Just because you're 75 years old, it doesn't mean that racing your sports car on city streets is a good idea.
Dear Car Talk | Jan 01, 2000
Dear Tom and Ray:
like to drive fast. One of my greatest thrills is to be first away from a light on a double-lane road. I sit there watching the car beside me. Many times, a young man is
ready to race. The light turns green and off I go, usually taking the lead (I have only lost about three times). The young ones see this old, white-haired lady driving and
can't believe I beat them! I'm not sure why my son wanted me to write to you, but that's my story! -- Catherine
TOM: I think he wanted us to yell at you, Catherine. And I'm happy to oblige: CATHERINE, YOU KNUCKLEHEAD!!!
RAY: Your poor son is probably worried that his mama's gone off the deep end. And I think his worries are well-founded. Racing a car on the streets is a terrible thing
to do. And you're setting a terrible example for the already-testosterone-poisoned young men you share the road with.
TOM: You're the Mrs. Robinson of asphalt!
RAY: Here's what you should do, Catherine. Call the Skip Barber Racing School at (800) 221-1131 and sign up for one of their instructional programs. Their courses
take place on race tracks, where racing belongs. And they give you stuff like helmets, fireproof suits, Depends and other stuff you should have when you drive like a
knucklehead. And if you really love doing that, you can take a few additional courses and drive in their amateur racing series.
TOM: But you really ought to stop doing that on the public streets. If you ever hit a pedestrian, or slammed into another car and hurt somebody, your life would be
changed forever. Trust us on this. And I'm sure that's what your son is worried about.
RAY: Either that, or he's just trying to make sure you don't crack up the 300ZX before he gets a chance to inherit it.
like to drive fast. One of my greatest thrills is to be first away from a light on a double-lane road. I sit there watching the car beside me. Many times, a young man is
ready to race. The light turns green and off I go, usually taking the lead (I have only lost about three times). The young ones see this old, white-haired lady driving and
can't believe I beat them! I'm not sure why my son wanted me to write to you, but that's my story! -- Catherine
TOM: I think he wanted us to yell at you, Catherine. And I'm happy to oblige: CATHERINE, YOU KNUCKLEHEAD!!!
RAY: Your poor son is probably worried that his mama's gone off the deep end. And I think his worries are well-founded. Racing a car on the streets is a terrible thing
to do. And you're setting a terrible example for the already-testosterone-poisoned young men you share the road with.
TOM: You're the Mrs. Robinson of asphalt!
RAY: Here's what you should do, Catherine. Call the Skip Barber Racing School at (800) 221-1131 and sign up for one of their instructional programs. Their courses
take place on race tracks, where racing belongs. And they give you stuff like helmets, fireproof suits, Depends and other stuff you should have when you drive like a
knucklehead. And if you really love doing that, you can take a few additional courses and drive in their amateur racing series.
TOM: But you really ought to stop doing that on the public streets. If you ever hit a pedestrian, or slammed into another car and hurt somebody, your life would be
changed forever. Trust us on this. And I'm sure that's what your son is worried about.
RAY: Either that, or he's just trying to make sure you don't crack up the 300ZX before he gets a chance to inherit it.
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