Why is every single Tom, **** and Harry still trying to race (my stock MCS JCW) every time I'm at a stop light?

I'm too old to be racing (so old I graduated college 20+yrs ago) and second, I DO NOT like to race on public roads PERIOD - never have and never will!! I only let her out when I'm the only car on the road.

So why is this happening to me almost every time? And anyone else experience this taunting?

I swear I will have custom license frame made that says "if you want to race, go to the tracks!"

 

I'm in my fifties, a woman, and I still get the wannbee racers. It's just something that MINI owners deal with...besides tailgating SUV's. I merely ignore them and stare straight ahead with the knowledge that IF I did race them...I'd blow their socks off!

 

Hi Dix!

I try to do that as well - ignore them. But it happens to me so often, I end up rolling down my window (at times) and tell a flat out lie, I'm a police officer, you still want to race me? And yes, thanks for mentioning the SUVs - they enjoy getting on my tail as well.

 

Oh yeah your not alone I'm sure all Mini drivers go thru this, I'm still in high school and on my 16th birthday I asked for a British Racing Green MCS then a month ago I got the JCW (Specifically asked not to put the badges on, the exhuast is enough to show it's fast ). I never let it go no matter how much those dumb Honda's with 4 In. tailpipes taunt me becuase it's good to know you can blow thier doors off in a second . Plus one more speeding ticket and I can say bye bye to my car.

 

Hi Goblin,

First and foremost, you are very fortunate to have a JCW at your age - enjoy in good health and I'm so glad you are a careful and very mature driver.

I'm glad I'm NOT alone as well! Now its funny you mentioned Honda's with 4inch tailpipes I swear man, majority of the cars that try to taunt me are Hondas with big ugly tailpipes.

Honestly, I've never raced any car with my JCW and again, I never will!!! Anyone race a Honda with 4inch tailpipes? I like to know if some of you were able to make a kill. Cause most of you will probably agree, some of those modded Hondas are awefully fast.

 

My Lady says I'll always be a kid, so yeah, I've had a display of speed for the little weenies that drive those little rice racers and trust me it's fun I noticed it on the first test drive of "Squirt" ,the car is like a magnet for little hot rodded *** cars, in the first 2 miles there were three hovering around me like flies on a carcuss. I look at like this you don't buy a MINI to get lost in the crowd.

 

It does get old. Usually when I get the ricers pulling up and revving on me I laugh at them then ignore them. They typically get the hint.

 

The first week I had my R56S I was at a stop light with a Porsche GT3,I took off at the green a little to fast because I was'nt used to the clutch yet ,I guess he thought I was racing because he floored it ,sounded like a cross between a rocket and a Harley he never got out of 2nd gear because the next stop light was about one eighth of a mile . I try to ignore fast cars when I'm next to them , once a week someone around here die's from this kind of nonsense .

 

Do you have those racing stripes on your car? If so, maybe they think its a race car

I would not go there ... discussion of street racing in prohibited here.

 

The little Honda's with the "trash can" muffler and wheels extending 12" from the wheel wells are goofy looking. When someone tailgates me I slow down to a crawl and it really p.....them off!! When I get the bad looks and finger I just smile and wave.

06MCS/DS/B/Bbonnetstripes/Whalen8ballshiftmachine

 

Isn't that inviting road rage? Hindering traffic behind you is also probably some kind of moving violation. I would be careful because you never know who is driving behind you and their attitude and possible ... gun

 

I don't know if it's because my car looks fast, or doesn't look fast - but I've never been challenged at a stoplight by anyone...........

It's better to have your fun on the track anyway, where you can really let it out if you want to...........

I'm not a slow driver, I enjoy my MCS in all it's capacities, but on the street especially in traffic, I mostly behave. I do find that getting stuck behind some clueless clown in the left lane in an SUV with a cell glued to their ear is a good opportunity to explore the acceleration and handling characterisitics of my car as I look for a more open spot of road.............

 

Just reporting in...it is so weird but in over four years of MINI ownership, I have never, ever run into this kind of behavior. Why, I do not know!!

 

Actually it is a FORM of road rage. Passive aggressive behavior.

 

This is what happened to me once:

MINI_Bee Meets the Ricer

 

Hey Trinity,

I forgot to add on my post, this type of experiece (taunting) never happens to me when I'm driving my stock 2004 BMW M3 - only when I'm driving my JCW. And to answer one of the questions from a member, I do not have the racing stripes or aero kit. My JCW is basically a sleeper, all except for the factory front/rear JCW badges. Thats why I'm still scratching my head why all these ricers taunt me.

 

Just try to think of it as a compliment. They know your car is fast so they want to try and earn that feather in their cap. My wife and I had a VW Beetle take off on us at a light the other night. Kinda made me laugh inside cause we just don't play those games and come on... a Beetle?

 

MINIs dont have racing stripes, they have bonnet stripes, or on the R56s Viper Stripes. But traditionally, bonnet stripes .

 

Odd. I have never been in this situation, regardless what car I drive. I figure the guy next to me revving his engine is just doing so as it is in such a poor state of tune he has to do it to keep it running.

I have even rolled down my window and asked if they need help, like a tow truck or something and I would be happy to lend assistance.

Most of the time they act frustrated. Cannto say as I blame them. If I had to deal with a car in such a poor state of tune I would be frustrated too.

 

Classic story, Jack

We all just need flash cards that say "Meet me at the Dragon - May 4, 2008, Midnight"

And hope the cretins can read.
And that they know that Midnight May 4th is SUNDAY morning.

 

Look at them and smile, then drive normally - you don't HAVE to react! When they tailgate and then pass give them the "look at the speedo and shake your head" trick. Install a discrete "SCCA" or local track decal as a subtle hint.

I'm still working on the rocket launchers and burnt-antifreeze squirter tailgating defense, but there's precious little room in our little cars... so I'll just be nice. It's easier.

 

Maybe people there arent as dumb? Dont come to Atlanta, we have ricer mania going on. A fart pipe exhaust, massive tach complete with shift light and rims qualifies all the Honda boys around here as 10 second cars

 

Had a Honda kid used to see him on the way to work. Used To get behind me till we got to a light and then get next to me and rev. You know in order to get a Honda to make that noise you have to rev it pretty high. Was not too long before I noticed him at the bus stop. So I would just coast by and rev. Got the usuall hand gesture, but I already know my car is number one

 

"I have even rolled down my window and asked if they need help, like a tow truck or something and I would be happy to lend assistance." That's great, Skuzzy! I'll have to remember to use it!

 

The other week, I was driving down a straight road, and happened to end up next to a new Z06 Corvette, AND we kept hitting red lights. Now, I normally accelerate away from lights fairly quickly (not drag racing, but I don't dawdle). I felt like I needed a sign that said, "I'm NOT racing you, I just drive this way". I was trying to go easy - I didn't want to give him the impression that I was fool enough to think I would outrun a 500hp 'Vette - but at one light I got away too quick I guess, and he blasted by me.