Ever wonder what is meant by a term such as "driving at 9/10ths?" A car magazine attempted to define it this way:

Birkett Dicing Analysis (somewhat modernized)

1/10th: Old Fart taking it easy.
2/10ths: Old Fart going somewhere.
3/10ths: Commercial Traveler concerned mainly with mpg between service intervals.
4/10ths: Most leisurely progression practiced by normal people.
5/10ths: Slowest form of Rally driving, when right on schedule.
6/10ths: Everyday motoring when running a bit late.
7/10ths: No risks taken and could maintain all day, but glad Old Fart is not in back seat.
8/10ths: Keen type taking Editor of a Car Magazine for a demonstration run (the main risk to his profession).
9/10ths: Racing driver doing his desperate best under a "faster" sign from his pit.
10/10ths: Dangerous motor bandit pursued by entire Highway Patrol in Ferraris. Inevitably results in an accident.

(From Motor Sport magazine, published in 1955)

 

I guess I may be considered as an "Old Fart" here(54). I enjoy a spirited drive; however, I don't enjoy a ticket or a defensive driving school class. I've had two trickets since 10/30/99 and have tried to not rise to the bait of teens in Civics and Preludes wanting to race.