Pikes Peak hear I come! | FerrariChat

Pikes Peak hear I come!

Discussion in 'Australia' started by yellafella, Jun 4, 2008.

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  1. yellafella

    yellafella Formula Junior

    Jan 26, 2004
    889
    Full Name:
    Tony
    When I hit USA on the weekend I'm landing in Denver, picking up a convertable hire car and heading to famous Pikes Peak to fang it up the mountain. Anyone here driven up Pikes Peak?
     
  2. FFOUR

    FFOUR F1 Veteran

    Sep 14, 2004
    5,195
    Perth, Australia
    #2 FFOUR, Jun 4, 2008
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  3. IanB

    IanB F1 World Champ
    Owner

    Jun 15, 2006
    16,223
    Sydney
    I have. I recall the marked drop in power as I got near the top, it really is quite high. Coming down is scarier than going up, take care of your brakes. The view is to die for.

    Beautiful scenery, friendly people, and the Aussie dollar at 95 cents, what more do you need?
     
  4. IanB

    IanB F1 World Champ
    Owner

    Jun 15, 2006
    16,223
    Sydney
    Not to take anything away from Vatinen's huge skill, 99% of people have never driven on gravel on rally tires. You'd be amazed how much grip you have and a car sliding on a predictable surface (and Pikes Peak is perfectly maintained) on the right tyres, is easier to control than a sudden transition of grip on a sealed surface.

    Of course, you're still dead if you make one mistake...
     
  5. PAP 348

    PAP 348 Ten Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Dec 10, 2005
    100,220
    Mount Isa, Australia
    Full Name:
    Pap
  6. wrxmike

    wrxmike Moderator
    Moderator Owner

    Mar 20, 2004
    7,674
    Full Name:
    Mike
    There was talk of sealing the road last year, all the way to the top - did that happen?

    M
     
  7. FFOUR

    FFOUR F1 Veteran

    Sep 14, 2004
    5,195
    Perth, Australia
    No.
     
  8. yellafella

    yellafella Formula Junior

    Jan 26, 2004
    889
    Full Name:
    Tony
    I never get tired of watching that video Pap. Two things in it just amaze me, the high speed splatter of the bug on the lens and his amazing car control as he shields his eyes from the sun.
     
  9. PAP 348

    PAP 348 Ten Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Dec 10, 2005
    100,220
    Mount Isa, Australia
    Full Name:
    Pap


    Yeah, pretty cool sh*t!! :):)
     
  10. scud

    scud F1 World Champ

    Oct 2, 2004
    11,803
  11. "Megan"

    "Megan" Formula Junior

    Jul 1, 2006
    317
    Sydney
    That is some damn gutsy driving there!! Only way you could do that is knowing you have the talent to back it up too!! Awesome!!
     
  12. IanB

    IanB F1 World Champ
    Owner

    Jun 15, 2006
    16,223
    Sydney
    [QUOTE="Megan";137766112]That is some damn gutsy driving there!! Only way you could do that is knowing you have the talent to back it up too!! Awesome!![/QUOTE]

    And a really good roll cage!

    Ari was one of the greatest rally drivers. Of course the Fins are among the best loose surface drivers in the world.

    You find out why when you go there, the roads are frozen for about 9 months of the year. My first taxi ride from Helsinki airport: 10pm, snowing, 130kmh in a Volvo estate, on about 6 inches of packed snow, driver with one hand on the wheel, executing the most perfect 4 wheel drifts while talking on his mobile phone. :)
     
  13. "Megan"

    "Megan" Formula Junior

    Jul 1, 2006
    317
    Sydney
    Yikes!!! Note to self - make sure you only visit Finland in the 3 months the roads aren't frozen! ;) Kinda explains why they seem to have a talent in that area - it's a survival skill they require!
     
  14. robbo mcs

    robbo mcs Karting

    Nov 2, 2005
    209
    [QUOTE="Megan";137766473]Yikes!!! Note to self - make sure you only visit Finland in the 3 months the roads aren't frozen! ;) Kinda explains why they seem to have a talent in that area - it's a survival skill they require![/QUOTE]

    Hi,

    I lived in Scandinavia for 3 months. When you get out of the major cities into the northern rural snowbound areas it is quite interesting. Everyone knows how to left foot brake, even L platers, bus drivers etc. Everyone there is a good driver, because they have respect for the road and varying conditions.

    Unfortunately, once you get back into the major Scandinavian cities, it is just like being back in Sydney or Melbourne.

    For the ultimate weird bit of information about scandinavian drivers, you need to know about the change in the side of road issue! In 1967 Sweden changed from driving on the left hand side of the road to driving on the right hand side of the road! They implemented this over one long weekend! The logistics behind that make my brain hurt!

    Cheers

    Robbo
     
  15. b27

    b27 F1 World Champ

    Oct 11, 2007
    15,781
    Melbourne, Australia
    Full Name:
    Brett
    Maybe we could do the same here and then register all those great supercars. :D
     
  16. mhh

    mhh F1 Veteran

    Feb 16, 2004
    5,894
    Australia
    Full Name:
    Mark
    Hear, hear. But this would be the least likely place in the world to do something sensible like that.
     
  17. Fil-Ski

    Fil-Ski Karting

    Nov 30, 2007
    116
    Maybe we can start this long weekend downunder.
     
  18. mhh

    mhh F1 Veteran

    Feb 16, 2004
    5,894
    Australia
    Full Name:
    Mark
    OK, you go first. :D
     
  19. b27

    b27 F1 World Champ

    Oct 11, 2007
    15,781
    Melbourne, Australia
    Full Name:
    Brett
    Maybe we should have a referendum. :)

    Oh thats right I'm a kiwi and can't vote, but you guys can. :D
     
  20. greg246

    greg246 Two Time F1 World Champ
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Jun 2, 2004
    26,622
    nah, get Rob to start a poll
     
  21. Horse

    Horse Three Time F1 World Champ
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    Dec 1, 2005
    35,417
    Brisvegas
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    Jon
    Fixed. :D
     
  22. b27

    b27 F1 World Champ

    Oct 11, 2007
    15,781
    Melbourne, Australia
    Full Name:
    Brett
    Thanks for going back to your old avator.

    Kept getting confused betwen you and wrxmike. :D
     
  23. Arvin Grajau

    Arvin Grajau Seven Time F1 World Champ

    Jun 7, 2006
    78,324
    Wurundjeri man.
    Full Name:
    Arvin Grajau
    Yep the Unsers have.
     
  24. Horse

    Horse Three Time F1 World Champ
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    Dec 1, 2005
    35,417
    Brisvegas
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    Jon
    #24 Horse, Jun 5, 2008
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    This was my old avatar.
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
  25. b27

    b27 F1 World Champ

    Oct 11, 2007
    15,781
    Melbourne, Australia
    Full Name:
    Brett
    Ok point taken. :)

    Just remember it included your car.

    At least I can differentiate now. :D
     

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