Written by tiresmoke! Feb 08 2009

[quote author=langleylad link=topic=2430.msg148405#msg148405 date=1227923487] Will tire smoke at the track be outlawed ?
[/quote]

Not if I go incognito...LMAO

  I hear what you're saying....this IS getting out of hand.

  redoing it  AGAIN, DF?

 

Written by DanStokes Feb 03 2009

I'm afraid you're probably right on the mass transit issue.  But even if confined to urban areas it would really help.  Many urban areas have NO mass transit at all, and many more have no viable MT (irregular schedules, insufficient routes, etc.).  Like you said, not likely to happen anyway.

Dan

[quote author=Stoneshrink link=topic=2430.msg188312#msg188312 date=1233677863]
I agree with you, yet I feel it's not possible to solve problems with mass transit.  America is too large, too individualistically minded, and the cost of mass transit outside core areas in cities is higher then the cost of building roads. 

Add to this thought:
I am an avid bike rider.  Yesterday, I was riding my bike on the shoulder yet close to the lane of traffic because there was sand (from the sanding operations during the snow storms).  A guy honked at me and cussed me out because I dared ride so close to traffic.  Ranting for a minute... how long does it take to go around a biker? compare that to how great my Hummer's tailights look when you're stuck behind me....

oh yeah, so at the next light I caught up with him and we had words.... and a word to the wise... don't screw with bikers they're more fit then you.
[/quote]

Written by stoneshrink Feb 03 2009

[quote author=DanStokes link=topic=2430.msg145473#msg145473 date=1227477858]
Sure. 

The EPA's relationship with cars and car people is a complex one.  Many of the EPAers are car people, and yet the regs are aimed at the lowest common denominator and the greatest number of vehicles.  So regulations (like the OBD systems, for example) have to be aimed at idiots who don't tune their engines or even perform oil changes at reasonable intervals.  BTW - speed limits are set in the same way.  You may wonder why some roads that are clearly OK to drive at 55 MPH have 40 MPH speed limits?  It's because they know that some Bozo who can't drive properly is gonna pile his junk up on that road at 55 but may make it at a lower speed - same concept.  The problem with both examples is that we all get painted with the same brush.

From my point of view, the greatest benefits to the environment could be gained from having really good mass transit for the majority who really don't care about cars and driving - they just want to get from A to B with the lowest cost and the least hassle.  This would free up the roads for those of us who actually care about our transportation modules.  At least in the US, this won't happen any time in the near future.

Dan



[/quote]

I agree with you, yet I feel it's not possible to solve problems with mass transit.  America is too large, too individualistically minded, and the cost of mass transit outside core areas in cities is higher then the cost of building roads. 

Add to this thought:
I am an avid bike rider.  Yesterday, I was riding my bike on the shoulder yet close to the lane of traffic because there was sand (from the sanding operations during the snow storms).  A guy honked at me and cussed me out because I dared ride so close to traffic.  Ranting for a minute... how long does it take to go around a biker? compare that to how great my Hummer's tailights look when you're stuck behind me....

oh yeah, so at the next light I caught up with him and we had words.... and a word to the wise... don't screw with bikers they're more fit then you.

Written by Freiburger Feb 03 2009

Look for a makeover coming in future issues of HRM.

Written by Memphis Feb 03 2009

So whats up with this? :)

Written by langleylad Nov 28 2008

Come on guys , enough about the EPA . Will tire smoke at the track be outlawed ? . If they do , how will John Force amuse himself . Anyhow dollars might be scarce , but for just a few bucks a day at the track with the Crusher is hard to beat .

Written by squirrel Nov 23 2008

The EPA regulations and the smog laws do have some good ideas behind them, and there's a reason why they do things the way they do...but it sure isn't perfect.  Best bet for a gearhead is to live somewhere with clean air so you don't have to worry about it.  usually that means away from large population centers.

Written by DanStokes Nov 23 2008

Sure. 

The EPA's relationship with cars and car people is a complex one.  Many of the EPAers are car people, and yet the regs are aimed at the lowest common denominator and the greatest number of vehicles.  So regulations (like the OBD systems, for example) have to be aimed at idiots who don't tune their engines or even perform oil changes at reasonable intervals.  BTW - speed limits are set in the same way.  You may wonder why some roads that are clearly OK to drive at 55 MPH have 40 MPH speed limits?  It's because they know that some Bozo who can't drive properly is gonna pile his junk up on that road at 55 but may make it at a lower speed - same concept.  The problem with both examples is that we all get painted with the same brush.

From my point of view, the greatest benefits to the environment could be gained from having really good mass transit for the majority who really don't care about cars and driving - they just want to get from A to B with the lowest cost and the least hassle.  This would free up the roads for those of us who actually care about our transportation modules.  At least in the US, this won't happen any time in the near future.

Dan

Written by Mach-1 Nov 22 2008

Thanks for the insight Dan.

I remember when I first heard about the Crusher Camaro when I was in high school. To be honest I'm not up to speed on all the details, but it is one of my favourite project cars. In fact, I made my high school library subscribe to Hot Rod magazine because of it.

I'm in university now earning my mechanical engineering degree. As a hotrodder who is also concerned about the environmental impact of automobiles, the Crusher is a constant reminder of some of the ridiculous legislation surrounding automobiles and pollution. 

I've always wanted to know more about what goes on behind the scenes at the EPA in terms of automotive technology. I'm north of your border so the laws and legislation are slightly different in Canada and in the individual provinces.  However, even in my own province we have some [i]scrap-your-car for-the-environment[/i] programs. One in particular is encouraging scrapping vehicles as new as 1996.

If it's alright with you Dan, could I shoot you a PM sometime about your work at the EPA?

Thanks,
Darren

Written by DanStokes Nov 22 2008

We though we did - I cleared it thru my boss.  Evidently, he was one of the animals on the farm who were less equal than others (see "Animal Farm").

Dan