Marauder came through tonight....big time...

[Vortech347]

Driving up to a busy 4 way intersection in my area I'm taking a track to go straight throu. Some $%@#$%@#^@%!#$%!$#%@!#$^ <--insert whatever profanity you want. makes a left right in front of me. a SLOW left. Then panics and stops completely in my path! I hit the binders and kept the wheel straight to bleed off as much speed as I could (going 40, speed limit 45 cause I hate this intersection) I guess I thought the car would then move in that split second but nothing, my next quick reaction was to find a hole. I let go of the brake and did a hard left into the incoming traffic and passed them on the left. (I was down to about 20mph) No one was in the left turn lane or behind them or coming that way. I can't believe I soaked in all this information in a split second. I know if I wouldn't of had that hole I would of just hit the binders and smacked right into him.

That Marauder is amazing. The only other Full size car I think could of handled that was my mom's 740i Sport. I can't wait to teach the wife how to auto-x it this year.

The other thing is that some people think Auto-X is dumb. But its the best hands on driving you can possibly do. Otherwise I wouldn't of known to get off the brakes before making the turn. (of course ABS helps this) but I'm used to no ABS in the stang.

Sayin an extra thank you prayer tonight for sure...

[Joe Walsh]

Let me guess....It was a Honda with the driver talking on their cell phone???

Glad to hear that a collision was avoided by your quick reaction and cool headed driving.

[DEFYANT]

Nice job in crash avoidance! I had a very incident almost one year ago.

I dug up the thread
http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?t=15728&highlight=belt

I still think about this when I cruise through the area.

[Vortech347]

It was some POS old school Toyota Camry with 1 headlight out.

Defyant: thats awesome. My wife started laughing because after I got done with the turn I floored it and cleared the intersection. Guess thats a little autoX habit to nail the gas after the turn. LOL!!

[Blackened300a]

Nice job in crash avoidance! I had a very incident almost one year ago.

I dug up the thread
http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?t=15728&highlight=belt

I still think about this when I cruise through the area.

Thats the first Im reading your thread and Im Amazed!!! I know the Belt very well and there is very little room for error!
Like you said, In a lesser Vehicle it would have been a different story!
However dont take away from the driving skills, No matter what you are driving, without the skills, Its hopeless.

[BK_GrandMarquis]

Glad to hear you made it through without a scratch, Nitrous SCC.

Autocrossing is great for getting to know how your car handles. You can push it as hard as you want in a safe environment. Great learning experience.

Like Defyant was saying in his other post, he had his hands at 3 and 9 o'clock. I was taught this at autocross school. It may sound wimpy to some to use to hands on the steering wheel during everyday driving but when you have to make an emergency move, you can do it faster and safer when your hands are in the right position.

I am much more alert of my surroundings and aware of what my car is doing after a year of autocrossing.

[merc6]

"The other thing is that some people think Auto-X is dumb. But its the best hands on driving you can possibly do. Otherwise I wouldn't of known to get off the brakes before making the turn. (of course ABS helps this) but I'm used to no ABS in the stang."
yep same here cause auto-x is how my 6 is still in 1 piece after these people around here. I also quickly learned how to simulate abs.
The best part of auto-x isn't times but safely experiencing what point do you push the car before it plows/spins out.

[Bluerauder]

Nice job in crash avoidance! I had a very incident almost one year ago.

the MM is not stopping fast enough... cant go right, I just passed a car, not sure if that lane is clear... I am going to hit this poor guy broadside! At what seemed to be the last moment before impact, I cut the wheel left! Then right! brakes off...mash the gas as I'm passing right through this accident as it is happening!! MM roared and cleared the wrecks with out a scratch.
Wow Charlie ... I wonder how I missed that thread. :confused: Sounds like a scene right out of "Days of Thunder".

I have had at least 2 close calls where the Marauder responded well. You gotta anticipate these fools that pull out in traffic and misjudge the oncoming distance and speed. :mad:

[SergntMac]

Congrats on a great save, and likewise congrats to Charlie. I've had a few close calls myself, I suppose we all do. But my recent search for a better beater car brought me to consider my 3rd Marauder, and it's memories of moments like these that closed the deal. No finer automobile out there for daily use, and it's a great car to mod too.

[BillyGman]

Nice move! I remember something similar happening to me, and yes, I agree that the Marauder (even with it's factory stock suspension) is quite agile for a big heavy car. As for the Auto-X thing, I'm not into that stuff. I've always been more interested in drag racing, but I'd never say that Auto-X is "dumb" just because I'm not into it.

I used to think drifting was pretty stupid, but I've seen some drifting vids of some people who've done some spectacular moves with their cars. So even though drifting isn't my cup of tea either, I have to admit that there are some fantastic drivers in drifting. I guess the biggest reason why I was always turned off to drifting (as well as some other types of car sports) is simply because a lot of cars with squirrel engines are used for them, and as far as I know, it was the ricers who originally made the trend popular. But I guess that has nothing to do with driver abilities. So I wouldn't knock anyone for being into Auto-X either.

[ckadiddle]

Excellent save. The Marauder is capable of some Fancy Driving when it needs to be.

[Vortech347]

Oh hell it gets better. I go through all that work last night to protect the car and my wife then back it into a pole today in my office parking lot...HAH Car is OK though. No scratches.

[BillyGman]

Oh hell it gets better. I go through all that work last night to protect the car and my wife then back it into a pole today in my office parking lot...HAH LOL... I guess that all the auto-X experience in the world wouldn't gaurd against that. :D Anyway, I'm glad to hear your Marauder is all good.

[Vortech347]

Note to self, Auto-X does not give you the correct "feel" for parking.

[BillyGman]

Note to self, Auto-X does not give you the correct "feel" for parking."feel" indeed :baaa:

[merc6]

Wow Charlie ... I wonder how I missed that thread. :confused: Sounds like a scene right out of "Days of Thunder".

I have had at least 2 close calls where the Marauder responded well. You gotta anticipate these fools that pull out in traffic and misjudge the oncoming distance and speed. :mad:sounds like you guys got too close to where I live ;) like the oracle I don't anticipate it...I just know ;)