[subieskier]

There's this stoplight with a two-into-one merge lane not far from my house with about 300 yards before the right lane runs out. As it is a busy intersection, opportunities are few, far-between, and short to engage other cars.

The only times I have matched up so far have been against a couple of riced-out Integras. A good launch took care of them.

But today in the right lane up pulled a newer Ford Windstar. The dude looked like a bodybuilder, plus the cropped hair and dark glasses. From the way he was staring at the light, I figured he was going to try to get ahead on the merge. So, for fun, I decided that if he tried, I'd blow by him, but would ease off in first just in case my impression was wrong.

Well, the light turned and he did go. Must of had a V-6 in that baby -- combined with my non-launch in first, it was actually pretty even for a couple of seconds, until I reached 3500 rpm. At this point I had to watch the road and tach for the next part of a second as the boost yanked me back in the seat for the brief interval it took to reach second. Before I hit 60 I looked back to see that two bus lengths separated us.

One of these days I will get my 1969 340 Barracuda running again. The WRX is fun, but there is no substitute for cubic inches!