[s-cars] RE: Confessions of indiscretions

[Ed Kellock]

I've been following this thread and found it interesting and enjoyable.  Everything seems to fall down to a couple of simple points for me...

ACNA events are not intended to be timed events and that has been covered, but I'd like to underscore it because I have thoroughly enjoyed every one I've attended and I have no interest in how fast I'm getting around the course.  I just really enjoy driving my car as well as I can, feeling it with all my senses, and learning some of the subtle things about weight transfer and grip, etc.  This was all in my '89 200q, arguably a bigger pig than any S-car.  I still have had a huge blast at both 2nd Creek and Pueblo with it.  I also enjoy the comments from friends about cornering on the door handles.  ;-)  The exercise of the _skill_ is available regardless of the hardware.

The power issue kind of amuses me.  The amount of power is only really relevant for clock-watchers or other forms of competition.  If I ever get into that mode, either my car will be prepped very differently or I'll have a different car altogether.  Having said that, I do enjoy more power because it enables you to do more with your skill.

My dad always lectured me about driving smoothly.  It doesn't matter how aggressively your driving, smoothness is key.  People who have ridden with me on the track usually comment within the first lap or two about how smooth I'm driving.  When Scott J. gave me a ride in my own car ('91 200q Avant) around Pueblo in '97, he was smooth.  It was great fun to be a passenger.  Other driver's scare the piss out of me.  (And you know who you are... ;-)

In regard to who's responsible if I ball up my car, It's ME.  I don't care who's in the car, when I'm in the driver's seat, it's MY responsibility.  I firmly believe this is true regardless of skill level.  Period.  I'm sure lawyers and insurance companies can do very well with the opposite approach but that doesn't change the reality.

Ed
Colorado Springs
'89 200q Miss Piggy's Grandmother