The "Vette Effect"
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2004
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The "Vette Effect"
Finally--she experienced it. My wife is not a Corvette enthusiast, but she certainly married one. In the past, I've tried to explain that my C6 (and C5 before it) causes otherwise sedate drivers to suddenly become NASCAR racers when a Corvette is in the other lane. More often than not, cars that were traveling slowly suddenly find speed. People just have to try and pass a Corvette.
This evening she got a taste of it--The Vette Effect, as I call it. We're zipping down the road, and next thing you know, here comes the minivan mom--traffic laws be darned, then a pick-up truck and then the obligatory beater Camaro wheeled by an 18 year-old.
"What the heck is going on" I hear from the passenger seat, after it becomes clear that cars we just passed go rushing by with a new found purpose. The Vette Effect, I tell her. Put a Corvette in the mix of traffic, and invariably it becomes green flag racing. Eventually they're back in the rearview mirror, but by that time you've come upon a new set of victims stricken by the Vette Effect.
I can't be the only one to have experienced this phenomenon.
This evening she got a taste of it--The Vette Effect, as I call it. We're zipping down the road, and next thing you know, here comes the minivan mom--traffic laws be darned, then a pick-up truck and then the obligatory beater Camaro wheeled by an 18 year-old.
"What the heck is going on" I hear from the passenger seat, after it becomes clear that cars we just passed go rushing by with a new found purpose. The Vette Effect, I tell her. Put a Corvette in the mix of traffic, and invariably it becomes green flag racing. Eventually they're back in the rearview mirror, but by that time you've come upon a new set of victims stricken by the Vette Effect.
I can't be the only one to have experienced this phenomenon.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 8,133
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From: Ex-SF Bay Area; now happily Denver area
Nope, you're not the only one...you just happened to express it tonight. I've had Mustang drivers do the same thing and tell me that they knew they couldn't beat me, but they just wanted to see how fast the Vette was.
Of course you get the others on the burned side of the "grass is always greener" crowd who are jealous and wonder why you need a Vette when you could be driving a mini-van instead. Regardless, you are a sitting duck whenever you take the car out. That's the way it is when you're a Corvette driver.
Of course you get the others on the burned side of the "grass is always greener" crowd who are jealous and wonder why you need a Vette when you could be driving a mini-van instead. Regardless, you are a sitting duck whenever you take the car out. That's the way it is when you're a Corvette driver.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,311
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From: Los Angeles CA
Funny I had a damn Toyota Siena almost clip my rear left bumper yesterday and I was doing 85 MPH in middle lane... I got to say that the crowd I expected the vette effect from: Mustangs, Camaros, Porche, 350Z etc. really havent been ***** - Im getting more of an attitude from the Hummers, Escalades, maximas, and hell even the frigin beatles! Had one cut me off twice yesterday trying to pick a race! Dont know what that dude was thinking...
Gotta remember that term tho: the vette effect... yep I def. experienced it just didnt know what to call it till now... funny thing is when ya dont speed with em.. they get pissed at ya for not taking the bait!
Gotta remember that term tho: the vette effect... yep I def. experienced it just didnt know what to call it till now... funny thing is when ya dont speed with em.. they get pissed at ya for not taking the bait!
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And just think, somewhere, right now, there's some poor shmoe buying a minivan. The cycle never ends.
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Burning Brakes
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Originally Posted by _Nomad_
And just think, somewhere, right now, there's some poor shmoe buying a minivan. The cycle never ends.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Virginia Bch VA
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Happens all the time.
Didn't mean to clip your thread guy. Posted nearly the same this AM. Did not see your thread. Sorry. JT
Didn't mean to clip your thread guy. Posted nearly the same this AM. Did not see your thread. Sorry. JT
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,179
Likes: 97
From: Palm Coast, FL
So true, so true...
Originally Posted by locoracer83
Finally--she experienced it. My wife is not a Corvette enthusiast, but she certainly married one. In the past, I've tried to explain that my C6 (and C5 before it) causes otherwise sedate drivers to suddenly become NASCAR racers when a Corvette is in the other lane. More often than not, cars that were traveling slowly suddenly find speed. People just have to try and pass a Corvette.
This evening she got a taste of it--The Vette Effect, as I call it. We're zipping down the road, and next thing you know, here comes the minivan mom--traffic laws be darned, then a pick-up truck and then the obligatory beater Camaro wheeled by an 18 year-old.
"What the heck is going on" I hear from the passenger seat, after it becomes clear that cars we just passed go rushing by with a new found purpose. The Vette Effect, I tell her. Put a Corvette in the mix of traffic, and invariably it becomes green flag racing. Eventually they're back in the rearview mirror, but by that time you've come upon a new set of victims stricken by the Vette Effect.
I can't be the only one to have experienced this phenomenon.
This evening she got a taste of it--The Vette Effect, as I call it. We're zipping down the road, and next thing you know, here comes the minivan mom--traffic laws be darned, then a pick-up truck and then the obligatory beater Camaro wheeled by an 18 year-old.
"What the heck is going on" I hear from the passenger seat, after it becomes clear that cars we just passed go rushing by with a new found purpose. The Vette Effect, I tell her. Put a Corvette in the mix of traffic, and invariably it becomes green flag racing. Eventually they're back in the rearview mirror, but by that time you've come upon a new set of victims stricken by the Vette Effect.
I can't be the only one to have experienced this phenomenon.
HAHAHA That is so funny! Truer words were never spoken. People just have to go zumming by; it almost gets annoying at times, you know?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,179
Likes: 97
From: Palm Coast, FL
Some people...
Originally Posted by FunDriver
Nope, you're not the only one...you just happened to express it tonight. I've had Mustang drivers do the same thing and tell me that they knew they couldn't beat me, but they just wanted to see how fast the Vette was.
Of course you get the others on the burned side of the "grass is always greener" crowd who are jealous and wonder why you need a Vette when you could be driving a mini-van instead. Regardless, you are a sitting duck whenever you take the car out. That's the way it is when you're a Corvette driver.
Of course you get the others on the burned side of the "grass is always greener" crowd who are jealous and wonder why you need a Vette when you could be driving a mini-van instead. Regardless, you are a sitting duck whenever you take the car out. That's the way it is when you're a Corvette driver.
Man, you hit the nail on the head. It's almost as bad as driving convoy in Iraq in one of their "modern" cities.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 6,213
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From: South Alabama
Originally Posted by locoracer83
I can't be the only one to have experienced this phenomenon.
I've been driving Vettes for thirty years and it's been happening to me for thirty years. You'll learn to ignore them and chuckle over it when it happens. Even my 11y.o. niece laughs out loud at them when they go "zinging" by.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 144
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From: Phoenixville PA
I notice the same thing with other drivers too but the one thing I notice alot is the tailgating. Its like they are giving me a challenge to step on it and lets see if they can keep up. I just ignore it but God help them if they rear end me.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,075
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From: Penn Valley California
I think these drivers must just get caught in the Vette's vortex,and get sucked right in based on their behavior.The worst part is when they pass,and cut in short over the center line,throwing all kinds of debris at the coachwork and windshield! 
Team Owner
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I've experienced quite the opposite. I've had my C6 almost 2 months and not a single car has tried to race me. 50% of the time that I drive my Supra, someone is trying to race me. Go figure. 
Pro
Joined: Feb 2005
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Originally Posted by Cajun99
You're not...I call it the "Loser Fly-By"
I've been driving Vettes for thirty years and it's been happening to me for thirty years. You'll learn to ignore them and chuckle over it when it happens. Even my 11y.o. niece laughs out loud at them when they go "zinging" by.
I've been driving Vettes for thirty years and it's been happening to me for thirty years. You'll learn to ignore them and chuckle over it when it happens. Even my 11y.o. niece laughs out loud at them when they go "zinging" by.