Re: 120mph??? Yes.

[Daniel Hussey <GY3WSX@vm.sc.edu>]

    I don't know who originally started this thread, but I have to add my
$0.02 worth in here...

       I generally drive normal speeds around town and on the highway.  The
car just feels so right at 80-85 though!  ;)  Sometimes I get tempted and hang
around those speeds.

       Now, while I generally agree with you....120 is way too fast for
regular streets and highways in normal traffic conditions, there are occasions
when it is acceptable (to me anyways), although not legal...

       Last time I was on I-20 heading to Atlanta, I had a big open spot (no
cars around me) and I just put my foot down.  Did 110 for a good clip.  I
didn't consider it a big deal.  In fact, I did pass a Saab, and when I slowed
back down to about 85, he blew past me doing at least 90.  People just drive
fast down in them parts (Atlanta).

       Then I was drving back from Pikes Peak two years ago and I was on a
lonely stretch of highway as a storm was heading in, I believe I was in
Nebraska.  Anyways, no one and NOTHING around for miles.  I again, put my foot
down and backed off somewhere around 118 or 120.  Kept up a good clip of 110
for a good while though.  Not a big deal when you are the only one on the road.

       So, there are circumstances when I think it is fine.  But, when other
cars are around....DONT!  A neighbor of ours was nearly killed doing about
140 or so on GA400 late one night in his BMW M6, when some guy just puttering
along and not paying attention decided he wanted to be in the fast lane.  It
was a close call and the next day my neighbor put and ad in the paper to sell
the BMW.  Scared the dickens out of him!

       I told my dad last month that I was seriously considering doing the
One Lap of America with some friends and my dad told me straight out that he
objected to me doing this ...BIG TIME.  And, my dad is a speed freak and racing
fanatic himself.  He told me that those guys get next to no sleep and have to
drive rediculous triple-digit speeds on public roads to get to where they need
to be in that amount of time.  I think he had read a lot about those who do it
and they said it was NUTS!  So, I agreed that is probably wasn't the safest
thing and decided not to do it, after years of wanting to do it.  I agree, it
IS dangerous...and lets face it, I'm no Brock Yates or John Buffum.  Anyways, I
think some of the points they gather is dependant upon how fast they get to
the track events, but yet they say "we greatly encourage legal speed limits".
Yea, right!  Do the math!

       Later,
       Dan