near death ride through the trees
Whilst at college doing day release from work, many years ago, a classmate whose name escapes me was a little wayward. He mostly came to work on a battered off-road bike as he was not yet licensed to drive. He rode this bike like a complete loon most of the time. One day he strode into the classroom pleased as punch and told us that he had passed his driving test and that he had bought a car, and would anyone like a lift home in it. Well, I thought as he was reasonably young and a brand new driver he would be a lot safer especially as his first car was bound to be something small and underpowered like everyone elses first car. Oh no, he had bought himself a Ford Capri, not just a bulk standard one but a 3 litre behemoth. I nervously got into the passenger seat and he started the engine which roared into fire-breathing life. He then proceeded to launch into a series of wheelspins and slides around the college car park as I held on for dear life. At this point he informed me that he had disconnected the power steering so that he could get a few extra BHP out of the V6 lump. Almost as soon as he said this, we made for the exit of the car park which was around a sharp right hand bend in the road. At this point the rather heavy steering become too much for him and the car, instead of turning right, it careered on straight and was only stopped by loads of vegetation and eventually a chain link fence. I was quaking with fear and so was the driver who sheepishly reversed his now slightly mangled and poo filled car back through the undergrowth and onto the road where I am glad to say he calmed down and drove me home at a more sedate speed.
(urgle-splurgle molesting small goats since, Fri 26 Nov 2004, 13:22, Reply)