motoring part 2: Ford RS Focus -

so having a wee run this morning and a white RS Focus with a private plate pops out in front of me. At first I thought he was just putt putting about but then he went for it and I thought game on!

So, in a straight line I was able to pull a little back on him and into the braking areas I was really on him, though I suspect he was being more cautious and I was using him as my braking marker so easier maybe for me? He was pretty quick out of the corners and gained a bit which I then pulled back under power and again into the braking. Neither of us were going to overtake the other as that would be silly speeds and so not worth the risk on a road that wasn't suitable.

No idea what his car was running other than a private plate with 300 in the reg, big exhaust and gleaming white. Was a nice car I have to say and it certainly shifted ok. He didn't leave me behind either so I'm happy enough. When I turned off the road I gave him a flash of the lights and a wave :)

vtec.... snigger hehe

 now don't get me wrong, VTEC is a wonderful engineering masterpiece but it's not the silver bullet for every possible motoring situation. Take today, Civic Type R 56 plate and he's motoring along til gets held up by slower traffic. So I'm behind him patiently waiting my turn to overtake the Sunday driver and suddenly Type R goes for it. I follow straight away and keep my foot in it. Type R stays on the other side of the raod and doesn't pull back in, I'm now feathering the throttle as I've caught him up. Type R pulls over after a gear change that frankly I'd be ashamed of and I plant the throttle again. Result - I pull clear of him and fire some VPower at him on my gearshift (one of my better ones!)

Is my car better, clearly not. His is newer and handles way better but no amount of gearing and clever  valve technology is going to make 140ftlb outdrag 250ftlb when the vehicles in question weigh near enough the same.