I sped past the Camry to catch up to the S15 only to have an SS draft me and sling past all of us with a deep roar none of us could match. I couldn’t shake the Camry. One corner, two, and then three. The S15 clamped his brakes early and we passed him in a rush. I was briefly distracted and the Camry took advantage taking me on the left. He sped off after the SS. In my rear view mirror the S15 got bigger and bigger and then disappeared only to appear in my right side mirror. Now in my peripheral vision. Now past me and pulling away. Up ahead a sharp right slowed them down enough for me to catch up. The light MX5 carried me further into the corner before I had to slow down. I accelerated past the S15 and was side by side with the Camry when all of a sudden we had to stop. Damn red lights.
Not a scene out of any fast or furious movie. Not a track day, nor an exhibition race. Just some random drivers playing off each other on public roads. It takes one driver to speed up a bit. Another plays off him and follows. Next thing you know a third has latched on with a fourth not far behind and they become a subconsciously driven mob. They overtake each other without need and speed past other cars. Swerving in and out of lanes pushing each other. Fanning out to take all 3 lanes at a set of lights. Vying for the best lane and always looking for the faster flowing lane.
There’s a certain peer pressure that takes over in these situations and all drivers are lulled into a false sense of safety. They each know they’re breaking the law even if the speeds aren’t high. If a police officer sees them there’s a 3 in 4 chance they won’t be the one caught. Pretty good odds for a few minutes of play. One peels off to visit his grandma for dinner. Another soon pulls over to return his DVD’s and the last two lose each other in the traffic. It’s all over. Back to 60.