[sperry]

This reminds me of the ticket I got in Marysville on my way back from Sacramento about a year ago.

It was like 2am, and the freeway to totally devoid of traffic, right along that section of 80 where it's totally straight and you see for like 5 miles. So I was hauling-ass... I mean seriously hauling ass. Then in my rear-view I see flashing blue and red, way back there. So I slow down and move to the right lane, as the cop catches up to me. There was an exit about 100 yards ahead, so I pull off on the exit, and stop under a street light to (hopefully) make the cop more comfortable, since he's about to have to get out of the car.

I rolled down both windows, since I didn't want to force the cop to stand on the exit, but he came up to the driver's window.

The first thing out of his mouth: "I must have the slowest car on the force tonight! I was doin' 120 and it took me 10 minutes to catch up to you!"

Now I'm sure I'm totally fuqd. But the cop was smiling and chuckling and in a really good mood! He continued: "Yeah, I was on one of the overpasses and you drove under me... I clocked you goin 91. Then I had to get on the freeway and chase after you."

By now I'm oppolgizing for making him chase me... telling him that I'm on my way to Reno, and it's late and I'm anxious to get home, and I got carried away by the speed of my new car, etc. The cop asks for my license and registration, and while I'm getting it out, he strolls around my car, checking it out.

Walking back to my window to take my documents, the cop kinda cocked his head and asked, "what kinda car is this anyway?" I told him it was a Subaru Impreza WRX and the guy was like "whaaa!? My wife has an Outback... I've seen the comercials for the WRX, that's the rally car one right? Man I wanted her to get one, but she got the Outback."

Because of the cops friendly demenor, I'm thinking that at least I'm not going to jail... but I didn't think I'd get out of the ticket. The cop goes back to his car and punches up my info. Then stands outside of his car and starts writing... yep, I'm getting a ticket.

He comes back to my window and hands me the ticket saying, "Okay, I'm writing you up for 80 in a 65. You need to slow down, keep it under 75, or you're gonna have to talk to one of us again."

Throughout the whole situation, the cop was super cool, and in a great mood. I was lucky the ticket was only for 80 mph, or I woulda been in a world of hurt. He wished me a good night, and a safe drive to Reno, and was even nice enough to not ride my ass back onto the freeway. Of course, he prolly had to turn around and go the other way cuz he was 20 miles out of his jurisdiction!

Since this ticket (and one other in Truckee, 70 in a 55... I thought it was a 65 zone!) I've stopped speeding like that. I figure I'll drive it fast on the autocross courses, and stay around the limit on the public streets. I also got a V1 radar detector... I love that thing, even tho I don't speed that much anymore.