| is the law enforcement... :-) Headed to the local international motorsports meet last night which is held at 10pm in the Ale House parking lot - stopped by the car wash to spray her down and clean up the bugs from the 2hr drive from the east coast. Dried her up and proceeded out of the car wash parking lot. Mind you, I've perfected this routine from the years I spent from 2001 to 2003 going to this meet each week - car wash, ale house dinner - meet in the lot for good times. Just about every time I can remember, after washing the car and pulling out I would give her a good jostle up to ~40MPH to blow out any remaining water I missed after the chamois dry - usually leading to a lot of wet tirespin and bouncing off the rev limiter.. Well, I guess we all grow up over time and I didn't blow the tires loose coming out - just eased her out onto the 500-ft stretch to the stopsign. Of all the times, it is this one time that I ease her out and in my rear view I see a set of headlights accelerating towards me quickly followed by the flashing red/blue gumball machine. At this point I was already decellerating for the stop sign, came to a complete stop and paused to see if he was trying to get somewhere else around me, but he didn't move so I waved forward, motioning that I was going to pass through the intersection to pull over. Standard procedure, more/less: I shut the car down in a hotel parking lot just after the intersection and prepared myself, turning on the cabin light and putting my hands on teh wheel at 10 and 2. Over the intercom he announces to step out of the vehicle with my driver's license so I oblige and he states to stand in front of his vehicle. I hand him my DL and he asks if I know why I am being pulled over. First thing that came to mind was the stereo although I didn't percieve as being loud enough to get attention (not to mention, I dont have any subs in the car yet), so my exhaust was the second thought....., I reply with "my stereo was too loud?" politely and with inquisitive gesture. He affirmed my guess and asked if I knew the noise law. I had been cited several years ago for this and at that time it was 100ft audible, but apparently the law has changed and he filled me in that it is now 25ft. Just after stating this, he followed with: "And you know..." short pause as he glared over at my Z, and before he finished I said, "my exhaust is also too loud".. we both smirked and I mentioned that I just got teh car together and that the exhaust has been one of my biggest peeves with the setup but I do plan to do something about it very soon before it affects my hearing, with a grin on my face.. He chuckled and said that he may not agree with the laws but it is his job to enforce them no-less. I shook my head in agreement and told him I understand completely. So he then tells me what he is going to cite me for: a ticket for the noise ($77.50), and he would let me off on the exhaust. I told him that I understand and that I will keep it down from then on. But before he began writing up the citation, he asked if I had my registration with me. I chalked up and told him I was afraid that he would ask me for that because I know exactly where it is and that it isn't in my car. I reiterated that I just got the car together and just recently got the new tag and that the registration is on my workbench in the garage. Just when I thought another ticket was coming, he threw me for a nice suprise. He gave me a proposition: "Well, if you can't find your registration, I'll give you a citation for that and only give a warning for the noise". Nice thing about this is that the noise citation carries an unnegotiable fine of $77.50 - pay it and that's it. However, not having the registration with you costs the same, BUT, if you go to the courthouse and present the registration, it will only cost you a $7.50 processing fee rather than the full $77.50. So, although we both knew I didn't have it, I said with a smirk, "Let me just take a peek to see if I have it".. Walked to the car, glanced in for a second, turned to him and said, "Nope, too bad.. It's not here." He returned the smile and began his paperwork.... After filling them out and having me sign them, he handed a warning for noise and a citation for not carrying reg info, and said, "Happy Birthday Mr. Powers and have a safe evening... "
=)
[ ashspecz.com ]
[ agpowers@bellsouth.net ] Enthusiasts soon understand each other. --W. Irving.
Are you an enthusiast? If you are out to describe the truth, leave elegance to the tailor.
Albert Einstein
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