Originally Posted by Mikko

Cool and very surprising with that Swedish rally, Blackdog. If you crave inexpensive rallying, try the hardcore to the bones rally sim "Richard Burns Rally" with a high end wheel, like a Logitech G25.

Hehehe, sim's are ok, even with good wheels, but truly dont even come close to the real thing. I have tried a few and whilst ok for a bit of arcade fun, you dont get the feeling, smell, excitement and terror that you get in a real car. And believe you me...I have experienced Terror!!! God bless them both, but I got to know RB and Colin reasonably well, getting quite drunk with Mcrae once after a Wales Rally GB! Two great, great guys and talent which I could never hope of getting to. I know Nicky Grist, Colin's former Co-driver very well, he supplies me all my Rally gear, clothing etc, I use the same Stilo helmet they did and that Sebastien uses now. I have a great onboard video that Nicky gave me of Colin and him on rally GB....and it is truly mad the speed he is going, 6th gear through the trees on a forest track at over 140mph!!!! FLAT OUT!...a shame we lost such a gifted talent.

Originally Posted by War.mongeR1

And also, I'd LOVE to take a rally course. Anyone know if there are any in Texas? Also, does anyone know a good track in Texas for me to put the ole' Caddy to some good use? Hey Blackdog, maybe someday I should come visit you in San Fran for some driving lessons to teach me how to REALLY drive! Do you teach courses or know of a good place?

I am not sure what tracks you have in Texas mate? other than ones that either just turn left or just turn right! The Good'ole boys dont seem to like the twisty stuff!
I have taught a few guys here in SF at Sears Point in their road cars and there is a young guy who wants me to teach him in his Scooby for Trackdays, which I will probably do in the next month or so. The primary tip I give to anyone with regard to driving a car fast and safely is "BALANCE". If you have as much rubber of all four wheels gripping the road at the same time, you achieve "Balance". The moment you car starts to lean and thus your contact rubber reduces...you lose balance, and thus speed and thus traction and if pushed too far...you lose a great deal more!

There is a huge difference between driving a rally car on studded tyres on ice tracks and driving a clean dry tarmac road! Maybe surprisingly to some, you need to be a lot more aggresive on the snow and ice with your braking, in order to get the studs to bite and give traction for the turn and run out of a corner!

However I seem to encounter such bizarre braking manouvres every day here in San Franciso, where I have to agree with Tau....the Asian female drivers here are truly GOD AWFUL!!! U-turns in the middle of the street with no warning, braking and stopping and blocking a whole road for no reason, changing lanes without a single glance to check for other cars and the great old chestnut.... "What traffic signal????" Every time I go to my local Costco in SF, it's like I am being taken to "Driving Hell!!" I have to put on VERY soothing music in the car as the sheer number of unbelievable stupid manouvres would make any sane persons blood boil!!!