Date:         Wed, 8 Dec 2004 12:55:56 -0600
Reply-To:     Bruce Nadig <motorbruce@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Bruce Nadig <motorbruce@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject:      130MPH - Live To Die In My Vanagon!
Comments: To: Jahsurf@AOL.COM
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed

At least I'll die happy, and I'll do it in a Vanagon!

Seriously now, a couple of important notes for the Safety Nazis, er uh,
tyrants out there (and I AM a Safety Nazi myself). I hope that all of you
recall that I said that I did both of my high speed runs on an open stretch
of freeway with NO other traffic around (except what was eventually in front
of me). In addition, it was done on a stretch of interstate that I know very
well. The conditions were clear and dry, and visibility was excellent. The
wheels and tires are rated both for these speeds and weight.

Additionally, a wheel shouldn't just fall off at 90+ mph. I believe that
those of us with hotted up Vanagons do all or almost all of our own
maintenance and other work on our vans. We are well aware of what we need to
do to keep our vans in top shape in terms of safety. It is not as if I am
letting some yoyo at Joe's Discount Tire House put my wheels on my van. If
any work is being done, chances are it is being done in my driveway, I'm
doing it (I'm a trained mechanic with multiple ASE certifications) or I know
who is, and I make sure that they are competent and doing the job right.

Finally, am I really in that much more danger in my Vanagon at 100mph with
no other traffic around than I am riding my motorcycle either around town or
out in the beautiful Texas Hill Country (of course I always wear proper
boots, jeans or leather pants, heavy leather jacket with back pad/elbow
pads/shoulder pads, full length gloves with hard carbon fiber in strategic
areas, and a quality full face helmet)? Think about it.

Drive to Live. Live to Die in my Vanagon!

Cheers,
Bruce
motorbruce
motorbruce@hotmail.com




>From: Chris Dixon <Jahsurf@AOL.COM>
>Reply-To: Jahsurf@AOL.COM
>To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>Subject: 130Mph, or even 90 -- you're nuts
>Date: Tue, 7 Dec 2004 14:05:41 EST
>
>Funny to read these posts about how fast you cats drive yer souped up vans.
>I don't look forward to the day one of you has a wheel fall off at 90+MPH
>or
>something else go wrong with you sitting way, way out there in front of the
>front wheels. Unnatural selection will surely take its toll. The reason
>vgons
>have such low fatality rates, I think is in part due to their slowness.
>Pushing
>the envelope in one in my mind, is complete foolishness. But the posts are
>sure as hell entertaining to read and leave me shaking my head in wondered
>bafflement.
>Guess we all gotta die sometime.
>CD!