Agree with Charlies message, not method... (archive)

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: About 20 minutes ago, I encountered my first race in my 87 325iS(auto). I was at a red light minding my own business and guess what pulls up to me? A 199x BMW Z3 1.9(i could tell by the rims). I wasn't sure if it was manual or not, but it looked like it was an automatic. The guy was probably in his late 20's and he had either his girlfriend or wife in the car. So, here I am, the first car at a red light and this punk has the nerve to point at my car and laugh. I admit the E30 isnt as good looking as the Z3, but come on, aren't we all family? Anyway, so I get pissed off and drop the car into neutral and start revving. He quickly caught my drift. So when the light turns green, we both take off. For some reason, he got the jump off the line, but the 1.9 is no match for the 2.5L inline six. Gradually I start to pick up on him than I hit the sweet spot, 4500+ rpm. Damn my car took off. It looked like he was standing still. 2nd gear, samething. By the time I was at 100mph, he was probably 1 1/2 cars behind me. Not bad for a 13 year old car. I thought I would share it with you guys, and the next time u see a 1.9 Z3, challenge him, you won't be disappointed!

There is way to much emphasis on straightline performance, and not just from rice boys. I got my Car and Driver last night and was reading about the new Porsche Turbo and there is little to say about cornering. We have kind of lost that pure enjoyment of driving. I miss driving my 89 325i. I loved its tossability and steering. It was far from the fastest car on the road but it made me a BMW freak for life. I don't think 2 rather slow cars drag racing is really a bad thing but that stuff becomes less important the more you take your car to an autocross or driving school. You will soon learn that a much slower car can wax your butt.

Although I had to run in a driving rainstorm, a Passat Wagon tied my time at an autocross. I think I would have been quicker without 4 inches of water on the track but it was still damp when he ran too. Just a good experienced driver-I am not.

I rarely find myself thinking about my 1/4 mile time when I can't seem to get a corner right at a driving school. I let a 2002 by at my last school (an instructor driving). I could have held him off with sheer power on the straights but he was on my ass in the corners. So, according to the rules, let him pass.

There are far too many drag race stories and very few stories of two cars meeting on a backroad and engaging in some spirited driving well within the limits of both cars.

Charlie,I can't imagine you never take you BMW out of a drive on a weekend and exceed the speed limit by just a little.

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