Those are some awesome driving records Franc and Waybomb!
Given everyone is handing out their driving qualifications I may as well get on board too. For the last 12 out of 14 years I participated in numerous driving/racing events each year at
Road Atlanta,
VIR Raceway,
Roebling Road, and
Barber Motor Sports. I own a 2002 GT2 Porsche with 19,000 miles, almost all of which were driven at (or trying to get to) redline at the above mentioned racetracks.
I also (until year before last) owned/raced a 930 Porsche which earned me the nickname of “Squerly”. Driving a 930 successfully is a difficult achievement and many have been introduced to the wall in their efforts to learn. In addition to these horsepower monsters I raced a
Panoz for several years, a car which few (if any) of you have probably heard of. I've had several "mishaps" but these are the things you know can happen at speed and each time I've learned from the experience. I’m also glad to say all the safety equipment worked as advertised.
I understand the physics of handling a car, I’ve previously held a racing license and I’ve been an instructor for the Porsche Club on numerous occasions. None of this means Waybomb, Franc or anyone else isn't a good driver, but what it does mean is that
I know how to drive very well. And as a person with better than average driving skills, I can say with confidence that when I’m on a cell phone I’m not as safe a driver as I would be if I were not on the cell phone.
Anyone who decides to navigate 3,500 lbs of motorized steel down a public hwy has an obligation to the rest of us to apply 100% of their attention to the task. Talking on a cell phone, eating a sloppy hamburger, playing chess or having sex while you drive is a unnecessary distraction that, IMHO, you should not be doing.