And what country can preserve its liberties if their rulers are not warned from time to time that their people preserve the spirit of resistance? Let them take arms. The remedy is to set them right as to facts, pardon and pacify them. What signify a few lives lost in a century or two? The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.
Something you don't see anymore. Real Racing, flat out at the edge of disaster and only the seat of the pants experience guiding it past smoothly. Notice there was no 200 mph parade behind him.
Mario Andretti once said "if you feel like everything is under control, you're going too slow". At least that's the way I heard it. If he didn't say it he should have!
A big name racer's statement was that "everything handles like shit when pushed to the limit". What defined a good driver/rider was how wide that limit line seemed to be to the racer. Lesser talents perceived it to be a very narrow line, but to some, it was a broad stripe that could be danced upon as needed.
In the early 80's, a neighbor that raced SCCA and also worked corners told me that the stock class of the VW Rabbit would turn 2:03 laps at Sears Point while taking corners on three wheels. The original body wasn't stiff enough. I think the GTi was designed by VW to address this problem. (his motorhome had a custom license plate that read something like "crnrwkr")
I had a (new) '87 GTI and got to drive it at Portland International Raceway a few times for race driving school and then hot laps days. It would consistently lift the inside rear tire when I was trail braking into turn 9. It was lowered and had a shock tower brace so it was pretty stiff. I also autocrossed, did pretty well.
Don, cornerworker said that the modified Rabbits didn't lift a wheel, while turning sub-2: minute laps. I have a recollection of VW noting in adverts that the Golf/GTI had a stiffer chassis. Not as good as a rollcage, I guess. BiL's GTI handled decently, but that was mostly cloverleafs and back roads. No track time in it. My track time was racing Guzzi and Ducati.
I know from experience that you can only drive like that for a couple of laps before your tires wear to nothing..... But that is some fine driving.
ReplyDeleteYep, plus you scrubbing speed.
ReplyDeleteI always wonder where they all went. how many barns have a mountain of junk with a treasure like that buried under oil drums and tin roof material.
ReplyDeleteSomething you don't see anymore.
ReplyDeleteReal Racing, flat out at the edge of disaster and only the seat of the pants experience guiding it past smoothly.
Notice there was no 200 mph parade behind him.
Excellent over-steer slipping around corner without smoke coming off of tires, even on 3 wheels.
ReplyDeleteMario Andretti once said "if you feel like everything is under control, you're going too slow". At least that's the way I heard it. If he didn't say it he should have!
ReplyDeleteA big name racer's statement was that "everything handles like shit when pushed to the limit". What defined a good driver/rider was how wide that limit line seemed to be to the racer. Lesser talents perceived it to be a very narrow line, but to some, it was a broad stripe that could be danced upon as needed.
DeleteThose cars were pretty much motorized coffins.
ReplyDeleteIn the early 80's, a neighbor that raced SCCA and also worked corners told me that the stock class of the VW Rabbit would turn 2:03 laps at Sears Point while taking corners on three wheels. The original body wasn't stiff enough. I think the GTi was designed by VW to address this problem. (his motorhome had a custom license plate that read something like "crnrwkr")
ReplyDeleteI had a (new) '87 GTI and got to drive it at Portland International Raceway a few times for race driving school and then hot laps days. It would consistently lift the inside rear tire when I was trail braking into turn 9. It was lowered and had a shock tower brace so it was pretty stiff. I also autocrossed, did pretty well.
DeleteDon, cornerworker said that the modified Rabbits didn't lift a wheel, while turning sub-2: minute laps. I have a recollection of VW noting in adverts that the Golf/GTI had a stiffer chassis. Not as good as a rollcage, I guess. BiL's GTI handled decently, but that was mostly cloverleafs and back roads. No track time in it. My track time was racing Guzzi and Ducati.
DeleteAwesome
ReplyDelete