I'd say too many people are pushing their cars on public streets (or allowing others to) in dubious conditions.

Darwinism

 

I must admit that it takes great restraint to keep from blowing the doors off all the idiots that continually harass me ever time I drive my FD anywhere, but it's just not worth the trouble. For instance, some bonehead in an M5 was tailgating me on the way to work this morning, then swooped in front of me to turn onto a local twisty road. I felt like following him just so that I could stuff him heading into the first corner we saw, but it would've been a waste of my time, my tires, and my motor, so just ignored him. There's just too many possibilities for an outside occurrence (road conditions, other cars, police, etc.) to screw things up.

I ride sportbikes every day (editor of a U.S. sportbike magazine, ridden/raced for 25 years), so I know how tempting it is to try and test you and your machine's abilities on the street. And nine times out of ten, you'll get away with it. It's that tenth time that will cost you, and it can cost you dearly. And it can come at any time during those ten tries, not just the last.

I'm not saying we all can't cut loose once in a while; hell, I do it. But you need to be damn picky about the time and place (and how) you do it. And continually hone your skills; take a track day or school so that you can learn more.

Thus endeth the sermon for today...

 

Definately do the track thing... This weekend I went to Phoenix international Raceway, there was some event going on all day (Historic Sportscar Race or something like that) but during the lunch hour they open the track up to anybody who wants to pay $25. I made 15-20 laps in that time, first time ever on a road track. I dont think I have ever had so much fun for $25 and I know I learned alot about the limits of my FD. Autocross is fun but you don't learn the real world handling limits of your car, the speed is just too low to be realistic. How often do you go for a spirited back-roads drive that tops out at 50mph? I recommend that everybody who has ever tried to push the limits of their car on the streets talk to somebody at the local track and see if anything like this is ever available. Even if you have to pay $200 for a whole day of time it is worth it, if you can't afford a $200 day at the track you probably dont have enough $ to afford your FD any ways.

Rayman, I am glad you are safe and got something out of this experience .

 

Wize words - Kento - I was one of those people who never really pushed my car I only drove it like 2 or 3 times a week and most of the time it never saw above 3krpm. Just once and a while I would have some fun and finaly it cought up to me. And you know if it was a clear day in the summer I would have made that turn no problem, or if that car wasn't there I would have had room to correct for the over steer. But none of that maters now. I learned alot and know how I need to change. I think if I get a new FD I will take out some time each month and go to a local road course track and get that racing need out of my system. Most importantly I'll never forget what can happend when you race on public roads.

Thank you for all your support it's helping me get though this hard time in my life.

 

Glad to hear you and your buddy are ok Rayman. Unfortunatly sometimes we gotta go through the hard stuff to realize what kind of mistakes or risks were taking. But good luck on getting another FD is you do decide, and drive safe .

 

Hey, no worries. Actually, I neglected to mention that I once spun my FD out getting onto a highway onramp that had a little chicane in it (left/right flick onto the ramp). I had just bought my car, and I was reveling in its power/handling capabilities. Thankfully, I just did a 180 onto the ramp, and didn't hit anything. I did, however, have to go down the wrong way on the ramp in order to turn around , which made for some surprised looks from a car that was entering the onramp as I was exiting the wrong way to turn around. I basically smiled and waved as I calmly turned around and got back on the onramp.

Hell, I've wrecked a couple of cars and bikes on the street, so I know how you feel. Don't sweat it. Just save your money and look for another clean FD3 somewhere.

 

Very mature statement - welcome to adulthood. Sorry about the loss, but give yourself some time to reflect and recuperate. You're already pointed in the right direction, so don't hesitate to get another when you are ready.

Kento - What mag out of curiosity? US bike mags need to be more like British bike rags!

 

We don't have the resources, staff, or pro-sportbike market like they have in England (the publishing industry/environment is different as well), so they have big advantages that we don't have. Only two of us over at (take a guess) magazine, so we do the best with what we've got.

If you're talking about the "attitude" stuff and t&a in British mags, again, that's the difference between the publishing industry here and on the Continent. There's also times, however, where their lack of knowledge is covered up by a lot of in order to make you think they know what they're doing. I know, I've worked with a few of them.

 

Welps...the track thing is a definite must for anyone..

So far I've hit Streets of Willow and Thunderhill, and later on next year, I plan on becoming a regular at Pacific Raceway...

Most of these tracks are nice, and have plenty of room to make up for stupid errors...

I've spun out many times at Streets of Willow, and a few times on Thunderhill from pushing it a little to hard.

Streets of Willow speeds were pretty low...but on Thunder hill I lost it entering a turn at about 60+ miles an hour..which might not seem like fast, but it's fast enough when you're doing a 360 at the same time.

Every single time I've lost it, I've had nothing to pay except a bit of my pride, and a car wash after the run.

You're lucky if that's all that happens when you're racing on the street.

 

if i'm not mistaken, he is kent kunitsugu from sport rider!! pretty cool mag.

anyway, i've read all these posts and am moved by your story. i've had a couple hairy incidents happen and am more than thankful that i/no one was hurt. but the thing that is bothering me, you posted that no one was injured and you are able to tell us to not be stupid on the roads where we put ourselves and innocent people at risk, but you also mentioned that you were making a video about street racing and such.............I WANT TO SEE IT!!!! THAT WOULD BE ******* AWESOME TO SEE!!!! i 'm surprised no one else picked up on or remembered that part of the story....SHOW THE VIDEO!!

 

sorry to hear about it but happy ur ok. not to be rude but were u taking at the time if so heh post the vid if no one got hurt it will be like out own version of ripleys elive it or not

 

Thank you everyone again for your support.

Spoolin - I hope you learn from what happen to me it's great to hear that some good can come from my nightmare. As for the video the isn't much on it sice we weren't shooting at the time, my friend was just playing with the camera and after the first impact the battery to the camera fell out so, you only see me spin out then, the wall then the picture is gone

Kento - thanx again for your support it's nice to know I'm not the only on who's had trouble with an FD

dclin - I think I'm gona hang that quote that I wrote on my door so as I go outside to my car I can see it and remind myself what I felt at the time. Cuz I know this was a free-be and god was with me this time. I can't ever let myself repeat this again.

 

Whoa wachingo.
Distance is totally relative.

I'm fine with others dreaming.

 

So how far are you willing to drive?

 

artowar2:
Yes all those tracks are within a days drive of Camarillo But other than Willow Springs, California Speedway and (just barely) Buttonwillow, they are all TOO far away to get to and do any day-long or even 1/2 day event, in less than 2 days. Shoot you could even get to Phoenix in 10 hours but its still a 3 day commitment to do an event there (or Vegas or Spring Mountain or Thunderhill) from Camarillo.
spooled - Streets Of Willow Springs is one of the BEST tracks in the country to learn on, and just a little over 1 1/2 hr to get to from Camarillo - SpeedVentures gives 2 1/2 hrs of track time and charges just $150 including instructor for their SoWS events- Their next SoWS event is Friday 12/13

 

Hey, you must be close to spooledup7-- you should stop by his house and drag him with you to the SpeedVentures SOWS event. I'd do that myself, but it's too far

 

Ok, ok.. No excuses. It's practically in my backyard. Blasted silver spoon and I didn't even know it.
David, feel free to come and drag my *** out of Camarillo. I could use a change of scenery. I need to get my car straightened out first though. I still have the dents in the rim and a fubar rear tire, not to mention my alignment is about 3 hours too fast for 12 o'clock.

 

Excellent! Another FD track junkie

 

^

 

Not to sound strange or anything, but I would like to see the pictures of your car on here. You say it is totaled, but I think we would all like to see what it looks like.

 

I don't know how to put in an image.