Date:         Thu, 14 Oct 2004 13:14:00 -0400
Reply-To:     Kurt Grotz <kgrotz@MAIL.CRAFTECH.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Kurt Grotz <kgrotz@MAIL.CRAFTECH.COM>
Subject:      Re: 101 MPH Vanagon!
In-Reply-To:  <2c84d364041014103513227575@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="Windows-1252"

I would have to agree with Don on this one, and will not display my opinion
of Vanagons driving 80-90-100 when VANAGONS are made for 60-65-70 tops.  I
will say this, unless I am wrong -it is an incompetent display of gas
guzzling to be driving that fast.  It is this kind of un-conservationist
thinking that will force us to abandon our cherished vehicles for cleaner
and/or more efficient ones.  This will be either by economics or government
regulations.  Now if you are getting 30 mpg at 101, well then I stand
corrected.

As for me - I frequently drive as low as 60 - heaven forbid.  If I really
thought it that important to go much faster, I would not own a Vanagon.

Can anyone tell me if there are kits to convert Vanagons to hybrid or
electric?

KG





-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM]On Behalf
Of Donald Baxter
Sent: Thursday, October 14, 2004 1:36 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: 101 MPH Vanagon!


I'd say that speed in *combination* with incompetence kills.  Most
drivers aren't capable of driving 100 mph competently, therefore to
assume that slower drivers should not be on a freeway posted at 65 or
70 mph is more than just a bit problematic--the highways are public
facilities.  Besides, the room for error when traveling at such speeds
becomes geometrically smaller with increased speeds and this is
regardless of competence.

I agree that the difference in speeds is more critical here than the
speed at which you are travelling.  Here in Iowa we're generally
dealing with persons who drive as slow as 60 mph, with the prevailing
speed around 70-75 mph.  Those who insist on driving much faster than
this, and who weave and cut drivers off for the purpose of doing so
are displaying their incompetence by putting the safety of those who
drive at prevailing speeds at risk.  I'm sure those are drivers who
believe they are demonstrating competence and they are making a point
of this competence for the benefit of drivers who are clearly less so.

Someone driving 85+ mph looks pretty aggressive and dangerous on a
freeway as crowded as I-80 between Chicago and Des Moines.  It doesn't
look as dangerous between Lincoln and Scottsbluff, Nebraska.  It looks
not dangerous at all in Montana until that driver hits a deer and
kills himself and the animal in the process.

Generally, and with some exceptions, the persons I see driving high
speeds are displaying neither reason or competence.  This is a display
of testosterone at best or overcompensating for some other quality
lacking at worst.

Donald Baxter
85 Vanagon GL (safe top speed around 75 mph)
96 Passat GLX (safe top speed around 110 mph)



On Wed, 13 Oct 2004 22:01:27 +1300, Andrew Grebneff
<andrew.grebneff@stonebow.otago.ac.nz> wrote:
> >Why do you need to go that fast? I sure am glad you aren't driving where
my
> >family travels.
>
> Repeat the following 500 times:
>
> SPEED DOES NOT KILL. INCOMPETENCE KILLS.
> --
> Andrew Grebneff
> Dunedin
> New Zealand
> Fossil preparator
> <andrew.grebneff@stonebow.otago.ac.nz>
> Seashell, Macintosh, VW/Toyota van nut
>


--
---------------------------------------------
Donald Baxter
316 Ridgeview Avenue
University Heights, Iowa 52246
http://www.mindspring.com/~onanov