Hi All:

On a recent thread, pretty much hidden from view, I said:

"Going modestly fast around curves doesn't do much for me. I like the edge of adhesion, but that's hard to manage in the city. And, I don't like to risk an expensive car being on the edge. So, excellent handling tends to be wasted on me. I am not sure where you guys find the twisties allowing you to really exercise your [cars'] handling capabilities [, as well as your own driving abilities, to the maximum].

So, where do you twistie guys find the twisties? And, are you twistie lovers on the edge with your cars whether in the city or not? Do you really twist fast enough to put your cars at risk? In Phoenix, if I find fun twisties, what lies around the bends is hidden from view. And, that's not a good thing with so many disaster possibilities in a city--kids, bicyclists, slow traffic, etc. So, if I do the twisties in Phoenix, my speed can't be fast enough to be much fun. [Do you do the twist at the sorts of speeds I mention below in the city?]"

I had one reply noting an individual who drifts. Well, I didn't have drifting a 545i, for example, in mind. And, I don't have 4-wheel slids in mind. I wouldn't waste my tires doing these things. I am talking about taking twisties as on a track or a road course. So, given this interpretation to taking twisties, I'd be very interested in your thoughts about my questions above.

 

I generally look for back country roads or around hills/mountains. In VA that generally means a 45 minute drive west for a nice cruise. In New England that was back country roads. When I was living in southern AZ I was in hell. The roads are too long and lack any real twists unless you're taking a 90 degree turn onto a new block. I would like the drive up Mt. Lemon in Tucson but I would find myself stuck behind some Winneba-no-go and I would be back down to a crawl for miles until the next pull out. Basicly I like to take road trips, get myself lost and find some nice back roads. Tracks are nice but not as senic and our brakes can't take the constant pounding as well.

 

Theres plenty where I live... Malibu, Angeles Crest, Ortega Hwy... I personally like the back country side of East San Diego. Open roads, very few cars... little bit of turns. Thats where a car can really be opened up.

As for twisties here... too much trouble for me. If you want a clear road you have to be up like at the crack of dawn before anyone else to get on the twisties... and then theres these cops out there all over your butt. Any later you'll have grandma on the road in her SUV and just too many cars.

So sadly... I dont twist. the most i do is test out the handling capabilities on the freeway interchange early in the morning... see how FAST i can take a 25mph sweeping turn.

 

I prefer twisties over staightaways anyday, and i know of some very nice mountain roads 1 hr from NYC.

Obvisouly, I'm not gonna attack the turns in my 545 as hard as my sports car, because the RFT's aren't that grippy and I hate how AS counter-steers automatically if you slide ever a little bit. However, I do push it enough to have fun, and for the tires to get a good workout.

PS: in NYC if the coast is clear, I may just slide around a block in 2nd gear...

 

In the Phoenix area I have found a place that I like (although it is a little out of the way...). Drive out to Wickenburg - go through town on US-60, and as you are leaving town you will come to a stop light at S Vulture Mine Rd. Turn left (south) and go a few miles until you are past the golf course. The next stretch is pretty twisty - then it dead-ends into N Wickenburg Rd - turn left - it also has some nice straight and twisty sections... Eventually you wil find yourself on W Indian Schoo/Tonopah-Salome Hwy... from there you can get to I-10 and make your way back to Phoenix.

Cheers, Jon.

 

I should have mentioned that some might want to check this thread out from post #58 down.

 

You would like Mt. Lemmon. But, it is totally easy to get stuck behind some toad. Right, about tracks; I don't do them either--at least not in cars I own.

 

Take a ride north to Sedona....take US89 north through Oak Creek Canyon and Slide Rock State Park all the way up to Flagstaff. Maximum twisties with maximum smiles on your face. Just do it!!!

 

I do have one curve I can go pretty fast around with no danger unless someone is in front of me. My wife and I almost always are together when I get to the curve (or someone invariably is in front of me) so I still haven't taken it particularly fast.

 

Thanks Jon.