[Fot] The Greatest Time of The Year

[Barry Munson]

Amici - While reflecting on our sport I came across this article. I found it
uplifting and thought that Id share it. The original article was written by
14 year old Graci Young.



TalkToTheHelmet: The Greatest Time of the Year

By Cody Schindel on 2 Sep 2014



The 2014 ASN Canada FIA Canadian Karting Championships was the best time of
my entire life, I honestly dont know where to start. The amount I learned
during these 10 days is equal to no amount of schooling. I learned a lot
about racing, but largely about life. Within a constant surround of karting,
family, teammates and friends, you soak up so much knowledge and come to
realization of so many things that it is truly unbelievable. Mont
Tremblants small community and joyous atmosphere shows through in every
aspect, there is NOTHING like a sunset over the lake in Tremblant.

Anyhow, Ill start off with my racing experience. We unloaded fast,
dedicating our practice days to feeling out the ways of the track, hardly
making adjustments. It was instant love as I set tires on the track with the
reverse configuration, I hope I am able to race in this direction again,
would rate it a complete 10/10. Certain turns challenged the drivers
ability, and the long straightaways test that ability of the mechanic. It is
definitely a track built for a team with a solid foundation, those are the
ones that will shine and separate themselves from the others. First turn,
although many may disagree, I thought was great for starts. Odd coming from
myself, who lost 3 drivers and my tie rods to turn one. It was a semi-smooth
turn and although certain accidents did occur it was easily the best turn
one I have ever raced. The only issue was the outside-inside line dive, but
its racing and it isnt the turns fault.

I was feeling strong going into the heats after a not so good qualifying
session, however battling some mechanical issues in heat 1 forced me to
start 22nd in the second heat. I drove my way up to 12th in the second heat
and 14th in the third. Final rolled around and it didnt go quite as well as
anticipated, there was a major crash first turn ahead of me first turn,
taking 3 of our drivers out of the running and my tie rods. There was a red
flag with restart, I wasnt feeling near as strong off the restart however.
I quickly went backwards and was showing times that werent near what my
norm was, I started noticing that the kart would plow much more than it had
previously but I continued racing. I attempted a pass through a tight turn
and failed, riding over the curb and forcing me into a t-bone with the
opposing kart. My apologies to that driver, I shouldve turned in later and
avoided that mishap.

Apart from the races themselves, I want to talk about the feeling on the
grid. I experienced something to an extremity which I thought I never could.
My heart was beating faster than normal and the butterflies were creeping
up. It kept getting more and more intense, to the point of me being a
movement away from puking. That was pretty cool though, as nasty as it
sounds it also felt great. You feel it in your heart, you know youre meant
to be there.

Now for the off-track experience. I was going into the whole Nationals deal
wondering how it would turn out. Multiple families from PSL Moncton into a
condo, most of whom I had not frequently spoken to. It was pretty daunting
at first  soon to realize that I would discover some of my best friends in
the entire world. Leaving them was like sending your sibling off to
University that is hours, provinces, or longer away. Dispersed over the
maritimes and a portion of Quibec, meeting up isnt easy, but all of this
wait just pumps me up even more for the years to come and more memories to
make. Also, parental bonding time is a wonderful part of Nationals. You
start to realize how much your parents do for you to even participate in
these events.

Although there is a lot of jumble and high-paced evenings, the odd night you
catch with your old man (or woman) eating dinner are priceless. Jokes being
made, talking about the day/week, discussing racing improvements or
strengths, or taking a break from it all, it is simply a wonderful moment.

Nationals this year gave me an everlasting happiness and a new outlook on
things to bring home with me. I learned to live in the moment, not dwell and
ponder over things because youll most likely regret not doing them, on or
off track. I learned to always express appreciation to your folks which in
most cases double as your mechanic, no matter how many times a bolt comes
loose. I learned that although you should live in the moment, that patience
is a virtue  wait for the right time to pass, or in lifes case, act upon
whatever tickles your fancy. I learned that sometimes people that you dont
even engage yourself with normally could secretly be your best friend

waiting to happen and that you should take any chance you get and grab any
opportunity life hands you. Within that, take the opportunity of meeting
everybody you can, find their knowledge, open yourself up. Dont close
yourself in and ultimately dont limit yourself  limits only define what
you think you are unable to achieve.

Make everyday worth revving,

Fab5+W for life

-#614, Graci Young