Safely driving a Cobra

[genolan]

I have seen several cases where drivers have died in there Cobra's from what seems to be a joy ride that has gone bad. What are some pointers to not loose control. Are there any driving safety classes in the NJ/PA/NY area

[damage]

Best safety driving tip!!!!!

Make sure your brain is connected to your right foot at all times.

[Ron61]

Get used to your Cobra and your limitations before you start taking people for rides. They handle different from any car you have ever driven. If you can find a driving class at some track that is within your range, take it by all means. I have always taken my cars out by myself for a week or two and gotten used their quirks before I would even consider giving anyone a ride. And as mentioned in the post above, be careful with the right foot as these cars will turn around in a heartbeat if you get on the at the wrong time.

Other than that, use Common Sense and you will enjoy many years of fun driving.

Ron

[saturnkk]

If you haven't already, get rid of the BF Goodrich tires for something "grippier"...

[dallas_]

If you are not going to get instruction and/or track time, at least find a big open parking lot and learn the traction limits. Deliberately spin it around a bunch to find out what it takes to lose traction.
Learn to spin from acceleration.
Learn to spin from braking.


Like so many have said, tires are really important.

[Mr Jody]

Originally Posted by dallas_

....find a big open parking lot and learn the traction limits......

Just make sure you do this in a private parking lot and you have the owner’s permission. May even want to have them present and the lot entrance blocked/roped off. Might want to inform the local authorities that this is going to take place, too. Otherwise, if they should happen to ride by and see someone “cuttin’ the fool” in some sports car in a parking lot, they may decide to pull in and give you a free ride downtown in the back of THEIR car.

This may take eating a lot of humble pie, but when someone challenges you on the street, ALWAYS act like there is no way your car could beat their car. Make humor out of the situation if they are verbally goading you. If it’s a ricer, tell them they will have to give you a head start and laugh. If it’s a Corvette it may be harder to do, but somehow find a way to laugh and wave it off. You will find your car is always more enjoyable if YOU are in control of when you get on it and when you let off. If you are seduced into a street race, then THEY are in control of your accelerator and brake pedal. Think about it.

[dallas_]

Also, corner weight your car. It will handle better and will hold traction better.

[AL427SBF]

Originally Posted by Mr Jody

... This may take eating a lot of humble pie, but when someone challenges you on the street, ALWAYS act like there is no way your car could beat their car. Make humor out of the situation if they are verbally goading you. If it’s a ricer, tell them they will have to give you a head start and laugh. If it’s a Corvette it may be harder to do, but somehow find a way to laugh and wave it off. You will find your car is always more enjoyable if YOU are in control of when you get on it and when you let off. If you are seduced into a street race, then THEY are in control of your accelerator and brake pedal. Think about it.

Probably a bit much to tell people how they should drive their cobras. Knowing how your car handles and exercising good judgment reins supreme - the common theme in responses here. That's not to say that if some smart ass is deserving of a spanking, and road conditions/traffic permit it, you shouldn't give him one. Just be responsible about it, aware of your surroundings and risks, before answering the call.

[bobcowan]

National Auto Sport Association - nasaproracing.com

If you have roll bars for both seats, get some track time with an instructor. You'll learn more about car control in one week end than you will the rest of the year.

[PatBuckley]

I also like the idea of a parking lot....do some donuts. Actually do a lot of them, they are fun, and you will learn a lot.

[DesertMK4]

Never say " Watch this..."

[GregAgrest]

Hooked On Driving offers instruction and track time. I'm going to one on Friday. Supposed to be very informative and lets you push the car a bit to learn its and your limits.

[G-Pete]

Originally Posted by genolan

What are some pointers to not loose control

Monitor your right foot.

With over 34000 Motor vehicle deaths in U.S. in 2012 - you can't really state driving is more or less dangerous in a cobra.

[601HP]

Here is one option.

I attended several schools. I found my limit and my car's limits, and had a lot of fun at the same time.

David

[saturnkk]

Originally Posted by G-Pete

Monitor your right foot.

With over 34000 Motor vehicle deaths in U.S. in 2012 - you can't really state driving is more or less dangerous in a cobra.

Based upon one having 300-500hp on a go-cart chassis with few if any modern safety devices, I would say more dangerous on average. That can be somewhat mitigated by responsible / alert driving.

[G-Pete]

Originally Posted by saturnkk

Based upon one having 300-500hp on a go-cart chassis with few if any modern safety devices, I would say more dangerous on average. That can be somewhat mitigated by responsible / alert driving.

The fatality rate of convertibles/roadsters is 0.6%, well below the average...

Interesting is, the fatality rate of pedestrian is the exact same rate (0.6%) as the convertibles/roadsters...

It is NOT the car (not Christine), it is the driver...

Monitor your right foot and everything will be fine.

[saturnkk]

Originally Posted by G-Pete

The fatality rate of convertibles/roadsters is 0.6%, well below the average...

Interesting is, the fatality rate of pedestrian is the exact same rate (0.6%) as the convertibles/roadsters...

It is NOT the car (not Christine), it is the driver...

Monitor your right foot and everything will be fine.

Some thoughts:

1. Convertibles are driven far less and represent a much much smaller population than other cars and trucks, especially when factoring the number of miles driven annually as this increases your odds of getting into an accident.
2. Convertibles, modern ones, are much safer than Cobras, having most of the safety features and crash worthiness of their hardtop counterparts.


As an example, big wheels make up 0% of the fatality rate in 2013. However, they also aren't driven very often on the roads either...

If it is NOT the car, then why have automobile safety ratings or standards at all. It is the car, along with a host of other variables.

[G-Pete]

Originally Posted by saturnkk

Some thoughts:

1. Convertibles are driven far less and represent a much much smaller population than other cars and trucks, especially when factoring the number of miles driven annually as this increases your odds of getting into an accident.
2. Convertibles, modern ones, are much safer than Cobras, having most of the safety features and crash worthiness of their hardtop counterparts.


As an example, big wheels make up 0% of the fatality rate in 2013. However, they also aren't driven very often on the roads either...

If it is NOT the car, then why have automobile safety ratings or standards at all. It is the car, along with a host of other variables.

Well, the statistics are based on miles driven (equal amount) and not registration numbers.

Now to a good example of "modern cars" -- the SMART. You take this car and hit a 45 degree angle barrier with the driver side at 55mph, your lower extremities are flat like a pancake, literally, but "Car and Driver Magazine" pointed out the intact windshield. hahahahahahaha

[Maricopa]

you can't really state driving is more or less dangerous in a cobra.

Pretty sure you can 'safely' say driving an over-powered go-kart with pretty much no side impact protection, airbags, anti-lock brakes, traction control, etc. etc. is more dangerous than the average car on the road. I know if I have to get hit in something I'll pick my wife's Hyundai any day. I'd also imagine that given miles driven Cobras are waaaay over represented in serious collisions. Otherwise my Allstate guy would be happy to insure mine.

I've driven mine almost daily for 7 years now and even though I drive defensively (remember, the best defense is a good offense) I've had some close calls with distracted drivers and general idjits. I've also had near misses that were my fault and resulted from being an idjit. A general rule is don't be an idjit and watch out for other idjits and you'll probably be OK.

[PSB]

Buy a dash plaque that says "Respect Me or I WILL kill you!" and mount it near the igition switch to remind yourself you're not about to drive a Honda. I never actually did this on my Cobra, but it was on my list of upgrades.