Local Racing
Posted: Mon Jul 23, 2018 6:25 am
I headed out Sunday morning to the local race track to watch some racing. What kind of racing, you might ask? Ah, maybe you won't ask at all.
My friend Steve, a member here, told us a couple of weeks ago, he went drag racing, and that he happened to win one of the two classes that he ran in. I went to see him do his new thing. I had never been to Castrol raceway, and that's where he was headed.
I arrived at the track and informed the gate that I was here as part of the #350 team. I went in, tagged and found the crew. The crew, was an ex coworker, tech inspector for the organization, my old boss, not to be confused with "old" boss, the race director for the organization, and Steve. Not only did I meet up with these guys, but I also knew 4 or 5 other racers, met up with another crew member from another team, who I went to school with through the winter...and another forum member, Reg, appeared shortly after texting me to find out if I was planning on going to the races. I told him that I was already here.
I have not been to the drag races for about 45 years. I used to go watch the funny cars when I was 10 and under. I was back, to watch, and I knew half a dozen guys running. Plus the significant others of a couple of these guys who were there. Holy crap, what a social event. Well, Steve raced, so did Cay and Rob, another Steve we know. Greg tried to run but broke down on the line, and my ex boss Don made a pass on his stretched triple. There were a couple of rain delays, but overall a great day. Reg and I had a good time watching and visiting. There were a couple of trips to the concession, because, I like to eat. During the rain delays, Reg and I walked over to the circuit grand stands and watched the bikes doing laps. There happened to be another person I know there as well.
The racing community is rather small, but the people within are huge, they live large. It's a friendly atmosphere and people, total strangers, will engage with you when approached. Oh, how did Steve do? He will tell you that he did not do well, and disappointed those that came out to see him. He was knocked out in the first round this week. Disappointed? Hogwash! Just the opposite. Steve was his jovial self. He took to his new passion, provided entertainment and most importantly competition. He was a stellar competitor. He made an effort to be at the event, and did his best. That's all you can ask of any racer. He's a pleasure to be around, and still was, even though he did not do well in his own mind. The great thing about racing, is the competition, the friends you make and the memories that go with all that. Steve did not produce the results he was looking for, but he did experience the highs, on his first weekend out and the perseived lows on his second attempt. He accomplished getting through a lack lustre weekend, and can hold his head up high. The great thing about Steve is his outlook. Even though he did not accomplish what he wanted, he had a bright spot, a silver lining to his weekend, which I'm sure he'll tell us about. Stay tuned for that.
Congratulations Steve! This weekend was a lot of fun. Better luck next time...that's racing.
My friend Steve, a member here, told us a couple of weeks ago, he went drag racing, and that he happened to win one of the two classes that he ran in. I went to see him do his new thing. I had never been to Castrol raceway, and that's where he was headed.
I arrived at the track and informed the gate that I was here as part of the #350 team. I went in, tagged and found the crew. The crew, was an ex coworker, tech inspector for the organization, my old boss, not to be confused with "old" boss, the race director for the organization, and Steve. Not only did I meet up with these guys, but I also knew 4 or 5 other racers, met up with another crew member from another team, who I went to school with through the winter...and another forum member, Reg, appeared shortly after texting me to find out if I was planning on going to the races. I told him that I was already here.
I have not been to the drag races for about 45 years. I used to go watch the funny cars when I was 10 and under. I was back, to watch, and I knew half a dozen guys running. Plus the significant others of a couple of these guys who were there. Holy crap, what a social event. Well, Steve raced, so did Cay and Rob, another Steve we know. Greg tried to run but broke down on the line, and my ex boss Don made a pass on his stretched triple. There were a couple of rain delays, but overall a great day. Reg and I had a good time watching and visiting. There were a couple of trips to the concession, because, I like to eat. During the rain delays, Reg and I walked over to the circuit grand stands and watched the bikes doing laps. There happened to be another person I know there as well.
The racing community is rather small, but the people within are huge, they live large. It's a friendly atmosphere and people, total strangers, will engage with you when approached. Oh, how did Steve do? He will tell you that he did not do well, and disappointed those that came out to see him. He was knocked out in the first round this week. Disappointed? Hogwash! Just the opposite. Steve was his jovial self. He took to his new passion, provided entertainment and most importantly competition. He was a stellar competitor. He made an effort to be at the event, and did his best. That's all you can ask of any racer. He's a pleasure to be around, and still was, even though he did not do well in his own mind. The great thing about racing, is the competition, the friends you make and the memories that go with all that. Steve did not produce the results he was looking for, but he did experience the highs, on his first weekend out and the perseived lows on his second attempt. He accomplished getting through a lack lustre weekend, and can hold his head up high. The great thing about Steve is his outlook. Even though he did not accomplish what he wanted, he had a bright spot, a silver lining to his weekend, which I'm sure he'll tell us about. Stay tuned for that.
Congratulations Steve! This weekend was a lot of fun. Better luck next time...that's racing.