Waiting

Steve McQueen once said, "Racing is life.  Anything before or after is just waiting."

A former coach once told me that the hardest thing to do in life is to wait.  He never did explain why, even though I suspect he had a good idea.  I'll have to revisit this with him at some point.  Perhaps anticipation is a factor in how difficult waiting for something will be.

While I've never been a racer--except in the Gran Turismo series, I think I understand how McQueen felt.  The next race, even for a fan or a virtual racer, is always too far away.  The view from the safety of the couch, or even at an event, can't convey the danger and thrill of driving a car in wheel to wheel competition.  It's something that needs to be felt with all of your senses.  Adrenalin energizes endorphins that light neurons which tell us exactly when a corner and a sequence of corners have been driven properly.  That pleasure needs to be explored again and again while chasing the mirage of a perfect lap always just beyond the horizon.  The amplitude increases when the chase is done while trying to beat fellow competitors to the finish. It then becomes more than just person and machine against the track. It is a thrill ride that is hard to walk away from for any reason.

Right now I'm waiting for a club Driver's Education (DE) event at Road America in May.  Any real driver will tell you that winning a DE is only just below winning the Formula 1 World Championship--kidding!   I'm only going as a spectator/support crew, but I'm still very excited.  Last year was my first time visiting this track, which was one of many I had only ever seen on television.  I met a few new friends, got to see some amazing cars, and also had an excellent road trip.

This was taken during that weekend in the afternoon after a brief rain storm.  Coincidentally, it is raining now while I type this.

Road America Paddock and Front Straight

A month isn't a long time to wait.  There are a lot of items on the checklist that need to be completed before departure, so I am confident it will seem like there wasn't enough time to prepare before I'm en route. I'm eager to have another opportunity to experience Road America and the magic of being at the track with new and old friends who share a passion for motorsport.  Please say hello if you are there next month.  I'll be the guy with a stupid smile on his face, taking pictures of everything.  By the way, if you see a funny looking red airplane buzzing the track over the weekend, that will be one of my new friends piloting it.