Archive for December, 2009
This video was really just an exercise in editing and testing it in various programs and youtube. Click the video above for HD in 720P. I did’nt have much footage so compiled a few clips and made a guess the car video for Youtube.
Early hours of this morning I was watching InitialD stage 1. This hyped me up for some night time driving. I planned to have my first “night time” drive on Buckstone pass, but first I needed my HD camera, and camera man Chris. It was a smooth drive to Wakefield and back, then to Buckstone Pass. Although the closers we got, the thicker and whiter the surroundings became with snow and ice. Just what a MR2 driver like to hear…
Just before the main stretch of Buckpass there didn’t seem to be anything too dangerous, that was until we hit the road block which blatantly told you the road was closed. We decided to ignore the signs and drove around them onto the last patch of gritted road. All off a sudden there was WHITE WHITE WHITE and a lack orientation. The road just disappeared. We figuired out which way to go and this took us to the main road again which was in slightly better condition. But it was obvious if I carried on I would soon be stuck. Long story short, we turned around. I had a nice drive to Wakefield and back, to Buckstone’s and back, then to Wakefield and back. We even took some HD video which was a miracle since my HD card turned out to be fake. I got what I could and edited a video which should turn up on this site shortly.
Well if it isn’t loads and loads of snow, its now loads and loads of rain. Since I got the MR2 its been consistent MR2 killing weather conditions. Today was no exception, but Im glad to face the challenge and believe a true driver always drives what ever the condition. So on my way to work it was rain that I had to put up with. Rain and Chris. It was all plain sailing until we passed the mining museum and unknown to me (thanks to the foggy back window that wouldn’t demist) a police car was following. Thankfully though most of the way I was stuck behind a few cars which was well in the limit. The problem was when the cars in front of me turned off, I automatically started having abit of fun in the corners, right in front of Mr police man.
Thankfully I must have had a reasonable mr policeman behind me because he did’nt pull me over. I was’nt doing anything dangerous, but at one point i did take a corner at 40+ in a 30.
After work was my first topgear challenge since owning the MR2. There was two cars heading to Huddersfield from work, me and a citreon belingo. The race was on (if somewhat, abit unfair maybe). Except my pass for the car park had gone missing, so I had to get the barrier to open manually which gave the Citreon about 3 minutes head start. Once I was out of the work car park, the next two sets of traffic lights was at red, each taking a minute or so to go green. So technically I had a 3-4 minute dis-advantage. The rain was pelting down, but I love stuff like this, I just had to be careful and not do anything stupid. When the lights went green I was off.
I was moving with a decent pace and making sure to maintain grip and be sure not to let a speed camra catch me. If anyone knows the Wakefield to Huddersfield road, you will know the ridiculous amount of cameras. I passed the church at the very bottom of West gate took alook right to the end of the road, no Citreon. I knew Mel would be pushing it because I jokingly told him it was a race. The roads was dead quiet so I averaged 50-70 between the cameras been sure to look for any standing water. Where the road turns to a 40, with a uphill rise in the road I punched the throttle a little harder and and couldn’t help but notice how grunty sounding and responsive the engine is. When I reached the peak I could see right to the bottom of the road to the railway bridge. After what seemed like ages, there was a a red belingo, but just for a slight second before it turned left out of sight.
The MR2 knew. For the first time I started to sense its spirit. It wanted to play. We easily reached the bottom of the hill in seconds. Knowing there is a bump on the next left turn apex, I take it easy not knowing exactly how it would handle with it been wet. But from there on it is full of tight turns which is what the MR2 loves. Before the end of the turns the MR2 is now right behind the Citreon. And the challenge was basically over. Approaching Horbury Bridge I engaged second gear ready to over take once we hit the uphill moments ahead, when it was clear I over took at full power. It didn’t pass as easy as the Type-R would have and it might have took abit longer in doing so. But it was still fun and not lacking in any way. Entering Middlestown the rain was now half sleet and half snow. So I went into cruise mode. Time to knock off the child’s play.
I still could’nt help myself though at the next round about. I took it quickly just because I love to do so in this car. The backend suddenly kicked out. It was’nt scary or dangerous and any driving enthusiast would have caught it with counter steer as I did. Personally I love it. Thats what a true drivers car is all about. Cars that move dynamically the same as a F1 car, yet easy to control for the road. It gives you bucket fulls of fun. Makes you look pro from the outside, yet is safe if you know what your doing.
Also the MR2 finally spoke to me as do all my car. He said. “My name is Cricket”
Today was very cold, hence a thick layer of ice on the windscreen which inevitably delayed my arrival for work. I always seem to notice when doing a turn in the road (no longer called a 3-point turn) there is a sharp jerk from the front tires when I have full lock and use some throttle. But its only the first time after the car has been stood still over night. Im sure its the ice cracking on the tire walls as the rubber begins to flex again. It sure is another level of input you feel from the roadster.
I was already late and realized I needed to refuel. I stopped off at Tesco and bought £20 of there high octane. Unlike the Type-R, it didn’t seem to make much difference at all, defiantly nothing noticeable. I had to step on the loud pedal a little bit, and was using my extra skill with the LSD I learned yesterday. I really have gained extra confidence, and finally I think Im cornering as fast, or at least very similar as I did in the Type-R, only this is in sub-zero greasy conditions. I’m predicting in the dry I will surpass the cornering speed of the Type-R
About 8 miles into my journey, I spotted a familiar colour. Milano red. After a few seconds by no surprise I was behind a FN2 Civic Type-R. Like any driver, I was egar to see if he would be willing to push a little harder, and then see if I could keep up. I could sense straight away that in comparison he was really really heavy. I would be foolish however to underestimate the red H, the Vtec engine is no slouch. BUT! disappointingly he stayed glued to a steady 29 MPH all the way into Wakefield. Yes this made me even later, but through no fault of my own at least. The MR2 vs CTR battle will have to wait for another day and that probably for the best when you consider these road conditions and my recent foray into the MR2 .
3am soon came around and fog had set in over night. I finally get to use my fog lights. For some reason I get excited knowing I now have them, and can use them. There not in the best condition but still emit tons of light. I dropped a friend off home and decided I was going to take the motorway home. Time for abit of speed! I took all the round abouts out of Wakefield like a rally driver. Knowing exactly when the rear diff will kick in, aiding me back onto the straight with a “corner-exit” speed to be proud of. Im really starting to use this cars potential.
On the motorway it was a FOGGY. Fog and road works. How boring, but once the 50mph limit was over I put my foot down a little bit. Now i know it was sub-zero and wet. But at 80mph the front end really felt light. I was unable to tell how much grip I had. There was no problems the last time I was on the motorway so im guess the temperature must be to blame?!?! Either way it was another brilliant drive and I further still understand the MR2 that bit more.
I’ve just got back from work. Well I just watched the Bolivia special of topgear. But about 3 hours ago while driving home I had a big discovery in the MR2. While taking the same road I take almost every day, it just came to me what that unusual feeling is while cornering. Its the LSD! Its most evident while taking long corners. But as you enter the corner its not long before you feel the LSD kick in on the outside wheel. Its almost like a slipping feeling as the inside back wheel relaxes abit, but then its completely settled and quite a joy once the outside wheel has locked in so to speak. Now I understand exactly what is happening, I can be much earlier on the throttle, I’ve already adapted my driving style to match the potential of the LSD (although its a early work in progress), and I’m ready to start matching the cornering speeds i achieved in the Type-R.
Its quite a revealation to me because I did think the rear was maybe abit unsettled, and that was making me extra scared knowing I was driving a MR car. Closer to home I was using much more of the MR2′s ability, I understand the dynamics much much more now. This has now boosted my confidence sky high and my ability no doubt.
