Oops, I crapped my pants!

svobud · #1 (**permalink**) 04-11-2005, 08:40 PM

Went for a drive this afternoon which ended up taking me into the dept for an Explorer meeting this evening. Kids love seeing the car.

Coming home around 9:30pm and not very far from the house, I had a WRX in front of me as we turned from one State hwy onto another. Not going particularly fast, but enough to warrant attention to what I'm doing. Thinking the WRX was hammer down or something cause he had alot of body roll. As I hit the apex of the turn, the backend starts coming around and I'm not really in the throttle - it's a flat type of spin. I start to counter and see the right hand side ground rail coming up FAST. In my mind I was bracing for the impact. Car swings back around and try to counter again but my hands are too slow this time and shes coming about in a 180 deg spin. I'm still in 2nd and somehow managed to depress the clutch during all this - engine is still running. Dump the clutch and spin her back around. A V8 transplant S-10 is rounding the turn about the same time this happens, but he manages to miss me. Needless to say - I think I creased the seat.

Got home and checked her out. Nothing unusual. Tire pressure is fine, brakes fine, body fine, suspension parts still intact. Guess I was going faster than I should have been. I haven't driven her at night in quite a long time.

tryce · #2 (**permalink**) 04-11-2005, 10:55 PM

That's why we drive these cars. Glad to hear it all turned out ok. Gota love that pedal on the right.

Slow8 · #3 (**permalink**) 04-12-2005, 12:03 AM

Yeah, you shouldn't try to keep up with the rice in that antique.

Johan · #4 (**permalink**) 04-12-2005, 05:59 AM

A good dose of the Williswood Festival of speed can help with those emergency situations, in the form of practice....
I'm not at all berating your driving ability, just saying that a Cobra has some cornering quirks.

RACER X #99 · #5 (**permalink**) 04-12-2005, 06:16 AM

Big mistake trying to corner with the WRX, you were outmatched.

rob frink · #6 (**permalink**) 04-12-2005, 08:30 AM

Don't you just love these cars!!!

The wife's Mini Cooper will clean my Cobra's clock any day on the twisties.

Yes, I've been smoked by a CLOWN CAR!!

-Rob

GeorgiaSnake · #7 (**permalink**) 04-13-2005, 03:16 AM

Bud does your watch commander know you street race teenagers

and lose

Before I started tweaking my set up I thought my car handled - then found myself white knuckled running across Hwy 53 trying to keep up with a pickup truck - damn hillbilly in a truck

Randy

Johan · #8 (**permalink**) 04-13-2005, 05:12 AM

Randy, that was you ?

svobud · #9 (**permalink**) 04-13-2005, 05:56 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by GeorgiaSnake

Bud does your watch commander know you street race teenagers and lose

Street Race? Where did you see me telling a story about street racin? What are you, a Lawyer? She knows I drive really fast. I told her about the spin out over breaksfest on Tues. and she was more worried about the car.

GeorgiaSnake · #10 (**permalink**) 04-13-2005, 06:48 AM

Bud

Johan

That was me

Randy

BBK347 · #11 (**permalink**) 04-13-2005, 01:12 PM

Bud, glad you're ok. These short wheelbase/overpowered cars are certainly a handful at times. Not for the weak of heart (or kidney). Bob

chill · #12 (**permalink**) 04-17-2005, 07:49 AM

Good thing there weren't any cops around..... I hear those guys can be pretty mean. I saw one bust a friend of mine for alledgedly fondling a waitress in Kennesaw and he creased his bar seat...

chipperb · #13 (**permalink**) 04-17-2005, 11:03 AM

You you have an ati-sway bar on the rear (of the CAR)? These cars are known for swapping ends seriously). Very short wheelbase. Some handling tricks can be done that helps (Olthoff(sp?) racing. cb

svobud · #14 (**permalink**) 04-17-2005, 05:34 PM

Clyde - hope your friend makes a full recovery from his mild heart attack.

Chip - yes, it has a rear sway bar.

Mark Husar · #15 (**permalink**) 04-17-2005, 10:33 PM

Am I glad I'm not the only one to have this form of a mild heart attack.
Mine was coming down the offramp after a little ride with my granddaughter. we were 50-60 mph coming around a slight curve to the right and the back end just drifted away!! No racing, cornering or fooling around...scared the crap out of me!!
I have a really keen respect for the quirks of the car now and just don't take any chances.
But I still play from time to time!!

svobud · #16 (**permalink**) 04-19-2005, 07:55 PM

Think I got a clue to what might have happened. I took the car out this evening and immediately noticed how light the tail-end was acting. Looked down at the gas gauge and it was VERY near empty. Loaded her up with fuel and all is well again. I'd forgotten how tail happy it gets once the fuel level falls under 1/4 tank. Once it was near full - car was acting like it's old self.

Johan · #17 (**permalink**) 04-20-2005, 05:51 AM

Bud, not sure what type tires you have, but maybe you could run less pressure.

svobud · #18 (**permalink**) 04-20-2005, 07:27 AM

Johan - I checked them. They're maybe a lb or two less than what I normally run in them (cold). I have 17" BFGs set at 23lbs.

RallySnake · #19 (**permalink**) 04-20-2005, 07:35 AM

Svobud,

If you'te going to run Goodrocks you have to be ready for the consequences. Those tires almost killed me several times. Sell them on eBay (they are great on pickup trucks) and get better tires. Your life is worth it.

Paul

svobud · #20 (**permalink**) 04-20-2005, 11:14 AM

Rallysnake - I'm not arguing with you about the fact of them being 17 inches of crap rubber, but they've been on the car since I bought it. I doubt they just one day decided to 'let go' in a turn to only come back and perform to their "ok" status a week later. I've already been considering new tires, just waiting to burn these off a wee bit more. Civil servant here - I have to watch where I spend my extra $$.

BTW - I absolutely refuse to support the evil-doers of eBay.