06-13-2005, 06:08 PM
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Senior Member
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Frankly, I have never explored the limits of my 3 Alfas on the road- there simply is'nt enough room. They all do pretty well though. My son's E46 M3 gives me a reality check.
Jeff Lang
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06-13-2005, 06:15 PM
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I think one of the more telling remarks I've read about Alfas is that they're not necessarily fast, but they are quick.
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Bob Farace
1971 Alfa Romeo 1750 Spider Veloce
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06-13-2005, 06:22 PM
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Location: Sydney Australia
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 Quote:
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Originally Posted by VeniVidiVeloce
You never raced anyone on the street? Ever?
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Never exceeded the speed limit? Even a little?
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All the time ...  ... but that is not racing, nobody to beat just making the trip shorter.
Quote:
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Rolled through a stop sign?
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Yes, but my mates and I were nearly killed by a stop sign breaker ... thus I'm pretty good at stopping now.
You really never know what racing and fast is until you have entered and competed in a circuit race. Garanteed to change your perspective and then you will realise that what you used to do was not racing at all, but about 40% of your cars and your potential ... and thus not worth doing at all on the road.
And that is the problem. An inexperienced driver gets an over dose of adrenilin on a public road and next minute they are into full race mode (or atleast they think they are) ... thus caution to the wind and risk assessment gone out the window.
Now you do not know how the guy you are teasing will react ... might be somebody like me, who will have a little fun but experienced enough to know when to call it a day and concede defeat, etc. ... thumbs up we had a little fun. But many who have never experienced true competition think it has something to do with their penis size and it gets out of hand.
I no longer (as I have kids, etc.) want to get involved and select road cars that are slow to keep me well and truly out of trouble and closer to legal. Like Gary stated I too have watched others nearly loose it just trying to stay infront of my van (that used to tow my race car) ... lets just say I drive fast, and I spend more time now making sure that I have not accidentally baited some poor inexperienced kid. If I think I have I will back right off and let him/her go ...
Now put me on a track, even in a go kart and it is all on 
Pete
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ps: Remember it's all just opinions
'71 1750 Series 2 GTV: http://www.alfabb.com/bb/forums/showthread.php?p=208078
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06-13-2005, 06:26 PM
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by Farace
I think one of the more telling remarks I've read about Alfas is that they're not necessarily fast, but they are quick.
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Pete
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ps: Remember it's all just opinions
'71 1750 Series 2 GTV: http://www.alfabb.com/bb/forums/showthread.php?p=208078
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06-13-2005, 06:42 PM
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my alfa is so fast that...
everything in front of me is red shifted and everything behind is blue.
how fast is your alfa?
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Carlo 86 gtv-6 red 91 spider brg
ALL GLORY TO THE HYPNOTOAD
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06-13-2005, 06:48 PM
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VeniVidiVeloce,
What kind of car do you drive and what are the mods? I have a handful of cars all equipped for different...er...goals...so to speak, and I too have been in a lot of the situations you mention. Seems like with your Z8 he might not have been trying, they rarely are...not that you couldn't have beat him anyway. Dumb snoots!
The viper guys are usually not full into the throttle either because they are scared of their cars. We swatted one of them off the light after substantial banter back and forth out the window at the previous lights in my '64 el camino.
I think Gary put it best that the most convincing 'maturity promoter' is seeing someone who is trying to keep up with you accomplish something brutally stupid. I tend to run at the light from a dig and don't generally exceed the speed limit. When I like to hit the corners hard, I tend to avoid doing it either with people waay out in front of me or behind me. Either scares them to death or coaxes them to join a game they can't win.
I think the most fun is when you can go out to a fairly remote area with another driver of equal skill and just have fun on a nice well maintained road. Where are you at anyway? My two monsters are still in progress, but the SAAB ain't too shabby and the 170hp Spider sure does sound good even if it is dissappearing in the rearview!
Jason - Southern WA
'75 BMW 3.0 CS Turbo (T3/T04e S Trim Cheetah w/ Engine Mgmt and CO2-H20-Air Intercooling)
'79 Alfa Romeo Spider
'85 Jag XJ-S w/ 383cid SBC & Quad Sidedraft Engine Mgmt, Moderate Hydraulic Roller Cam & 100 shot fogger under manifold; 434cid SBC backup short block.
'04 SAAB 9-3 Aero Steg1 BSR
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06-13-2005, 06:59 PM
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Heck, I'm sure I've done my fair share of stupid things on the road...rolling road block with a friend in another car that saw some jackass cut me off...twice, on purpose (still not sure why, but he gave up quickly)....also had a formerly aggressive-while-driving friend who cut someone off while practicing "roadway karma" (as he use to call it) get a gun pointed at him....lots of lessons learned.
Then got to put some souped up American cars through pursuit training...and some front wheel drive ones as well....now that's when you learn about your personal limits. After sliding a Ford Contour, nose forward, into the gravel chasing a seasoned pro...well, I figured out why spike strips are so nice Not to mention, you don't really want to be PIT'ng anyone on the freeway with your GTV...might lose a bumper override that way 
I guess all this talk of racing isn't really the point of the thread....I haven't seen any evidence to suggest that Alfas are faster than the other cars...just that the Alfa owners are willing to go faster than the other car owners....no real earth shattering news there. How many people really knew their cars were being "tested" out when it happened? I'd better few to none....
Ted
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Current:
74 GTV
Former  :
88 Milano Verde
78 Alfetta Sedan
87 Milano Verde
70 GT Jr. 1300
[URL=http://www.flickr.com/groups/scuderiano/]Scuderia Non Originale Flickr Group[/URL]
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06-13-2005, 06:59 PM
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Vini Vide Veloce's car is awsome and more that a match for most newer cars. My GTV6 is not in the same league but it has beaten a WRX twice.
Greg Gordon,
www.oldebottles.com/italiancars.htm |
06-13-2005, 07:12 PM
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Race car? You mean your modified STREET car that you drive on the track?
We can't drive race cars on the street here in the US.
I have a little experience in karts and proper race cars.
There is a place and time for everything. Obviously you don't do this in school zones and crowded city streets. The events I mention were on clear freeways and the Z8 was on a four lane road we had to ourselves. I am a family man too and long before I would want to hurt anyone else would I want to hurt myself!
Pete, Toyota called, your Prius is ready!
Jason, try this... http://home.columbus.rr.com/sprintturbo
My point is that at one time or another we have ALL exceeded the speed limit and taken chances behind the wheel. To act as though you haven't or don't anymore is simply disingenious. You drive an Alfa for god-sake!
-Peace
Last edited by VeniVidiVeloce; 06-14-2005 at 06:04 AM.
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06-13-2005, 07:15 PM
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What the heck IS his car? I guess a TT Callaway GTV6. Curious if I'm right. Pics/links would be great!
The Jag is the fastest thing I have though. Mind numbing speed, according to calculations of stock cD and frontal area using known hp (around 460hp/520tq w/o the squeeze) and gearing it should do 219mph. We'll find out in a year or three out in Nevada at the Gamblers Run or Pony Express 130. Her sister car is being built by our shop currently as well - GT40 Kit w/ 306cid SBC w/ Twin Turbos & Ultralight Scat Forged Crank; Carillo Rods and aspirations of 10,000 RPM.
I suppose the answer of this thread is - most Alfas aren't "fast". They're just more fun than a barrel of drunken monkeys. Quick, yes...FAST, no.
Of course there are exceptions to all rules. Hell, I've seen a Fiat Topolino run something like an 7.80 in the quarter mile.
Jason
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06-13-2005, 07:25 PM
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WOW! Good work you've put into her. That's a hell of a header. What gauge tubing are you using and was it bent specifically or weld-el manufactured?
Am I reading correctly that you are running a T4 turbine housing and a t3 compressor? What value is this?
Sorry to hijack the thread, PM me and maybe we can discuss this further via email.
Jason
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06-13-2005, 07:33 PM
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Location: SF Bay Area
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Hey Brian...that car is NOT original! 
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Current:
74 GTV
Former :
88 Milano Verde
78 Alfetta Sedan
87 Milano Verde
70 GT Jr. 1300
[URL=http://www.flickr.com/groups/scuderiano/]Scuderia Non Originale Flickr Group[/URL]
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06-13-2005, 08:05 PM
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Hope you're cutting me some slack on the speeding admissions, Brian. My son is reading this.
Besides, with age comes maturity, senility or forgetfulness. I forget which.
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Gary Williams
Washington State
'67 GTV
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06-13-2005, 09:19 PM
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Location: Sydney Australia
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by VeniVidiVeloce
My point is that at one time or another we have ALL exceeded the speed limit and taken chances behind the wheel. To act as though you haven't or don't anymore is simply disingenious. You drive an Alfa for god-sake!
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Pete
__________________
ps: Remember it's all just opinions
'71 1750 Series 2 GTV: http://www.alfabb.com/bb/forums/showthread.php?p=208078
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06-15-2005, 08:17 AM
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Fastest official Alfa's that I've played with:
My turbo- fastest recorded run 1/4- 14.12 sec at 100mph, (probably could have done better, but the car was taken apart).
Bonnie, N/A- 165mph on the 3 mile course on the Salt. (1mile up, 1 mile timed, 1mile down). With some work, I think we could do 170+ with gas, and perhaps up to 200 with funny fuel.
Bonnie- Turbo- 203mph on the long course. Hopefully, this year, we will finally eclipse the 211mph mark.
My next GRM Challenge car needs to do the 1/4 mile in the sub 13 second range if we hope to be competetive at the event. We've got some plans for that.
And I would love to graft a 1.5l F1 motor into Bonnie to set a 1.5l record (which is a 203 mph now). Unless someone knows how to make 350hp out of 1.5L....
Eric |
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