Spoiler up = "I'm speeding"
#16
07-13-2011, 11:49 AM
A fellow Porsche owner told me a funny story a few years back that should summarize the police departments knowledge of Porsches....
After a big Porsche meet, a few of the TT guys decided to have a spirited run on a local highway. 2 of the guys decide to do a quick highway race for the hell of it. Well, right before they let off, they fly by a state trooper who was hiding on the shoulder. Since they were doing well over 100+ mph, they decide to hammer the throttle, book it for the next highway exit, and hide out till they feel its safe to head home. They pull off, drive around for 15 min or so, and sense they got lucky. They head to a local gas station to calm their nerves, get some drinks, and head home.
Not even 5 minutes after parking at the gas station, a bunch of police cruisers fly on the them. Im talking 5+ cruisers, skidding to a stop, acting like they just responded to a bank robbery. Soon after a state trooper pulls up, and identifies the 2 cars as the Porsches he saw racing. Immediately the two Porsche drivers deny all the allegations, but the cop isnt buying it for one second. The drivers are sensing they are completely screwed at this point, but are relentless with their story, saying they have been waiting for friends from the local meet.
The State Trooper decides to end the argument once and for all, and starts walking towards the two Porsches. The drivers have no idea whats going on, but just sit and watch the trooper, hoping for a miracle at this point. The officer then proceeds to feel around the hood on both cars, then lets out a big sigh. As he starts to walk back, the drivers are basically pissing their pants, knowing there probably going to jail. The State Trooper then walks up, looks toward the rest of the officers and says, "Lets go boys. Its not them. There hoods are still cold...."
I love this story....
After a big Porsche meet, a few of the TT guys decided to have a spirited run on a local highway. 2 of the guys decide to do a quick highway race for the hell of it. Well, right before they let off, they fly by a state trooper who was hiding on the shoulder. Since they were doing well over 100+ mph, they decide to hammer the throttle, book it for the next highway exit, and hide out till they feel its safe to head home. They pull off, drive around for 15 min or so, and sense they got lucky. They head to a local gas station to calm their nerves, get some drinks, and head home.
Not even 5 minutes after parking at the gas station, a bunch of police cruisers fly on the them. Im talking 5+ cruisers, skidding to a stop, acting like they just responded to a bank robbery. Soon after a state trooper pulls up, and identifies the 2 cars as the Porsches he saw racing. Immediately the two Porsche drivers deny all the allegations, but the cop isnt buying it for one second. The drivers are sensing they are completely screwed at this point, but are relentless with their story, saying they have been waiting for friends from the local meet.
The State Trooper decides to end the argument once and for all, and starts walking towards the two Porsches. The drivers have no idea whats going on, but just sit and watch the trooper, hoping for a miracle at this point. The officer then proceeds to feel around the hood on both cars, then lets out a big sigh. As he starts to walk back, the drivers are basically pissing their pants, knowing there probably going to jail. The State Trooper then walks up, looks toward the rest of the officers and says, "Lets go boys. Its not them. There hoods are still cold...."
I love this story....
Oh my . . . That is too funny!!!!!!!
#17
07-13-2011, 12:22 PM
i can see the courtroom now...
P-car owner: "if i may, your honor...offffficer smith, do you REALize, sir, that there are myriad conditions and speeds that could cause my spoiler to be deployed? do you??? what perverted sense of law enforcement would prompt you to automatically assume i was doing over 75mph, huh officer smith???"
officer: "i have you on radar."
owner: D'OH!!!
P-car owner: "if i may, your honor...offffficer smith, do you REALize, sir, that there are myriad conditions and speeds that could cause my spoiler to be deployed? do you??? what perverted sense of law enforcement would prompt you to automatically assume i was doing over 75mph, huh officer smith???"
officer: "i have you on radar."
owner: D'OH!!!
#18
07-13-2011, 01:44 PM
Irrelevant.
The spoiler position isn't going to be acceptable proof of an infraction.
They have to clock you actually doing a speed live for it to be a violation.
#19
07-13-2011, 01:50 PM
Below 122 degrees, it extends at 75mph and retracts at 37mph.
Above 140 degrees, it extends at 50mph and retracts at 19mph.
How many cops carry a laser pyrometer?
#20
07-13-2011, 02:12 PM
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: CA
Posts: 453
Rep Power: 69 
Alright, well, just curious. It looks like I'm not the only one who has thought about it. The point is that no, an extended spoiler isn't absolute proof that you were speeding, but I would guess that seeing it might be enough to attract the attention of Ponch and Jon to the extent that they might then want to pace you or use a radar/laser. Or maybe not.
Last edited by gasongasoff; 07-13-2011 at 03:27 PM.
#21
07-13-2011, 02:52 PM
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Vancouver, Canada
Age: 67
Posts: 77
Rep Power: 23
As Minok has correctly implied, there are a specific set of guidelines troopers and police officers use to issue citations for violations as required by the statutes in each state. The use of a vehicle's air foil or spoiler isn't one of them.
#23
07-13-2011, 03:58 PM
Is everyone using a radar/laser detector? I got an Escort Passport 9500ix a few weeks ago, and it seems to help, but I realize that it can't always save you. Still need to pay attention to what's going on around you, including being paced from behind, "instant on" from police in hidden areas, decoy police cars, etc.
#24
07-13-2011, 05:08 PM
Haha!!!!! Good one.
Alright, well, just curious. It looks like I'm not the only one who has thought about it. The point is that no, an extended spoiler isn't absolute proof that you were speeding, but I would guess that seeing it might be enough to attract the attention of Ponch and Jon to the extent that they might then want to pace you or use a radar/laser. Or maybe not.
Alright, well, just curious. It looks like I'm not the only one who has thought about it. The point is that no, an extended spoiler isn't absolute proof that you were speeding, but I would guess that seeing it might be enough to attract the attention of Ponch and Jon to the extent that they might then want to pace you or use a radar/laser. Or maybe not.
#25
07-13-2011, 05:17 PM
This just completed my day.....awesome!
A fellow Porsche owner told me a funny story a few years back that should summarize the police departments knowledge of Porsches....
After a big Porsche meet, a few of the TT guys decided to have a spirited run on a local highway. 2 of the guys decide to do a quick highway race for the hell of it. Well, right before they let off, they fly by a state trooper who was hiding on the shoulder. Since they were doing well over 100+ mph, they decide to hammer the throttle, book it for the next highway exit, and hide out till they feel its safe to head home. They pull off, drive around for 15 min or so, and sense they got lucky. They head to a local gas station to calm their nerves, get some drinks, and head home.
Not even 5 minutes after parking at the gas station, a bunch of police cruisers fly on the them. Im talking 5+ cruisers, skidding to a stop, acting like they just responded to a bank robbery. Soon after a state trooper pulls up, and identifies the 2 cars as the Porsches he saw racing. Immediately the two Porsche drivers deny all the allegations, but the cop isnt buying it for one second. The drivers are sensing they are completely screwed at this point, but are relentless with their story, saying they have been waiting for friends from the local meet.
The State Trooper decides to end the argument once and for all, and starts walking towards the two Porsches. The drivers have no idea whats going on, but just sit and watch the trooper, hoping for a miracle at this point. The officer then proceeds to feel around the hood on both cars, then lets out a big sigh. As he starts to walk back, the drivers are basically pissing their pants, knowing there probably going to jail. The State Trooper then walks up, looks toward the rest of the officers and says, "Lets go boys. Its not them. There hoods are still cold...."
I love this story....
After a big Porsche meet, a few of the TT guys decided to have a spirited run on a local highway. 2 of the guys decide to do a quick highway race for the hell of it. Well, right before they let off, they fly by a state trooper who was hiding on the shoulder. Since they were doing well over 100+ mph, they decide to hammer the throttle, book it for the next highway exit, and hide out till they feel its safe to head home. They pull off, drive around for 15 min or so, and sense they got lucky. They head to a local gas station to calm their nerves, get some drinks, and head home.
Not even 5 minutes after parking at the gas station, a bunch of police cruisers fly on the them. Im talking 5+ cruisers, skidding to a stop, acting like they just responded to a bank robbery. Soon after a state trooper pulls up, and identifies the 2 cars as the Porsches he saw racing. Immediately the two Porsche drivers deny all the allegations, but the cop isnt buying it for one second. The drivers are sensing they are completely screwed at this point, but are relentless with their story, saying they have been waiting for friends from the local meet.
The State Trooper decides to end the argument once and for all, and starts walking towards the two Porsches. The drivers have no idea whats going on, but just sit and watch the trooper, hoping for a miracle at this point. The officer then proceeds to feel around the hood on both cars, then lets out a big sigh. As he starts to walk back, the drivers are basically pissing their pants, knowing there probably going to jail. The State Trooper then walks up, looks toward the rest of the officers and says, "Lets go boys. Its not them. There hoods are still cold...."
I love this story....
#26
07-13-2011, 06:36 PM
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Long Island, New York
Posts: 1,230
Rep Power: 76 Is everyone using a radar/laser detector? I got an Escort Passport 9500ix a few weeks ago, and it seems to help, but I realize that it can't always save you. Still need to pay attention to what's going on around you, including being paced from behind, "instant on" from police in hidden areas, decoy police cars, etc.
Most importantly, leave the real high speed stuff for the track.
#27
07-13-2011, 06:56 PM
Former CHP officer here. The vast majority of CHP officers aren't car guys and have no idea the spoiler raises at all. The fact the spoiler is raised won't give anyone of them a clue. Besides, they'd have to pace you or get you on radar.
Last edited by Onetime; 07-13-2011 at 06:58 PM.
#28
07-13-2011, 07:56 PM
I'd be interested in your opinion on people speeding. Assuming that some leeway to exceed speed limits is allowed, where do you generally draw the line as far as pulling people over and giving tickets?
you just can't be too careful.
#30
07-13-2011, 09:34 PM
I spent 6 years as a CHP officer but left years ago. But to answer your question, I felt that writing speeding tickets was a waste of time. You're standing on the side of the freeway writing some poor soul for 75 mph or so while dozens of people are driving by at 80+. What's the point? If the motorist wasn't driving reckless or tailgating or drunk, I hating pulling then over. I 'd pull them over for speed and then cite only for a seatbelt violation because I completely believe in wearing sealbelts. If it was late at night or early in the morning I'd wait for those doing at least 80.