Mike in Chi

Got an e-mail ad blast from the Skippy organization (raced with them for a few years when I was starting out).

It led with a quote by Richard Childress:

"Once you've raced, you never forget it... and you never get over it."

Got me thinking, instead of doing all the things I should be doing this morning.

Racing does change things.

Once I went to all the pro races at Road America, and spectated at various SCCA events. Now it's difficult to spectate, cause it just makes me want to be out there so bad. So I rarely go to the track anymore, unless I'm racing.

I used to do a good number of DE days, now I save the hours on the engine for the race weekends and the occasional lead-in T&T day.

Besides, racing is the track experience raised exponentially... the old soloing vs aerial combat analogy. No knock whatsoever on DEs, racing is just a different kind of adrenaline fix. I'm always amazed at the instinctive hyper-speed with which my mind works for those 30 or 90 minutes. So much more is happening. So many more decisions to make, consciously or unconsciously. The complete alpha state for the brain.

The anticipation starts weeks ahead of the actually event. Like wired little kids on December 11th, waiting. Which of course gives birth to so many RL Trash Talk threads.

I love coming to trust guys on the track, and know that they know I'm there, and that we will wail on each other into a corner, but we will both make it out. The only question unresolved is who will be the first one out.

When you are introduced to someone away from the track, and somehow find out they are also a racer, there is an instant bond. Within moments you are laughing and sharing bench racing stories. I imagine that is what "Brothers in Arms" is like for ex-military.

As I am currently on the Senior Tour, I know one of these years I gotta quit, and start living the last part of Childress' quote. I think that will be very difficult.
__________________

Veloce Raptor

+1....

paradisenb

If I had not started racing I would have sold my car. Once I started racing the enthusiasm returned, in spades. I think I have done only 1 DE in the last 2½ years plus T&T days. The DE was a couple of weeks ago to shake down some changes to my car and regain my driving rhythm after being off track for 2 months. I may choose to use DE/track days more often to maintain the flow between races and use a driving coach (not at PCA DEs because they don't allow the coach to lay down benchmark laps/data). I wish I could race once a month or every 6 weeks, but that is just not doable on so many levels.

993PET

You hit the nail on the head! So what's the entry age for the senior tour? I presume just turning 50 I'm close. However in the distant future :-) when I can't push a clutch peddle anymore, I'll move into a race car with a Flappy Paddle Gearbox, just like the F1 guys.

Phokaioglaukos

Try a DE as an instructor only. Last weekend was a great deal of fun, and I drove with some very good, advanced drivers too. Nice to give back to the club that helped you get started.

f1rocks

Since moving to the "south," my race season has been shifted and expanded. Which is good because I get my kids during the summer and those races are verboten. Some of my best friendships are with fellow PCA racers and I enjoy getting together every 2 months on and off the track. Every race weekend is an opportunity to meet more. (Like meeting Big Turtle Mike in line at Watkins Glen this year)

I pitted next to a 356 racer a few years ago who was peddling the car pretty well. He told me at the end of the weekend that "he was turning 80 next week." I hugged him and told him he was my hero. That means I have at least 33 more seasons....well I hope.

MarkM

My boss is going to fire me or block Rennlist.com, because I cannot concentrate for the 2 weeks before a race, or for two weeks after, or the two weeks in between...

Mike in Chi

Well the gubermint says you have to be 62 to get a Senior Pass to the National Parks. But 55 is usually a demographic break for marketers. I'm thinking the age to qualify should be 2 or 3 years older than the PCA fast guys in their earlier fifties.


Hmmm... maybe we could get AARP to sponsor the Senior Tour. And Viagra or Cialis to put up awards money. This could be big (so to speak...)

Chris I used to instruct when I was in the Chicago area, and enjoyed it. Instructed at Blackhawk, Autobahn and Elkhart. The nearest track to me now is Miller Motorsports Park on the edge of the Great Salt Desert (10 minutes by land speed record vehicle from the Bonneville Salt Flats) Gets to be a challenge from NW Wyoming. But definitely something to go back to eventually.

Great meeting you as well, Brent. Wow -- 80! Wonderful story. The previous oldest racer I knew was John Bonnet who hung it up at 75 a few years ago (and he was still very quick in a GT4S car). I don't think the money will hold out that long for me, unless you can buy Hoosiers with food stamps.

Mark

Easy solution. Take your boss to a DE and let he or she drive your car as a novice. A couple of weekends and the boss will be hooked, and spending all day on Rennlist with you. Of course this means you won't be able to get away from your boss on weekends either, but which is the bigger problem?

MarkM

Mike, I already had that planned. He is an Audi S4 guy, so it wasn't that hard to convince him.

Gofishracing

Like I've been Joking. We saw a window sticker- "Senior Member Racing- Every lap is like a new track" Everyday you get to drive a new car !!! LOL Oh- And I forgot !! The older I get the faster I was. !!

Mike in Chi

Love it!



What were we talking about???

John H

I didn't know Skippy was around in the horse and buggy days. Bring back any memories...

Mike in Chi

One horsepower. Yeehar!

And every time I'd look at the back of the power unit, John, I'd think of you.

John H

Good one! I should know better than to mess with a pro. Have a great weekend!

Mike in Chi

An OLD pro!



You have a good one too, buddy