How do you handle EXTREME tailgaters?

[Frank Lee]

Poorly designed aircraft and cars and whatever else are accidents waiting to happen.

[Arragonis]

The Mk2 Spit worked best and had decent-ish handling, but they went backwards to save money on the Mk3. If you think the Spitfire is bad try a GT6 or a Vitesse - same chassis and suspension with 50% extra engine weight and power...

Swing Axles are not evil by design, this thing did OK with them up to 180 MPH

[Frank Lee]

Mine was Mk1

[larrybuck]

That's a beautiful Mercedes, but isn't that the same model caused many fan's death and injury during a European race, that Mercedes pulled all of their cars out of that race, and discontinued that model?

I'm not saying at all that it was a suspension related crash. It's a great looking car. I have read that it has been available in recent years as a good quality kit or turnkey car!

[Arragonis]

Originally Posted by larrybuck

That's a beautiful Mercedes, but isn't that the same model caused many fan's death and injury during a European race, that Mercedes pulled all of their cars out of that race, and discontinued that model?

I posted a reply before but it seems to have gone.

I think you are referring to the 1955 Le Mans accident ? It was caused by a disk braked Jaguar slowing suddenly in front of an Austin Healey which couldn't match the Jaguar's rate of braking so had to pull across the track in the path of the Mercedes of Paul Levegh, who lost control and ended up plowing into the crowd.

I think the main causes were the kink at the start of the pit straight and the lack of a seperate road for the pits at the time - they were open to the track. The Mercedes did have swing axles but it also had an air brake which raised just behind the cockpit - which may also have been a factor.

Mercedes withdrew from racing but continued with the 300 SL/R series and quite a few models after then also had low pivot swing axles - the Pagoda 230/280SL for example.

EDIT - The Wiki-b**dy-pedia article on the crash has more detail, including the potential blame attached to the Jaguar Driver - unesolved as he died in a crash racing - on the public road.

Anyhoo, back on topic - I was discussing FE with the boss this afternoon and he was describing his attempts to coast behind trucks but they all took steps to remove him from their tails - braking, kicking up dirt from the shoulder etc. We came to the conclusion that they were probably worried about the Crash for Cash scam going on here at the moment. Basically drivers pick on commercial vehicles such as trucks or vans and get them to "cause" accidents. After that suddenly a car with one person in it has 3 or more whiplash injury claims etc.

[Fat Charlie]

Originally Posted by Cd

Several minutes later the kid races around me and is so mad that he swerves in front of the cars ahead of me.
...

I got to thinking about how that I caused that accident.

You worry too much. If he was passing several cars I wouldn't blame the rearmost passee, even if the rest had just recently entered the road.

From the Spitfire guy's perspective, all I have to offer is this: Looking back at some of the stupid things that I've done I remember them as stupid things that I've done and not as stupid things that other people made me do.

[larrybuck]

We can't force other drivers to be mature! Most such efforts result in yet more folly from them.

We can only hope that it was a lifechanging experience for the Spitfire owner in patience.

I'm sure that if nothing else; he regets that he can't take the moment back..... he's not free to enjoy his car anymore like he'd want to.

His insurance might raise like the level of the ocean's 7th wave.

He may be ticketed for reckless driving.

He's out a lot of money in any case, and cost his own lack of future care free fun, and instant freedom that a sportscar or motorcycle can make you feel!!!

[wadarush]

Just keep your cup holder full of coins.... Ever heard a fist full of quarters hit a windshield at speed???? Tail gate cure for sure!

[Arragonis]

Originally Posted by wadarush

Just keep your cup holder full of coins.... Ever heard a fist full of quarters hit a windshield at speed???? Tail gate cure for sure!

And also hopefully a quick method of getting yourself stopped and in jail.

[user removed]

Originally Posted by wadarush

Just keep your cup holder full of coins.... Ever heard a fist full of quarters hit a windshield at speed???? Tail gate cure for sure!

I'll send you a bag of gravel if you send me a bag of quarters. Heck I can go 6miles on my bike on 25 cents worth of gas. Not far on gravel, but it does work pretty well for cleaning a tank.

regards
Mech