Hi my name is Peter Robinson, the so-called “Serial Speedster” who was profiled in Monday’s Times Union.
It is amazing to me, how many inaccurate twists and turns that story took. I was given the impression that the focus of the article would be about how I’ve worked to transform my truck from an everyday vehicle to a racing machine capable of setting the World Speed Record. Instead, the journalist decided to focus on my past, and because of his exaggeration, I have been made out to be a dangerous driver.
There has been a violent reaction to the article, and I would like the opportunity to set the record straight.
First of all, Filkins mentions that I’ve had “more than 20 speeding tickets.” True, I have more than my fair share of tickets. When Filkins asked me, "How many tickets have you had," I answered 15, maybe 20 in a sarcastic, joking manner, not wishing to talk about my driving history, but to bring the focus back to the subject at hand. In fact, a look at my DMV record shows that I have a total of seven tickets in the past five years, only three of which were speeding tickets.
We DID NOT go 160 mph or drive recklessly in the rain. The journalist asked me to go for a ride and show him the results of my labor. As we got on the highway I pushed the accelerator for 5 seconds or so, and we reached a POSSIBLE 85mph, then slowed down because we were coming up on traffic. I guess he forgot to take into consideration that my smaller "race" tires are in fact MUCH smaller than the stock 31" tire, causing my speedometer to read somewhere around 85mph when keeping up with traffic in a 55 zone. I use smaller tires for more torque and better launch times where I race in a controlled environment at Lebanon Valley Dragway. Therefore, any estimate of the truck’s speed is based on a calculation of RPMs, gear ratios and a number of other factors. Not only is Mr. Filkins not qualified to make the claim that we rode at such extreme speeds, but he is erroneous in doing so.
Then we got off the exit and as we turned around to come back, it started to rain... so badly that all of the highway traffic was doing about 40 (myself included) and I was hydroplaning because of the slicks (“slipping” as he said in the article). Mr. Filkins made it sound like all I do is speed and made it seem like I don’t care about anyone else on the road, which in fact is not true.
Just the other day, I was passed by a minivan that was cruising on the bumper of the car in front of it. The van was packed with kids, and a woman, who I assume was the mother, was driving. The car was loaded with smoke, since all the windows were up, and not only was she smoking with the windows up, she was on her cell phone. I couldn't do anything but shake my head. As she drove away I noticed that the 2 passenger side tires were severely under inflated which aggravated me even more. Underinflated tires lead to blowouts and blowouts lead to rollover accidents. I tried to pull up next to her to inform her but the traffic was too congested.
I just want to see how fast my truck can truly go and in order to SAFELY do so IN A CONTROLED Environment.
In order to do that I have to spend thousands of dollars on safety equipment. I am required among other things to have...
a certified safety cage (incase of a roll over)
fire extinguisher system
fire suit, gloves and shoes
racing seat
racing harness
helmet
parachute
racing tires
racing wheels
change the center of gravity of the truck by lowering it
Many of us love cars and love to talk about cars with the latest and greatest modifications. I just happen to have a truck and a bad journalist. Thank you for your fairness and willingness to listen to my side of the story
Topic: Times Union.. Worst Story EVER@! <-READ! IT!! (Read 2772 times)