PSH
PCGB Member
A little light headed story to share chaps....I Had a short encounter with a boy racer in a Merc tonight, I say boy racer due to how he was driving, it was dark so couldn't see the driver. Couldn't say the exact model either, big saloon, had 'eyebrow' lights on and it was quick, certainly it's driver thought it was quick. The Merc had been following me for a while on the A41 , getting close at the Watford roundabout, I was heading for home (Harrow) some of you may know the roundabout, good place to fill up with the cheapest Shell garage for some miles.
So picture this, I'm at the lights on the Shell side of the roundabout with the Merc behind both on inside lane heading for Bushey, lights change and I pull off normally to the next set of lights(there are 3 sets to go through (not counting a pedestrian set in the middle)before the road is clear again about a mile further along the A41.) these lights are green so I continue on the inside lane, I note in my mirror that the Merc is beginning to pull out to the next lane for overtaking. I can't accelerate yet as there's two cars in front turning into Sainsburys on the left, not blocking me but caution is in play. There's another set of lights at this Sainsburys turning point just in front, the road narrows to single lane a hundred yards or so after these lights, not much room to play with. Lights are green, So the Merc floors it, he's fast but I'm in my sweet spot, rolling in second where this car is lightning fast from second to 3rd and even faster 3rd to 4th. Normally I don't use more than 60-70% throttle (I don't need too) , had a new 911 try it on last week going the opposite direction near Tring,much higher speeds involved. I only needed 61% to see that one off as I had an open road in front of me, no need to go mad. I had more than enough to leave the 911, I had promised SWMBO after that encounter to behave myself tonight as she wasn't too happy, she didn't moan tonight though, probably as speed was a lot less. Anyway I diverse, so I'm in second beginning to accelerate, Merc comes up very fast on my right, do I or don't I? was going through my mind...well I wasn't going to have some flash Merc shoot past without a fight. What happened next really surprised me...due to the two lane reducing to 1 in such a short distance for the first time since the rebuild I floored it, just as the merc drew level with me. I instantly matched his speed, went up to 3rd, had to feather a little as she began to get loose and would break traction if I kept my foot planted. Well the tyres gripped and you would have thought the Merc had braked, that was the difference in acceleration, the old girl was rapid, very rapid. I think the merc driver was a little shocked,he should be... he made moves later to go up my inside as I immediately backed off once down to single lane which is only for a hundred yards or so before going back to dual carriageway again, but thought better of it and soon joined the M1 slipway while I continued on my way.
I then checked my data, I had hit 94% throttle?..that surprised me, I guess due to how short the two lane section after the lights was I didn't want to take any chances, I usually let the turbo build on it's own at around 60%, this time due to the road I thought it prudent to help it along a little...I know the car is quick, very quick, however, tonight not only was she quick but she behaved impeccably with the tyres just beginning to light up alongside this Merc , (she stayed true to the direction that i needed to go)as he tried to pass which he clearly thought would be an easy thing to do. Well it wasn't and he and his car were found very much wanting being left behind with his eyebrow lights shinning in my rear view mirror...my car on the other hand continued homewards purring all the way...
just a little fun chaps that I thought I'd share...I'll try to be a good boy for a while...
Pete
So picture this, I'm at the lights on the Shell side of the roundabout with the Merc behind both on inside lane heading for Bushey, lights change and I pull off normally to the next set of lights(there are 3 sets to go through (not counting a pedestrian set in the middle)before the road is clear again about a mile further along the A41.) these lights are green so I continue on the inside lane, I note in my mirror that the Merc is beginning to pull out to the next lane for overtaking. I can't accelerate yet as there's two cars in front turning into Sainsburys on the left, not blocking me but caution is in play. There's another set of lights at this Sainsburys turning point just in front, the road narrows to single lane a hundred yards or so after these lights, not much room to play with. Lights are green, So the Merc floors it, he's fast but I'm in my sweet spot, rolling in second where this car is lightning fast from second to 3rd and even faster 3rd to 4th. Normally I don't use more than 60-70% throttle (I don't need too) , had a new 911 try it on last week going the opposite direction near Tring,much higher speeds involved. I only needed 61% to see that one off as I had an open road in front of me, no need to go mad. I had more than enough to leave the 911, I had promised SWMBO after that encounter to behave myself tonight as she wasn't too happy, she didn't moan tonight though, probably as speed was a lot less. Anyway I diverse, so I'm in second beginning to accelerate, Merc comes up very fast on my right, do I or don't I? was going through my mind...well I wasn't going to have some flash Merc shoot past without a fight. What happened next really surprised me...due to the two lane reducing to 1 in such a short distance for the first time since the rebuild I floored it, just as the merc drew level with me. I instantly matched his speed, went up to 3rd, had to feather a little as she began to get loose and would break traction if I kept my foot planted. Well the tyres gripped and you would have thought the Merc had braked, that was the difference in acceleration, the old girl was rapid, very rapid. I think the merc driver was a little shocked,he should be... he made moves later to go up my inside as I immediately backed off once down to single lane which is only for a hundred yards or so before going back to dual carriageway again, but thought better of it and soon joined the M1 slipway while I continued on my way.
I then checked my data, I had hit 94% throttle?..that surprised me, I guess due to how short the two lane section after the lights was I didn't want to take any chances, I usually let the turbo build on it's own at around 60%, this time due to the road I thought it prudent to help it along a little...I know the car is quick, very quick, however, tonight not only was she quick but she behaved impeccably with the tyres just beginning to light up alongside this Merc , (she stayed true to the direction that i needed to go)as he tried to pass which he clearly thought would be an easy thing to do. Well it wasn't and he and his car were found very much wanting being left behind with his eyebrow lights shinning in my rear view mirror...my car on the other hand continued homewards purring all the way...
just a little fun chaps that I thought I'd share...I'll try to be a good boy for a while...
Pete
