[mitchntx]

I am cruising, putting easy miles on my new motor when the DPS trooper I meet hooks a U and lights me up. When I saw him, I knew it was gonna happen ... 2 lane hiway, no traffic ...

I immediately pull over, right tires just off the pavement in some weeds. Gonna make it tough if he wants to look at the exhaust.

He walks up and sees me sitting, hands on the wheel and seat belt still on.

<not exact words, but close enough>

He says,
DPS trooper, sir, do you know why I've pulled you over?

I respond,
Well, I wasn't speeding, no traffic to follow too close to, I know my lights all work because I just replaced a couple of lamps and I had my seat belt on. It must be the front plate that you didn't see.

Him,
Yes, you must display a license plate on the front and rear of the car.

Me,
It's up there, just really low. (I have it attached to the air dam)

He walks about 15' in front of the car and says,
It needs to be visible.

Me,
Standing, 15' in front of the car it isn't visible, I understand. But sitting in your car 50' in front of me, it's perfectly visible.

Him,
But I can't read it.

Me,
Really? You should be able to read 4" tall letters from 50', sir. And you also said visible, not legible.

Him,
I'm just gonna issue you a warning, no violation citation.

Me,
Thanks. I've read very closely that statute with an attorney and it is so loosely written, it can be interpretted many ways.

Him,
It sure can

Me,
And I realize driving a car like this, I'm a target. And anything questionable will give you an excuse to pull me over.

Him,
That is true.

Me,
So when you profiled the car, did you expect an old man to be driving it?

Him,
<silent>

Me,
<silent> (I figured I had pressed my luck far enough)

He asked me a few more qustions about where I was headed and why I needed a roll cage in the car ...

I took the warning, said be carefull and have a nice day and then drove away.

Oh well ... it was 3 minutes out of my life and maybe it will cause him to think a little next time. That makes 4 times in a year. Does anyone else keep a file of the warnings received?

Now, the funny thing is, as I was sitting there and the trooper running my 28/29, an Eclipse w/ the typical coffee can out back came by and revved me and the trooper. I snickered.

I laughed out loud when I saw the Eclipse pulled over about 3 miles down the road. It was hard, but I resisted a rev back at him ....

So, in the grand scheme of things, everything worked out just fine!
:gruffy:

[slowTA]

Some story... as long as you're not rude and make a few good points I guess you'll be ok.

This happened when I did my first motor build/swap. I pick up a friend just as it is getting dark out and at the first light from his house I give it a short stab at the gas. It was just enough to get the tail end to squat a bit and I get the motor up to maybe 2500 rpm. I wasn't even the first car in line so I couldn't go balls out!! About a minute later (after going through a circle) this little ricey thing blows past us. My friend asked what it was and I just gave my typical POS/rice/import answer as usual. I didn't really care what it was since I wasn't about to race anyone on the street, even if I did it would only be to the top of first gear. In a thirdgen it isn't all that fast anyway.

So we're sitting at another light (a ways down the road/over a hill/past a cemetary/through another light/down the next hill... from where this other car past us) and a cop pulls up next to me.

Remember we're at a red light, shouting from his car to mine and back... no lights or sirens.

(if I may borrow your format)
Cop,
You know the guy in that honda?

Me,
(completley shocked he knew it was a honda, I knew this cop worked with my uncle (cop wouldn't know who I was related to), and I knew I didn't do anything wrong... so I decided not to be as nice as usual)
Who?

Cop,
That guy you were racing with.

Me,
You can't be serious!!

Cop,
I am serious!! You don't think I should give you a 12 point ticket for racing?

Me,
(IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif) I have no idea what you are talking about!

Cop,
Asks where I'm from, where in that city, where I'm going, yada yada, be more careful, slow down, I'll keep my eye open for you. (By this time I'm thinking he's going to loose his voice soon!)

Me,
I answered everything breifly, with one of those 'go away and leave me alone attitudes'

Light turns green and I make my turn... I look at my friend and say 'so I guess it was some kind of honda!'