What is the proper etiquette in this situation.

I finally got the chance yesterday for the first time, for some canyon driving. While throwing the car around as it should be thrown around, I noticed a chevy truck chasing a new corvette, Pretty funny to see. After a while I noticed the corvette pulled over and pulled in behind me to follow. He followed me pretty close for some spirited driving. It seemed he was curious at how it handled. I was having a blast and he remained on my tail until he bottomed out in a really sharp right turn. I was amazed how well the 991 took it without any fuss.

How close is to close and, if I wanted to follow someone without pissing them off, what is the proper etiquette.

 

Interesting question. I have been followed many times and I feel you can tell pretty quick if you have an idiot behind you wanting to race or someone intelligent who wants to enjoy a fun few minutes. If its an idiot I try to get out if the situation, there is just no way to win by racing them. They are usually too dumb to know when to back off and them something bad happens. On the other hand if the person behind you seems intellinent it can really be a lot of fun. On the few occasions I have been behind someone I tend to stay back a bit to be safe and not make the person in front nervous, I also give a friendly wave when they look to to indicate I'm not going to do anything stupid. That has always helped, I've even had them stop to say thanks and remark how fun the drive was. If they seem upset I back off quick, just no sense in causing an issue. But me behind is pretty rare, it's usually someone behind me, so I keep my eye on them until I'm sure it's all good.

 

I try to keep it about 8-10 car lengths when I am following, and no passing on two lane roads-too risky, it's just for fun.

The "idiot following thing" happens all too frequently. I will get off a freeway or pull into a driveway on a two lane road if that's the only way to get rid of them when they get too close from behind. I don't want them and the POS they are driving to take out the rear of my S, if/when I need to use the brakes hard.

 

I'd take similar approach.

 

obviously depends what they drive; if it is a 458 or something that is far more superior then i will quickly wave them on. if on the other hand, it is more of an equal say an M3 then certainly a few minutes of spirited chase would be quite fun.

 

Given we can lose our car to the Provincial Government if it even looks like "racing" or you're 40kph over the limit (either/or) I just pull over and let them by. Minimum impound is 7 days I think and several high (very, including a Ferrari) were sold by the government at auction. No recourse in the courts either.

John in Vancouver

 

yes if the penalty is not a speeding ticket but actually losing your car then there is every reason to be buying a lada instead; it will fetch nothing in an auction and not sure if the government would want to confiscate it either......

 

On public roads I would have thought its less a question of etiquette but more of safety. Therefore the distance should be determined by one's ability to stop quickly and safely at any given time. Like all of you I hate it when someone follows me too closely or drives intimidatingly. If I'm following someone I would like to remind myself of that as well.

 

In BC they have seized a small station wagon with the family (4 people) on board. Left them standing beside the highway!

John in Vancouver

 

Good question. I don't know if there is a 'standard', as opposed an observation of competence/stupidity/ability. If somebody wants to follow me into a corner when i driving 'spiritedly', and they are too close, and don't know how to brake properly, I hope they are prepared to pay for damages.

I think the distance changes per driver/per car. For example - there is not much that can outbrake a GT-R or 911, etc... So if I see you brake, I'm not going to hit you. BUT - if I brake, and a base Corvette is behind me, and the driver has never tracked his/her car, they may find themselves a bit too close a bit too late. It is an easy gauge, just watch to see how early they apply brakes going into a few corners, and you can tell.

If they ride the brakes, then keep away. If they brake almost violently, hard, then let up - you should be good to carry on.

However, I'd suggest - if you are asking, that implies to me that you haven't tracked your car. I'd start there, then everything I just said would make a lot more sense.

 

Exactly.

 

Your are correct, I have not tracked my car yet. I am doing research currently to see where I can take it to the track near the Los Angeles area.

As your comment with the braking, I couldn't tell, because I hardly needed to use my brakes, the 991 powers through the corners so nice, they were not needed. I did notice, he distant was always constant.

 

Nice!

I firmly believe after your first three 30 minute sessions at a track event, you will have the answer you are looking for.

It is an individual answer - kind of like asking "how far should I stand from somebody when I speak to them?" The distance is different for each person, based on the other individual, as well as the circumstance.

I'm going to speculate that the 'Vette owner was staying with you, as if to say,"Your car isn't all that. Look, I can do that, too."

I'd speculate that if that was his intention, he was wrong.

 

If you haven't already done so, seriously consider joinng the PCA and/or the POC. They are fantastic organizations that can and will faciliate your participation in autocross, driver's education (DE) or full on track days.

No disrepect intended to you, or anyone else, but I suspect that you will find, just as I did, that your car is far, far more capable than you are (as a driver) and that you have a lot to learn about car control. IMO, autoX and DE events are a huge amount of fun, very educational and frankly it's damn near a waste to own a sports car, let alone a Porsche, and not use it the way God and Ferry Porsche intended.

 

+1 Track days in a Porsche will most likely be the most fun you ever had