[Fot] CAR RACING & DEATH

Wed Sep 24 23:39:26 MDT 2008

Hey, ain't no death happening here.  We drive Triumphs.. by definition we
are IMMORTAL!

Or some such stuff.

I've taken more risks on my daily drives to work than I ever took on a race
track.  And had more accidents (1) in that daily drive than I ever had at
speed on a race track.

But again.. if it ain't fun.. why do it?  Call it what you will.  Making a
corner you didn't think the car could make.  Beating a lap time that you
thought was unbeatable.  Getting past (fill in the blank) when you thought a
pass was impossible where you tried it.

Sure, there's a risk involved.  Breathing air risks inhaling toxic crap on a
daily basis.  

But if the reason you took the risk was just to prove you could... well,
that's wimpy.

If you took the risk because you enjoyed it (and survived)... that's
classic.

So, puleeeze, do not speak to me of death on a race track.  Talk to me
instead of risks taken, sucessfully overcome.  And occassionally, chances
taken that did not work.

If you want to obsess about death.. I do not want to be on the same race
track as you.  I prefer living, thank you.

Cheers,

Jim
Dallas

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From: RACER BUD [mailto:budscars at comcast.net] 
Sent: Wednesday, September 24, 2008 9:53 PM
To: britbits at netzero.com; N197TR4 at cs.com
Cc: fot at autox.team.net
Subject: Re: [Fot] CAR RACING & DEATH

Hello RACER Friend....It will not Change...If Motor racing becomes
Safe...Then...Motor Racing, rather than drivers, will Die
Racer Bud

----- Original Message ----- 
From: Jim <mailto:britbits at netzero.com>  
To: N197TR4 at cs.com 
Cc: fot at autox.team.net 
Sent: Wednesday, September 24, 2008 7:18 PM
Subject: Re: [Fot] CAR RACING & DEATH

Well, this opens the essential question:  Is vintage racing about history
(historic cars and what not) or about racing?

Having only a little experience in open track racing (was there, looked over
the edge.. melted a piston, found a job, new girlfriend, prepped autocross
car, lost girlfriend, lost job, found wife) I don't have decades of
experience in vintage racing.

My understanding when I started is that ultimately, it's supposed to be fun.
Yes, the grim reaper lurks about, and engine meltdowns and mechanical
failures are never fun.  But... we're not doing it for money.  Not for the
cheap chunks of pressboard that some racing groups call trophies.  We're
doing it for FUN.

To test ones self on climbing a summit that's never been climbed before.  Be
it running a lap under xx time at yy track in a Spitfire.  Or whatever you
drive.

Kind of like riding a time trial in cycling.  Beat the clock.. hope the Mac
truck doesn't run you over in the process.

But if it's not fun.. why do it?

There were comments about what Vintage is supposed to be (8/10s, etc).  In
reality... it's supposed to be like the real racing was.  Good judgement
means you drive your car to your (and it's) limits and not beyond, as to not
put others at risk.   Things happen on track and we hope they don't... and
if we're smart we have contingency plans in the back of the head for when
they do.  At the same time... it's like being a doctor.  Do no harm.

So I was never worried about the risk on track.  Just worried about what the
goal of the other drivers was.  If they're also there for fun.. then usually
things work out ok.  If they think they need to beat you at any cost...
maybe it's time for another sport.

My .02

Cheers,

Jim
Dallas

  _____  

From: fot-bounces at autox.team.net [mailto:fot-bounces at autox.team.net] On
Behalf Of N197TR4 at cs.com
Sent: Wednesday, September 24, 2008 8:33 PM
To: budscars at comcast.net; Billb at bnj.com; standardtriumph at btinternet.com
Cc: fot at autox.team.net
Subject: [Fot] CAR RACING & DEATH

Yup, 

Do not jump out of airplanes... 
Do not solo ultralight aircraft (when the builder's name is Harold Flatland)

Do not ski AJAX...or even Copper Mountain after a 20 year hiatus. 
Do not climb mountains that require pitons..... 
Do not ride a motorcycle in downtown London during rush hour.... 
Do not ride Motocross Competition after age 70....(unless your number is
196) 
Do not play golf with OJ 

Stay home and look good at your funeral.... 

I enjoy cottonmouth and shots of adrenaline. 
I also enjoy the people I associate with. 

Joe A 

Hi Gang....Here It Is.......Straight Out....CAR RACING AND DEATH....I've
kept  kinda' Quiet about the subject ..Regarding  Deaths in Vintage
Racing...and have Layed Back and contemplated things as I've read the
numerous emails...... 
The Essence of Race Driving is to go as fast as we can to win! 
Some of us will die doing that.....That's just the way it is....That's
REALLY the way it is.!..... 

Vintage...Who the heck knows who's driving over their heads or not?...No Way
To Tell..... 
Racer Bud's Conclusion..I.f the  word DANGER creeps into your mind very
often..DO NOT RACE....... 

Racer Bud..Spitfire #21 

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