1/4 mile races are cool and everything, but let's face it, the Protege is a car that likes CORNERS.
So do I.
I remember when I was just a little feller... Pops used to take me down to Laguna Seca to watch the races. Tires squeelin' , counter steerin' , power slidin' FUN!... That's racing!
Fast forward 15 years and here I am... In my Pro5.
I live at the end of a twisty, high-speed road(ca.HWY17), and regularly blaze mod'ed civics, GTI's and neons over the hill. It's no race track, and safety comes first on crowded highways, but once in a while, when traffic's not too heavy, I gotta have some fun.
I'll even give the odd "dot.commie" (rich, 20 year old that works for Oracle, Yahoo, Apple, etc. around Silicon Valley) in his BMW a surprise. SMOKED. BY A STATION WAGON. It's pretty funny when a lady in an Explorer tries to keep up in a corner... funny and scary if you're on the outside!
My point is: Let's hear some more stories about some kind of racing OTHER than the "Fast and Furious" type...
Who's tossing their protege around? How about some Auto X stories? Put them JICs to use!

 

I did some High Speed Touring at Hallett Motor Racing Circuit last season with my Pro5. The track opens again in March and I'll be ready!

Aerial view of Hallett

 

eggynatey, ever gone up Hwy 9 from Los Gatos all the way up to the intersection of Hwy 9 and Hwy 35?

That's a VERY fun ride since it's about 10 miles of very twisty hill climb. Ever since I got my Pro I have been going up there on a regular basis (like 2-3 times a week).

So far, NOBODY has been able to keep up with me since I know that road by heart. Civic SIs, GTIs, MR2's, and even BMWs... They are all too scared


Coming downhill, if you're lucky and there's a bit of moisture you can break the rear tires lose and get some sideways action going.

And for the law-abiders, I know it's a public road and I shouldn't be driving like a crazed car-loving maniac, but there's not that many cars up there. For the 10-mile stretch there'd be 1-2 cars...


Try it, it's much fun

My friend's always try and challenge me to a race. I just say "Let's go to Hwy 9".

 

Yeah, Hwy 9 is the ****. I used to live in Ben Lomond so I know that road pretty well, too! I'm coming from the other direction, though.
If you decide to go all the way to Santa Cruz, be careful of cops around the Mountian Store! They like to hide out there. Next time your just cruising, take a right at the light in Felton and check out Bonny Doon Road. It's another snake.

 

P5's can grip like a ****. "Got Curves"

 

i got the protoge b/c it was a nice car... i was pleasently suprised to find that it handles pretty nice! i need some 14" bling blingers and decent rubber, but even with my 175/70's and pizza cutters, i can take corners pretty well. as for 1/4... i think many cars can do better than my FWD 1.5l 4dr, large 5seater, a/c'ed econobox.

my only complaint, is that it pushes alot (understeer), but a lil trailbraking can sharpen the line as can throttle control.

 

You're right, the Pro handles really well. And It's easier to add power to a car that has a well sorted out suspension than make a boat handle well.

 

i like to autox in the randalls parking lot after they close