autobahn cruising
05-28-2009, 08:12 AM
#21
Racer
Member Since: Aug 1999
Location: Montgomery, Alabama, USA Alabama
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Hey guys, I can't pass on this thread. I am retired USAF and spent a total of 15 years in Germany (3 tours). As a matter of fact, the wife is German, met and married her in '68. Now that I have established some background let me say there is no driving experience on public highways to compare with the German autobahns. I remember when I came back to the US the last time in '85 it took me many months to get use to driving under "restricted conditions" such as the threat of radar. I used to get stress headaches from trying to keep the speed at 80mph when I was accustomed to cruising on the autobahn at 100 plus. One other thing, there are no highways anyway in the US to compare with the German autobahns. They are wider and smoother and made for high speed. In my days in Germany, it didn't matter what American car you were driving, it wasn't fast enough to outrun the MBs and BMWs. I could write a book about my driving experiences in Germany. I once had a German on my bumper so close at 100mph, I could not even see his headlights in my rear view mirror. One other thing about driving on the German autobahns, the fast lane is for passing only. I don't know how it is today, but up until '85 I never ever had to pass anyone on the right. Nobody drives in the fast lane except to pass. All Germans have to go through formal classroom training and major testing with several hours behind the wheel before getting their license. Most of them don't make it the first time. I have a German brother-in-law who today is a vice-president in Germany's largest bank and it took him three attempts to get his license in 1968.
My apologies for making this so long but I wanted to share some personal insight about driving in Germany. I promise to keep future postings shorter. Have a great Corvette day!!!
My apologies for making this so long but I wanted to share some personal insight about driving in Germany. I promise to keep future postings shorter. Have a great Corvette day!!!
05-28-2009, 08:53 AM
#23
Instructor
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05-28-2009, 11:29 AM
#26
Drifting
Member Since: Jun 2007
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street racing is not really necessary, and is pretty stupid with the autobahn available legally....and besides..drag racing, or as we jokingly call them, acceleration tests, are not as impressive as they are just a short burst of speed that top out at "only" 100-115 MPH.
maintaining above 150 mph + for any given amount of time is really amazing!
maintaining above 150 mph + for any given amount of time is really amazing!
I was going to argue that point with the guy but didn't feel like getting into it with him. Plus he didn't understand that much english.
05-28-2009, 01:44 PM
#27
Burning Brakes
The Big Dog
05-28-2009, 01:52 PM
#29
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I envy you being able to open the car up like that. Great pics - thanks for sharing them.
05-28-2009, 03:52 PM
#30
I have shared the videos you sent me with all my German friends (thanks for making it PAL as well!)..they LOVE it,as it shows the entire manufacturing process, which is of great interest to my tech-minded and engineer friends! Hope you get to visit out here someday, and better yet, with a vette!
Regards,
Marc
05-28-2009, 05:02 PM
#31
Burning Brakes
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St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14
Top Speed Wide-Open Throttle
To simulate high-speed, autobahn conditions, Corvette is subjected to a wide-open throttle test on our five-mile circle track at the Milford Proving Grounds in Milford, Michigan. Starting with a full tank of gas, the car is driven flat-out at its 171-mph top speed until the fuel tank is empty - approximately 30 minutes. The test validates the car's ability to withstand extreme thermal loads reliably.
To simulate high-speed, autobahn conditions, Corvette is subjected to a wide-open throttle test on our five-mile circle track at the Milford Proving Grounds in Milford, Michigan. Starting with a full tank of gas, the car is driven flat-out at its 171-mph top speed until the fuel tank is empty - approximately 30 minutes. The test validates the car's ability to withstand extreme thermal loads reliably.
05-29-2009, 05:07 PM
#34
Race Director
Not sure I will believe that the car will be just fine after a WOT drive for 30 minutes. People who drag race their cars have reported their oil life decreasing significantly after a few passes, and also the same for people who drive road courses. A drag race lasts what 14 seconds max? So for 30 mins would the oil be more than dead and engine internals near failure?
-Alex
-Alex
05-30-2009, 03:14 AM
#36
Le Mans Master
Not sure I will believe that the car will be just fine after a WOT drive for 30 minutes. People who drag race their cars have reported their oil life decreasing significantly after a few passes, and also the same for people who drive road courses. A drag race lasts what 14 seconds max? So for 30 mins would the oil be more than dead and engine internals near failure?
-Alex
-Alex
Michael
