What is it about toll plazas.....

ChrisHeathcote

ChrisHeathcote

Suspended / Banned
Messages
3,717
Name
Chris
Edit My Images
Yes
That turns us into racing drivers?

Now it me be just me, but there's something about toll plazas, that makes me feel like I'm on the starting line of a grand prix.

All the motorists sat there waiting for the barrier, up it goes and then that's it, everyone racing to get to where it funnels back to 3 lanes.

Does anyone else feel this way or is it just me trying to break up the monotony of 40000 miles a year :)
 
Last edited:
It's just you :)

I've got to that stage in life where getting to your destination is an achievement...
 
Don't worry, Chris. You'll grow up one day :D
 
ChrisHeathcote said:
That turns us into racing drivers?

Now it me be just me, but there's something about toll plazas, that makes me feel like I'm on the starting line of a grand prix.

All the motorists sat there waiting for the barrier, up it goes and then that's it, everyone racing to get to where it funnels back to 3 lanes.

Does anyone else feel this way or is it just me trying to break up the monotony of 40000 miles a year :)
Click to expand...


Confessions of a German car driver (y) LOL Its not just you! who gives into that need to get ahead feeling, many do! 40K A YEAR no wonder you try and amuse yourself must be one lonely part of your job.


I would like to know what is it about the approach to the toll some have, can they not pick a lane and stay with it? why do some have to change their mind several times on approach until they work out what lane is the shortest / faster moving or has the line of cars they feel at home with...lol Humans! so competitive when in a car.
 
This is quite true I see it often on the M6 toll.
The toll is like a pit stop where every split second counts otherwise you'll have lost your place in the line up afterwards.
 
ChrisHeathcote said:
That turns us into racing drivers?

Now it me be just me, but there's something about toll plazas, that makes me feel like I'm on the starting line of a grand prix.

All the motorists sat there waiting for the barrier, up it goes and then that's it, everyone racing to get to where it funnels back to 3 lanes.

Does anyone else feel this way or is it just me trying to break up the monotony of 40000 miles a year :)
Click to expand...

The Scottish Government did away with them so that drivers up here would never need to feel that way! :woot:
 
No it's not just you Chris, as I've done the same...that said at the moment I have to avoid them as my electric windows don't work :( makes for a lot of fun at tolls, car parks etc FFS
 
Half the fun over in France. I was a little spirited away from a toll booth in the TVR in france as myself and a porsche left at the same time.
Cue the Gendarmerie rushing up behind a little later, only all they wanted was for me to put my foot down and make the big noise again :D
 
Peter B said:
You have to be a certain age to get the old money references. It's like when the other half talks about things getting on her "thrupennies" and people not understanding. :rolleyes:
Click to expand...

Right ;)
 
ChrisHeathcote said:
Does anyone else feel this way or is it just me trying to break up the monotony of 40000 miles a year :)
Click to expand...
43000 for me this last year, and yes I love to "drag away" from the M6 toll booths, but in the 4x4 all I beat is the trucks and the odd plonker that stalls it as the barrier goes up :D
 
Byker28i said:
Half the fun over in France. I was a little spirited away from a toll booth in the TVR in france as myself and a porsche left at the same time.
Cue the Gendarmerie rushing up behind a little later, only all they wanted was for me to put my foot down and make the big noise again :D
Click to expand...

Not the first time thats been said of the rozzers in France! isn't that how they should be! :)
 
ChrisHeathcote said:
That turns us into racing drivers?

Now it me be just me, but there's something about toll plazas, that makes me feel like I'm on the starting line of a grand prix.

All the motorists sat there waiting for the barrier, up it goes and then that's it, everyone racing to get to where it funnels back to 3 lanes.

Does anyone else feel this way or is it just me trying to break up the monotony of 40000 miles a year :)
Click to expand...
Depends on whose paying for the tyres.............
 
kendo1 said:
Don't worry, Chris. You'll grow up one day :D
Click to expand...

boyfalldown said:
want to bet?
Click to expand...

TBF its not happened yet, and I can't see it happening anytime soon (not if I can help it anyway ;) )

drounding said:
This is quite true I see it often on the M6 toll.
The toll is like a pit stop where every split second counts otherwise you'll have lost your place in the line up afterwards.
Click to expand...

Cobra said:
43000 for me this last year, and yes I love to "drag away" from the M6 toll booths, but in the 4x4 all I beat is the trucks and the odd plonker that stalls it as the barrier goes up :D
Click to expand...

Strangely enough it was the M6 toll that inspired this thread. I have just travelled back the other way and this time there were 7 of us waiting for the barriers at the same time. It was like the first corner at the F1 by the time we reached the 3 lanes :D
 
LASTOLITE said:
You are NOT an A C Cobra then......

:coat: Yea Yeah I know........
Click to expand...

AC/DC, I've heard... :P

CBA with the drags away from lights etc. these days. Wastes too much fuel. Tunnels on the other hand get the lowest gear selected in advance and a footful of gas so the 'zorst howls (in Mrs Nod's car) or a wristful if on the Triumph. One of my favourite vehicle sound memories is an unsilenced 88" Shovelhead being given some shyack through the Hatfield tunnel...
 
Nod said:
AC/DC, I've heard... :p
Click to expand...
Nope can't play a single instrument :(
( although some may say I'm good on the fiddle :thumbs: )

Nod said:
unsilenced 88" Shovelhead being given some shyack through the Hatfield tunnel...
Click to expand...
Ah yes I can remember a group of us chasing through the Blackwall tunnel.
and mostly sans baffles :thumbs:
 
721cc per cylinder. (y) + :D

It's no wonder Harley riders grin - it helps keep some fillings in!
 
TBF it isn't my fuel or tyres for that matter. I balance it though by driving live a granny the rest of the time. I've always wanted a TVR Griff 500 for the noise they make. My dream car though would be a Shelby GT500, the classic not the new one. Can't beat american muscle for the noise :D
FF to 2:37

 
Last edited:
True, although the crackle of a classic Brit four or six cylinder sports car has something a big V doesn't. As does a sorted parallel twin.
 
Nod said:
although the crackle of a classic Brit four or six cylinder
Click to expand...
The neighbours were impressed by my home made side pipes on my V6 Essex Capri :thumbs:
( well at least I think that's what they were saying, but I couldn't quite hear them above the exhaust note :D )
 
I regularly go into Wales ove the M4 Bridge where the toll area is located.... you pay your fee or drive through on a TAG but the barriers 'pulse' their lifting.... still doesn't stop the 'Formula None' drivers from their racing start in order to get through the reducing lane numbers to the 2 lane section befor J23 (magor)....

Knob'eds one snd all. Seen too many close calls over the years.

Apparently, one day, the bridge will have been paid for and it will be toll free.... yeh right! PMSL at the chaotic future.
 
ChrisHeathcote said:
That turns us into racing drivers?

Now it me be just me, but there's something about toll plazas, that makes me feel like I'm on the starting line of a grand prix.

All the motorists sat there waiting for the barrier, up it goes and then that's it, everyone racing to get to where it funnels back to 3 lanes.

Does anyone else feel this way or is it just me trying to break up the monotony of 40000 miles a year :)
Click to expand...
Absolutelt. Launch control on and full blast. Measured 3.7 second to 62 on the old vbox. Love it.
 
Not just you, I always used to annoy my Mrs humming the Grand Prix theme tune while waiting for the barrier to go up followed by frantically glancing left and right to see if I was 'winning'
 
ChrisHeathcote said:
That turns us into racing drivers?
Now it me be just me, but there's something about toll plazas, that makes me feel like I'm on the starting line of a grand prix.
All the motorists sat there waiting for the barrier, up it goes and then that's it, everyone racing to get to where it funnels back to 3 lanes.
Click to expand...
Not everyone. It seems pointless and childish to me. Chill man! I frequently see people racing away from traffic lights, and I don't understand the mentality from a grown up. But I'm quite laid back when it comes to that sort of thing. Maybe I'm on the wrong drugs.
 
Last edited:
LASTOLITE said:
0 - 62 in 3.7 what car was that then?
Click to expand...
A slightly tweaked MK7 Golf R DSG :) basically a five door family hatchback. Two years old now, getting rid next week.
 
ianp5a said:
Not everyone. It seems pointless and childish to me. Chill man! I frequently see people racing away from traffic lights, and I don't understand the mentality from a grown up. But I'm quite laid back when it comes to that sort of thing. Maybe I'm on the wrong drugs.
Click to expand...
Nothing wrong with a little childish behaviour every now and again (as long as nobody gets hurt of course) :P
 
What's with people crawling for about 200 yards up to traffic lights?!?!?!? Often see this happening, with no regard for the queue behind them tailing back onto a roundabout or blocking another filter/junction. Do they think they're doing a rolling start for a race, or being environmentally friendly or something? Berks!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top