Putting the brakes on highway racing By Michael Picarella

This has become a hot-topic this past week.

Having spent many hundreds of miles looping these roads, repeading favorite sections 'til my tires were in a state of advanced baldness, I've always been aware of the safety concerns, as well as the fact that, someone's home and neighborhood had been turned into a public racetrack.

Putting the brakes on highway racing By Michael Picarella pic@theacorn.com: "Putting the brakes on highway racing"

Sports cars, hot-rods, "spirited" driving, super-bikes and the Mulholland highway are synonymous with the Southern California life-style. It's been a none fact around the world, that the best cars come from Europe and the best mechanics from Cali.

What do the aledged "guilty" have to say?

Pelican Parts Technical BBS - Beware of Santa Monica canyon runs

Of course, when put on the stand, no one's ever responsible. Innocent fun, right?

The roads have claimed more then enough lives over the years, mostly people pushing beyond their personal limits in an un-controled environment.

Want to REALLY test your limits and skill? Then take it to the track, were safety precautions have been made for the benefit.

So, will people stop racing through the hills? Probably not. In all fairness, these roads are simply THE BEST i've ever seen. What makes them great?

Well, Because of the geography of the land, and the population base in the surrounding area, dozens of roads have been built over the years to accommodate a necessity to move people through remote areas. Since freeways are more efficient ways of getting around, and the locations that these roads travel through are little more then slow bridges between the ocean and the valley, they have light traffic, apart from the locals.

What you are left with, are narrow, bumpy, switch-backing slivers of pavement that wind through treacherous canyon landscape; shear rock on one side, and deadly drop-offs on the other. The majority of the public seeks to avoid these roads, for obvious reasons, leaving them empty and quiet.

A community of regulars has formed. Head to the top of Stunt (mentioned many times before on my humble blog), or past the rock-shop to the bleachers. You'll meet people you know, WILL know, have heard of, read about, or seen in on-coming traffic.

I love it up there. I love winding up the engine, climbing 1500 vertical in a matter of minutes. I feel safe and in control. I know the limits of my car and my ability. I slow down in areas that I know are blind, or have exessive drive-ways. But, it's still a risk you take and I accept the responsibility.

I haven't driven the roads in a long time. Why? My car needs tires and brake work which means I don't feel "safe". I've opted instead to to use velo power, until a time when I can properly enjoy these roads again with a heavy right foot.