2001.07.09 Road Hazard
It's been raining a little bit here in the semi-arid valley of the Okanagan.
This makes for a large potential of amusement - for jerk-drivers such as myself.
In the summer months, oils in asphalt are slowly released to the surface. When moderate levels of rain fall, the oil-rain combination creates a boundary layer on the roads with a very strong surface tension - and a surprisingly low coefficient of friction.
I sit at a stop light, and a light drizzle splatters on the windshield. The rain is quite welcome - it's been very hot and dry. The hiking/biking trails could use some moisture, and I have never been much of a sun-worshipper. When the traffic light cycles green, I release Grendel in a standard launch... and the flashing icon of the traction-control warns me that the disharmony I feel is the rear brakes being engaged to prevent slip. Since I wasn't trying very hard, ASC didn't have to reduce power, but the fact that it had to do anything causes my eyebrows to arch appreciatively.
Smiling fiercely, I disengage the ASC - and with it the safeties on the engine. I check every direction for RCMP or potential hazards; nothing.
Still in third gear, but moving somewhat slowly, I engage full throttle. The familiar surge of low-RPM acceleration gives me a gently-increasing shove in my back... until the engine climbs above 3500 RPM and really begins to breathe. Grendel roars with delight when the rear tires break loose, and the back end shrugs back and forth as the 225 tires struggle to gain purchase on the pavement. To a large extent, they succeed, and I am quickly hurtling down the road.
A 90° turn onto the highway looms near, and I swing wide to give myself plenty of room - the way is completely clear. The ever-present ABS pulses thrice to tell me that the front starboard was losing adhesion as I downshift into second, and I flick the wheel to dart through the exitway. I enter the turn stable, confident, and completely controlled - as Grendel is designed to do. A hearty shove to the throttle at the apex shatters the relative calm, and I slew into the highway with full reverse lock and four-wheel drift. My howls of delight mingle with Grendel's. When I relent briefly to snatch third, the back attempts to snap straight again, but I have sufficient speed to let third break free again. The rear slides more slowly to the right - describing a critically-damped system, and when I attain fourth my tires have complete adhesion.
An oncoming car gives a couple quick flashes with it's high beams. It's another BMW, so I'm uncertain whether they are warning me of police ahead or if they are sharing in camaraderie. I check my speed regardless.
A scant couple of kilometers later, I still see nothing, but a Honda Prelude flies up from behind. The driver flashes a familiar looking grin - boy racer passing a superior car by virtue of balls alone. He's finished matching speed with me, and is about to "pull away with panache" when we come upon an empty intersection. I'm not speeding, but I have sufficient speed to put him in his place without racing him.
I downshift and brake hard - the ABS clamours in the slippery conditions. As I'm about to skid-slide into the intersection, I prepare a downshift into second, dart the wheel to the left and heave the emergency anchor overboard. The tail comes smartly about, and I skitter to nearly a complete stop - other than some minor lateral drift and a fraction of residual yaw. I release the e-brake before inertia takes too much hold, and pop the clutch. From my position in approximately the correct lane and facing in approximately the correct direction, Grendel roars mightily and rips mostly-loose the rear tires. The rear slides back and forth in frustration and the amplitude worsens while I accelerate down the highway. I release the pressure to shift into third - but wait until Grendel is fully aligned before I engage... and pull smoothly away...
...pulse pounding, breathing ragged, and an ear-to-ear smile plastered on my face.