For the car guys...
- Thread starter K119Phil
- Start date
K119Phil said:
To be honest, the car is still scaring the hell out of me.
Even with our moderate temperatures the OEM Goodyear F1 tires just don't get any traction. Step on the gas in gears 1 through 4 and you're all over the road. They say these tires are designed to do better when very hot, either because of the weather or after several miles on the track (or the water box at the strip).
I've heard that a lot of Shelby buyers in the colder climates are replacing the tires on the way home from the dealer, or putting their cars in storage until spring.
Still, I love this car so much that I sleep in it every night. Okay, I'm sleeping in it mostly because I bought it without telling my wife. Not as easy to sneak past her as a Festool. [smile]
joraft said:
This isn't my car, but it is a Shelby, and exactly what I'm talking about. Very scary in L.A. traffic!
Spinning in third at 55mph
K119Phil said:
This is the kind of traction I'm looking for, even if it means new tires:
(In L.A. I'd be on the 6:00 o'clock news. Apparently they don't have traffic cops in Saudi Arabia [smile] )
GT500 in traffic in Saudi Arabia
K119Phil
Member
- Joined
- Jan 29, 2013
- Messages
- 478
A good read on the phenomenon that is THE TRAFFIC JAM. Oh, and proposed solutions too 
http://www.smartmotorist.com/traffic-and-safety-guideline/traffic-jams.html
"Traffic jams often occur on highways wherever two lanes must merge into one. Lanes of cars cannot merge if there are no large gaps between cars. Therefore, drivers who create large gaps between cars will ease this type of traffic jam."
To ease this type of jam:
- Maintain a large space ahead of your car.
- Encourage one, two even three cars to merge ahead of you.
- If traffic slows to a complete stop, KEEP TWO CAR-LENGTHS OF SPACE OPEN AHEAD OF YOU.
- Never "punish" merging drivers by closing your gap.
http://www.smartmotorist.com/traffic-and-safety-guideline/traffic-jams.html
"Traffic jams often occur on highways wherever two lanes must merge into one. Lanes of cars cannot merge if there are no large gaps between cars. Therefore, drivers who create large gaps between cars will ease this type of traffic jam."
To ease this type of jam:
- Maintain a large space ahead of your car.
- Encourage one, two even three cars to merge ahead of you.
- If traffic slows to a complete stop, KEEP TWO CAR-LENGTHS OF SPACE OPEN AHEAD OF YOU.
- Never "punish" merging drivers by closing your gap.
tjbnwi
Member
- Joined
- May 12, 2008
- Messages
- 7,042
joraft said:
You'll get used it. Come winter drive here, slideways is a normal drive.
I think I posted a picture of the Pantera. It will light up the Perellis 3rd to 4th @ 115+ mph.
Very pretty Shellby you have. I'm looking for a '69 Boss 429. Glad I have an understanding wife.
Tom
tjbnwi said:
Thanks, Tom.
Sometimes it pays to be afraid of a car. Below is a photo of a recent incident where a guy lost control of his brand new Shelby (59 miles), which is easy to do with these things. He admits that he was showing off in a parking lot. Luckily only minor injuries, car totaled.
I sure would be crying if this happened to me:
tjbnwi said:
I guess you're right, Tom. As I drive the car more my initial fear is gradually becoming respect. A respect that I hope I never lose.
As I look at that wrecked Shelby I can't imagine how upset I would be (at myself) for being so careless. I go nuts over a ding in a door. [smile]
Kev
Member
- Joined
- Nov 7, 2011
- Messages
- 7,698
joraft said:
It's import to remember that high power / high performance cars are EXPENSIVE TOYS ... and toys can get broken when you play with them. Yes, sometimes they even bite back.
Mostly these days I feel like I've got the exotic motor out of my system - but it doesn't take much to realise it's just an impulse away [eek]
The only thing I can suggest is finding opportunities to safely test the limits and learn about your toys - certainly not in the car park though!
