Friday, March 30, 2012

Sliding through the snow, Japanese style and memories of Minnesota



I grew up in Minnesota where there is usually plenty of snow in the winter. Once you're of legal driving age, you quickly must learn how to pilot a motor vehicle in the snow. It really isn't much of a deal when you're growing up there. It's just a fact of life.

However, I'll never forget the day I learned about pulling up the e-brake in the snow.

I was 17 and had just pulled up to my friend Paul's house in my 1992 Mitsubishi Expo LRV, and it was snowing quite hard. My friend, Steve, yells at me to pull the car into Paul's driveway and not to park it on the street. I ask why. He says to just do it. OK.

In the distance I hear an engine bouncing off its rev limited, but it sounds like a diesel. Around the bend comes my friend Jake in his late '70s diesel-powered VW Rabbit sideways in the snow, ass-end kicked out sideways. Mother of God: How did he do this?

He simply said you pull up the e-brake, and it kicks the back end around. Steer into the skid, and keep it going.

An automotive epiphany was had that day.

Anyway, the video above totally reminded me of sliding through the snow in Minnesota and Wisconsin. Of particular note in the video, the guy on the scooter. Wow.

SOURCE
Jalopnik 

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Looks like lots of fun.

Anonymous said...

Looks like fun!