View Poll Results: The reason I race
I only race if i can have a good chance of winning
1
1.43%
If i cant win or podium a race i would rather just do time trial
0
0%
I love the competition at any and all levels
39
55.71%
I dont need to win to have fun
27
38.57%
I need to win, but if i dont, its ok ill find out how to be faster and come back and compete again
19
27.14%
I love the social aspect of racing
29
41.43%
I love going fast around other cars all running at or near their limits
24
34.29%
I love pushing myself and the car to it's limits
35
50.00%
I love the chess-like strategy of racing
27
38.57%
If i cant win, Iwould never want to spend the money and time to race and be mid pack
1
1.43%
Multiple Choice Poll. Voters: 70. You may not vote on this poll
WHY DO YOU RACE? - A Pole and Discussion
#31
Addict
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
I want to push myself to areas where I didn't think it was possible. For example, if you know you've got a good chance of winning, I set goals for myself for time differences between me and my next competitor in class and then to see how fast I am as compared to the next fastest class up.
In NASA, I raced against a former national champion go karter and when he jumped to cars he became a 3 time national champion. He was old enough to be my son and I knew I would have a hard time beating him (I never told myself that I couldn't, only that it would be difficult). I beat him 3 times the most memorable was when it was near the end of the season and he would win the regional championship with a win. The memory I have of this race is uncanny, he outqualfied me in dry conditions, but the race brought rain with some drying and then rain gain. We were both on rain tires but I was able to pass him where he wasn't expecting me to. He passed me back on that same lap and I passed him back on the same corner later in the lap and then started to pull away -- until a full course caution came out... he pulled up right to my bumper and conditions were drying until they towed a car our of the mud and we were back to green. I didn't pull away like before and had to defend until it started to rain again and pulled away for an easy victory. I'll never forget that day. -- The other 2 wins he DNF'ed but who cares??!! LOL
My other "push like mad" memory was when I partnered with another buddy in slower cars for an enduro against cup cars. We had a smaller handicap time than the cup cars, but my stint behind the wheel had to be qualifying laps -- each and every one of them. We ended up winning by less than a minute. Accomplishment when pushing myself to extremes is my answer.
In NASA, I raced against a former national champion go karter and when he jumped to cars he became a 3 time national champion. He was old enough to be my son and I knew I would have a hard time beating him (I never told myself that I couldn't, only that it would be difficult). I beat him 3 times the most memorable was when it was near the end of the season and he would win the regional championship with a win. The memory I have of this race is uncanny, he outqualfied me in dry conditions, but the race brought rain with some drying and then rain gain. We were both on rain tires but I was able to pass him where he wasn't expecting me to. He passed me back on that same lap and I passed him back on the same corner later in the lap and then started to pull away -- until a full course caution came out... he pulled up right to my bumper and conditions were drying until they towed a car our of the mud and we were back to green. I didn't pull away like before and had to defend until it started to rain again and pulled away for an easy victory. I'll never forget that day. -- The other 2 wins he DNF'ed but who cares??!! LOL
My other "push like mad" memory was when I partnered with another buddy in slower cars for an enduro against cup cars. We had a smaller handicap time than the cup cars, but my stint behind the wheel had to be qualifying laps -- each and every one of them. We ended up winning by less than a minute. Accomplishment when pushing myself to extremes is my answer.
#32
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
I think when you get get one of these, i think its time to start your racing career... this was earned by hard work, sacrifice and money and launched Tony Gaples racing career. If you dont know, Tony's car has been in all the speed GT world challenge races, always finishing in the near top 10 , but never winning... not even once.. millions spent . so i wonder why he still races. probably because he loves racing for all the right reasons, and he has has done great things, not only in his own races, but forming a team and allowing others to enjoy and succeed in the sport.
if this is what you live for and need as validation as a racer, better stick to regional slot car racing events!
if this is what you live for and need as validation as a racer, better stick to regional slot car racing events!