The 06 Sonata in question:
Posted on 06/06/2006 1:35:33 PM PDT by Responsibility2nd
Some records are meant to be broken, but Scottsdale police aren’t happy with one that has been shattered by someone they described as “a very dangerous driver.”
The new speed record clocked last month by photo enforcement cameras along Loop 101 in Scottsdale — at 147 mph — is 16 mph more than the one set by an unknown motorcyclist on Feb. 14.
Lawrence Pargo, 26, of Goodyear was arrested by Scottsdale police at his home May 26 on suspicion of four counts of excessive speeding, reckless driving and endangerment, Scottsdale police Lt. Frank O’Halloran said.
Pargo was clocked and photographed in a silver Hyundai Sonata traveling at speeds ranging from 102 mph to 147 mph on four occasions between 5:47 and 6:20 a.m. May 21.
“He endangered the lives of others as well as himself,” O’Halloran said. “The car was beyond its capabilities, and he was beyond his capabilities of controlling it. The tires aren’t rated for 147 mph. They’re stock tires on a rental car. The car probably was shaking.”
The controversial speed enforcement program includes six cameras along a 7.8-mile stretch of Loop 101 between Scottsdale Road and Shea Boulevard. A proposed bill in the state Legislature that could ban speed cameras from state highways still is being discussed.
Arresting the worst offenders has been a top priority for the city as part of an effort to send a message to motorists along Loop 101 in Scottsdale, where drivers frequently exceed 100 mph.
Police also have arrested Darren Sucato, 27, of Scottsdale — who had paid four previous speeding violations — on suspicion of excessive speeding, reckless driving and endangerment, O’Halloran said. Sucato was clocked and photographed at 107 mph in his 2005 silver Pontiac Grand Prix at 11:02 p.m. May 23, according to O’Halloran.
The Hyundai that Pargo was driving was either leased or rented. It is owned by P.V. Holding in Virginia Beach, Va., O’Halloran said.
Pargo couldn’t be reached for comment.
Gauging by the e-mails sent from O’Halloran to other officers, Pargo’s arrest was a top priority.
“Please put your best guys on this one and let’s get him this week,” O’Halloran said in an e-mail to officer James Butera on May 22.
If convicted on all counts, Pargo could receive 12 points on his driver’s license — it takes eight points to get a license suspended — and he’ll be placed on a high-risk list among rental car agencies, O’Halloran said.
Tickets start at $157, but each of Pargo’s speeding tickets could cost $200 or more.
“There is no doubt that it is the same car and driver in all four incidents,” Bruce Kalin, the contract administrator for Scottsdale police who is overseeing the program, said in an e-mail.
There were 30,169 speeders clocked at 76 mph or more on Loop 101 during the warning phase of the photo enforcement program between Jan. 22 and Feb. 21. The number of speeders dipped nearly 30 percent the next month, when citations began.
However, in the last two months, the number of speeders has increased to nearly what it was during the warning phase, according to information from the city.
I might as well ask on this thread: a few years(?) ago, I saw a trailer for a film set in Prague (maybe) of a driver's view of a solo street "race." Anybody know what the title was?
A 100MPH tailwind??
Yeah, no kidding. or perhaps off of a Navy catapult.
It's ridiculous to believe that a stock Sonata does a buck-fifty.
You seem to have a lot more confidence in your own driving abilities and those of others than do I. Thanks,most likely,to a 20+ year stint working in a large hospital's Emergency Room,70 MPH is more than enough for me these days.
Thats cooking! :-)
The fastest I have ever had a car up to was 167.
Of course. Who the hell would do that to their own Hyundai? I am a bit surprise, though, that a Hyundai could break 100 mph without being dropped from an airplane.
well, yeah...but on that speedway with the banked turns, tell me it didnt fell like less?
That is faster than most small planes.
Still hard to believe.
I had a 1970 SS 454 and only hit 139 MPH.
If the guy is smart he'll plead not guilty. Let the department prove that the Hundai will go 147. Good luck with that.
Pardon? Where did I say I drove that fast on streets?
I just stated going that fast on non "Z" rated tires is foolish and extremely dangerous.
This rice rocket must have had a spoiler and mock air-scoops to go that fast!
The 06 Sonata in question:
There were 30,169 speeders clocked at 76 mph or more on Loop 101 during the warning phase of the photo enforcement program between Jan. 22 and Feb. 21. The number of speeders dipped nearly 30 percent the next month, when citations began.
However, in the last two months, the number of speeders has increased to nearly what it was during the warning phase, according to information from the city.
This is the new taxing revenue stream to fund the police department.
Very cool experience.
Fun, eh! I had the privilege of driving at 150 mph (240 kph) for an extended period of time in Germany years ago. Fun also, but I have to tell ya, that'd be suicide in our country. Over there drivers respect that and stay right. Here I can seem someone entering a 65 mph freeway doing 40 and moving across two lanes to settle in the left-most lane right in front of me. LOL
I have no idea what the actual speed limits are way out in the west on those long straight roads. But they should be 80, 90, or even 100 mph. Ya just gotta have tires for it.
Don't forget badges. 20HP for every badge you know. :-)
40 if it's a Ferrari badge. LOL!
Yep, it is. My fist thought when I saw the headline was, "Oh, a kid "slammed" a Sonata with nitrous, 14 psi boost, etc.," but when I saw it was a rental, I thought, "B.S."
It felt not that bad at all. You're right. There were 9 other cars on the track, however, which made it somewhat hectic. We had to go to "racing school" in the morning and then allowed to take 10 laps. The car didn't shimmy or shake at all and with the banking it's like you're on rails. Still, going 154 with no windows (race car) you definitely know you are moving.
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