45 zone. They passed with an on coming car less than 300 yrds away. I could have gunned it and they never would have caught up to my back bumper.

I don't know if it was the ticket I got for speeding a week earlier talking or comon sence, but I just let them go by.

[BillyGman]

IMO Rodster was ther only one who was man enough to address my question, because he and Smokie were the only two who mentioned specific situations where they would back off on the gas pedal rather than accepting the challenge to race.

I don't know what's up w/the rest of you. here an example of what I once did and would do again to avoid an extremely increased risk.......

I was in my 73 Vette (which is faster than my Marauder) and this guy in a Mustang starts riding my bumper. And up until that day I had never been beat by any Mustang so I was confident that I could lose that guy.

So I downshifted and hammered the gas pedal and despite his efforts to keep up I lost him. It was night time, and this was not on the highway, but that same wide open road that I spoke of earlier in this thread which has two lanes on each side. So I let off once I proved my car's superior performance, but he kept on. The problem for him is that he was behind me, and when this first occured, there wasn't any traffic around either one of us. However when I let off the gas and he caught up to me, we had come upon some traffic ahead of us and both lanes were occupied by slow moving cars.

So the guy had no way to pass me. that is until he made a way. He crossed the right lane and unto the break down lane in order to pass me and the two cars in front me just to get by me. That's where I draw the line, and I didn't even bother.

That's just plain insane, and downright foolish, and I'm not going to do that, nor do I care to rat race w/anyone who starts doing things like that. The point is I just beat the guy, and could've beat him again, but I wil not pass somebody by doing so in the breakdown lane!!!!

Smokie had mentioned things that he will not do also. But nobody else seems to even care about that. NOT good. Do all of you drive fast and race people when you have been drinking? That's another thing that Smokie mentioned that he will not do. Will you pass someone around a blind turn whre you only can hope that there aren't oncoming cars just around that turn? Another thing that is just too risky.

These are the kind of things that I hoped to hear you guys mention but I'm not hearing them from anyone but Smokie. What's up w/that? Do any of you even use your signals during lane changes?????

What about racing someone who challenges you in the rain? Will you participate in that while the roads are wet too? This isn't rocket science here guys. It's just about drawing some lines, and making some personal rules for yourself and sticking to them rather than simply allowing the amount of HP under your hood dictate what the rules will be for each situation.

I guess some guys here just don't get it. Not very impressive. If I've offended you, than so be it if that's what has to happen for you to wake up. Like I said before, I had an older brother die in a car wreck where he was going 100+ MPH in 5:00 traffic on a weekday. His fault!!! Would you guys do that? I don't want to hear about things like that happen to any one of you, nor would I want it to happen to me either.

I'm beginning to think that it's a good thing that HP costs so much $$$$. because it makes big HP a little less accessable for atleast some of us.

[teamrope]

IMO Rodster was ther only one who was man enough to address my question, because he and Smokie were the only two who mentioned specific situations where they would back off on the gas pedal rather than accepting the challenge to race.

Maybe you were writing this when I posted the previous reply...

[BillyGman]

Maybe you were writing this when I posted the previous reply...

Yes Teamrope I was. I'm happy to have read your post, and I must include you along w/Smokie. That's great my man. You definately relate to what I've been writing here. Cool.......

[BillyGman]

My Valentine 1 was blinking.

uh, so was that supposed to be funny? Sorry , I don't see the humor. If that's the only thing that slows you down in any situation, then for your sake I hope they soon come out w/something that cannot be overcome w/radar detectors or Laser jammers.

[BillyGman]

Billy - some of us are doing other things today. That's where we are.

so what are you saying? That I wasn't doing anything else today? (wrong).

[Zack]

I read about 4 lines of Billy's first post, otherwise I ignored the rest of this thread.
I did, however do something else useful here.
I approximated Billy wrote 29,880 characters of text all in one day.

[BillyGman]

so what's your point Zack? Don't be shy. Spit it out. That is if you have anything to say. Or do you always prefer to speak in riddles?

[merc406]

Like I conveyed earlier, you have No, Reason, to Race on the public roads, you have an ET slip, better you pull off the road with a person that wants to challenge you or better yet keep your slip with you and wave it at him, he'll know what it is if he's been around. Young kids in 4 bangers just don't fit in the picture within the Marauder world.
Happy motoring to ya. :rasta: .

[Zack]

so what's your point Zack? Don't be shy. Spit it out. That is if you have anything to say.


I have no point Billy, just being myself.
Oh yeah, you are up to 29,947 characters now.
Can I get a big 30,000?

[BillyGman]

LOL.......I took some vitamins today. Thanks so much for the math. How helpful of you. :)

[duhtroll]

IMO Rodster was ther only one who was man enough to address my question, because he and Smokie were the only two who mentioned specific situations where they would back off on the gas pedal rather than accepting the challenge to race.

Billy, I didn't mention any specific situations because it simply isn't that important to me. Guess I'm not "man enough." Maybe I can't recall anything in recent memory where I allowed other drivers to affect my judgment with regards to safety. Maybe it's because I am a very safe driver.


Smokie had mentioned things that he will not do also. But nobody else seems to even care about that. NOT good. Do all of you drive fast and race people when you have been drinking? That's another thing that Smokie mentioned that he will not do. Will you pass someone around a blind turn whre you only can hope that there aren't oncoming cars just around that turn? Another thing that is just too risky.

These are the kind of things that I hoped to hear you guys mention but I'm not hearing them from anyone but Smokie. What's up w/that? Do any of you even use your signals during lane changes?????

What about racing someone who challenges you in the rain? Will you participate in that while the roads are wet too? This isn't rocket science here guys. It's just about drawing some lines, and making some personal rules for yourself and sticking to them rather than simply allowing the amount of HP under your hood dictate what the rules will be for each situation.

Maybe it's because very few of us engage in behavior anywhere near this risky? Just a thought. Maybe you're assuming a bit too much about people that drive Marauders?

Someone just said it on this board recently -- "Just because you CAN go fast, it does not necessarily follow that you MUST go fast."


I guess some guys here just don't get it. Not very impressive. If I've offended you, than so be it if that's what has to happen for you to wake up.

Maybe it's that many of us *do* get it, and don't drive angry or stupid.


I'm beginning to think that it's a good thing that HP costs so much $$$$. because it makes big HP a little less accessable for atleast some of us.

Since when does money make anyone smarter or more deserving? There are a bunch of wealthy idiots out there, Billy.

Asking us if we race while drunk around blind curves is not the best choice of words. Who in the world is going to say that's OK?

In short, I think your lack of response is because the response you seek is not needed. It's simply common sense.

-A

[BillyGman]

I hope you're right about nobody driving and taking big risks. But I wouldn't assume that. If you don't care enough about it to list some things that you avoid while behind the wheel, then I wonder if it might be because you might not have a deep enough conviction about it. I mean, we talk about almost everything else here on this board. Right?

But this is merely speculation on my part. I've openly admitted where i went wrong, and have learned from it. Are you telling me that you never went a bit too far while behind the wheel? I highly doubt that friend.

[duhtroll]

I raced this guy in a 747 once. I was on the roof with the cruise set at 120 steering with my left foot while trying to keep my eye on the sky.

That mall parking lot was crowded, so I had to do some weaving.

I smoked him, though! (it was kinda hard to tell through the new telescope mod I had installed last week but I'm sure I had a car length on him) I did back off before I hit the grassy area beyond the lot though. THAT would have been going too far.

Racing without roads in the MM is where I draw the line.

Happy?

-A

[BillyGman]

You are under no obligation to prove anything to me. I was merely asking for an explanation since it was you yourself who has chosen to participate in this thread that I started about this subject. If you have a tough time being open about it then you don't have to participate. You're under no obligation to do so.

Most of us here have gotten carried away behind the wheel I'm sure. It's one of the temptations of having a fast car. My main point of this thread was that we can drive fast sometimes, and try to keep the risks to a minimum by setting certain guidelines for ourselves, and I used my own shortcoming as an example. My finger was pointed at myself first, and I want to learn from a mistake the easy way rather than the hard way.

I'm merely speaking of having some type of balance. That's all. Every individual has to establish what that balance should include. My motive here is pure. It isn't for any selfish reasons. Atleast you can respect me for that. Right?

If you think that I started this thread for you and others to simply give me a pat on the back and tell me that I'm okay, then you were mistaking. I don't need an online message board for that. You seemed to be fine w/people telling me that I was okay because of what I did. You had no disagreement there.

But as soon as it went a little deeper then you object w/corny jokes. Like I said, if you don't care for the thread, then you don't have to participate either. But ofcourse I welcome you to just as I'm sure everyone else does too.

[duhtroll]

My guideline is "don't let other drivers decide for you."

How's that?

I have a daughter on the way, and I want to meet her children. I bought the MM for it's style first, size second, and speed third. If I was going for speed first, I woudn't be in a MM, but a Cobra or something faster.

I'm not speaking for anyone but myself, but I bet speed is not the overwhelming reason anyone here bought the MM. (or at least the majority - if they did then they chose poorly).

Chastising me or anyone else for not being stupid behind the wheel isn't going to offend me. I am not a stupid driver - never have been, can't think of very many things that would make me become one. Teen episodes notwithstanding, but even those were tame by some of the things I hear here.

Like I said before, I personally think most people here *are* bright enough to know what's smart and what isn't when it comes to fun in cars. They certainly are the first people I turn to when I seek advice on anything car-related, and I like to think of myself as being intelligent.

But hey, let's keep this going. I'm getting close to 500 posts!

Um, tomorrow. I gotta go to bed so I can get up for church. :nono:

Thanks,
-A

[BillyGman]

Thanks for your input. No chastisement from me really. I just wanted to challenge those who seemed to show me enough concern to tell me that I'm okay because of what I was doing behind the wheel the other night.

If you're really that concerned about me to tell me that I'm okay,then I'd think that you're also concerned ebough to tell me what you think would be going too far behind the wheel. Just a challenge to provoke some thought and soul searching. We all have to judge ourselves. Surely you can relate to that if you are a church goer.

BTW, have you ever heard of the car related term "sleeper"?? That describes a car that looks mild mannered, or looks to heavy abd tank like to move fast, but when you step on the pedal, all it's stealthiness is revealed. that's how many guys think of their Marauders. So what I've said doesn't have to apply to you at all, but it does apply to a number of marauder owners here. if it didn't then why would a great number of guys on here be purchasing go fast parts for their MM's???

Anyways, take care.

[TAF]

Billy...I know you said in your 1st post that you "have not had a drink in 22 years"...so, I've got a question.

Can I buy you a drink??!!:beer:

Chill-out my friend, or I might have to fly up there and take you by the ear to the nearest bar. :D ;)

[Haggis]

WOW Billy, I did not mean to open a can of worms here. Relax. You asked in your original post if you were a Bully? And you were, we all are when we force someone to get out of our way. I do it all the time, I blame it on impatience and Road Rage.

When I get off of work I want to get HOME, that's it nothing else. If you or someone else is going to do the speed limit in the left lane (which I know you don't) get out of my way. Oh yes I do not drive the Marauder to work, I drive my wife's old Explorer and do not go over 75 (sorry Honey).

Most of the time I only challenge cars where I know they have at least some chance of beating me. (i.e. F-bodies, BMW, Vettes..etc.). And then it is only on the Highways with clear open road and little to no traffic.

Most of the time the Ricers and others in my area just leave me alone. Maybe it has something to do with that whistling noise, who knows! Another thing it all has to do with my attitude at the time. When and if a Ricer pulls up next to me most of the time I let him go, not worth my time I know my car can take him, NO FUN. Now if he was being really obnoxious to me or someone else, say an old Lady in a Buick, then yea I will pull up next to him get his attention, wave and SEE YA!!

I don't think anyone here is more of a man or less that a man because he wants to race or not. You have a time slip and a non S/C Marauder. I have a S/C Marauder, that I am very proud of, and no time slip if you think that makes you more of a man so be it! I have my car for my satisfaction not anyone else'. Will I ever take my car down the track, I don't know, do I care NO. That's it plain and simple.

I am starting to loose my train of thought here, but to sum it all up. We, most of us, drive a Big Black car and when WE force someone to move over to get out of OUR way, WE ARE BULLIES.

I took you original post as jest. I answered it as a jest. As I do with most of my posts. I apolgize if it insulted you, now just relax.

This is the most I have ever type in my life my fingers are getting tired and my head it starting to hurt.

No flame was ever intended. Here or previously!!

[BillyGman]

Naw Haggis, I wasn't offended by anything you said. No biggie my friend. My first post did NOT have anything to do w/kesting though. I just wanted to pick peoples' brain a little to see where their head is at on these issues. The "are you man enough" comment was intended to rattle some cages and to grab your attention enough to provoke a response and maybe even provoke some thought about thee issues, since I think they're worth thinking about.

As far as the "Bully" thing, I think that I was being a bully behind the wheel w/those ricer boys since they just having fun and minding their own biz. But I wasn't angry at them, nor did I get agressive w/them out of rage. i was just being agressive out of competitveness. But it was just a little immature I think for me to do that. I just think that we shouls et some personal rules for ourselves while behind the wheel. That's all.

Well I guess this thread is about done, cuz we stretched this out pretty far already. Thanks for everyone's input. I like what Smokie and Teamrope said the most. Made a lot of sense.

[duhtroll]

One thought hit me last night after I turned off the CPU.

I find myself driving *slower* than I used to (before the MM). Two reasons:

1) People are more cautious around this car. I see them getting out of my way and slowing down. If they slow down, I have no need to go fast to go around them. This is due to no action on my part, so it does not become a "bully" situation.

2) I have nothing to prove. I know the car is fast. It seems when I didn't have a car that was this fast that I had more of a "chip on my shoulder" - maybe due to envy of other cars. I dunno.

Anyway, the style and smooth ride are fun in their own way. The speed is just the extra bonus for me. The go fast parts are the icing on the cake.

-A

[BillyGman]

Hmmm, that's an interesting point about having a faster car doing away w/any envy that one might have, and knowing that you can out-race them serving as a bit of a deterent. I think that w/some guys that might hold true, while w/others it simply brings on more agressive driving habits in the longrun. Perhaps it's because some of us just luv feeling that G-force when we hit the gas.

But that's some really good food for thought that you mentioned. I hear ya. I remember when I had my 1100 Kawasaki GPZ bike back in 81. It was capable of an 11.4 sec ET. I never even was able to completely use all of the power it had in every gear. I know that today there are some bikes that are quicker than that thing was, but just think of having 108 HP propelling a 524 LB vehicle!!! The thing was an animal.

But because I couldn't master all of it's power totally, I found myself getting crazier and crazier w/it as the days went by. It was a very gradual thing though, so I didn't notice that about myself right away. I had the bike for two years, and I got to the point where every single time I rode it, I was driving like a lunatic!!!! Until one day my skin made contact w/the pavement (NOT fun!).

It would've taken about $800 of parts to fix it, and I decided that I would live a little longer if I sold it. I'm very fortunate that my injuries weren't that extensive when that happened, and that I lived to talk about it. I think it was fortunate for me that the bike sold immediately once I put it in the paper, so I didn't have time to change my mind about selling it.

I guess you can draw your own conclusions about it. I was a lot younger then, and I believe that I'm a safer driver now because of experience, but I'm sure there are still some things about my driving that hasn't changed that much at all since then. After all, I'm still a HP freak just as many others on this board are.

[BillyGman]

Billy...I know you said in your 1st post that you "have not had a drink in 22 years"...so, I've got a question.

Can I buy you a drink??!!:beer:

Chill-out my friend, or I might have to fly up there and take you by the ear to the nearest bar. :D ;)

I think the only thing that would cause me to chill is if I got a ride from you in that GT.(LOL)..........

but seriously though, I just have an intense personality, and I'm often very analytical. I've found that being that way is good w/some things, and bad w/others. but it's something that isn't easy to just turn on and off. It's just me. But drinking, or a lack thereof has nothing to do w/it Dude. When I'm hangin out w/friends abd family, I'm often the one cracking the jokes and making people laugh, and that happens w/out drinking.

So that's why I said that I don't miss drinking. I don't need it to have a good time. I don't need to have a few drinks in me to loosen up. I'm not uptight at all. I'm just intense. If we ever meet you'll see that about me. I can joke around and laugh w/the best of them, and I like doing so. Infact because of that, I don't really like hangin out w/people who cannot laugh it up.

[jaywish]

Billy,

Alot of what I' going to say here has been said in this thread before but I guess I feel the need to be a bit serious every now and then.

We all have our demons. They come at us any time any day.

The natural tendency to compete, show off, put down or just plain beat up someone is built into our animal bodies.

It isn't always a bad thing if you use a little judgement. Judgement is not always perfect and it can't be by our very nature.

Billy, I'm going to guess that you have done a good thing here and made a few folks think about life and how it can get away from us. Every now and then a reminder is a good thing.

I'd say you've more then made up for your tempoary lack of judgement which imho really wasn't all that bad in the grand scheme of things.

Really it does sound like a trip out with a friend is really what the Dr. ordered. I guess it's a good thing you are comfortable enough with the majority of the folks here to speak to us like a friend.

Take care and if we ever get to blue mountain you can buy me a drink & I'll buy you a cheese burger if you like.

That's it.

I can't take the pressure of being serious too much longer......

must go.....

[merc406]

Jaywish, do you have a picture of the 89 Marquis? :confused: , I never heard of a Chevy Chase Edition before. :pimp:

[Haggis]

Naw Haggis, I wasn't offended by anything you said. No biggie my friend. My first post did NOT have anything to do w/kesting though. I just wanted to pick peoples' brain a little to see where their head is at on these issues. The "are you man enough" comment was intended to rattle some cages and to grab your attention enough to provoke a response and maybe even provoke some thought about thee issues, since I think they're worth thinking about.

As far as the "Bully" thing, I think that I was being a bully behind the wheel w/those ricer boys since they just having fun and minding their own biz. But I wasn't angry at them, nor did I get agressive w/them out of rage. i was just being agressive out of competitveness. But it was just a little immature I think for me to do that. I just think that we shouls et some personal rules for ourselves while behind the wheel. That's all.

Well I guess this thread is about done, cuz we stretched this out pretty far already. Thanks for everyone's input. I like what Smokie and Teamrope said the most. Made a lot of sense.

You wanted to provoke thought you got it. :lol: That's what happens when I get up at 4:40a.m. on a Sunday morning. Just remember it is not always fun picking on the weak and defenseless. Sometimes you have to after the big boys even if you know you are going to LOSE. It's all in the ATTITUDE!! When I mentioned Road Rage I was giving you my senario. Personnal rules are great they're just like morals everyone's is different.

One more thing, You still a

BULLY


:lol: :lol: :lol:

[BillyGman]

Billy, I'm going to guess that you have done a good thing here and made a few folks think about life and how it can get away from us. Every now and then a reminder is a good thing.

Really it does sound like a trip out with a friend is really what the Dr. ordered. I guess it's a good thing you are comfortable enough with the majority of the folks here to speak to us like a friend...

LOL, I think that some of you guys aren't reading me right. A "trip out w/a friend" you say? I was just w/a couple buddies last night. We all went to go see a Monster truck race/show that I got tickets for. It was a good time, and much Horsepower!!!!!! I've seen those shows before, but I just can't get enough!!!

[jaywish]

Merc 406 wrote,

Jaywish, do you have a picture of the 89 Marquis? , I never heard of a Chevy Chase Edition before.
__________________

If I've done this right here is a picture of a similar one from Ebay. Mine is tan like the one in the movie. National Lampoons Summer Vacation. It was the Griswold's getaway vehicle of choice.

[jaywish]

BillyGman wrote,

"LOL, I think that some of you guys aren't reading me right. A "trip out w/a friend" you say? I was just w/a couple buddies last night. We all went to go see a Monster truck race/show that I got tickets for. It was a good time, and much Horsepower!!!!!! I've seen those shows before, but I just can't get enough!!! "

Guess your right missed it again.

[dwasson]

I remember reading that some Texas University did an experiment in the late 70's or early 80's where they covered the speedo on different vehicles and asked people to drive at a comfortable speed. The test was on a Texas interstate. I think the cars were a full size Ford or GM, a Pickup and a Nissan (or Datsun depending on the year) Z car. There were some differences between one type of vehicle and the other but almost everyone drove jsut over the speed limit. The Z car was driven faster than the other cars but few people drover over 80 mph.

I usually drive at about 78 mph in clear weather and reasonable traffic. However I have averaged over 90 mph from the Northeast Atlanta suburbs to north of Knoxville. I seldom accept challenges never for more than a few miles.

But there was a time when I was young ...

[stevengerard]

OK Billy, I never ever drink and drive, I never want to be the one to have to tell you or my wife I'm sorry for killing their child. As for tailgating, to try too instigate a race, I think that's dangerous and juvenile. If I'm at a light and someone takes off I'll race to the speed limit or 10 above if traffic and visibility are both clear. I usually don't even instigate - I usually react. I've done a lot of street racing when I was 18 - 22 but I look back and think how dumb I was. I like keeping the racing safe and at the track, unfortunately that means I rarely get to do it. Oh well, I'm a live. All I can think of is an analogy to karate, am pretty good at it, but I don't pick fights, look for fights or try to prove myself. Though if needed, I will at least make someone hurt the next day even if they get the best of me. I keep my sparring where it belongs, in the dojo. I also keep most of my racing where it belongs - at the tracks. <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p>

<o:p></o:p>

Today I took out the 442, first time since October, went on and off the expressway for the opportunity to floor it, was racing no one but myself 0 - 65 as fast as it would take me 6 times. Smiled from ear to ear.

[BillyGman]

I hear ya Steve. We all have to set some limits. What they should be is up to the individual, but it shouldn't be something that you never think about nor decide on until you find yourself in the heat of the moment. Because if that's the only time we think about it, or decide what's acceptable, then we will be more likely to get much more carried away than we otherwise would have.

I can't help but to think about that guy I was rat racing w/while driving my Vette who decided to pass me and the two cars in front of me that occupied both the left and right lanes by driving on the shoulder in the break-down lane. And that was at night!!!! When I saw that I realized that this guy wasn't all there and I better not continue for my sake as well as his. I was tempted to, but I allowed common sense to take over. It just isn't worth it.

[stevengerard]

about 10 years ago I took off past my freind in my SHO, he had a 79 toyota something?, I blew his doors off up to 70, he came back up to me when I slowed to 55, then he tried to pass me, I floored it again and slowed to 55 again. The next time he caught up to me he passed me and 3 other's in the shoulder, I couldn't beleive it. Not only was is the dumbest thing I've seen it made me realize that although you may know your limits in street racing the knuckle-head you are provoking may not know theirs and you can't control him/her either.

[BillyGman]

Exactly! That's a point well taken.