Thanks for the input Phil,
I have been driving my car for three months now. (2500 miles... Time for
another oil change :) When I was putting the car back together, I had rather
modest expectations about the performance. After all, what could a 1.6L 96hp
car really do? It might beat a bug or two.... I have been amazed by the
performance of this little car. Story to follow:
A week ago, early Saturday morning, I headed out to school. I live in Tempe,
my school is in Glendale (Thunderbird), 35 miles away on mostly freeway, but
there is ~ 5 miles of inside streets I must traverse. At the stoplight before
I hop on to the 60, a black Viper is in front of me, we have the road to
ourselves. He gets on the freeway at some obscene speed, but then slows down
to a comfortable 75 mph. I go as quickly as I can, (not stopping at the
metered red/green freeway limiting light) and with a bit of effort, caught up
and passed the Viper. He follows me for a few miles, then the 60 turns into
the 10 with a wonderful 90 degree banked turn. The Viper roars past me at
speeds in excess of 120mph, I floor it and get my little roadster up near 100,
(The fastest I had ever gone in the car... Well, until last Friday.) and
again, he has to slow down, and I pass him one more time. The Viper takes the
first I-17 exit and I wave to him as he leaves.
I made it to school in 29 minutes, a personal record, and had a grin on my face
that lasted the entire day.
Moral to this story.... Well, I think I was having more fun than the Viper. I
was pushing my car to its performance limits, he merely got a glimpse of the
potential of his car. My roadster is a blast to drive at 70, he probably feels
restricted at that speed.
I too believe it is important to learn the limits and abilities of your car,
and it is a blast figuring it out! Just be careful when you do it.
Ryan Bird
>>> "Hall, Phillip" <Phillip.B.Hall@MSFC.NASA.GOV> 05/06/02 10:16AM >>>
Hey Paul, Greg, and all-
Ok, I admit I love to push my Roadster every chance I get. No 180's for now
because of new tires, but if the road is clear and a sharp right presents
itself I must hang the tail out. Driving the Roadster will always give me
that "Roaster grin", but hitting the deserted off ramp (the 270 degree
sweeper) with the tail out gives me a Roadster grin that can last days!
Not only does the Roadster look so cool, it has the performance to back up
its good looks.
Autocrossing is a wonderful way to understand the limits of a car. I plan
on sending my son to autocross school after he gets his Z this summer. If
you understand the limits, you can play well below the limit and still be
fast and have a blast. Just pick the road and conditions wisely.
Phil
SEROC
-----Original Message-----
From: Greg Hare [mailto:ghare@bellsouth.net]
Sent: Monday, May 06, 2002 8:20 AM
To: 'Paul'; datsun-roadsters@autox.team.net
Subject: RE: Just a reminder.
I guess I'm getting old, but I never push even a NEW car "to the limits"
on the street. All you need's a blowout or something and blammo! Into a
light post or whatever.
That's why there ARE tracks!
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-datsun-roadsters@autox.team.net
[mailto:owner-datsun-roadsters@autox.team.net] On Behalf Of Paul
Sent: Monday, May 06, 2002 8:13 AM
To: datsun-roadsters@autox.team.net
Subject: Just a reminder.
Just a reminder you those of you that drive your roadsters hard; you
are
driving 30 year old steel. Saturday, on the race track with Sloan
Racing,
Cathy Ann snapped her rear axel. We were very fortune that the car
traveled
straight ahead while digging up some pavement until it came to a stop
just
short of the corner workers station. The tire, wheel, & brake drum went
for
a fly into the woods. Thankfully nobody was hurt and the car was
repaired
and back on the track by Sunday morning! But you may want to think
twice
before pushing your roadster to the limits out on the streets.
Paul
Sloan Racing
OROC
BTW, Jim Sloan took first in class both races this weekend. And better
yet,
... we all had fun! And if you're wondering, both Jim and Cathy Ann
(father/daughter) race 1966(?) 1600 roadsters in SCCA G Production. Jim
has
been racing roadsters for over 19 years and Cathy Ann has been racing
since
she was 17! OROC supplies most of the crew: Chris Luers, Teddy
Seidenfeld,
Ralf Bradley, and me!
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