I raced an SRT this weekend, in my 2001 GTS. *DELETED*

[Vic]

Post deleted by Vic

 

[MichaelP]

Re: I raced an SRT this weekend, in my 2001 GTS.

To begin with, I've got 17,500 miles on mine, Corsa cat-backs, smoothies and K+Ns. Running Mobil 1 15-50W. Had 3/4 tank of gas, and still have the spare and jack in the trunk. Thats it. His SRT has about 1,700 miles on it.

The SRT belongs to a local VCA member. I won't reveal his name unless he wants to.

On our closed test track, I was looking at the SRT from behind, and thought to myself, "What a perfect opportunity to see what the SRT can do." We were doing about 75-80 mph when I caught up to him.

Pulling alongside, I motioned to him to go for it. He nodded, and off we went. All I knew at the time was, that before we jumped on it, I was pulling about 3000 RPM. I wasn't sure what gear I was in, but looking back on it, it must have been forth gear, because third would have been about 60 MPH @ 3000 RPMs. I'm very certain that none of us were going 60! There were several guys from the local VCA on the track behind us that day, maybe those that were closest to us can confirm our speed.

So we are neck and neck, both pedals to the floor, and after accelerating for a few seconds, we are still neck and neck, dead even. I wasn't looking at the speedometer, because I want to make sure I don't hit any slower cars from behind. Maybe some witnesses from behind can comment on the speed.

Sure enough, a slower car appears like magic in the center lane. My buddy in the SRT goes around him, and we are still dead even, as he clears the slower car. I grab the next gear before redline. Neither one of us lifted, still going b*lls to the wall.

We continue to accelerate for several more seconds, and are still dead even. Then a few slower cars appeared in the lanes ahead of us again, and I called it quits, shut it down. I learned what I wanted to know, and there was no more point in making a big scene out on the track. The track marshalls don't like it when they get calls from slower, jealous, or scared motorists. Uhm, I mean, competitors.

So our little romp was over. Just to make sure of what I saw, when traffic was clear, I pulled alongside my buddy in his SRT one more time, and signaled that I'd like to go again, but he declined.

When we stopped, he asked me what gear I was in, and not remembering, exactly, I said "third". He said he was in forth. We attributed the outcome to that reason.

But tonight, I went out and found that 3000 RPM in 3rd would have been around 60 MPH or so. That could not have been third that I was in. I kmow we were going about 75-80 when we squared off. So I must have been in forth, just like him.

FWIW

Both you guys are idiots for racing past a innocent car while you are doing what approx 110 - 120 MPH plus.



I do PLENTY of side by side racing like you guys did, but I am not a big enough *** as to pass other cars like you guys did.

All that 'innocent' car had to do was go to change lanes and one, 2 or all 3 of you could have been dead.

Have your fun but leave other people out of it.

 

[Gerald]

Re: I raced an SRT this weekend, in my 2001 GTS.

Micheal, that was totally out of character...!

I remember about 3 years ago I blew by an innocent bystander while racing a motorcycle..

 

[Vic]

Re: I raced an SRT this weekend, in my 2001 GTS.

[quote
Both you guys are idiots for racing past a innocent car while you are doing what approx 110 - 120 MPH plus.

I do PLENTY of side by side racing like you guys did, but I am not a big enough *** as to pass other cars like you guys did.

All that 'innocent' car had to do was go to change lanes and one, 2 or all 3 of you could have been dead.

Have your fun but leave other people out of it.

[/QUOTE]

Thanks, mom! I needed that tongue lashing. Ok, so I'm an ***. I already knew that.

 

[Vic]

Re: I raced an SRT this weekend, in my 2001 GTS.

First you should know that the track was VERY wide, four really huge and wide lanes. Next, the track was VERY flat, with huge run-off room on both sides, and no trees or vegetation on the VERY WIDE shoulders. There was almost no traffic, just an occasional car. It was Saturday morning, about 6:40 am.

With no turns to speak of, and incredible line of sight ahead, it wan't as dangerous as you might think.

While me and the SRT are going at it, another GTS joined the fray. Can I get cradit for being sane, to say that

1. I was the only guy who shut it down, when the clump of cars appeared? The SRT and other GTS sailed on ahead, even though there was less room for error, going through the clump.
and 2, I'm going to the drags this Saturday, where I can square off safely and legally?.

If you were there, you wouldn't think it was so dangerous. I've seen some Florida roads, narrow, lots of vegetation right off the shoulder, and thats a whole nuther story. I even got scared watching Geralds video! Wow, you guys have it tough!

 

[Toronto_ACR]

Re: I raced an SRT this weekend, in my 2001 GTS.

its like i have been saying to people all along. Put new brakes in the GTS and add the necessary hardware such as headers and exhaust and you have an equally matched car. I dont want to hear that the frame is built better than the GenII cars. I do not believeit. Put in an extra 40 HP and great braking system and you will think that any car is way ahead. But it is not.

 

[ViperGTS]

Re: I raced an SRT this weekend, in my 2001 GTS.

Thanks for sharing your experience.
That´s what most people [in fact GEN-II owners like me ] would expect...

 

[MichaelP]

Re: I raced an SRT this weekend, in my 2001 GTS.

Micheal, that was totally out of character...!

I remember about 3 years ago I blew by an innocent bystander while racing a motorcycle..

My son's freind was killed because of 2 guys racing just last month in Orlando. From all accounts he started to change lanes tried to pull back in his lane and one of the cars decided to pass on the right. Same scenario as above, fortunately without the accident.

Not alot of fun going to a funneral with a closed casket and watching a mother and father balling their eyes out.

IMO no need to race past other cars. If there isn't room then don't start or slow down when you catch up to another car.

Don't get me wrong at EVERY chance I get I put the Viper to the test but I don't get other people involved who aren't in the race.

 

[gtsviper]

Re: I raced an SRT this weekend, in my 2001 GTS.

Michael P. Thanks for your opinion...you weren't there but you are entitled.
Vic...you are a piece of work. You talk too much sometimes.

 

[Vic]

Re: I raced an SRT this weekend, in my 2001 GTS.

I love you too.

 

[J DAWG]

Re: I raced an SRT this weekend, in my 2001 GTS.

I agree with Toronto and Viper GTS, The outcome does not surprise me.

 

[Vic]

Re: I raced an SRT this weekend, in my 2001 GTS.

Vic...you are a piece of work.

And you are as charming as you are handsome.

You talk too much sometimes.

Can't argue with that.....
Truce?

 

[RobHook]

But wait, this all happened on an actual track? Not on the street, right? If it's on the track and it wasn't an open-track amateur weekend or something of the like, then there shouldn't be any problem here. Slower racecars get passed all the time and they know what to do and what not to do. If this is the case then the stories of people getting killed by street-racers aren't relevant.

On the other hand, you mentioned a center lane...this WAS a track, right?

--Rob

 

[Viperzilla]

Any time you see "closed" in front of "course", "track", etc. assume street racing.