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During these interminable COVID-19 mandated stay-at-home days, there is nothing as entertaining as a car chase. They undoubtedly had their origin in Southern California, home to a vast network of freeways, but now they are popular throughout the nation. Basically all that's needed is a desperate suspect, a tag-team of multiple law enforcement agencies and an armada of TV helicopters overhead equipped with the latest HD camera equipment that can display the ground-speed of the fleeing vehicle. It also helps if the helicopter reporter has a background in sports play-by-play announcing and/or a racing background.
I've noticed during these car chase broadcasts that once the suspect vehicle reaches a magical triple-digit speed of 100-mph, a helicopter reporter's palpable excitement increases. His vocal pitch rises as-if he were witnessing an automotive feat worthy of the Bonneville salt flats. In SoCal on KABC they have even called upon auto expert Dave Kunz to fill the viewer in on specifications and performance of the suspect's vehicle, adding more fuel to the suspicion these car chases are as-much entertainment as law enforcement.
But there is nothing that warms the cockles of my heart more than a bad guy attempting to evade justice armed with an econobox. I once saw a car chase in-which the pursuit suspect was driving a 1972 VW Super Beetle, one who's speed gradually deteriorated as he tried to ascend a steep incline on California's Interstate 15 in Cajon Pass. At some point when he reached approximately 50-mph, other vehicles in adjacent lanes began passing the poor slob who had down-shifted simply to maintain forward progress. That has to hurt one's ego.
Ford announces its fastest and most efficient Police Interceptors ever - Roadshow
Yesterday in Florida there was a lengthy car chase from Gainesville to Tampa. The suspect also had his small child in the car-- something that should add additional concern under normal circumstances-- but to the play-by-play reporters overhead, the most newsworthy aspect of this chase was his ability to achieve 120-mph using a 2007 Pontiac G5 coupe with a 2.4 liter 4-banger that tops-out at 173-horspower. Over at Daytona International Speedway 120-mph is reached moments after leaving pit row, but this was quite a feat considering he was in a 13-year-old discontinued General Motors subcompact. Unfortunately law enforcement were driving brand new Ford Interceptors.
Toddler rescued after Amber Alert search ends in crash on I-4; suspect in in custody after stand-off with police
I've noticed during these car chase broadcasts that once the suspect vehicle reaches a magical triple-digit speed of 100-mph, a helicopter reporter's palpable excitement increases. His vocal pitch rises as-if he were witnessing an automotive feat worthy of the Bonneville salt flats. In SoCal on KABC they have even called upon auto expert Dave Kunz to fill the viewer in on specifications and performance of the suspect's vehicle, adding more fuel to the suspicion these car chases are as-much entertainment as law enforcement.
But there is nothing that warms the cockles of my heart more than a bad guy attempting to evade justice armed with an econobox. I once saw a car chase in-which the pursuit suspect was driving a 1972 VW Super Beetle, one who's speed gradually deteriorated as he tried to ascend a steep incline on California's Interstate 15 in Cajon Pass. At some point when he reached approximately 50-mph, other vehicles in adjacent lanes began passing the poor slob who had down-shifted simply to maintain forward progress. That has to hurt one's ego.
Ford announces its fastest and most efficient Police Interceptors ever - Roadshow
Yesterday in Florida there was a lengthy car chase from Gainesville to Tampa. The suspect also had his small child in the car-- something that should add additional concern under normal circumstances-- but to the play-by-play reporters overhead, the most newsworthy aspect of this chase was his ability to achieve 120-mph using a 2007 Pontiac G5 coupe with a 2.4 liter 4-banger that tops-out at 173-horspower. Over at Daytona International Speedway 120-mph is reached moments after leaving pit row, but this was quite a feat considering he was in a 13-year-old discontinued General Motors subcompact. Unfortunately law enforcement were driving brand new Ford Interceptors.
Toddler rescued after Amber Alert search ends in crash on I-4; suspect in in custody after stand-off with police