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EDITORIALS

Life: 1320 at a time.

Here's a colorful recounting of a recent trip to the motorsports park. Enjoy the story and send comments to fast-rides@sportcompactmiami.com.

It was a Saturday at about 11am. I was going to the NOPI Car Show & Drag Event. The car had just been serviced by me and she was running sweet. The failing O2 sensor was working (for now), and the VRIS #1 solenoid was also working. Things were looking good. I head for the turnpike, Northbound for about 80 miles. It's a long way to drive but the show and the racing is worth it...

I'm cruising at a cool 85mph, no 5.0 in sight and traffic is light. There's construction on the roadway but it's not cramping my flow. Up ahead I see an '02 Eclipse, semi-riced with altezza's, trombone tips and big aluminum wing. I'm gonna pass him but he pushes to a buck even stopping me from getting past. "Okay then." I say to myself and have to fallback behind him because of the car in my lane. I push up behind the 'Clipse and am doing about 95. "Screw this!" I've had enough of this a-hole, so a short blip on the throttle to 4250rpm and the VRIS actuators engage forcing air into the cylinders. The car surges forward and I change lanes. He punches it, a buck five...ten..., too late. 6250rpm with the throttle wide open I'm already ahead of him passing 120 and there's plenty of room now so I switch in front of him and let off. I coasted back to 90 and he's not riding my ass. It's over. I got him. Smiling a little, I continue.

Forty-five minutes later, I'm at the exit. It's 8 more miles on local streets to the track. Normally there's hotshot guys running on the way there but I'm coming late, most everyone is already there. I get in, take some pics, chill a bit and watch the Semi's for tomorrows NOPI Cup Championships. The call comes over the PA "Open session will be for the next 60 minutes..". I go get my car. Inside the premises I pull up for tech in. The cars flawless under the hood and purring like a kitten so I pass easily. A few forms and some stickers, then it's off to get in line. There's maybe 30+ cars running O/S (open session), all types, GTI's, Si's, GSR's, SRT4's, and me. An '02 626, also known as a Probe GT with 4 doors. Weighs about 150lbs more but has +5 to hp/tq and higher compression.