Why do you race?

[tccaz]

We all know it's not for the money. Is it for the competition, the speed, the friends you make, the satisfaction knowing you built that car let us know.


Also why are you a fan?

I am a car nut so I love the cars (although I wish they more different like the old days). I love the competition, the speed, the driving skill, the sounds, (although no one can beat the sound of a top fuel dragster). I'm curious why do you love it so much?

Thanks Tom

[Circledude]

You posted my reasons already. I just wish we could eliminate some of the technology and make it a drivers sport again.

[egspeedway]

The need for speed! Thats why there is a speedway with that name.

[wre11]

I just love it. It's hard to put my finger on the exact reason. I will agree that technology has taken some of the fun out of it. Some of the best times I ever had was starting 30th in a Street Stock race, and driving my way to the front. I miss the good old days when you had to DRIVE the car, and not just point it where the spotter tells you to go. Yes, the speed is cool, but I have to say, the slower the division, the better the race is. You can milk a little more out of the car with guts and finesse, where as, when you are going so fast (Late Model, that is), a little more could put you in the wall, (backwards, most of the time). There is just so little "extra" available. I would also have to say, I would rather battle for 7th in a 25 lapper, and have fun doing it, then lead for 100 laps from the pole, and be bored doing it.
Well, here's to all you die hard racers. Have fun, and remember, no race is worth someones safety.

[ocalasp76]

The different people I meet and the new friends I make. The 'racing family' is the best and a lot better than my own with only one exception.... My brother.
Sometimes racing these guys half my age and beating them on the track is the best tho... Money wise, breaking even is good for me. Afterall, it's a hobby.
If my heart stops while i'm sitting in a race car.......I'll have a smile on my face
-JIM-

[tom77hmstd]

damn good question damn if I know. I think all you guys are right.

[Boneman]

Lots of reasons....

There is something so cool about the cars themselves. I grew up looking at them every chance I got, and that fascination has never gone away.

The driving is exhilarating! It doesn't matter how hot it is, how noisey, or how mad you are at the guy that knocked you out of the groove. The fact is its so much fun to drive so fast, and then to have the additional challenge of trying to pass someone who is doing the same thing.

If things go right, or at least don't go terribly wrong, then I feel pretty good about being a part of this crazy sport. Unlike many drivers, I still like being a spectator too.

[tccaz]

Thanks

Thanks for all of the replies I expected a diverse set of answers from everyone and I am getting just that.


Thanks again


Tom

[polesitter61]

It used to be the racing, as I get older, it's the people that keep me coming back.

[Osmosis Jones]

Well...

....I just like to stuff people into the wall.


Especially Marrow-boy.

[Boneman]

I just like to stuff people into the wall.

Oh yeah, I forgot about the friendly people in racing. We meet lots of them.

Take Osmo for example. Here is a quote from him describing the fastest race he had been in for YEARS.

"I think the only car I passed was a 6 year old kid who actually put me in the wall the next lap. I truly sucked that bad. Completely owned by the Boneman who had the b---s to wave and laugh as he went by me. Jerk."

[MW68SS]

For me it is an addiction. I have always said if drugs were as addictive as racing I can see where people get hooked. Winning a race especially against tough competition or at a different track you are not used to is such a thrill. Also the friendships at tracks everywhere we go. It's good to see racers you haven't seen in a while and shake hands and pick up conservations like you talk every day.
Being recognized by fans and seeing the look in young kids faces as they see your race car while your hauling it down the interstate. ( That is the biggest reason I have an open trailer.)
From my uncle who raced Late Models in the 70's and 80's when I was just a kid to me racing and now my son racing at Eastbay. It's been our life forever and we are not sure what we would do if we didnt race.

[Frasson118]

When I raced Flat Track bikes, I was almost always on an adrenaline rush... for a few days after the last race, and the anticipation of the upcoming weeks race. And I ALWAYS had butterfly's in my stomach right up until the instant I put the helmet on... and then every sound, every gut feeling, went away. I was FOCUSED and nothing other than what was happening on the track even existed. There were very few times I was disappointed either.... unless I just raced completely stupid, and everyone has done that a time or two. Win, lose, or crash, I was always grateful to be out there.

I had some decent success, made some great friends who I'm still in touch with 35 years later, and wouldn't trade those 3-4 years of my life for anything. I went from back of the pack, to contender, to Champion.

Some my greatest times didn't even involve a win... the satisfaction that I ran good, they knew I was there, and being looked at like one of the guys you had to beat.... was an outstanding feeling.

I still feel like it's not tooooooo late to again become the racer I once was.

[palmbayer]

BECAUSE I'm ...

too American for soccer
too white for basketball
too southern for hockey
too impatient for golf
too fat for tennis
too lazy to run
too injury prone for football
too board with fishing
too uncoordinated for baseball
too smart for boxing
ping pong ?..whatever
too poor for polo
too heavy to surf
too distracted for beach volleyball
too old to mountain climb
too "pigeon toed" for skiing
.....that about covers it

[ocalasp76]

BECAUSE I'm ...

too American for soccer
too white for basketball
too southern for hockey
too impatient for golf
too fat for tennis
too lazy to run
too injury prone for football
too board with fishing
too uncoordinated for baseball
too smart for boxing
ping pong ?..whatever
too poor for polo
too heavy to surf
too distracted for beach volleyball
too old to mountain climb
too "pigeon toed" for skiing
.....that about covers it

Forgot one:
Too ugly without a helmet on...

J/K Palm.... good ones.
-JIM-