Jumping right in, and having fun.

Great thing about blogs; you can add to them whenever.  So, instead of doing an in depth look at the history of my involvement in motorsport, I thought I would just start off with the most recent event:  2010 SCCA Solo Nationals.

The long and the short of it is, I got 2nd.  While some would see that as "the first loser", I was, and still am, quite ecstatic about the result.  For multiple reasons.  The first of which is that it was my best result to date.  The rarefied air of the top 3 felt great to finally break into.  The last two Nationals I attended, I had set a goal of top 5.  I missed the mark two years ago by a cone.  The last cone on the course, as a matter of fact.  That one cone cost me 5th place against some very, very good drivers.  Last year was....  well, terrible.  I had heard that everyone has one (or more) of THOSE Nationals.  You know, the one you just have to throw away.  Last year's was mine.  I coned away a 2nd fastest raw time on my first run, coned and missed a braking point on what was becoming a great 2nd run, and wussed out on the third.  I decided to back off, to get a clean run, and it cost me a much slower run than I was expecting.  Never again.  Lesson learned.   

Another reason I was happy with 2nd, was that I climbed up to it from 4th.  After day one I was a little over a second behind first, a little over two tenths out of 2nd, and a hundredth or so out of 3rd.  I figured 1st would be quite a challenge to overtake, but 2nd and 3rd were within striking distance.  However between two tenths and three tenths back were 5th though 9th, making me a target that was catch able if I didn't perform.  My goal, however, coming into this Nationals was top three, and I was determined to make my goal this time.
 
I am going to break off on tangent for a second, and discuss the power of words. Going into day two I was starting to feel the pressure.  I had walked the course before leaving the site on day one, and didn't like it.  At all.  And that worried me.  Generally, if you don't like a course, you aren't going to do that well on it.  At least not as well as you could.  I put it out of my mind the best I could all that night.  But it was starting in on me as soon as I woke up the next morning.  I tried "fooling" myself into being confident.  You know the tactic.  Telling yourself you are the man, and all that.  Pumping yourself up, basically.  Yeah, well, that wasn't really working.  Although I let on an air that it was.  But what really calmed me down and got me in the right frame of mind, were two little words.  Yup, just two little words, spoken by a good friend and mentor, Andy Hohl. 

A group of us were standing around the start line, sun rising over Lincoln, waiting for there to be enough light to actually see the course while we walked it.  My best friend, and Co-driver, Jon Simmons headed out with another local member to give them insight on the course, leaving just me, Andy, and Ann Hollis there at the starting line.  The three of us talked a bit more, then I decided to head out and take another look at the course myself.  As I was leaving, Andy turned to me and simply said, "Have fun".  What really impacted me wasn't the words themselves, but the delivery, and my interpreted meaning behind it.  He wasn't just talking about having fun while walking the course.  No.  For me, it was a reminder.  Sometimes we competitive types get our heads so wrapped around results, that it gets in our way.  We start chasing.  We forget why we are there in the first place.  Andy simply reminded me.  I was there to have fun.

Newly energized, and feeling like a thousand weights were lifted off me, I walked the course again.  While I still didn't love it, I came to terms with it, and was ready to run.  Funny enough, after my first run, I found I actually did really enjoy the course.  And while having fun, and enjoying the course, I happened to set fastest clean time for the class, as well as all other street tire classes!  Not too shabby!  That ended up putting me in  2nd, and only 3 tenths out of first.  I was elated.  I had achieved my goal.  And while achieving my goal, I learned a lesson we can all share.  Have fun, it's a great stress reliever.   

At this point, I would like to take a second to thank a few people.  Without these people, my result this year would not have been possible.  Andy and Teresa Clark, for letting me get behind the wheel of "Bubba".  My best friend and co-driver, Jon Simmons, for doing such a great job at fine tuning the car, and adding even more enjoyment to this fun sport by simply being my co-driver.  Andy Hohl, for those two words.  This is the second Nationals in a row that you have given me something I can keep.  And while the first one has actual monetary value, this one is truly far more valuable.  My wife, for putting up with all this nonsense, love ya!  And, last but certainly not least, God, for the talent I have been given.