940T
Well-known member
For all of you newbies to Touge... here are a few things to keep in mind while traversing through the turns. You regulars... lay off the newbs... sooner or later WE ALL LEARN. What should be understood here, is that in general these are things that will make touge fun and safe for EVERYONE... thanks to some of your Touge Friends in no particular order...
1. NEVER publicly announce a spot you frequent/visit for drives.
You do not want the police on your tail OR too many people up there just watching and hanging out. Too many drivers and people at a mountain run at one time is dangerous and attracts the wrong attention.
2. NO DOUBLE LANING/CROSSING INTO THE OTHER LANE!!!
It's very dangerous to do this for obvious reasons. Almost every turn is a blind one on the touge. No matter what conditions you are driving in on the touge there will be blind spots and unknowing drivers around. Most drivers are not expecting to see cars in their lane coming at them head on and neither should you.
3. Know your limits... AND STAY WITHIN THEM!!!
Drive at about 70% (some of you may know the term 7 tenths) of your ability, you must leave room for error. Pushing yourself over the edge may not be too far from reality if you get yourself into a situation you can't handle.
4. No passing!!! Unless they yield to you in the turnout...
Touge roads are usually public, with that in mind there may be people that live in these areas, some are cruising and others prefer to drive on their own at their own pace... be respectful of the other people on the touge.
5. Leave plenty of room between cars when in a group.
This should be obvious to most of you. You cannot compensate for another driver's mistake. It takes us approximately 3/4's of a second to react to something that happens on the road. If you are traveling at high speed that automatically decreases... which will usually result in damage!!! And don't forget almost every turn on the touge is a blind one.
6. Make your touge group as small as possible.
This gives less attention to you and why you are there. Keeping this in mind the other rules can be easily followed especially leaving enough room between cars.
7. No need to break any moving violations on the way to the touge.
You're going to have fun in the mountains already... just save it for the touge.
8. Scope out the spot before you start your touge session.
Only on those occasions when you're cruising should you ignore this... but then some of us "CRUISE" faster than others!!! But Drift or Grip, whatever your session may involve, you should always check out the run. You never know what to expect around each turn on the touge.
9. Watch out for wildlife!!!
Deer and other animals are unpredictable, not to mention tree branches, bushes and tumbleweeds. Deer, Raccoons and Possums are especially unpredictable... look out for animals they cause just as much if not more damage than an incident with a car.
10. Do not take your ego to the touge.
There will always be someone faster than you... unless you're TAKUMI hahahaha, But if the person behind you is faster... pull over and let him/her pass.
11. Stay alert, don't have things around that will distract you on your runs.
Loud music, nagging girl friends or pussy boy friends may cause you to panic or become distracted. Touge sessions require a lot of concentration.
12. Check your equipment before you go. ie, tires, pressure, alignment, brakes, etc.
There is almost no room for error on the touge. If you must go driving on shitty equipment, then drive with even more room for error (5-6 tenths)
13. Look as far ahead of you as possible.
Your body subconciously follows what your mind (eyes) tell it to do, or go in this case. Just think about walking. You don't look left and walk straight. Try it.
Some things you might want to bring along with you to the touge:
*Tools
*Jack
*Flashlight/Floodlights(s)
*Rope
*Zipties
*Duct Tape
*Cell Phone
*Walkie Talkies
You may think you will not need these things, but in case of an accident they can be VERY helpful!!!
Article stolen from www.tougefriends.com
*banghead*
