Embarrassing Losses
Thread Starter
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 19
From: Charleston, WV
Embarrassing Losses
What are some of you guys' more embarrassing losses? I've had a few, all of which I attribute to my inexperience with a manual transmission. When I first got my Mustang, I had never driven a manual (I know, a rear wheel drive V8 with a nearly worn clutch probably wasn't the best thing to learn on). When I eventually got to the point I could safely drive it on the main road, it was inevitable that I would race my friend Bobby in his V6 Oldsmobile Alero. But, I had one race prior to this...I had a stoplight run-in with a Neon...and lost. No, it wasn't an SRT-4. Hell, it probably wasn't even an R/T. I just wasn't good with the gears. I know...I am a contributing reason for certain Neon owners who say "Hey, I smoked this GT the other day..." and I apologize for that.
When it came time to race Bobby, we just happened to stop at a stoplight beside each other. He revved his automatic-mated V6. I revved my 4.6. I remember glancing over at a lady in an SUV beside me who was probably in her mid 30s that gave me a reassuring smile and a nod. I was confident and full of adrenaline. The light for the perpendicular road turned yellow, so I got ready. I griped the steering wheel. The light turned green. Bobby sped off. I stalled.... The lady beside me actually laughed at me as she drove away. I felt like a total ***. Later on that night, we raced AGAIN. This time, I launched! Shifted to second...then missed the shift to third and was awarded with a cacophony of grinding gears.
As you can see, I've had a tough time learning the ropes. However, all of this was about a year ago and since then I've become a much better driver. In fact, I've raced Bobby a few times later and have won every time. The few races I've been in, I've won every one. That makes up for my previous mistakes...right? Right?
When it came time to race Bobby, we just happened to stop at a stoplight beside each other. He revved his automatic-mated V6. I revved my 4.6. I remember glancing over at a lady in an SUV beside me who was probably in her mid 30s that gave me a reassuring smile and a nod. I was confident and full of adrenaline. The light for the perpendicular road turned yellow, so I got ready. I griped the steering wheel. The light turned green. Bobby sped off. I stalled.... The lady beside me actually laughed at me as she drove away. I felt like a total ***. Later on that night, we raced AGAIN. This time, I launched! Shifted to second...then missed the shift to third and was awarded with a cacophony of grinding gears.
As you can see, I've had a tough time learning the ropes. However, all of this was about a year ago and since then I've become a much better driver. In fact, I've raced Bobby a few times later and have won every time. The few races I've been in, I've won every one. That makes up for my previous mistakes...right? Right?
4th Gear Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,879
From: Monmouth, IL
RE: Embarrassing Losses
I lost to a Silverado with a 6.0 once in my Z24. My friend knew the guy and he was saying, "You better be ready, he's going to race you." I laughed and said, "No he's not, he's in a truck. Why would he race me?" The guy nailed it when the light went green. So, I had to play catch up without launching it. I couldn't quite get passed him in the time that the road went to one lane. I know I would've beat him had I known he would race. My uncle has a GMC just like it with the 6.0 and I beat it pretty easilywhen my cousin tried racing me with it. If you don't launch a 4banger, it's worthless with acceleration.
6th Gear Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 11,302
From: North Carolina
RE: Embarrassing Losses
I lost to a V6 New Edge stang one night a few months ago. It had just drizzled rain and we were both waiting on a light. He reved, so I got ready. I spun, and spun, and spun.....let off...spun some more. I even skipped 2nd and went straight to 3rd just to try to regain. You get the picture. He left me in my lowly wittle Mach 1.Makes me wish I had an AWD WRX when it rains.
5th Gear Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 3,748
From: Wheeling, IL
RE: Embarrassing Losses
I have not really had an embarassing loss, but, a short story from Yesterday.
I am driving on 294 (for those of you that know it) and there is this old honda, with temp plates on it. He is next to me and only until he does a ricer flyby do I know he is there. So, since he thought he was fast(the car did move for a civic with two fat hispanic fellows in it) I caught up to him. Keep in mind, the winds were 90 MPH+, and blowing on against the drivers side of the car.
I get next to him, he floors it, I hit it, I put like 10 lengths on him, he flys by me, and slows down. He kept flooring it. I hope these stupid mo'fo's post how they beat a mustang, with a S/C, so I can challenge them on an open road and give them ten cars lengths to start. I'll also tell him to dump his clutch at 15K, so hit V-Tech kicks in.
Imports need to remember, Vortech>V-Tech
I am driving on 294 (for those of you that know it) and there is this old honda, with temp plates on it. He is next to me and only until he does a ricer flyby do I know he is there. So, since he thought he was fast(the car did move for a civic with two fat hispanic fellows in it) I caught up to him. Keep in mind, the winds were 90 MPH+, and blowing on against the drivers side of the car.
I get next to him, he floors it, I hit it, I put like 10 lengths on him, he flys by me, and slows down. He kept flooring it. I hope these stupid mo'fo's post how they beat a mustang, with a S/C, so I can challenge them on an open road and give them ten cars lengths to start. I'll also tell him to dump his clutch at 15K, so hit V-Tech kicks in.
Imports need to remember, Vortech>V-Tech
