So, went to the Oregon Coast(Neskowin, 15 miles N. of Lincoln City) this weekend and got to finally really open my car up. Now I've had it for about 7 months, only put 3800 miles on it, done a few highway pulls, hit the back roads once or twice, and punched it through 1-3 quite a few times. But no high speeds really and nothing to challenge the suspension of the car. But this weekend that all changed. Now, I don't condone the things I did b/c they were not legal, but were for the most part safe, but I know that if for some reason had we been caught, we deserved whatever we got.
My friend Erik bought a new S2000 a few months b4 I traded-in for the SRT-4, but when he first got it, he wasn't used to any type of sports car or how to drive one. His accelerating techniques weren't very honed b/c I could out drag him in the 1.8T. However, after 9 months or so, I'd said he greatly improved his shifting (has a good grasp of VTEC now), driving, and knowing the limits of his ride.
So with that introduction, yesterday we were at the coast on a retreat for a college group that we used to attend. I had gone out for a nice Sat. drive along the ocean and under the sun. HWY 101 is a good mix-bag when it comes to roads. Lots of up and down-hill, straightaways, and good curves. I was out for about 30 mins just driving, pushing the car, then came back and was sitting in the mess hall. I see Erik and another car enthusiat, Joel, drop the top on the S2000 and leave the grounds. Instinctively I think to myself that I need to catch them and we're gonna get it on. I yell to my friend Randy and tell him to come w/ me b/c we are going on a car ride. Hop in the car, race up a hill to catch Erik before he hits 101 b/c I won'tt know which way he goes.
We catch up right before he hits the highway, give him a honk, and he graciously accepts the challenge Now you've got to appreciate both these cars and their engines. Both totally different, but what we found out it is how similiar they can perform. Both of us really respect our car and each other's car so we weren't following each other too close or doing anything around other cars on the road. We're driving down 101(one lane) for about a mile really pushing the car and seeing if we can hang w/ each other. Then there is a road, the road, back to the twisties and away from, well basically everything, it's just us and the road. At this point we're really going at it, staying above 70 or so except when the twisties come about. Obviously Erik's car handles much better than mine, lower stance and wider tires really help. However the SRT was more nimble and able to stick to the ground better than I had expected. The great part was it just like a real race course b/c it's got the twisties, that go into the straightaways, and so on and so forth.
I pulled (up) on him somewhat on the straightaways, but never really had the room or road to get past him which was fine since we were just playing. HOWEVER, after about 10 minutes or so there was a nice long straightaway, I'd say about a 1/4. We didn't think to drag on it (wouldn't be safe) and we just didn't want to stop, so as we are going done the road I'm finally starting to pull on him, probably about a car length or so away. As I go to pass I'm shifting up into 4th at about 110 or so Erik stradles the middle of the road when I'm going to pass him, but shifting ended up being a very scary decision. It should be noted that a notorious problem w/ the SRT is the ability to yank off the shift knob during very hard shifts b/c it's only knotched on, not threaded. Well, shifting as hard as I did into 4th ripped off the knob, to which I instictively look down at the shifter trying to figure out what the heck just happened. I was all the way in the left lane, so when I looked down I started to veer left more. By god's grace I looked right back up and had only started to head off the road, luckily none of my tires went off the road and when the knob fell off I did think to slow down, but I'd say we were still going about 90mph, b/c I didn't just want to slam on my brakes and lose control.
Randy got the shift knob pushed back on and while I was a little more hesitant in my shifts (b/c I did pull it off 2 more times ). When we turned around and I got to lead the race this time, and knowing the road better this time was able to get on it even more. All in all we were out for about 30 mins or so, covered about 10 miles of actual driving and had a lot of fun. Topped out at 120 on the 1/4 on the way back, really kept up w/ Erik in the turns and when we got back, we told them about the shift knob. Both there mouths drops and they told me they actually thought I was trying to pass them off road Man, I didn't think I was that crazy, but they thought so I gues
So that's that. Good times, fast cars, cool roads, crazy stories. And what did I learn. The S2000 is a beautiful driving machine, my car really loves being opened up, it's time to by a shift knob that might stay on better , the sports seats hug you like your mom after you've been away for years, and always be safe
So, went to the Oregon Coast(Neskowin, 15 miles N. of Lincoln City) this weekend and got to finally really open my car up. Now I've had it for about 7 months, only put 3800 miles on it, done a few highway pulls, hit the back roads once or twice, and punched it through 1-3 quite a few times. But no high speeds really and nothing to challenge the suspension of the car. But this weekend that all changed. Now, I don't condone the things I did b/c they were not legal, but were for the most part safe, but I know that if for some reason had we been caught, we deserved whatever we got.
My friend Erik bought a new S2000 a few months b4 I traded-in for the SRT-4, but when he first got it, he wasn't used to any type of sports car or how to drive one. His accelerating techniques weren't very honed b/c I could out drag him in the 1.8T. However, after 9 months or so, I'd said he greatly improved his shifting (has a good grasp of VTEC now), driving, and knowing the limits of his ride.
So with that introduction, yesterday we were at the coast on a retreat for a college group that we used to attend. I had gone out for a nice Sat. drive along the ocean and under the sun. HWY 101 is a good mix-bag when it comes to roads. Lots of up and down-hill, straightaways, and good curves. I was out for about 30 mins just driving, pushing the car, then came back and was sitting in the mess hall. I see Erik and another car enthusiat, Joel, drop the top on the S2000 and leave the grounds. Instinctively I think to myself that I need to catch them and we're gonna get it on. I yell to my friend Randy and tell him to come w/ me b/c we are going on a car ride. Hop in the car, race up a hill to catch Erik before he hits 101 b/c I won'tt know which way he goes.
We catch up right before he hits the highway, give him a honk, and he graciously accepts the challenge Now you've got to appreciate both these cars and their engines. Both totally different, but what we found out it is how similiar they can perform. Both of us really respect our car and each other's car so we weren't following each other too close or doing anything around other cars on the road. We're driving down 101(one lane) for about a mile really pushing the car and seeing if we can hang w/ each other. Then there is a road, the road, back to the twisties and away from, well basically everything, it's just us and the road. At this point we're really going at it, staying above 70 or so except when the twisties come about. Obviously Erik's car handles much better than mine, lower stance and wider tires really help. However the SRT was more nimble and able to stick to the ground better than I had expected. The great part was it just like a real race course b/c it's got the twisties, that go into the straightaways, and so on and so forth.
I pulled (up) on him somewhat on the straightaways, but never really had the room or road to get past him which was fine since we were just playing. HOWEVER, after about 10 minutes or so there was a nice long straightaway, I'd say about a 1/4. We didn't think to drag on it (wouldn't be safe) and we just didn't want to stop, so as we are going done the road I'm finally starting to pull on him, probably about a car length or so away. As I go to pass I'm shifting up into 4th at about 110 or so Erik stradles the middle of the road when I'm going to pass him, but shifting ended up being a very scary decision. It should be noted that a notorious problem w/ the SRT is the ability to yank off the shift knob during very hard shifts b/c it's only knotched on, not threaded. Well, shifting as hard as I did into 4th ripped off the knob, to which I instictively look down at the shifter trying to figure out what the heck just happened. I was all the way in the left lane, so when I looked down I started to veer left more. By god's grace I looked right back up and had only started to head off the road, luckily none of my tires went off the road and when the knob fell off I did think to slow down, but I'd say we were still going about 90mph, b/c I didn't just want to slam on my brakes and lose control.
Randy got the shift knob pushed back on and while I was a little more hesitant in my shifts (b/c I did pull it off 2 more times ). When we turned around and I got to lead the race this time, and knowing the road better this time was able to get on it even more. All in all we were out for about 30 mins or so, covered about 10 miles of actual driving and had a lot of fun. Topped out at 120 on the 1/4 on the way back, really kept up w/ Erik in the turns and when we got back, we told them about the shift knob. Both there mouths drops and they told me they actually thought I was trying to pass them off road Man, I didn't think I was that crazy, but they thought so I gues
So that's that. Good times, fast cars, cool roads, crazy stories. And what did I learn. The S2000 is a beautiful driving machine, my car really loves being opened up, it's time to by a shift knob that might stay on better , the sports seats hug you like your mom after you've been away for years, and always be safe
Hey bro I'm in albany, next time you guys run to the coast hit me up... me and some of buddies are always down for some good ol country drivin I can even bring some rice for us to play with to so your buddie in the honda don't feel abused
I will get something for the shift knob (or a new one?), that was the first day it had ever come off though. Funny thing was I had my camcorder at the retreat, but it was the heat of the moment, no time to think about getting it.
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Oregon Coast + S2000 v. SRT-4 = Hell Yeah
Now you've got to appreciate both these cars and their engines. Both totally different, but what we found out it is how similiar they can perform. Both of us really respect our car and each other's car so we weren't following each other too close or doing anything around other cars on the road. We're driving down 101(one lane) for about a mile really pushing the car and seeing if we can hang w/ each other. Then there is a road, the road, back to the twisties and away from, well basically everything, it's just us and the road. At this point we're really going at it, staying above 70 or so except when the twisties come about. Obviously Erik's car handles much better than mine, lower stance and wider tires really help. However the SRT was more nimble and able to stick to the ground better than I had expected. The great part was it just like a real race course b/c it's got the twisties, that go into the straightaways, and so on and so forth. 
). When we turned around and I got to lead the race this time, and knowing the road better this time was able to get on it even more. All in all we were out for about 30 mins or so, covered about 10 miles of actual driving and had a lot of fun. Topped out at 120 on the 1/4 on the way back, really kept up w/ Erik in the turns and when we got back, we told them about the shift knob. Both there mouths drops and they told me they actually thought I was trying to pass them off road 
Man, I didn't think I was that crazy, but they thought so I gues 
, the sports seats hug you like your mom after you've been away for years, and always be safe 
12.8@107
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