I've noticed that I'm really losing my edge.

It's every drivers greatest fear.

The difference between mastery and mere competence is a tiny space at the top of the tire performance curve...you have to be really good to even understand that much.

Now, since I haven't even turned a lap since last fall, how can I be worrying about this?

It's little things in my street driving...like looking down at the stereo too long, crossing into oncoming traffic while fumbling with my cell phone, and running really sloppy lines and missing shifts on my way to work.

I've got to turn this around now...before it's too late.

So I stopped at the new indoor kart track in Tigard to see how it stacked up to the one in Vancouver. IT SUCKS. It's basically a series of identical left and right S-turns completing the loop. Sure you could drive the tires, but there's nothing to stimulate the rest of the brain.

Pat's Acres, the honest to gawd outdoor track with decent rental karts, is open for the season. It is there that I will have to prepare my mentality before I'm too far gone and have to give it all up and watch Nascar like most of the rest of America and who, as I age, remembers myself to have been increasingly fast.

Scott, who may be overreacting...that'd be just like me...

 

Give me a call if you decide to go down to Canby. I'm interested in trying a cart out...

 

"Vice requires constant practice" Oscar Gordon - Glory Road

Seems like everything that requires muscle memory and a good kinesthetic sense - shooting, dancing, fencing, driving - also requires constant practice if you want to excel. I know I lose a lot of my meager track skills in just a month. If I'd been off the track since last fall, I'd end up driving like the worst slub on the highway.

BTW. If you do decide to give it up, let me know and I'll send you my address. Just have your car & associated bits dropped off in the front yard. No need to put them in the garage.

 

Once you're good at something, it doesn't take long to brush off the rust. Suck it up boy, and get back out there.

Warren

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by RR98ITR &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">It's little things in my street driving...like looking down at the stereo too long, crossing into oncoming traffic while fumbling with my cell phone, and running really sloppy lines and missing shifts on my way to work.</TD></TR></TABLE>Leave your cell phone at home, leave the radio off. You don't use that stuff at the track, right?

If you have no distractions, then you have to focus on something else, like, maybe, your driving? (Or would it be that hot chick in the car next to you... doesn't that count as practicing looking where you want to go?)

 

**** - so true

 

I don't know.

Maybe I'm just starting to lose interest in this whole race car thing.

I've always been driven by the need to compete and perform, but maybe that whole thing has run it's course.

Maybe it's time I realized that all these dollars I've been spending on parts and consumables aren't really making me happy enough. And all the hard work on the car in the shop, and the weekends spent at the track...that's time I could have spent on more important things.

I could be a better husband, son, brother.....responsible pet owner...but I've been consumed with understanding the function of the different systems of the car....instead of paying off the house or investing more for the future, I've been investing in parts that will soon be worn out, broken, or unused....instead of getting in touch with the nurturing carer inside, I've been arguing with people on the internet and indulging in a taste for schadenfreude...

It's kinda like that old parody of the army recruitment ad...going to the track to meet new and fascinating people, and beat them....

My God! What have I become?

But what is the alternative? A life of quiet conformity ("He sure keeps his lawn beautiful")? A life of philanthropy ("without Scott we never could have saved this rainforest from destruction")? A life of base hedonistic pleasure ("He owes me $50k for hookers and crack")?

Scott, who'll probably keep racing cars...I lack the imagination to think of anything better... (I heard it helps to use these sometimes)...

 

I hold your mindset after every race weekend, really.

I could accomplish so many things in so little time if it weren't for this damn hobby/passion/money-pit.

I have made the decision that I will not be racing in 2004. I need to take some time off, and pay the wife back for all the help she's given me over the last two years.

 

I'll probably still serve the series though. I don't think I could stay away completely

 

This is how screwed up I am:

I'm only kidding for the most part - not that saving rainforests and being a good husband aren't good things.

But I actually think that we should have an intervention for you!

Seriously though, even though our spouses "put up" with alot, they ideally want us to be most fully and truly who and what we are...and love us more/anyway/in spite of it. I think of it in terms of loving yourself before you can be loved by others.

But, if when you look inside you see things you really don't like, then that's a different matter.

This hobby brings us together in sport - pretty close and intimate in terms of our primary drives...when we go to far we really go too far and then it's more like warefare than sport.

I haven't had too much problem with that, and I find the overall enterprise to be very satisfying and enjoyable - despite the occassional unpleasantness.

If you do take off for 2004, I hope it's good for you...and I hope you return if you really want to....and that you don't mistake your true feelings for something else connoted with "ought".

Scott, who knows it's hard to balance this hobby against normal living...but I've got a few friends who've done a good job of it...it CAN be done...

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Jason Franza &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
I have made the decision that I will not be racing in 2004. I need to take some time off, and pay the wife back for all the help she's given me over the last two years.</TD></TR></TABLE>

:bombshell:

Wanna loan me the car and tow vehicle for the season?

 

Wow. I'm glad it's not just me.

When I was away on business and missed round 2, I wasn't upset. I missed the people, but part of me was kind of glad I hadn't had to screw around with it.

And I'm losing the edge too Scott. I've been on track twice this year. I'm more scared, less confident, and a lot slower than I've been in a while now. Which isn't fun. So I start to ask myself...if it's not fun...maybe I should take a break?

I hear everything you're saying loud and clear. Let me know what you decide...

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by krshultz &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I'm more scared, less confident, and a lot slower than I've been in a while now</TD></TR></TABLE>

Are you completely sure that it's not just the car being sooooo different from last year?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by RR98ITR &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I've always been driven by the need to compete and perform, but maybe that whole thing has run it's course.
</TD></TR></TABLE>

Ever think of trying GOLF? That sport will drive you crazy, take up a lot of your time (possibly straining your relationship with your better half), make you pay stupid money for clubs with technology that exceeds NASA and give you a reason to feel inadequate all the time.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by RR98ITR &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
I could be a better husband, son, brother.....responsible pet owner...but I've been consumed with understanding the function of the different systems of the car....instead of paying off the house or investing more for the future, I've been investing in parts that will soon be worn out, broken, or unused....instead of getting in touch with the nurturing carer inside, I've been arguing with people on the internet and indulging in a taste for schadenfreude...

</TD></TR></TABLE>

...Nah.

Scott, who's significant other wouldn't let him quit.

 

HELP! MODS!

Delete this thread immediately - it's tumbling out of control!

I didn't mean it! It all started as a joke!

I've got this Honda-Tech surfing problem at work!

Scott, who needs to log off from H-T and get to the kart track immediately....this is an emergency dammit!

 

Oh. I get it.
That better husband and savior of the rainforest stuff was just a joke.

Well I hope you enjoy your karting you selfish bastard.

 

I'm gonna laugh the next time you race. You'll post about that competetive pass. You know the one. The one that you had to work hard for. The one you earned. I know you have the disease. I have it too. I suffered over the winter quite miserably. Lots of complicated stuff involving the opposite sex (when is it NOT complicated god damnit).

Oh, and if you're giving up the ghost, then at least take up a CHEAPER sport. You know, like bowling. Golf is another money pit. Maybe you could take up basket weaving. You nutball.

Warren

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by krshultz &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">....Which isn't fun. So I start to ask myself...if it's not fun...maybe I should take a break?</TD></TR></TABLE>

This is a big deal.

The natural evolutionary path of this sport leads in this direction.

A long running successful amatuer racing career is highly correlated with recognizing this structural hazard and taking positive control to prevent destructive excess.

Which is of course more easily said than done, but saying it's a start.

Taking a break isn't all bad. You can use the time to attend to other things in life of course. But you can also take steps to ensure that your return to the sport is successful.

For my part the taking off of the first part of this year was all about building long term infrastructure and short/medium term practical neccessities. Other key parts of my personal life have also taken precedence over the last few months. But short of a major catastrophe there's no doubt that motorsports will stay a huge part of my life - and that's nothing to do with throwing good money after bad / I'm in too deep - can't stop now / that kind of thing. I've just got a hard on for racing.

Scott, who thinks this is the stuff any thinking racer will think about from time to time...and should....

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Warren &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I'm gonna laugh the next time you race....You nutball.

Warren</TD></TR></TABLE>

OH YEAH! WELL I'M GONNA LAUGH NEXT TIME I SEE A PICTURE OF YOUR CAR!

Scott, who's gonna go faster than ever, work hard to earn that pass (on account of his disease), AND have some of that opposite sex type stuff "complicated style"....

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Big Phat R &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Ever think of trying GOLF? That sport will drive you crazy, take up a lot of your time (possibly straining your relationship with your better half), make you pay stupid money for clubs with technology that exceeds NASA and give you a reason to feel inadequate all the time.

</TD></TR></TABLE>
I quit golf to start racing!

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by KC &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
I quit golf to start racing!</TD></TR></TABLE>

That's too funny. Same here. I was heading down a path of "Club Pro" until I started to focus more on my passion for cars. I still play from time to time, but it's more recreational now and I haven't played a compeditive tournament for about 4-5 years (and it shows). I still remember what it tastes like though and I always will.

We got comped a lot, but it used to drive my wife batty when I'd spend $100 to play some new fancy course. It's the same now for a $100 pair of brake pads. I just can't seem to do both hobbies half-way. If you don't play golf, you wouldn't understand. It's a sickness, really.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by johng &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">...It's a sickness, really. </TD></TR></TABLE>

Ever notice how it's always "a disease" or "a sickness"?

Where does this come from?

Scott, who thinks maybe it's a disease or a sickness...

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Jason Franza &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Are you completely sure that it's not just the car being sooooo different from last year?</TD></TR></TABLE>

That's part of it for sure. But I don't think it's everything.

All supposed to be a joke? So I'm the only one who's just not feeling the love anymore?

 

I sure hope you're not gonna have a tizzy.

It's getting to where you can't joke around here no more.

Apparently you're not alone in your diminishing of love for racing.

Maybe you didn't give it enough of your time and resources - you instead held back and got out of it what you put into it. Shame on you. Lowest interest rates in years and you probably didn't even put a second mortgage into your race car. And how many girlfriends Didn't you mooch on to route additional resources into the racing.....pathetic.

Scott, who, quoting Carroll Smith, says: "other sports beckon"....maybe you should take up baking, cause I can definitely see you in an apron.....and don't forget the gas soaked flaming rags around your ankles to keep the ants from eating out your candy *** too!


Important notice: Some, if not all, of the foregoing is or may be partially or completely fictitious and or facetious....OR NOT....