Here I am!

raystriker · 2nd September 2019, 21:18

Hello, fellow BHPians!

It's an honour to finally be a part of Team-bhp, after lurking on the forums for almost three years! I'm from Delhi, but I currently live in the USA, completing my undergraduate studies. I have been a car guy for as long as I can remember and living the past 3 years in the states has exponentially increased my knowledge and passion about cars.

I'm at the very cusp of applying for a job, and the closer I get to financial freedom, the giddier I feel about owning my own car!
I'm gonna do something different and share some random (potentially weird) thoughts about where my head's at, regarding cars.

I see cars as a necessity for freedom, but also as a privilege(and not a right) that has to be earned.
My ultimate dream car as of now, is my own take on a well known kit car (Ultima RS). My modifications would be extensive, but that's a tale for another time. The stock RS is super cool, nevertheless:

Unfortunately, there's no way to get that in India legally, even if you assemble it on your own, as Indian motor laws are woefully constricting and misguided (in my opinion).
Anyway, if I end up working in India, I'd undoubtedly go for a used VW Polo GTI or BMW E89 Z4. Why, you ask? Well, this:

Obviously, both of the above cars mentioned are race cars and built to completely different capabilities and standards to the road cars, but I like to think that I can get them as close to the race cars as possible and then some.

I get it, I get it. I'm coming off as a fanatical, immature person who thinks he's made of money (I'm not). Well, if I don't dream big in my early 20s, I don't know when else I should!

Anyway, you must have noticed that all of the above are very track-biased/motorsport cars- this is because I'm a huge motorsport fan and have a dream of becoming a club racer. It is my personal goal to learn everything possible about speed and car control. There is nothing more rewarding that perfectly attacking an apex or bettering an opponent in braking.
India does not have many good driving roads. One of my many plans is to identify great, challenging driving roads around the country that are as secluded/obscure as possible. Since we have a great array of mountains, I'd also like to identify some great hill-climb routes.
Which also comes to my views on driving on public roads. I always obey the rules and drive at/under the speed limit. The public road is no place to showoff your "skills". Yes you should drive skillfully, but not at the expense of the law or worse, someone else. I have many friends/mutual friends who think zigzagging around traffic in their father's sporty vehicle at 100 kmph or above is a testament to their skill and makes them a fast driver. In actuality it's probably the car's inherent capability or electronics saving their rear. And to them, I usually say to go to a track and prove themselves there.
This is a weird post isn't it? I don't know what else to say. Feel free to ask me anything below!

V.Narayan · 2nd September 2019, 23:03

Welcome to the fraternity. All the best with your posts and your threads and most importantly your career.

Rehaan · 3rd September 2019, 15:42

Welcome aboard raystriker!

Please do follow these guidelines for uploading pictures directly to our server.

That's a very passionate (and dreamy) introductory post

Have you considered participating in VW's Cup races?

Here's a few threads to pique your interest:

1 (My experience as a VW Polo Cup Racing Driver)

2 (My journey to the 2014 VW Polo R Cup)

3 (My victory at the Colombo Night Races (VW Polo Cup))

4 (My Experience - Racing in the 2011 VW Polo R Cup!)

5 (2019 Volkswagen Ameo Cup registrations open)

See you around!
R

2nd September 2019, 21:18	#1
raystriker BHPian Join Date: Aug 2019 Location: New Delhi Posts: 147 Thanked: 346 Times	Here I am! Hello, fellow BHPians! It's an honour to finally be a part of Team-bhp, after lurking on the forums for almost three years! I'm from Delhi, but I currently live in the USA, completing my undergraduate studies. I have been a car guy for as long as I can remember and living the past 3 years in the states has exponentially increased my knowledge and passion about cars. I'm at the very cusp of applying for a job, and the closer I get to financial freedom, the giddier I feel about owning my own car! I'm gonna do something different and share some random (potentially weird) thoughts about where my head's at, regarding cars. I see cars as a necessity for freedom, but also as a privilege(and not a right) that has to be earned. My ultimate dream car as of now, is my own take on a well known kit car (Ultima RS). My modifications would be extensive, but that's a tale for another time. The stock RS is super cool, nevertheless: Unfortunately, there's no way to get that in India legally, even if you assemble it on your own, as Indian motor laws are woefully constricting and misguided (in my opinion). Anyway, if I end up working in India, I'd undoubtedly go for a used VW Polo GTI or BMW E89 Z4. Why, you ask? Well, this: Obviously, both of the above cars mentioned are race cars and built to completely different capabilities and standards to the road cars, but I like to think that I can get them as close to the race cars as possible and then some. I get it, I get it. I'm coming off as a fanatical, immature person who thinks he's made of money (I'm not). Well, if I don't dream big in my early 20s, I don't know when else I should! Anyway, you must have noticed that all of the above are very track-biased/motorsport cars- this is because I'm a huge motorsport fan and have a dream of becoming a club racer. It is my personal goal to learn everything possible about speed and car control. There is nothing more rewarding that perfectly attacking an apex or bettering an opponent in braking. India does not have many good driving roads. One of my many plans is to identify great, challenging driving roads around the country that are as secluded/obscure as possible. Since we have a great array of mountains, I'd also like to identify some great hill-climb routes. Which also comes to my views on driving on public roads. I always obey the rules and drive at/under the speed limit. The public road is no place to showoff your "skills". Yes you should drive skillfully, but not at the expense of the law or worse, someone else. I have many friends/mutual friends who think zigzagging around traffic in their father's sporty vehicle at 100 kmph or above is a testament to their skill and makes them a fast driver. In actuality it's probably the car's inherent capability or electronics saving their rear. And to them, I usually say to go to a track and prove themselves there. This is a weird post isn't it? I don't know what else to say. Feel free to ask me anything below! Last edited by raystriker : 2nd September 2019 at 21:36.
	(6) Thanks

2nd September 2019, 23:03	#2
V.Narayan Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Delhi-NCR Posts: 4,180 Thanked: 68,038 Times	Re: Here I am! Welcome to the fraternity. All the best with your posts and your threads and most importantly your career.
	(1) Thanks

3rd September 2019, 15:42	#3
Rehaan Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Bombay Posts: 24,323 Thanked: 35,512 Times	Re: Here I am! Welcome aboard raystriker! Please do follow these guidelines for uploading pictures directly to our server. That's a very passionate (and dreamy) introductory post Have you considered participating in VW's Cup races? Here's a few threads to pique your interest: 1 (My experience as a VW Polo Cup Racing Driver) 2 (My journey to the 2014 VW Polo R Cup) 3 (My victory at the Colombo Night Races (VW Polo Cup)) 4 (My Experience - Racing in the 2011 VW Polo R Cup!) 5 (2019 Volkswagen Ameo Cup registrations open) See you around! R Last edited by Rehaan : 3rd September 2019 at 15:44.
	() Thanks