So, another Monday -- got let off work early as usual (for a Monday). I decided to go drive for a few minutes, on a empty (which turned out being not so empty), back/country road.
The basic layout of the road is half to a mile long straight, then a 90 degree turn (some banked, some not), and a few S-bends here and there. Makes for some great fun because you can hit high speeds on the straigths, and take some nice turns at the same time...
First few miles, I'm stuck behind a Ford Escort and a F150... Don't want to pass them and look like a ass because they are already going 30 over... So I wait, and they finally turn off. Few miles further is a nice right 85-90* turn... So far (after those 2 cars turned off), I didn't see one other. Good. I am steadily going about 85 (not really pushing yet - 2 lane road), as I approach this turn. The yellow, recommendation-sign reads 25 MPH. Keep in mind that this is also a blind turn, and you have no idea what is behind that giant land mass covering the view.
So, I step over into the left lane, brake... Don't know how much I slowed down, but I was still carrying enough speed to lose traction and do a semi-slide around it. Turn in, apex, BAM, perfect. As I exited on the left side (using the proper racing technique which could have killed me), I see a white Dodge Caravan minivan coming up, blazing the horn at me... At this point all thinking stops and I automatically swerve right (to avoid the van), and then back right to avoid the ditch on the other side. I missed the van by about a inch. My arms were still shaking on the next turn and I almost understeered off the road.
I guess I shouldn't go into the other lane...