Given the evident dichotomy (see: (bicker)) amongst Illinois board members, I've done a little research. But first, a soapbox monologue in regards to all this speeding talk:
I wasn't even speeding when I had my "holy s***" accident- but you don't have to be. I was on my way out here to visit, in Indiana, with the cruise control on 64mph (My father and I had been speeding most the way out here, and thought it'd be stupid to get pulled on the last leg of a 14 hour drive).
So, the right rear tire of the truck blows, I attempt to pull to the inside shoulder of the road, but there's a construction sign in my way. Instinctively not wanting to hit the construction sign, I swerve back into the lane. I turned back in too quickly, the back kicked out and oversteered a full 180 degrees. We got down into the grass median, the wheel with no tire on it dug into the dirt and we started to flip. Ended up doing 3 barrel rolls and one end for end flip - putting us on the roof, in the westbound lane.
I had everything I owned (literally, my entire apartment) packed up into the back of that truck. My dad broke his neck (see attached picture), and I wound up with a broken clavical, four broken fingers, a fractured eye socket, and some interesting bumps and scars (see pictures here).
I attribute the entire thing to not knowing how to deal with oversteer. The incident may not have been avoidable but it certainly could have been a lot... less bad... had I been able to control the vehicle more effectively.
After that happened, I wanted to learn... so I bought an F-150 Lightning and subsequently became fascinated with speed. There's nothing else that can so consistently blow my hair back.
This whole argument that's been going on is fascinating to me, because I suppose I fall somewhere in the middle. I certainly can't say that I never speed... and I can't say that I never drive like an ass... but I make a conscious effort to do so in ways that do not involve the safety of other people. And while that does not make it right, I know full well what the consequences can be.
I look at all this car stuff as a hobby, and use it to learn. I'm not some accomplished driver- I've done a few autocross events in a buddy's RX-8, a Skip Barber weekend, Great Lakes Drag, etc. What I can say, is that... yes, it can be pricey, it doesn't have to be... it is unbelievably good fun- and it's even more fun when you realize you don't have to worry as much about killing someone else, you can't get ticketed for it, and it makes you a better driver altogether.
SCCA Chicago is holding an informational meeting for prospective members in Addison this weekend at Chicago Indoor Racing, and if you've never taken part in anything like this, it may be good to get down there and check it out. It's free, and it'll just be a few people there explaining what happens and where throughout the year in the SCCA calendar.
Their website is here: http://www.scca-chicago.com/
Anyway, that's my two cents.
I'll be attending, and look forward to seeing some of you there.
I wasn't even speeding when I had my "holy s***" accident- but you don't have to be. I was on my way out here to visit, in Indiana, with the cruise control on 64mph (My father and I had been speeding most the way out here, and thought it'd be stupid to get pulled on the last leg of a 14 hour drive).
So, the right rear tire of the truck blows, I attempt to pull to the inside shoulder of the road, but there's a construction sign in my way. Instinctively not wanting to hit the construction sign, I swerve back into the lane. I turned back in too quickly, the back kicked out and oversteered a full 180 degrees. We got down into the grass median, the wheel with no tire on it dug into the dirt and we started to flip. Ended up doing 3 barrel rolls and one end for end flip - putting us on the roof, in the westbound lane.
I had everything I owned (literally, my entire apartment) packed up into the back of that truck. My dad broke his neck (see attached picture), and I wound up with a broken clavical, four broken fingers, a fractured eye socket, and some interesting bumps and scars (see pictures here).
I attribute the entire thing to not knowing how to deal with oversteer. The incident may not have been avoidable but it certainly could have been a lot... less bad... had I been able to control the vehicle more effectively.
After that happened, I wanted to learn... so I bought an F-150 Lightning and subsequently became fascinated with speed. There's nothing else that can so consistently blow my hair back.
This whole argument that's been going on is fascinating to me, because I suppose I fall somewhere in the middle. I certainly can't say that I never speed... and I can't say that I never drive like an ass... but I make a conscious effort to do so in ways that do not involve the safety of other people. And while that does not make it right, I know full well what the consequences can be.
I look at all this car stuff as a hobby, and use it to learn. I'm not some accomplished driver- I've done a few autocross events in a buddy's RX-8, a Skip Barber weekend, Great Lakes Drag, etc. What I can say, is that... yes, it can be pricey, it doesn't have to be... it is unbelievably good fun- and it's even more fun when you realize you don't have to worry as much about killing someone else, you can't get ticketed for it, and it makes you a better driver altogether.
SCCA Chicago is holding an informational meeting for prospective members in Addison this weekend at Chicago Indoor Racing, and if you've never taken part in anything like this, it may be good to get down there and check it out. It's free, and it'll just be a few people there explaining what happens and where throughout the year in the SCCA calendar.
Their website is here: http://www.scca-chicago.com/
Anyway, that's my two cents.
I'll be attending, and look forward to seeing some of you there.
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Anyway, I try really hard to behave on the road, and for the most part I do. But I know how you feel Pandakrat, there are times when the road is clear and you just want to go ---> 
