This and That......About Racing

Race fuel, “Gentlemen, start your engines”, “Please rise for the National Anthem”, and colorful cars racing to a checkered flag are all things that make me love racing. It is a family affair that goes back multiple generations. My granddaddy races along with my dad. I have raced BMX and off-road motorcycles. My brother-in-law races quads and so does my nephew. It is in the family. Oh yeah, even though it is only one horsepower my daughter races around an arena jumping and then really makes me nervous and does it again with fixed objects on a cross country course. This passion is hard to explain to those that have never done it, experienced it, or even thought they might want to check it out.

Some of the things I hear from people range from “Why do you want to watch cars go around in circles?” to “Don’t you think it is a little dangerous for you/your kid?” to “It sure is expensive.” and this one is always a fan favorite, “It sure is loud.” Unless you have experienced going to races this is not a good argument. Stock cars are the only ones that go around in circles. Road racing occurs on closed courses with left and right corners. Also, many of the types of racing are cars that you have seen and may have even driven. Porsches, Mercedes, Corvette, Mazda, Ferrari, Cadillac, BMW, Ford, etc. I cannot argue that it is dangerous. There is loss of life and at times some very severe injuries. I have witnessed my granddaddy spin out in the tri-oval at Daytona. I watched a man die at West Palm when my dad was racing. I have seen a BMX racer perish and motocross racers perish. My daughter has seen horses die on the course while competing. I’ve had my own share of injuries. Separated shoulder while flipping over a starting gate, blown out ankles, massive contusions, and many more. Once mended it was right back to it. The people that claim it is expensive are correct. Anything that has engine or eats is going to cost money. Racing by nature is expensive. You cannot just go around the corner and participate. You must tow your vehicle to the track which, yes is not economical. Oh yeah, horses go in the trailers as well. Things get broken and should be repaired. The faster you go the more expensive it gets. The higher the level the more it costs. In the racing world, these are relative expenses and part of the cost of chasing trophies. Also, ask a parent today how much little league, travel ball, and tournament teams cost. Lastly, I cannot argue with the loud issue. It is loud and that is part of it. The sound is what creates the symphony. Whether it is a deep throaty V-8, a 2 Liter turbo, 3.5 EcoBoost, or a screaming V-12 the sounds become mesmerizing and help create identity.

Having been around this sport in different capacities I don’t really care if people like racing or not. This is something that is so engrained in my life I cannot imagine being involved in anything else. Over the years my family has gotten to go to so many places and experience so many things. I’ve watched races in Lime Rock Park in CT, Road America in WI, the Indy 500, the Coca-Cola 400 in Daytona, Martinsville in VA, Road Atlanta in GA, Sebring, Saint Augustine, the old USA Speedway in Lakeland, and even a race at Disney. I’ve been to Watkins Glen in NY, VIR in Virginia, Roebling Road in GA, Pocono Raceway in PA, and others that have slipped my mind. In my own racing, I’ve been to races in Vegas, IN, IL, NY, VT, NC, SC, GA, TN, AL, and yes, all over the state of Florida. From the everglades to the panhandle. Brianna has competed in horse heavens such as Ocala, west Georgia, and North Carolina at Tryon where they are holding worlds next year. If it wasn’t for these sports I doubt we would have had the opportunities to visit all of these places and experience the cultures each brings.

Racing is what our family is about. We do it and will continue to do it. Our passion to excel and control power is something that has been passed down over many years. As a dad, it is awe inspiring watching my daughter control her 1200-pound partner over a course of jumps, ditches, and water crossings. Her grace, determination, and skill are the same things that I appreciate when watching a driver manipulate their car around a course. Mastering a skill, no matter the sport, is truly a dedication of time. There will be so many sacrifices along the way that you might as well master something that drives you. Watching guys risk it for a moment of glory has been motivation for many years and will continue to be so for many more.