Its been a year since I have been in a racecar and I would be lying if I said I didn’t miss it. I have been around racing most of my life with the exception of the four years I spent in the Marine Corps. Last year I got my first win and shortly there after I abruptly quit racing all together. Fed up and frustrated by the idiots from NH I sold my car not because I needed the money but because I was burned out. All though there is NOTHING that can compare to the feeling I would get while sitting in the car on pit road and seeing the lights switch from red to flashing yellow or side by side racing at 100 mph at Nss or the bumping and banging at Osw but I have a couple of reasons that are better than racing.
here are a few of my reasons
-I enjoy spending time with my kids more than I enjoyed spending time slaving on the car.
-I like having a few dollars in my pocket.
-My Camaro cures my itch for tinkering, all though I continue to look for new modifications that are quite costly at times. It is completely race inspired with a ZZ4, 5 speed and race suspension and a few creature comforts like modern interior, a/c and good sound system. Best part, it has a baby seat in the rear, worst part, it can only fit one. I don’t have to work on it all week for one night and then again repeat the process week after week.
I miss racing and will possibly be back again but for right now I have something far better then any racecar. I will still support local racing and help a few friends from time to time but for now I am enjoying life off the track.
They are both so cute. The cars cool toooo. Yes, sometime we don’t see the forest though the trees. And we have this forum to keep us up on things and also why sometimes we remember the why we stopped. Nothing better than putting them in the back seat in the Black BEAST and showing them world on the way to Chunkie Cheese.
It was tiring working on the car by myself but I miss the nights out in the shop alone…except for the time I was drilling a hole in a piece of 1/4" aluminum that was about 18" long. I should of had it in a vise but instead had it on a board on the floor. I MAY have been squating a little too close to it too.I was using a dull bit and putting alot of weight on the drill to make the last hole when the bit got caught and swung the piece of material around hitting me dead in the nuts. I felt hot,dizzy and in ALOT of pain. I layed on the creeper in front of the floor pan…woke up not knowing what happened, looked at my watch and figured I had laid there for almost two hours! That was the first time and only time I ever passed out! Now THAT’S something I don’t miss!
Anyway, I REALLY miss racing and think about it constantly. I’m playing some golf, surfing again, bought a mountain bike and have been riding trails AND spending a little more time with my wife(argh) and daughters. I think they wish I was still racing too!
I too am pondering over that decision. Race Car? Money in pocket? Lost a friend 3 years ago and the desire just isn’t that strong anymore. Been around it most all my life starting out hanging around the Heckle’s and Funk’s in the late 60’s as a kid, going to the old Orlando Raceway on Landstreet. In August I’ll be 55 and it’s just not fun anymore (basically because of the expense). I’m not the type that is going to run a car if it doesn’t have a chance to win or at least run up front (it gets lapped, it gets parked!). Can’t sell the things and get anything for them in this economy. I"m running a Champainge sport on a Beer budget. When my Ship comes in, I"ll probably be at the Airport!!!
Racing is fun, but nothing beats the joy of “really” being there and watching your kids learn, grow, struggle and then succeed, becoming wonderful, productive citizens. Watching my daughters in sports, plays, singing, dancing and the like has been the most rewarding part of my life.
The pride you feel as you watch them graduate from college, and then start career’s and family’s of their own is overwhelming.
You are making a wise choice and your family will benefit. There will be another day for racing.
racing is a fun hobby and will continue to be but our children will only be children for a short time. They need both parents to spend quality fun time with them. I have pretty much stopped going racing every week as my Hailey hates it and i cannot in good faith make her sit for 5-6 hours doing something she hates. Bobby still loves racing but he is just as content doing other things.
Edm… the car is gorgeous. i am jealous! The children also really beautiful!!!
I know some of the wives are really happy to be going dancing or camping or traveling with the husbands too. we have to set priorities in life and our loved ones should come before ANYTHING…
glad some of you have taken that to heart. My kids are 51 and 48… doesnt seem so long ago they played with Tonka trucks…
Hope you all have a wonderful happy day…
carolwicks aka oz
NOTHING has been more fun than watching Bobby play soccer, Hailey dressing up and going to zoos, museums, parks etc with them… They make me smile every second i look at them…
Well I didn’t even start till I was 51. Sponsored a friend who had a SLM and one day he let me do some hot laps in it…well I was hooked and bought my first car, a sportsman. All the kids were grown and the grandsons would soon join us at the track. After 3 sportsman cars I am now in an e-mod and enjoying it the same as I did 11 years ago…Life is goooood, even after retirement, although the cancer gave me a scare 4 1/2 years ago. So far so good :huepfen024:
-JIM-
You and Virginia have already raised your family and she seems to love being with you at the track. You love what you do and im happy for you. great to have a partner to be by your side while you do what you love… one things for sure… racing is really fun and exiting! i am so grateful for having the good fortune of making so many wonderful friends thru this sport…
carol aka ooze
I have been involved in racing for 58 years aand I ain’t even thinking about quiting. Its not a sport to me its a way of life. I mhaven’t been in a race car myself in an awful long time but I don’t really miss that mostly because you have to spend so much time during the week working on your car so you can spend 15 minutes in a feature race so you can do it all over the next week. I spend a lot of time with my video but at least I am making a little money and I don’t spend my grocery money to buy tires or a new set of shocks. Now don’t tell me alot of you guys don’t do that! I have seen guys take food out of their babys mouth to support their habit, and it ain’t drugs… Or is it? Hmmm… Bob…
Burned out on spending hundreds of dollars every time I want to race, then repair the car myself taking time away from my family. Like I said, I still plan on hitting every track in Florida this year as a spectator but thats it, just spectating and helping a friend or two.
My kids are grown and gone so I don’t have them to spend time with any more but I applaud you for making that sacrefice for them. You have beautiful children man. I envy you. I really enjoyed my children when they were little. Make sure in your tour of tracks you come down and visit us.
Bob…
You are a very SMART MAN for sure. Family and family life is more important than any race car ever could be. You have beautiful children and they deserve to have their dad around as much as possible. I know you loved racing but you made the right decision for sure. I applaud you Ed for that. Kids grow up way too fast and before you know it, they are 18 like Alex and ready to stand on their own. Enjoy them, love them, hold them and know you did the right thing.
[QUOTE=ocalasp76;74016]Well I didn’t even start till I was 51. Sponsored a friend who had a SLM and one day he let me do some hot laps in it…well I was hooked and bought my first car, a sportsman. All the kids were grown and the grandsons would soon join us at the track. After 3 sportsman cars I am now in an e-mod and enjoying it the same as I did 11 years ago…Life is goooood, even after retirement, although the cancer gave me a scare 4 1/2 years ago. So far so good :huepfen024:
-JIM-[/QUOTE]
You hang in there Ocala!!! Proud of you
[QUOTE=RSB;74000]It was tiring working on the car by myself but I miss the nights out in the shop alone…except for the time I was drilling a hole in a piece of 1/4" aluminum that was about 18" long. I should of had it in a vise but instead had it on a board on the floor. I MAY have been squating a little too close to it too.I was using a dull bit and putting alot of weight on the drill to make the last hole when the bit got caught and swung the piece of material around hitting me dead in the nuts. I felt hot,dizzy and in ALOT of pain. I layed on the creeper in front of the floor pan…woke up not knowing what happened, looked at my watch and figured I had laid there for almost two hours! That was the first time and only time I ever passed out! Now THAT’S something I don’t miss!
Anyway, I REALLY miss racing and think about it constantly. I’m playing some golf, surfing again, bought a mountain bike and have been riding trails AND spending a little more time with my wife(argh) and daughters. I think they wish I was still racing too![/QUOTE]
Come over and let me take you fishing offshore sometime. It will take your mind off racing and I havent been hit in the nuts yet for a change!!
one things for sure… racing is really fun and exiting! i am so grateful for having the good fortune of making so many wonderful friends thru this sport…