Once upon a time, there was no such thing as a hi-performance vehicle. Even through the so-called muscle era, most heavy weights (because of tires in no small part) were in the 13s and no one even thought of them as handling cars. Any of you who know me know that I am a fairly rabid get-governemnt-off-my back kind of guy. However, there are readily accessible production cars that perform at such extraordinary levels, that I think there may be reason to at least consider requiring a hi performance license as a pre-requisite for purchase.
Consider "just" the ZO6. You're a middle aged guy who can finally afford a nice sports car. You have no idea of what that kind of torque and power can be like in light car. Coming off a curve you're feeling spunky and decide to stand on it a little . . . . poof you're wrapped around a light poll and have painted a road sign with the interior contents of your head. In my opinion, that's actually your problem (and your family's), but these momentary lapses of judgment can be very dangerous to the public at large. Maybe this isn't such a big problem. I wonder what the insurance stats are. I remember once hearing that after teenagers, middle-aged males are the most likely to die in a violent crash involving speed.
This is to say nothing of the sport bikes based on MotoGP and drag bike technology. A kid can afford an R1, XF-14, etc. I might suggest in their case that they even be required to own and run a smaller bike for a while first. I think it's great these kinds of vehicles are available; we live in the greatest performance era ever . . . period. But let's not kid ourselves about the levels of performance we're talking about. At some point you're getting to where specialized skills and reflexes are required to be safe.
For example:
Kawasaki ZX-10R
- (Professional) check out the cornering speed at the end
Mandating Performance Licenses for Hi Performance Vehicles
Wirte your congressman, Arnold wrote me back by the way, and it looks like he signed it personally.
