Hey, the entry form for iAfrica's competition for VW track instruction at the Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit doesn't say anything about residency requirements. If you scoop their prize (chosen entirely at random of course), you'll attend the VW Driving Academy to gain "practical experience and confidence in dealing with potential dangers — from avoiding collisions to the optimal way to respond in a hijack situation." (Hint: aim you Glock at their chest, not their head.) After spending the morning hooning about on the skidpan and an executive lunch ("I eat executives for lunch"), you will "move onto the racetrack for some driving sessions around the circuit, brake distance recognition and an ESP exercise" (I'm thinking of a number). While I wait for the caffeine to wear-off, an insider's tip: don't send them the R32 engine's output in 'Merican-style horsepower stats. Think Reddy Kilowatt.
[Complete list of RSA's VW driving courses here]
Hey Farago,
You’re not seriously arguing that the US should stay with those ancient units developed when (before?) the country was a British colony, are you? I’ve had the opportunity to work in both systems of units, and metric allows you to understand and communicate much better. You also tend to get better and quicker decisions. Delays and mistakes obviously cost money. I suspect one of the reasons the Big 2.8 struggle to keep up with the rest of the auto-making universe is the fact that they still use those ancient units. (Not that I am making excuses for anybody.)
The US approach really baffles me. Seems like the country has developed a severe allergy to anything that may include any risk, and hence change. Of course, it does not help when old, powerful civil engineers refuse to adapt. The other odd thing is that some Americans seem to think that if the rest of the world goes left, the US should turn right. Just to show them.
For some reason the kW is a unit that confuse Americans more than any other. Many seem to think of the kW as unit of energy (such as BTU) instead of power (such as hp). I’ve even come accross the non-sensical term “kW/hr”! Even that EPAguy was trying to argue that electric car efficiency should be measured in miles/kW, rather than miles/kWh. That was downright frightening.
Oh, and why the facination with (the Hollywood favorite) Glock? The problem is that if the hijacker leans against the business end of the Glock (or if you push him with it) it won’t fire. The plastic gun is not up to the challenges of the dark continent. But, hey, that’s just my opinion. There are plenty of movie goers who disagree…
Engineer :
You’re not seriously arguing that the US should stay with those ancient units developed when (before?) the country was a British colony, are you?
No.
Oh, and why the facination with (the Hollywood favorite) Glock? The problem is that if the hijacker leans against the business end of the Glock (or if you push him with it) it won’t fire.
Me, I use a shotgun for home protection and suchlike. Saves you all that tiresome aiming business. I used Glock ’cause I love the sound of the word. “Glock.” Oh, and my South African wife favors them. Go figure.
Engineer:
I’ve even come accross the non-sensical term “kW/hr”!
I’d say that the measure “kW/hr” is not a non-sensical term, but I’d be willing to concede that in the rare instances it is used, it is likely misused by an ill-informed writer.
A proper use of such a unit would be in the following context:
“The turbine’s output increased from 1000 kW at the end of the first hour to 2000 kW at the end of the second hour, as the boiler finally warmed up. If things keep up in this manner, it will be putting out 3000 kW by the end of the third hour. Its rate of increase is 1000 kW/hr.”
Engineer:
The problem is that if the hijacker leans against the business end of the Glock (or if you push him with it) it won’t fire.
The fact is that any semi automatic pistol that uses a browning short recoil action (pretty much any one you’ll come across) will not fire if the barrel is pushed back enough. The barrel is actually “locked” to the slide and moves back slightly (with the recoil, hence the name)when fired. So yes, the gun has to be properly in battery or it won’t work, but that applies to all guns of that type.
That being said, I would NOT want to attempt to stop someone from shooting me by leaning on or pushing on the muzzle of the gun. Disclaimer: DO NOT TRY THIS. If you try to see if this works and you end up shooting yourself you’re an idiot, and I take no responsiblity.
And I prefer the SIG; much smoother.
In South Africa, we prefer to shoot the hijackers through the door of the vehicle, thereby avoiding the aforementioned problem.
Seriously though, give the bastard the car; that’s why we have insurance and most cars have “tracker” fitted anyway…
Finally, in Jhb the bastards will, with absolute impunity, shoot you for your vehicle, as the chances of being apprenhended subsequently are miniscule.
NBK,
You are right. In most cases, though, the term “kW/hr” is used the wrong way, as you acknowledged. Again, not too surprising coming from a piston head. But coming from an EPA big shot? Very disturbing!