taunting you to race

[anchor2]

Couple of weeks back I had some guy in a ricer (lowered, wheels, custom paint) ride my rear on the freeway taunting me to race. This went on for about a mile until I took my exit. I could not believe he stayed with me. As I took the exit with a strait road ahead I got up to about 40 and then hit it just to set him back some and partly out of aggravation (he hit it also but shutdown immediately). It was obvious he did not know what a Cobra was because he stayed back about 100 yards after that probably out of embarassment.

I was a bit annoyed with myself because I risked a ticket and insurance problems. I have had this car about 5 months and know I will probably have this replayed again. How do you guys handle this situation?

[Tom T.]

Sometimes ricer idiots are just too hard to ignore. Once in awhile you just can't help yourself and you pull the trigger.

TT

[Back in Black]

These kind of people were very common when I was in California. Tailgating and looking for trouble. In fact some guy (20 something) did it to me the other day, here in Washington state on I-5 north, racing up behind me in the middle lane in his beater japanese sedan, trying to get past me... 5 feet from my rear bumper. As he went by he flipped me off just cause I was "in his way". I was ready... the state patrol was hitting the area very hard and as he pulled alongside to harrass me, I pointed across the freeway to a unit that had a car pulled over, and in my hand was an open cell phone

Cell phone beats a raised middle digit when the state patrol is looking for "aggressive drivers"

He slinked on up ahead, slowed down, and was no more trouble. Instant reverse viagra.

[GOCATS]

Banana in the tailpipe or catelope select appropriate size depending on how big the muffler is. Worked for Axel foley
. I just tell ask them if they want to be lunch or an appetizer.

[rdorman]

I look at it like 'whats the point'. Unless we mess up in the Cobra we generally know the outcome. I just look at them and smile confidently. I might gas it now and then for a moment to let them know they are not dealing with a Miata and that is usually enough.

I had one guy in a rice burner drive back and forth by my car when it was parked. Each time he would race the engine. He was obvioulsy looking for a race. The next time he came by I was back in the car with the motor idling. Just as he got right next to me I revved the engine up. The look on his face was priceless. Never saw him again.

Be aware that there are some EXTREMELY fast rice burners out there. But they are few and far in between.

Street racing is dangerious at best. We all push them around now and again a bit but a full blown race is irresponsable. Let them go.

Rick

[Cobra20646]

huh..... maybe it's just me..... but I get taunted by vetts, vipers, and just about anything else out there. Two guys in a beat up S-10 pickup wanted me to show them what I had. Must be the water or the air here on the east coast

[Art Burtt]

Pull the 357 out of the glove box and shoot the creep!! LOL

[Roscoe]

So I'm on my way home from the cruise night up in Ledgewood, NJ. I pull up to a light and two young men in some kind of Jap car pull up next to me. The driver says ...hey nice car.what is it...I say Cobra.
The passenger says something like....you wanna race it ....just off the line. I say..Who you kidding...you or me..?? The passenger said..it's a double turbo!

Well there was no one around and I gave him a car length start. I took it up to about 5 grand in 2nd and I was three cars ahead of him and backed off. Boy that was fun!

I swear I won't do it again..
Roscoe

[Clois Harlan]

Jim,

I don't think it has anything to do with the East coast because there are plenty here in the Southwest. Everyone wants to see what your Cobra can do. Even the crotch rockets try and pick a race. Most of these kids don't have a clue what American Muscle is or how we got where we are today. The EPA is raising this generation.

Don't get me wrong I don't hate kids or tree huggers. In fact tree huggers make wonderful pets!

Clois

[BB427]

I would love to race you..but what would your little sister think if you wrecked her car. It sure is cute.

[Turk]

Just the other day, I left home and the car is not even warm yet. Two blocks away, I hear some whining noise. It is coming up and coming up fast. Then I see him in my rear view mirror. With the vibration from the engine I can't make it out, as to what exactly it is...
It could be a Unique, or an Everett Morrison, or a SPF. Who knows.

We both catch the next stop sign. He looks at me, I look back, he turns his cap around, I lit a cigarette. I hear the revving of his engine, and the menacing look on his face. He points to the road ahead.
I nod my head, and then decide I have kids, repsonsibilites and decide against it. He jumps 4-6 inches in front of me. I think he cheated.

About that time I realize my cigarette is no longer lit. I look for the lighter while slowly coming out of the stop sign , and realize he is still 2 inches or so ahead of me. I don't know what else to do to tell him, I DON'T want to race.

Like others have said, what does it prove, what's the use?
He was only driving a small block. What will I prove?


TURK

[CHRIS POTTER]

I usually ignore them, even though those 4" sewer pipe exhausts irk the crap outta me! My future son in law is a cop in our town, says I need to teach those ricers a lesson, but I'm just about healed up from a motorcycle accident last August, and am not interested in any more pain, for me, or someone else. At 53, it takes awhile to heal, may not survive a streetracing wreck in a Cobra, so, No lessons from me!

[Great Asp]

I had a kid in a brand new Z4 pull up along side me while I was putting down the road (I normally do the speed limit...really ), and he was trying to get me to race

So I spied a stop light ahead and pulled up to it, while the kid is on my side. He says "wanna race?". I say, "there is no point".

So the light turns green, and the kid stays right along side me. No one else around, big 4 lane semi-highway, so at 25mph, I say "watch this", and gave 1380 enough gas to roast the 305's a little (okay, maybe more than a little ).

He pulls up and says "OMG!!!!"
I say "still wanna race?"
He says while shaking his head left and right "NO"
He says "Did you use the clutch?"
I say "Nope"
He says "OMG!!!!!, then laughs and waves"

It was funny

Eric

[petek]

Jim,

Same thing here in the mid-west, pickup trucks wanting to take on a Cobra. I've had three good ol' boys in their pickup trucks "challenge" my Cobra. I just let 'em pass, well, except this one time on a clear road and I just goosed the throttle.

I'm beginning to think that the pickup trucks aren't interested street racing or anything like racing, they are just interested in seeing the acceleration for a short distance.

SUVs... whole 'nother matter. Is it me or do SUVs *always* look like they are following too close when you see the vibrating image of thier grill in your rearview mirror!

[bmalone]

There is another solution: open up your pipes a bit. You'll eliminate those who don't know what a Cobra is. Suppose you'll never get rid of those who want to see it go.

[Chifo Jr]

While I am not that advanced in age, I am in wisdom and self control. Far too much to loose with a family and business. I do find that a disgusted smirk and shake of the head as in "why would I even bother, we both know the outcome" pisses them off to the point they go away. Only risk is you appear to be an arrogant prick which in my case is right on the money

[Great Asp]

"Only risk is you appear to be an arrogant prick"

You are not even a 3 on the "arrogant prick" meter.

A "real" arrogant prick would be so upset that his BB lost on a dyno to a SB, that he went out and sold his Cobra, bought a "real" Cobra and built a HUGE BB just to beat "the little SB that could".

Not that I know anyone like that

"Duck!, incoming!!!!!

Eric <a 9 on the meter

[RawCobra]

It would seem that after sizing up the "competition", a hearty laugh should be your most likely response ("you want to race ME? with THAT?!"). That ought to send them scurrying off with their tail between their legs.

[Rodney]

Yea last night my girlfriend and I went out for a spin and upon leaving town approaching the on ramp to a four lane freeway one of those crotch rockets comes blazing up onto our rear fairly quickly! We slowly accelerated up to highway speeds and this guy would not let up! Finally I sort of punched it and he attempted to stay with us. At this point our speed was a little dangerous considering the other sedate traffic heading to little league baseball or other activities in minivans etc. Needless to say I felt poorly about racing on a very public highway! Not to mention placing my Girlfriend at risk and those around us! I find it difficult to "just say no" to these taunters as well!

[Bud Man]

It has occurred several times since #142 has first gulped air.

The most memorable was just a few days ago. I was driving up the old main street here in Grapevine, when a cretin on a Harley pulled out in front of me. No big deal, cuz I was just crawling along. He must have seen me shaking my head in disgust, because he lagged a little, got up alongside of me, screamed an expletive, revved his motor and blasted off. Must admit, the Harley sounded good, even if he didn't.

Nice car, great insurance, lots of police, no tickets. On the other side, this a$$hole. Along with maturity, all of these things make choosing wisely much easier.

Bud