Before I begin I must say that I LOVE this car yet I believe that at times it draws some negative attention. Mostly from other drivers who think that just because you are driving a mini you want to race them up the street. Unfortunately for them I dont race my car, I rather avoid a ticket and let the guy pass me up.

The other day a this guy was trying to race me and got so close to my car that he almost hit my baby. I was so upset mostly because of this racing attitude that people have. I am personally not a NASCAR racer so therefore I simply enjoy being in my car and driving to some tunes and looking through my sunroof.

I respect those that are into the whole racing thing and the big mufflers but im not into it and when people act foolish on the road and almost destroy my car then its very upsetting. This guy was driving a Corolla and he insisted on racing me. Its also happened before especially on the highway.

Thought i would share this concern with other fellow mini motorers.

 

I have seen the exact reaction almost daily on my 25 mile commute. I just smile and motor on...I'm the one driving the MINI! :smile: :smile: :smile:

 

Cooperation

I agree completely but after a while it becomes not so fun. I still love my car however. :smile:

 

common-folk seem to always try to claim something they're not. We Motorers have a responsibility to set a precident for proper road usage and manners. No need to race your MINI, after all, why would you want to shorten your drive? :smile:

the corolla incident - you can always use another pedal down there and/or move into a new lane Don't keep yourself in harms way.

 

I noticed this phenomena BIG TIME when I added the roll-bar to my Miata...Everybody (well, the childishly racey, anyway) thought it was the steel equivalent of a "Let's race..." sign.

DREW

 

Get someone at a sign shop to print you some lettering for the bottom edge of your windows:

"I don't race. I motor." :smile: If you don't like it, scrape it off with a razor blade. Cost should be no more than $20.

See ya,
JS

 

IN NJ:

Driving recklessly that willfully endangers the rights, property or safety of others is punishable by imprisonment of up to 60 days, or by a fine of not less than $50 or more than $200, or both. Points are assessed.

Hmmmm

 

9 out of 10 times I just drive on without giving a look. But its when that punk kid in his rice burner that just pisses you off makes the kid in me comes back and makes me do things I know are wrong but cannot help. And then I drive as fast as I can and blow the little bastard away and smile real big....God that felt good getting that off my shoulders. Sorry kid.

 

Another option to get rid of unwanted boyracers is to look their way, tap your steering wheel, then downshift one gear. The boyracer will immediately floor it, and this is when you upshift and casually continue motoring as he blasts ahead.

He'll think he has won, but you'll know that you have.

There is no reality, only perception.

See ya,
JS

 

"There is no reality, only perception."

I love that line: can i use It?

 

Another option to get rid of unwanted boyracers is to look their way, tap your steering wheel, then downshift one gear. The boyracer will immediately floor it, and this is when you upshift and casually continue motoring as he blasts ahead.

I do this often and also give it a little rev while smiling his way at the stop light with my hand on the shift ****. Every time he lays a strip of rubber to the next light where I eventually pull up looking his way with another smile to start all over again, laugh......Even though my MCS is no rice rocket, it is a lot of fun to drive on my 23 mile each way daily commute :smile:

 

"There is no reality, only perception."

Quantum Physics 101, wave or particle.....I use that on my 2 sons all the time to no avail, laugh !

 

I sure didn't coin the phrase. It's been around a long time.
Feel free. :smile:

See ya,
JS

 

I wonder if I will get the same reaction from other drivers being that I am female. My experience has been that most boys or men don't really want to try and race against a woman. If they win, their friends say, "Well, it was a chick. What do you expect?" And, OMG, what if they lose??

 

Funny you mention the corolla racing incident. Just last night on the highway on the way home from work, I rolled up on a red corolla, that look like it had been lowered so much it couldnt make it over a speed bump! It had a huge spoiler and the license plate read "princess". Imediatley as she saw me she looked my car over and proceded to pull ahead. I switched into the passing lane and FLOORED it. I flew right by her, and saw her head turn and follow my car as my and my MINI left her in the dust. DAMN THAT WAS FUN!

 

I have seen this as well here in NY. Especially from the "***" are crowd with the motorcycle exhaust system. I usually ignore them but on more then one occasion fell prey to their temptation. In hindsight it was stupid. Guess I'm getting old !

 

Oh ye gods. Do I have this to look forward to? May my spirit remain calm. May I not floor it. May I keep my middle finger in the good company of its fellows.

Mark of Pemburnia

 

>>Before I begin I must say that I LOVE this car yet I believe that at times it draws some negative attention. Mostly from other drivers who think that just because you are driving a mini you want to race them up the street. Unfortunately for them I dont race my car, I rather avoid a ticket and let the guy pass me up.

>> Thought i would share this concern with other fellow mini motorers.

It's funny that I saw this thread today- I picked up my car last night. Leaving the dealer, driving a friend who came with me to the bus station (a 5 minute drive) a guy in a Camaro came up next to me at a light. He made a great show of NOT showing that he was looking at my car- then the light changed, he looked over at me and floored it away from the light, expecting me to race him. WRONG. I pulled off easy, and of course was about to pull up next to him at the next light, when he changed lanes to pull in front of me. I couldn't believe it! I turned to my friend and said, "Can you imagine if I was driving an S?"
What a jerk!

 

I get the same thing at least once a week. Ricers, J-bodies, business men in their luxo-sedans... even Harley owners all want a piece of the MCS. I need a license plate that says "UD LUZ".

 

>>Oh ye gods. Do I have this to look forward to? May my spirit remain calm. May I not floor it. May I keep my middle finger in the good company of its fellows.
>>
>>Mark of Pemburnia

That's great! I will have to say that as my mantra too! :smile:

 

A way to avoid people getting too close behind is the discard drink cans. They soon back off. A heavy blunt object will come in handy at this point.

 

I'm no orbhot, but throwing trash out the window will get me going quick. Don't throw crap out the window. Save it for the trash can. It isn't your world, your ground trash can.

 

Interesting thread!

I guess it wasn't my imagination after all. Last night a man in a Audi A4 pulled up next to me at stop light. He could not take his eyes off my MINI. I'd only had the car about 24 hours at this point so I was very flattered by his obvious stares. As soon as the light turned green, Mr. Audi gunned it. I thought it was my imagination but my first thought was, "this guy wants to race me." We were in a residential/ park area with a 25 mph speed limit. I found his behavior childish and irresponsible.

I motored home happily. Let the jerks be jerks. Life is a marathon, not a sprint.
Kecia
Motoring happily in St. Loooooooie

 

I don't really chuck stuff out of the windows, it wouldn't be because of the enviroment, I would be more concerned on the person behind me either crashing, denting their car, or even noting my reg plate and reporting me. I don't litter any way. Good of you to be concerned though.

 

im glad all you guys can relate. Its an everyday ordeal with the mini but the car is worth it. I have chosen not to "floor it" to demonstrate to others that Im not playing that childish game. mostly because i care about my car and driving record. So I will ignore them...