Round and Round

Everyone has their passions, hobbies, or just something that peaks their interest. Whether it is playing football to building models of something. Everyone has that one thing that they enjoy doing in life. Personally, I enjoy racing. From me racing them myself to watching them Saturday nights. It’s a passion, a fire that burns in me. One of those when I see a race car I get antsy type passions. To wanna do this has shown me and taught me a lot. From building engines to doing my own setup. Some I have used in school. I was the kid capstone day that had a little predator engine from harbor freight that day. Covered in grease and oil from being run. Sure some built computers, did ride along and many other things. But I don’t recall watching anyone else dolly around school with an engine sitting on said dolly. Now this engine was a decent leap into what I now can do in racing.

I currently can do my own set up and confuse the average person by stating things like “oh I have about 7/8 of stagger across the rear, 1/8th of an inch across the front. To widen this stagger when the car is tight I just drop my insides down a pound…” I’ll usually just get looked at and a confused head nod. If they are really confused I just make it more understandable “It turns left and goes fast.” Most people understand that. Speaking of turning left, I feel like people’s understanding of racing is off. The whole “There making a left turn, and another left turn, what’s next..” I’m sure most of you get it at this point. Sure that’s the most part of racing, but occasionally gotta take that one right to either just get off the track. Or it’s to avoid the carnage that is in front of you. This right turn maybe so most of you graduate, to avoid something you may regret, or to even duck and hide in a grocery store when you see one of your teachers in a store. Other than these right turns racing is like life because it just goes round and round. Most things you do in life come right back around to you. Not all bad. But what goes around comes around. Just like an oval or a circle. 

Sometimes racing just like life is straightforward and things can happen in 8 seconds. But that is boring. But seriously. In life things can be straight forward, a giant circle, maybe even have some twist turns, hills, jumps and more. And with racing it is the same. You have Indy, drag, NASCAR, Formula drift, Formula 1, Rally, Motor cross and so many more. Its exotic, local, racing is everywhere. And if racing has taught me anything in life it’s that sometimes you just gotta roll with the punches. Can’t let it knock you down and stop you. It’s also shown me that you can’t always just be nice and give everyone everything. If you wanna do well you may have to be aggressive. Not so aggressive where you hit someone. Just enough to show you want that spot, you have the passion to keep yourself where you are. And if it doesn’t work. If you happen to spin out or something. Correct yourself, go over everything, remember what failed that time and work your way up and try again. Always remember that if you do fall down, or fall back there is only one way to go. Whether it’s up, or forward just remember it. I’ve led racing and motors lets go the last lap of the whole race. But I built a new motor and went back out to try and win again. Sure I may not have won but I did go up. I got second. Once people learn that failure is a part of life. 

That it is what teaches you and shows you what to change. Eventually all their failures can bring you to the top. Another personal example. I know. But this year. 2019, I have the fastest car in my division. I learned what works for setup, carburetor, gearing and etc. I gotta learn these things because it’s not like I can break rules and buy myself this massive motor. Even with being the fastest car I am still trying to figure out that extra edge. From spark plugs, fuel, and even air intake. All these things. The little things add up to one big overall thing. From doing all your English, math, and etc helping you get into your dream college, or even being able to afford college. But all these little things help you through life, help you succeed. At this point other than experimenting I also regularly maintain my car. From changing oil every weekend or every other, to greasing and cleaning it weekly. It helps the car keep going as good as it goes. 

Maintenance in life could be as simple as making sure you get 8 hours of sleep. You shower, and brush your teeth. Make your bed every morning and keep your house or room clean. Leaving your ac on low when you leave your house on a hot summer day so when you’re done in the heat you have a nice cool house to walk into. Little things that make life easier and possibly help you relax a lot easier too. But enough of my ranting. Moral if this speech. Live life, you only have one. And you can learn so much from it. Sure school teaches you how to multiply and more. But is school gonna teach you how to set up a car, the perfect throw for a football, or that you should clean your room. I don’t think so. Learn from your mistakes. Try new things. Be open minded. Always remember the little things and maintenance are things that can and will make your life easier, and help it just move smoother.

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