I wasn’t aware of it at the time, but having a lateral g-meter in your car and driving on public roads is like giving a kid a firecracker and telling them not to set it off on days that end in “y”. I’ve spent many of my lunch breaks trying to find twisty roads nearby to really test out the car and have been keeping a leaderboard of sorts of my maximum lateral g pulled.
It’s a little blurry (the iPhone has a decent camera but lacks the ability to take a macro shot), but that’s my new record: 0.88g. It was a hell of a right hander, marked 10mph with a yellow sign that I may or may not have completely ignored. The car is rated to .91g on a flat surface, but on a track or regular roads that pitch with the turn it’s capable of upwards of 1.3g, which is faster than falling, but sideways so it’s much more frightening.
In case anyone was curious where my gage sits, I realize I never actually showed where it hides. And because everyone I’ve sent this picture asks: no, I don’t live on a farm!
Occasionally, smart people do dumb things. (Ironically, the dumb thing here is driving while taking a picture. Those who drive stick and are keen of eye will notice I’m doing 39mph in 4th gear, which is a pretty gentle speed.)
Edit: I think I have to worry about getting too much attention even in my car…
The big wing has already brought several ricer flybys down upon me. “Silly WRX”, I chuckled, “you aren’t an STi…”
Yeah, on the fly-by’s… it’s never worth it. Believe me when I say that being able to out-accelerating one of the million Cavaliers fitted with a coffee-can muffler (or sub Civic for Cavalier) won’t ever be a satisfying achievement.
Oh, the fart cans. I’ve been getting those a lot.
This morning on the way to work I had some guy/girl in a car so heavily modified I couldn’t tell what it was. He/she was up my ass the whole time. When I turned off onto another road I caught a full look at his/her car.
It was atrocious, I has a big spoiler, but the thing on this car was three feet in the air, made of an erector set. Terrible clashing paint job, cracked up body kit and Maxwell House on the back.
I’ll never understand the ricer obsession. You can have a flashy car that isn’t obnoxious. I’ve seen really tastefull but still very flashy RX-7s and Civic Si, why you would want to be so annoying on the road is beyond me.
BTW, at some point if our cars are ever in the same place I’d like to race at a strip against the STi Hoover Edition. I know I don’t stand a chance, but I’d love to try.
Well, (un)fortunately (however you see it) the Hoover edition is definitely gone. While the bountiful number of gauges still remain (I’m waaaaay to lazy to swap out my A-pillar and go hunting for all those sensors) the turbo-back exhaust (complete with coffee can muffler), lowering springs, and “UBER-BLUE!!!!!” headlight covers are all gone. California emissions law had something to say about an exhaust-sans-catalytic-converter and I had something to say about paying for new struts long before they should have worn out (stupid springs). I also had Niles swap out my swaybar for one that he made. I’d like to go back one of these days and throw on some coilovers and maybe even redo the exhaust, but I’m already happy with my car and have several other expensive hobbies.
If you’re lookin’ to race one of these days, ask Niles about autocross or google “NORA racing” and check out that group. They’re great for beginners who want to learn how to race and/or be better drivers on the road. I can’t recommend them enough (I wish they were out here).
I don’t have a g-meter in my car, but the roundabouts in our business park are pretty goddamn perfect for turning off the traction control, romping on the gas, and squealing around. fun times.