Fwd: fun with physics

[vwdaun@yahoo.com (Daun Yeagley)]

I got this off of the Volkswagens of Toronto list.  I got a
chuckle out of it, and it involves a 'rocco.  :)


--- David Horwood <gtxboy@yahoo.com> wrote:
> 
> ok, picture this, me, in the rocco, driving into work
> much like i would
> any other day...
> 
> so here's me driving the expected 120-140 morning rush,
> exiting the 401
> at my usual exit, just like i do every other morning...
> now, of the two possible lanes, the right lane is blocked
> off by tubbs
> and his 4x4, and behind him is gramps in an oldsmobile or
> something... 
> so i'm working the left lane, going for the inside pass,
> and planning to
> end up on the right side, cuz i have to turn right
> eventually...  sounds
> good so far right?
> 
> so, as i place the car graciously through the LH lane, i
> am pretty close
> to the limit of traction on the ol' rocco, which is
> running on the good
> old burnout-special yokomama tires.  next thing you know,
> i hear this
> funny little sliding sound in the back, and think to
> myself 'damn, i
> forgot to strap down my toolbox'.  so i'm figuring the
> worst that will
> happen is that i'll have a huge mess of tools to clean
> out of the trunk
> when i get to work...
> 
> what happend next you ask?
> 
> well, as long as mr. box is moving, we're all good.  now,
> as soon as mr.
> box hits the inside of the trunk, well all that inertial
> energy that was
> built up get's transferred to the car....  remember the
> part about
> already being close to the limit of traction?  remember
> what your teacher
> in highschool physics told you about objects in motion
> and crap like
> that?  
> 
> well, next thing you know the rocco is sideways, and i'm
> driving whilst
> looking through the passenger side window.  so, as you
> all know, when FWD
> cars oversteer, you put the hammer down, and all will be
> well sooner or
> later.  all will be well that is, until two of your
> wheels are in the
> grass, and two are on the asphalt still...  so, i figure
> since i'm pretty
> much off the road by now, lock the brakes, check to see
> if we're gonna
> introduce the car to any new inanimate objects, sit back,
> and enjoy the
> ride...  
> 
> now you see, that's where the underlying problem is.  i
> had the hugest,
> HUGEST grin on my face.  all occupants of the cars around
> me had these
> grave looks on their faces...  well, except for the tow
> truck driver, who
> i'm sure was counting the dolla bills as he watched me
> sail across the
> grass through his rear view mirror....  so, now here's me
> fighting off
> this stupid grin, thinking i should look all concerned
> and that, as not
> to offend any of the other concerned drivers that we
> share the road with
> on a daily basis.  
> 
> after everything was said and done, i safely merged back
> onto the the
> exit from my lane in the grass, tried as hard as i could
> not to smiel,
> and proceed to head up to work.  a quick inspection of
> the rocco reveals
> only large clumps of grass deposits, and no other damage,
> well, except
> for the pride that is...
> 
> i bet i'll be the conversation of more than one concerned
> driver when
> they get to work this morning and gossip about the state
> of chaos and
> anarchy on the roads these days...
> 
> so, anyway, the point of the story is if you have big
> heavy objects (like
> toolboxes,  bodies, or whatever your thing is) kicking
> around in the back
> of the car, make sure they are tied down, or you too may
> fall victim to
> newton's first law of motion.
> 
> take care out there...
> as funny as this was, it could have turned out
> differently.
> 
> dave.
> 
> PS - brunberg, there's another colin mcrae moment for
> you.  file it with
> the rest of them if you like....
> PPS - king, this is not to be seen as an opportunity for
> you to comment. 
> i'm still gonna whip your ass all over the gokart track. 
> no ifs, ands or
> buts.




=====
Daun Yeagley - Wilmington Ohio
'80 S, 81 S, '85, '86 & '88 Sciroccos, 90 Passat Wagon
For Sale: '66 Cessna 150, '82 Scirocco, '82 Pickup.
Parts cars:  '81 Scirocco, '87 Scirocco 16v - ASK!
"A learning experience is one of those things that says, 'You know that thing you just did?  Don't do that.'" - Douglas Adams

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