Why Is This Kid Smiling?
01-29-2005, 01:04 PM
#1
Team Owner
Thread Starter
Why Is This Kid Smiling?
This is my step son Calvin! He is 15!
He is smiling because:
- He got his Learner's Permit last summer.
- He brought home a Report Card from the 10th Grade with a "B" average.
- He knows that the "B" Average will make our insurance company happy.
- I am going to take him Monday to get his Restricted License.
- Today I took him out in the Vette for a driving lesson on ice and snow.
Conditions were perfect for the driving lesson. The ABS system and traction control systems worked just as they are supposed to. We live in a quiet rural neighborhood and the roads had about an inch of snow and ice on them. We practiced accelerating and stopping (jamming on the brakes) as we drove around so he could "feel out" the car and the traction control systems. The ABS system works great with normal braking but when you jam them on, the wheels lock complete and the car slides.
Then I turned the Active Handling OFF and WOW, What A Difference! We practiced accelerating, turning, sliding, skidding and turning into skids. He gained years of experience in just a few hours and now knows all about keeping the car under control at all times,
I am glad we did it. I will feel much more confident of his abilities when he gets his restricted license (daylight only with only one other kid)
I parked the Vette our front for a bit before we left to get some photos to show you folks down south what snow and ice looks like. For you folks up north, I know that this isn't "real snow" but in South Carolina we have to make do with what we get.
Vettes are for FUN! Sun, Rain, Snow or Ice.
Happy motoring to all...
He is smiling because:
- He got his Learner's Permit last summer.
- He brought home a Report Card from the 10th Grade with a "B" average.
- He knows that the "B" Average will make our insurance company happy.
- I am going to take him Monday to get his Restricted License.
- Today I took him out in the Vette for a driving lesson on ice and snow.
Conditions were perfect for the driving lesson. The ABS system and traction control systems worked just as they are supposed to. We live in a quiet rural neighborhood and the roads had about an inch of snow and ice on them. We practiced accelerating and stopping (jamming on the brakes) as we drove around so he could "feel out" the car and the traction control systems. The ABS system works great with normal braking but when you jam them on, the wheels lock complete and the car slides.
Then I turned the Active Handling OFF and WOW, What A Difference! We practiced accelerating, turning, sliding, skidding and turning into skids. He gained years of experience in just a few hours and now knows all about keeping the car under control at all times,
I am glad we did it. I will feel much more confident of his abilities when he gets his restricted license (daylight only with only one other kid)
I parked the Vette our front for a bit before we left to get some photos to show you folks down south what snow and ice looks like. For you folks up north, I know that this isn't "real snow" but in South Carolina we have to make do with what we get.
Vettes are for FUN! Sun, Rain, Snow or Ice.
Happy motoring to all...
01-29-2005, 01:15 PM
#3
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St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07
What's that white stuff? Did a flour manufactoring plant blow up in your area or something? 
Ice? Outside of a freezer? That's just weird. 
:
Just remember all the good things you said today, he come to you and asks for the keys
Don't worry Calvin ... I got your back 
Good to hear about the responsible deed you did today. My hat's off to you
Nice pix of the car too!
Ice? Outside of a freezer? That's just weird. :Just remember all the good things you said today, he come to you and asks for the keys
Don't worry Calvin ... I got your back Good to hear about the responsible deed you did today. My hat's off to you
Nice pix of the car too!
01-29-2005, 01:17 PM
#4
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St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10
Great write up. I am very glad that you have done this for him and in turn I hope he appreciates it, and does not abuse it. We all know how that can happen so innocently. Best of luck to you both now that he is approaching adult status.
01-29-2005, 01:25 PM
#6
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Youre a brave man!! our daughter just got her drivers license a few weeks ago and it snowed about four inches the next day, we kept her from driving the first few days she didn't mind too much she was a little scared, after the roads were a little better she drove to school one morning and she decided to take a little detour down some streets that were not clear, I got a call 5 min's after she left help I'm in a ditch!! well not exactly what you want to hear I take the suburban and head out to see how bad it is she was pretty shaken up the county ditches are pretty big around our house, well I pulled out her car and it took a little convincing but I got her behind the wheel again and off to school she went, this turned out to be a blessing in disguise it taught her some instant respect for driving and what can happen, but driving my new vert I'm not ready for that !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
01-29-2005, 01:30 PM
#7
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Originally Posted by JACKAL0PE
Let us know what happens with your insurance rates when a Corvette owner suddenly gains a teenage driver in the house.
01-29-2005, 01:46 PM
#9
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I grew up in upstate NY. My dad drove for the Post Office for 33 years with no accidents. So I really wanted him to teach me.
One of my unforgettable experiences was when he took me to a parking lot in the winter and taught me how to control the car on snow/ice. By learning what the car did when it was out of control. Forward and reverse donuts.
One of my unforgettable experiences was when he took me to a parking lot in the winter and taught me how to control the car on snow/ice. By learning what the car did when it was out of control. Forward and reverse donuts.
01-29-2005, 03:22 PM
#11
Burning Brakes
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Hello there Trainman, I am in Rock Hill and experiencing the same weather. Mine is nice and dry in the garage, I am not as adventurous as you in this weather. The blacked out rear on your car looks great.
01-29-2005, 03:46 PM
#12
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St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08 & '12
Are You Out Of Your Frickin Mind ! Taking Your Vette Out In The Snow !
01-29-2005, 04:07 PM
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What a lucky boy!
01-29-2005, 04:15 PM
#15
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St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15, '19
Thats a great way to learn how to handle a car when it gets out of control and what he learned may one day save his butt! Good idea,I learned by driving in the mud,not much ice and snow around here
01-29-2005, 06:23 PM
#18
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Originally Posted by 99C5Vert
He's a big boy 
01-29-2005, 11:18 PM
#20
Burning Brakes
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Ah, the living laboratory. That's the only way to learn, but I put my 16 year old in an Envoy for practice first; then his WS6 Ram Air Firebird; then the C5 Vette .... never (unless roads are clear and dry) ... but I admire what you did.