Motorsports terminology and trivia

[KRJ]

I think most people know what  a 'high side' or "chicken strip" is referring to,but some might not.Thought it might be fun to have some old and new saying's explained or defined..Most of us have used or heard the phrase"I was running Balls Out",I discovered this came from early steam engines centrifugal governors, they had round weights or balls that spun a valve mechanism,that would regulate engine speed, the faster they spun , the further the balls swung out.At maximum speed they were "Balls Out".  I thought this was interesting info. okay Who's next ??

[Scottish]

K, not a motorsports term but "toe the line" was originally used in boxing jargon. At the beginning of a round the fighter was expected to touch his toe to a line in the center of the mat to indicate his ability and will to continue. Thus "Toe the line" is used to indicate a persons ability to keep up their part. I think most people think it is "tow the line" and probably having something to do with towing.


But on motorsports terms.... does anybody know how to spell "shickane"<sp> (obviously) and the original meaning... sounds french. I know what it is I'm just curious about the origin.

[KRJ]

I'm not sure WDB,I think it's spelled "chicane", and I haven't found any origin yet..

[Smitch]

I think most people know what  a 'high side' or "chicken strip" is referring to,but some might not.Thought it might be fun to have some old and new saying's explained or defined..Most of us have used or heard the phrase"I was running Balls Out",I discovered this came from early steam engines centrifugal governors, they had round weights or balls that spun a valve mechanism,that would regulate engine speed, the faster they spun , the further the balls swung out.At maximum speed they were "Balls Out".  I thought this was interesting info. okay Who's next ??

Similar, yet different, is the phrase "balls to the wall".  On the History Channel's "Dogfights", this was explained as having the plane's stick pinned to the firewall in a diving maneuver.  So there, ya immature punks, not everything means what you think it does!

[KRJ]

Okay, so who want's to define a "squid" or "squidly behavior".I'm quite sure of the referance, but not the origin, maybe someone could explain both.   WDB, did you find any info on " chicane" ? if not origin, at least definition so others may know..

[Scottish]

squirrelly+kid=squ-id

[Smitch]

poser+helmet mohawk * stunting/straight line riding=Squid