Light at the end of the tunnel?

by Anand Lal Shimpi on 2/16/2004 2:37 AM EST
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  • Anonymous - Tuesday, February 17, 2004 - link

    Anand...
    any comments on the IDF announcement about the Xeon CT??
  • anonymous - Tuesday, February 17, 2004 - link

    Anand is an incredible guy with his wisdom and knowledge of computer technology. He has definitely done his best in creating a great network online. He has many cars to say the least and that just is his hobby. His Anandtech F car is a Ferrari 360 Modena. Trust me it's RED and totally is the most beautiful thing in all of Raleigh. I mean come on...a Ferrari people! The guy seriously has done well for himself and his family. Applaud his success.
  • SeraphsSati - Tuesday, February 17, 2004 - link

    Let's see you beat my Subaru STi with 10 professional driving lessons!
  • andrew - Tuesday, February 17, 2004 - link

    VIR is in my county :D
    nice little raceway
    they are building a lot of stuff around it so its attracting more and more attention like it did in the 60s :D
  • Adam K - Monday, February 16, 2004 - link

    Anand,

    What are you studying (as your major(s))? I assume computer science...
  • joe - Monday, February 16, 2004 - link

    Well, you are a busy man. When you get caught up, I know will will have a blast reading this technical article on the PowerPC G5 by X-bit labs
    http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/cpu/display/power...
  • HammerFan - Monday, February 16, 2004 - link

    When I start going to Vrginia Tech over a year from now I'm going to get a membership out at VIR... my tire pressures are normally kept *very* high (in the high 30 to low 40 lbs range). Since I don't have low-profiles and the tires my car (a 1990 Integra hatchback) aren't exactly sport-oriented I'm trying my best to squeeze the most that I can out of them untill they wear out and i get new rims and tires. I hate low tire pressures...ack!
  • GTaudiophile - Monday, February 16, 2004 - link

    Here is the current 2004 schedule for the Tail of the Dragon:

    http://www.tailofthedragon.com/calendar_2004.html

    (MINI and Honda S2K owners may like some of those April events.)
  • GTaudiophile - Monday, February 16, 2004 - link

    Anand,

    I'm down here in the ATL. I ventured up to NC to ride the dragon in April 2003 and will most likely do it again, provided my clutch continues to remain in good condition. (I've got a 1992 Miata with 37K miles and in near-flawless condition.)

    You should get out their web site when you have a chance:

    http://www.tailofthedragon.com/

    It's a very well-maintained road, seemingly designed for the kind of driving people do on it. For example, many of the curves are banked!

    It's a great ride!

    #7 Rumor has it that Anand has, at least in the past, had some pretty fancy cars. Just rumor, though ;)
  • Anonymous - Monday, February 16, 2004 - link

    Anand's car is probably too expensive for most of us. He is probably not telling us because it might point us to AnandTech's overall income.
  • jasonsRX7 - Monday, February 16, 2004 - link

    GTaudiophile,

    You're right about the Miatas. I've never driven one myself, but I've raced against them at CMP in South Carolina. I could take them in the straights (I had a 3rd Gen '94 RX7) but when things got twisty they were eating me up.

    I blew up the motor in my RX7 and replaced it with an SUV (needed something to pull my boat) but I think if I were to get back into racing on the cheap, I'd pick up an older, used Miata and pull it down to the tracks on a flatbed.

    By the way, I'm in NC too :)
  • jasonsRX7 - Monday, February 16, 2004 - link

    GTaudiophile,

    You're right about the Miatas. I've never driven one myself, but I've raced against them at CMP in South Carolina. I could take them in the straights (I had a 3rd Gen '94 RX7) but when things got twisty they were eating me up.

    I blew up the motor in my RX7 and replaced it with an SUV (needed something to pull my boat) but I think if I were to get back into racing on the cheap, I'd pick up an older, used Miata and pull it down to the tracks on a flatbed.

    By the way, I'm in NC too :)
  • Anonymous - Monday, February 16, 2004 - link

    What is the Anand's F-car?
  • Anand Lal Shimpi - Monday, February 16, 2004 - link

    GTaudiophile

    I've always thought the Miata would be a cool car, and although I've never driven one I've heard great things about the shifter. I haven't been to Deal's Gap, but then again I'm not much of an off-track racer :) I haven't had any time recently to get down to the track, but that's something I plan on doing once I get done with school.

    One thing I definitely did learn on the track though is that car specs are pretty much meaningless - a good driver can beat you in even the slowest car; which is why I've always found it funny that people complain about having "only" xxxHP when the best upgrade to do is a few driving lessons at a skip barber's.

    Are you in NC or just like to venture out to Deal's Gap from elsewhere?
  • Anonymous - Monday, February 16, 2004 - link

    I think racing you would be the last thing he would want to do. No person in their right mind would try to commit a suicide by racing. :)
  • GTaudiophile - Monday, February 16, 2004 - link

    I check the tire pressure in my Miata every 3,000 miles when I change oil. (Yes, I change my own oil here at home, as well as most other fluids.) It's very important to check pressure at least twice a year: once in the middle of winter and once in the middle of summer as air and surface temperature has a big affect.

    Although often labeled as feminine, the Miata is one tight car. Its steering is even more communicative than the best BMWs I've driven, such as the E38 540i. I can feel every bump and crack in the road via the steering. The same goes for the 5-speed gearbox. I can actually feel the cogs working as I shift. The car is so tight you can't help it becoming hard-wired into your arms, legs, soul. Thus, when the tire pressure is low, I can sense a certain vibration in the steering that lets me know the tires REALLY need air.

    Anand: if you ever want to meet at Deal's Gap in NC (also known as the Tail of the Dragon), I'll race that F-ancy car of yours any day! :)

    The Tail of the Dragon has 318 curves in 11 miles with almost no straight-aways. According to C&D, that F-ancy car of yours scores .92g on the skidpad, whereas the Miata scores .91g on the skidpad. Could be interesting…

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