Porsche Specialist - Experienced Enthusiasts Dealer-Like Service at Independent Prices fifthgear.biz Excellent Service Maintenance & Repair Sales •Wide Range of Porsches’ Serviced •Fast Turnaround Times •Same Day Service In Some Cases •Serving DFW Area For Over 13 Years •Family Owned & Operated •100+ Years of Porsche Tech Experience •11,000 sq. ft. Shop Equipped with the Lastest Diagnostic and State-of-the-Art Tools •Comfortable Waiting Area w/Free WiFi & Coffee Bar •Same Services and Capabilities as the Dealers •Consignment Sales performed on a case-by-case basis 1975 Archer Ave • Lewisville • TX 75077 • 972•317•4005 28 <strong>February</strong>
Five-Speed Chatter: A Blustery Brush with Death By Ash Seidl-Staley Photo courtesy of the Author e have all felt the sudden tug of the wheel, W the slight push into the rumble strips, and the straight up shove of the rear end when a wind gust slams into us while driving on the highway. Those who have driven a van, a box truck, or even a large U-Haul, especially while driving on one of the Metroplex’s rural highways, can attest to the mercilessness of Texas winds. Over time, as we mature into attentive drivers, we learn how to compensate for the wind’s force, but there will always be that time you get caught off guard. Unfortunately, this was my fate. After living in Allen and Plano for seven years, I forgot how brutal a 25 mph wind gust can be! I was rudely reminded of my error late one misty night after I closed up the sandwich shop. At 11:45 pm, east/ southbound I-635 is fairly open, as is Highway 80. Thanks to early evening rain showers, however, the roads were still pretty wet. As a result, I took it easy on the gas, opted to shut off cruise control, and was vigilant about monitoring my speed on corners. The entire trip along LBJ freeway went swimmingly, as did my entrance onto Highway 80. I was careful when passing others, and I didn’t try to hot-rod it past the eighteen-wheelers. But when I passed through Sunnyvale, I failed to remember that any semblance of wind protection provided by concrete structures disappears right before you cross East Fork Road and part of Lake Ray Hubbard’s southern spillway. Out of nowhere, a forceful gust lifted and shoved my Nissan’s back end so hard that I thought someone had wrecked into my left rear quarter panel. When my hatchback lowered back to the road, it didn’t gain any traction on the saturated roads. I “Nancy” our Nissan Versa Note hydroplaned going 68 mph in the dead of night! Fortunately, I was able, without even thinking, it would seem, to correct my slide. The car that happened to be entering the highway from Collins Road behind me, unless he was really paying attention, would have thought that I had merely changed lanes. To be honest, the slide felt just like driving on snowy roads. Learning to drive in Idaho all those years ago really paid off, I guess. Although safe and in full control of the vehicle, I was still pretty rattled. The rest of the way home I barely took it above 62 mph, and I couldn’t help but think about how many unsuspecting drivers of hatchbacks, and other sub-compact hybrid vehicles like my Nissan, might get slammed in that very same spot. I mean, I love the awesome mpg of today’s subcompacts, as well as the reliability of their powertrain, but man, they are basically aluminum cans when it comes to blustery weather! The engineers of our Porsches have many design tools and have been quite successful at using them to help owners stabilize at high speeds. The 928 and the 968, as well as many of their front-engined siblings, were revered in their day for their exceptional aerodynamic stability. To see how far Porsche has come, all you have to do is subscribe to the Porsche Engineering magazine. Rather frequently, you’ll read about all the high-tech equipment that Porsche’s aerodynamic development team employs on a daily basis. You’ll see how Porsche possesses a top-rate facility that utilizes one of the world’s most efficient wind tunnels, and has also created a dual-track system that allows Porsche to test its production and concept cars in a number of different condition and speed combinations. On top of minimizing drag, reducing fuel consumption, and stabilizing the vehicle on high-speed corners, engineers at Porsche’s Weissach Development Center also study the effects of wind in order to improve acceleration, top speed, engine and brake cooling systems, and surprisingly, to improve the reduction of outside odors and sounds relative to those sitting in the car’s cab. Now, I’m all for the automatic retractable rear spoilers, innovative brake cooling designs, flashy, yet sleek aerodynamic styling, and even the reduction of unnecessary road noise, but please Porsche, don’t muffle the glorious roar rumbling from the back end for other people that don’t have a 914, and aren’t spoiled like me! Stay safe, and wrench on Mavs! 29
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