Hamilton looses Licence.

[Carlos]

I'm with Number Two; philosophically we are Parrotheads. Without indiscretion how can we attain reflective wisdom?

[Ciro Pabón]

Allright, good point Number Two, I happily concede something of the discourse was politic (about 90%... ). However, wisdom must bring us into action.

I put forward this example of a way out of the problem, as I've done a couple of times. I'm sure that less extense tracks with less extense maintenance and policing would cost less.

The Nordschleife has remained a one-way, public toll-road for nearly 80 years except when it is closed off for testing purposes, training lessons or racing events. Since its opening in 1927, the track has been used by the public for the so-called "Touristenfahrten", i.e. to anyone with a road legal car or motorcycle, as well as tour buses, motor homes or cars with trailers. It is opened mainly on Sundays, but also on many Saturdays and weekday evenings. During the winter months, depending on weather conditions and maintenance work, the track may be closed for weeks.

During Touristenfahrten sessions, German road law (StVO) applies despite a common misconception assuming it is derestricted like in races. There is no general speed limit, however speed limits exist in certain areas in order to reduce noise and risks. As on public roads, passing on the right is prohibited, and the police take an extremely dim view of poor driving as they prosecute offenders with the aid of helicopters.

The cost for driving a single lap of the Nordschleife is 19 Euro for each car or motorcycle.

It would be nice for FIA affiliated tracks to have a sign on the entrance saying "Tickets for one lap, this way". Another nice trick would be to force speeders to buy a ticket for, I don't know, six months to "ease the fever" and, as a side effect, support their local racing. Yes, yes, another rant...

[dumrick]

Oh, c'mon, Tom. We're all --- wits then. We've all done the ludicrous-speed-on-public-roads thing ourselves. Just because you drive Citroens doesn't mean you can call the rest of us names.

I think that people ignored the more offensive part of this statement . What's the problem with anyone driving a car from the most revolutionary cult car brand in the world???

[Tom]

Well a timely reminder this morning.

My friend (I still call him that although I hardly know him anymore) has been boasting over the last 2 weeks about passing his driving test and how fast he can go. I told him he was an idiot and he was likely to kill himself, or worse, someone else. He didn't respond.

He signed into msn this afternoon however and told me he was deep in excrament. I instantly knew he'd had a crash and sure enough he admitted to me that he'd been racing a Golf down a road when someone else had 'pulled out in front of him' luckily landing him in a ditch without hitting anything serious or rolling. He can't have been that baddly off because he drove home, but it could have easily been alot worse, he's bent his mums car and his parents will be livid (days before christmas too) but he certainly isn't the kind of guy who demonstrates a good attitude towards driving or car control, in fact he's the kind of person who's likely to swing the wheel full lock either way if a hair crosses the road.Honestly I was quite amused, his parents will probably cover the insurance and he'll be driving again in no time but there's the smallest chance he might have learned something.

As for Citroens, you jump in a 2CV with a good driver, come back 10 mins later and tell me how slow they are

[NumberTwo]

As for Citroens, you jump in a 2CV with a good driver, come back 10 mins later and tell me how slow they are

But put that same good driver in any of the four 911's I've owned and it will only be a five minute ride.


Reflective wisdom, Carlos, is that like learning the hard way about gas-powered blenders?


Okay, Ciro, maybe we could get a group together to meet at the Mexico City track for some Formula Ford action, huh? Settle it on the track, eh! Then a journey up into the mountains to Taxco afterwards to see the silversmiths and a good mole'.

Ted

[Ciro Pabón]

Thanks, Ted, I'd be glad to go to some Touristenfahrten excursion. Big Tourist-fahrten in my case, specially after the guacamole AND the Porsche 911 shotgun ride over Taxco mountain roads. That shall loose our licenses quite a bit.

However, in that kind of roads, all my bets are on the 2CV, it's a much more rugged built car. A Porsche doesn't stand a chance, not after running over the first couple of goats... I'm sure that by the time you reach the finish line, Tom would have already cooked some haggis with that sheeps.

[Chubbs]

all my bets are on the 2CV, it's a much more rugged built car.

are you on drugs????

[NumberTwo]

Just the ticket...

[Ciro Pabón]

Caramba. I've forgotten the feeling (too much karting). What a great car, Number Two. I can only imagine what's to drive it.

[Tom]

Well Ted, its a great car, but it takes a real man to handle it, I wonder (assuming you've already sent off my christmas present of course) if you're man enough.

The 2CV on the other hand, pah, a vet could drive it! They don't have the irritating habit of doughnutting every time you accelerate out of a corner, both aircooled flat engines but the 2CV is far easier to knock back together with a hammer when it enevitably goes down in a cloud of smoke and we also have in-board brakes.

We should really try this race, just for fun, I've no doubt you would really nail me to the wall but I think it would get closer when we both have to stop at the roadside to repair. Classic hare and tourtois.

[wrk]

ya bunch of girls......47 and still driving flat out in what ever vehicle im in...

[NumberTwo]

@Tom, I plain forgot your Christmas present. But don't worry, there's plenty of tequila left here in the US. I send you a nice bottle of Don Julio and an a not-so-nice bottle of mezcal next week. Just do me a favor and do not send back any haggis, I wouldn't know how to tell if it has rotted.

@WRK, I may have been neutered, Wayne, but I got away with driving for seven years of a license suspension. Yep, that'll slow ya down.

[Tom]

Don't worry about my pressie Ted, my flatmate got me a bottle of Famous Grouse for Christmas and my parents have the house stocked with Magners prepared for my return.

I did my peice of dangerous driving for the year too, I cycled to town this morning and spent the first mile on black ice, it was great fun and more than a little scary, esspecially on a tourer, I love winter.