"addiction describes a chronic pattern of behavior that continues despite the direct or indirect adverse consequences that result from engaging in the behavior. It is quite common for an addict to express the desire to stop the behavior, but find himself or herself unable to cease."

I am currently trying to rid myself of this addiction. I HAVE to stop racing. I stop at nothing when I am doing it, and nothing gets in the way. Not family, not money, not time. My kids suffer, my wife suffers and I suffer. I haven't raced since Easter weekend when I did a race school, I am am trying like hell to not race again this year.

Anybody else do this and suffer serious withdrawl symptoms? Anger, depression, irritability, sleeplessness. Because of not racing? That can't be healthy.

I guess they don't call it the "Go-fast crack-pipe" for nothing.

I have a CRX that I am wanting to sell, it's like a whiskey bottle in front of an alcoholic. But I know if it goes, I'll never get it back.

Maybe I should take up drinking.

Thoughts?

 

Sounds like it.

Can you find a way to race without making it an "irresponsible" choice?

(it sounds like racing's an irresponsible choice from your post)

 

Dude, it's not an addiction!!!

My wife tells me it's a "habbit".

In all seriousness, there needs to be a balance with racing and your other life. What you need to do is somehow figure out how to involve your wife and kids in racing. Racing is sooooo much more than driving around in a "fast" car. Don't get me wrong, I am an extremely person and maybe take this hobby a little too seriously myself. Heck, I still have the dream of going pro (I'll take the break-even version too!). If you do this right, racing can be a great addition to your FAMILY'S life.

 

Darren, would you get your fix from karting? Perhaps Brencole?

 

No. I have to stop. The time factor is huge. Karting would eat up time as well.

I MUST stop, but the withdrawl is murder. I'm really just hoping it goes away soon. I just need to stop thinking about it. I get more and more frustrated everyday.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by D.CACO &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Sounds like it.

Can you find a way to race without making it an "irresponsible" choice?

(it sounds like racing's an irresponsible choice from your post)</TD></TR></TABLE>

Not sure how to do that? And you're right, it is irresponsible.

 

You want to quit racing, then buy a real race car and stick it on jackstands... that's where mine sits most of the time now. Once you sunk the money into the whole car, truck, trailer, racing gear, tires, brakes, etc., there isn't much time or money for much else. Is this where you "really" want to end up?

Honestly though, there is hope. Been there, ... I used to do about 20-30 autocross events per year as well as about 2-3 track days. Spent most my waking hours on either H-T or IT.com. Not so much anymore.

I think once you saturate yourself for a while, it starts to level out. You find that it's not the be-all, end-all of life, and that your heath, mental and spiritual state suffer if a balance isn't struck. You can still enjoy "racing", but run the "race" of endurance in your life. Don't be so "extreme". Don't be full "on" or full "off" with everything. Do give thanks for what you have, that you still have, ... a wife and kids, and still have some money left in you pockets.

Good luck and good balance to you.

 

Just start drinking more. Substitute one addiction for another.

J/K

Sounds like you need to figure out a way to work racing into your life in a more productive mannor. Maybe race in a different class? Or only do local races where your family can come? I don't know your current situation but I would think there would be a way to still be able to race and be able to keep it in perspective.

Maybe you could limit yourself to a certain amount of events each season and set different goals for yourself to keep motivated. Who knows.

Or maybe there's a way you can be involved in the racing world without actually racing.

Good luck!

 

soo my parents think racing is a good thing at the moment....i hope they don't see this thread!!

sounds like balence must be found...yin and yang. bring the family to races, take them for rides. when the kids are old enough, get them involved. or compromise like EJ1 said, limit number or races...i might not know what i'm talking about but thats my $.02, though its probly not worth that.

 

You know what you're talking about. At first I screwed up - I worked on the car waaaaay too much. Then I learned and my wife actually is the one to convince me into going to some of the events. Last year it was either tile the kitchen floor or go down to the ARRC (CT to GA). She's the one who told me that she would have been disappointed with me if I chose the tile. Huh? Oh, well in that case!

In a year, I "only" do about 8 races per year, but that keeps me plenty busy. Choose the events you want to attend, speak with your family about the time (and when) you'll work on the car (with your kids!), and things will be just fine. If you slow down a bit (but not on the track of course), you'll find that tides will turn and your family may actually be the ones convincing you to race.

 

WEll, I am in the process of making a deal with a friend who has a car he'll let me run for one weekend at the end of July for a Solo 1 event. Minimal time investment, minimal emotional investment and minimal cash investment. And it's a sweet car.

That's a start, but I REALLY thought I could go a season without racing. Not going to happen. That my friends is addiction.

Please make it stop.

You're right about the balance, and I do hope that when my kids are even a bit older they can come to the track with me. I can't ever see my wife "convincing" me to race, but a guy can dream.

 

Trust me, I could never imagine my wife doing that either. But at the same time, life is short, and it's about doing the things you dream about doing.

A season w/o racing equals an addiction? Nah. Just something you really enjoy doing. There's nothing wrong with that. Golf, basketball, bike riding....many people don't want to go a full year without doing most hobbies. And you're kids will grow up quickly. Heck, my buddy's son sings "fast car, fast car,fast car, fast car" on the way to watch events now. Yes, it's his own one-hit wonder song he created. Geeze, he's how old now? (O.k., he's 2 1/2 now and loves racing! I'm working on the whole Honda thing as his father races a Toyota MR2.)

Please make it stop? Why? I can't wait till my next race in a few weeks! Oh, if you're looking to do it a bit cheaper, begin instrucing at HPDEs.

 

Darren, WTF are you doing? dude, just do local stuff once in a while. that will help ease your racing pain. you better not sell that CRX i'll beat you with my old man cane! breaks from racing are ok, just keep yourself occupied with family stuff and keep your mind off racing! its tough but you can do it.

 

I'm taking this year off racing for financial reasons (I went way over my budget racing last year) and and feeling some withdrawal symptoms, as you might imagine. Here are some of the things that have helped me cope:

1- I've managed to pay off 5000$ on my line of credit since last fall, as well as my credit card.
2- I've managed to rent out my race car on one occasion and made about 1000$ of profit in one week from that
3- I've been instructing with a couple of local clubs, which has allowed me to keep driving my race car on the track, using pads and tires from last year without payig for track time
4- There is no pressure for the car to always be ready for the next event, so I spend less time, money and energy than I did last year.
5- I've started running 5 km and 10 km foot races to have some competition in my life. It's not the same thing, but at 25$ per race, it's cheap. I've run 7 races so far this year.
6- I've become involved in the organization of the local series, although this doesn't really help me cope... seeing all the other guys racing. At least I'm helping the sport.

Anyway, the main plus has been the financial aspect. I'm in so much better shape than any time in the last five years even though I've had no increase in income. I think that if I race next year, I will not knock myself out doing a champonship but rather do a race here and there, when the car is ready, doing enduros as a team and going to tracks I like like Lime Rock, the Glen, Tremblant and Mosport. Although I clearly miss the racing, I so do not regret taking the year off because I'm generally much less stressed than I was last year.

 

Dude, you JUST convinced me last night to get my car done (it's my car he is referring to earlier)!!! It's killing me too, the first event is this weekend, I'll be cleaning up the back yard...

Just do what you can, when you can. You know you can't walk away, look what happens every time you sell a done car. You go and buy another one and build it. Your wife hasn't divorced you yet, so you must be doing something right.

Once my car is back on the road (been on jackstands for almost 2 years, previous poster is bang on) we'll git 'er done!

Tom

 

Yeah, my brain is scrambled at the moment. I did feel 1000 times better after realizing that I would be doing at least one event(if we get the car done)

I need to narrow my focus, lower my expectations and chill out. It's a tough road, but I guess I have to realize that it's in my blood, I can never quit. I just need to accept the fact that it will happen again one day, when I'll be able to race all the time.

But damn, I still think I'm addicted.