My car GEEK moment in Redondo Beach.

Mr_Q · May 18, 2009

I found myself in Redondo Beach this evening, an area I've never been. I see this real sexy looking Dodge behind me. Has to be late 50s and just pristine.

I can make out two older men with grey hair in the car. And it's obvious the driver is now pointing at my car and saying something. My license plate does say "HADURV8" so I am use to the smiles and gestures.

Out of fun I start blipping my exhaust, making some noise. The Dodge behind me was pretty loud itself. I then see the person behind me notice and they actually put their hand out the window motioning me to do more. So I do! I am seeing something familiar about the way this person talks and gestures, hmmm.

Anyway, as a stop light approaches the old Dodge rolls along side me and sure enough, it's Jay Leno! He barks out, "Nice Shelby!" I reply rather quickly and nervously, "Thanks! That's a great car! Just one from your garage of endlessly cool cars eh?" He smiles and nods...and that was it.

Simple and short but a lot of fun for me. I've always kept in the back of my head how it would be neat to have an encounter with "Mr. Muscle Car" guy himself one day. I just never thought it would ever happen.

FYI....Leno flashed his brights at some slow ass pickup truck who was bogging us down in the left lane, heh.

GreyDiesel · May 18, 2009

That is a very cool story. (and I love the license plate) California car culture is the best. Nothin but subies up here in Denver. You'll need to keep an eye on his website (jaylenosgarage.com), your interaction may show up on a future video about the dodge.

Hey... on an unrelated note. I had posted on here quite awhile ago about there being no race tracks in Denver. I believe it was you, Mr. Q, who told me to check out High Plains Raceway. I just had my first track day there on Friday. Amazingly fun. Thanks for pointing that out. It is my new obsession.

Mr_Q · May 18, 2009

Oh cool glad you made it out to the track! yes you will find it massively addicting. Just keep exploring your limits and have a blast!

That track looks like a lot of fun. I will give it a try "virtually". Looks like some one made it for rfactor!

You might want to install rFactor, if not already and do some laps. To help you memorize turn-ins and track layout. I love rFactor for prepping me on race weekends. Yes it's a computer game, but it's one of the most accurate racing sims out there and it does help.

blbrchnk · May 18, 2009

Awesome story!

GreyDiesel · May 18, 2009

I think HPR is a great track. I have not experienced other tracks, but it seems to get good reviews. There are two spots on the track where you come up over a blind hill, and have to then make a sharp left. That takes guts. I checked-out that video link, and it seems like there is not enough elevation change compared to the actual track. Here are a couple good vids from some other open laps if your curious.

Porsche Cayman with chasecam stats:
YouTube - RMR PCA HPR Initiation Daze - DB Cayman S

Mitsu EVO
YouTube - HPR Track Day, in EVO (1 of 2)

I was actually out on the track the same time as the EVO that made that video. I was really hoping his camera would have picked me up, but we maintained a good distance from each other on this run. I would have tried harder to pass him up had I known he was making a video for YouTube. My basically stock mustang hung with the EVOs (there were three of them) very well. Though, I was disappointed in the understeer of the stock mustang suspension, I really had to flick it hard into a corner to get the back out in any way. FRPP, here I come (not really, I have no money right now)

EDIT: Oh and, I cant install rfactor because I have a mac. But I do play Forza2 on the xbox360 nearly every day. And I do think that helped a lot during the actual track experience. I had three track regulars tell me they were impressed with what I was getting the mustang to do out on the track. That is all Xbox, as I have never flogged an actual car like that before Friday.

Mr_Q · May 18, 2009

Yeah the more the gaming tech advances the more relevant it comes for out of car training. It's been impressive.

And yes as you've already seen, it's rare the car making you a winner, it's YOU. The driver is what puts you out front.

I've blown by fully prepped Vettes and EVOs and then been humiliated by Miatas and Minis. Hell even a BMW X5! (that's an SUV!!)

Yes a proper ride will allow you to do more but most of us have no idea how to use that hardware at its extreme limits. Don't feel bad your Mustang is mostly stock. That's a GOOD thing really. You are going to learn to push it to it's limits and your own in stock form. Best way to learn and grow your driving skill.

Then later if you decide the car is now too slow for you and your lap times are maxing out in consistency, then start modding and push yourself again. Rinse and repeat.

metroplex · May 21, 2009

I did research for school and discovered that the hot rodding community was pretty much started in Southern California (Los Angeles area to be exact) area during the 1910s-1920s. In fact, Ford's Model T and the V8s used in the Model "A" were also credited for starting the hot rodding revolution. Then came the factory power packs, etc...

Did you just have your stock exhaust in the Shelby? Cool story!

chad9350 · May 21, 2009

NICE!

Mr_Q · May 21, 2009

Yes, everything about my car is stock except for the rotors, brake lines and brake coolers.

walter · May 21, 2009

Awesome!

EDIT: Come on.. calling a Shelby GT stock is not the same thing as calling a Mustang GT stock man you know that!

My car GEEK moment in Redondo Beach.

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