HogWhisperer
Enthusiast
While out driving a couple of days ago, I pulled into a gas station and noticed a 2000 Z28 Camaro parked in front. (not that I look for other hotrods when I'm out cruising the Viper or anything) Anyway, after fueling my Viper, I got back in the car and was about to bust her off when I saw a young man walking out to the Z28 with a sack in his hand. Here is what ensued......
He meandered over while I was buckling up for safety. With a wry smile on his face, he said, "wanna race?" Being the mature, experienced, cool adult that I am, I replied, "what, that Z28?" With an affirmative nod from this young man, I continued with, "don't you pick races you think you can win?" He then told me that he 'just wanted to see the Viper run'. I told him that we didn't need to race for that and told him to hop in. With a huge smile on his face he piled in and buckled up.
Some of you have heard me talk about having access to an airport? I made a bee-line for the airport while asking him if he had a few minutes. After replying that he had 'plenty of time', I drove like a granny out to the airport. I think he thought I was just giving it the 'old geezer' pleasure cruise.
When we got out to the airport, I stopped and made him buckle up in the 5-point harness, (you know, the ones that have been recalled). I then proceeded to hammer through the same course the SCCA uses when they race here. After 4 laps, I stopped on the back straightaway and launched the car as hard as I could and speed shifted through 2nd, 3rd and into 4th. In fact, that was kind of fun so we did it again.
After that, I made a cool down lap and we headed back to the Exxon where we had left his car. When we got back, I noticed that in his haste, he had left his sack on the trunk of his car.
We sat in the car and visited for a while. Some of his comments were that he 'had no idea how hard a Viper pulled', and that he 'couldn't believe how well it cornered'. I had particular satisfaction a couple of times when I looked over at him and he was stiff as a board. I bet his butt wasn't touching the seat he was so stiff.
Willie is a great kid. He's 17 years old, home schooled and very well mannered. He races his Z28 in San Angelo where he put down a very respectable 13.31 with his modded Z28 a couple of weeks ago. I bet I see him in San Angelo. I sure wish my 8 second drag car had a second seat!
He meandered over while I was buckling up for safety. With a wry smile on his face, he said, "wanna race?" Being the mature, experienced, cool adult that I am, I replied, "what, that Z28?" With an affirmative nod from this young man, I continued with, "don't you pick races you think you can win?" He then told me that he 'just wanted to see the Viper run'. I told him that we didn't need to race for that and told him to hop in. With a huge smile on his face he piled in and buckled up.
Some of you have heard me talk about having access to an airport? I made a bee-line for the airport while asking him if he had a few minutes. After replying that he had 'plenty of time', I drove like a granny out to the airport. I think he thought I was just giving it the 'old geezer' pleasure cruise.
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When we got out to the airport, I stopped and made him buckle up in the 5-point harness, (you know, the ones that have been recalled). I then proceeded to hammer through the same course the SCCA uses when they race here. After 4 laps, I stopped on the back straightaway and launched the car as hard as I could and speed shifted through 2nd, 3rd and into 4th. In fact, that was kind of fun so we did it again.
After that, I made a cool down lap and we headed back to the Exxon where we had left his car. When we got back, I noticed that in his haste, he had left his sack on the trunk of his car.
You must be registered for see images
We sat in the car and visited for a while. Some of his comments were that he 'had no idea how hard a Viper pulled', and that he 'couldn't believe how well it cornered'. I had particular satisfaction a couple of times when I looked over at him and he was stiff as a board. I bet his butt wasn't touching the seat he was so stiff.
You must be registered for see images
Willie is a great kid. He's 17 years old, home schooled and very well mannered. He races his Z28 in San Angelo where he put down a very respectable 13.31 with his modded Z28 a couple of weeks ago. I bet I see him in San Angelo. I sure wish my 8 second drag car had a second seat!
