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<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2><SPAN
class=546140302-25092008>Well, this opens the essential question: Is
vintage racing about history (historic cars and what not) or about
racing?</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2><SPAN
class=546140302-25092008></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2><SPAN
class=546140302-25092008>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.</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2><SPAN
class=546140302-25092008></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2><SPAN
class=546140302-25092008>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.</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2><SPAN
class=546140302-25092008></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2><SPAN
class=546140302-25092008>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.</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2><SPAN
class=546140302-25092008></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2><SPAN
class=546140302-25092008>Kind of like riding a time trial in cycling. Beat
the clock.. hope the Mac truck doesn't run you over in the
process.</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2><SPAN
class=546140302-25092008></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2><SPAN
class=546140302-25092008>But if it's not fun.. why do it?</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2><SPAN
class=546140302-25092008></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2><SPAN
class=546140302-25092008>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.</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2><SPAN
class=546140302-25092008></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2><SPAN
class=546140302-25092008>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.</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2><SPAN
class=546140302-25092008></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2><SPAN
class=546140302-25092008>My .02</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2><SPAN
class=546140302-25092008></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2><SPAN
class=546140302-25092008></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2><SPAN
class=546140302-25092008>Cheers,</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2><SPAN
class=546140302-25092008></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2><SPAN
class=546140302-25092008>Jim</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2><SPAN
class=546140302-25092008>Dallas</SPAN></FONT></DIV><FONT face=Arial
color=#0000ff size=2></FONT><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2></FONT><BR>
<DIV class=OutlookMessageHeader lang=en-us dir=ltr align=left>
<HR tabIndex=-1>
<FONT face=Tahoma size=2><B>From:</B> fot-bounces@autox.team.net
[mailto:fot-bounces@autox.team.net] <B>On Behalf Of
</B>N197TR4@cs.com<BR><B>Sent:</B> Wednesday, September 24, 2008 8:33
PM<BR><B>To:</B> budscars@comcast.net; Billb@bnj.com;
standardtriumph@btinternet.com<BR><B>Cc:</B>
fot@autox.team.net<BR><B>Subject:</B> [Fot] CAR RACING &
DEATH<BR></FONT><BR></DIV>
<DIV></DIV><FONT face=arial,helvetica><FONT size=2 PTSIZE="10">Yup, <BR><BR>Do
not jump out of airplanes... <BR>Do not solo ultralight aircraft (when the
builder's name is Harold Flatland) <BR>Do not ski AJAX...or even Copper Mountain
after a 20 year hiatus. <BR>Do not climb mountains that require pitons.....
<BR>Do not ride a motorcycle in downtown London during rush hour.... <BR>Do not
ride Motocross Competition after age 70....(unless your number is 196) <BR>Do
not play golf with OJ <BR><BR>Stay home and look good at your funeral....
<BR><BR>I enjoy cottonmouth and shots of adrenaline. <BR>I also enjoy the people
I associate with. <BR><BR>Joe A <BR><BR><BR>
<BLOCKQUOTE
style="PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; BORDER-LEFT: #0000ff 2px solid; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px"
TYPE="CITE">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...... <BR>The Essence of Race Driving is to
go as fast as we can to win! <BR>Some of us will die doing that.....That's
just the way it is....That's REALLY the way it is.!..... <BR><BR>Vintage...Who
the heck knows who's driving over their heads or not?...No Way To Tell.....
<BR>Racer Bud's Conclusion..I.f the word DANGER creeps into your mind
very often..DO NOT RACE....... <BR><BR>Racer Bud..Spitfire #21
<BR><BR></BLOCKQUOTE><BR><BR></FONT></FONT></BODY></HTML>
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