What would you give to do it?

“I would give anything to do what you do”

In my 30 years of racing I have heard this statement countless times.  My standard response is: “no you wouldn’t, otherwise you would be doing it”

I have given anything to be doing what I am doing. I have been willing, since I was five years old really, to give whatever I need to give to be the best race car driver I can possibly be.

At times this career demands that I give a lot. From very late nights preparing cars to race, to days on the road, and one of the bigger ones that many don’t realize, because I am racing almost every weekend through the summer, I miss almost every family barbeque and get together that happens. Unlike most other racers, I don’t come from a family of racers, so they are not with me when I am racing. Except of course for my daughter, and I am so very thankful and proud to have her with me at pretty much every race, and she straps me in before every run.

Of course I wouldn’t change any of it, when I do get together with my family and friends it is that much more special, and we have many stories to share. I am living the life I have created, by giving anything to do it, sometimes we have to give a lot to get a lot. I will continue to give anything I have to to continue accomplishing the goals I have set for myself.

This idea of what are you willing to give is applicable to any endeavor that you may want to undertake, from writing a book, to sailing around the world, to the next holiday you want to take. What are you willing to give to make it happen? If you honestly answer that question you may be very surprised with what you hear.

You are capable of doing anything you set your mind to, but, and this is the point many seem to miss, you have to do it. Sounds simple, just do it, but we as humans are very good at finding reasons to not do it. I look for reasons to do it. You can too.

How bad do you want it?!

Notes on Eagle Motorplex

I just got back from the season opener at Eagle Motorplex in Ashcroft BC. I was doing some testing in the SD Performance Pontiac Lemans.

I am always proud to call Eagle my home track, the people there are all wonderful people, and always treat me very well. What is really special about Eagle Motorplex is the staff, and how hard they work at making the racing great for the racers, in particular the amount of effort they go to making sure the tack surface is at it’s absolute best.

Just two or three weeks ago they had a new surface laid to repair a couple bumps that have been getting progressively worse over the last few years. Saturday it rained pretty much all day, there was a break for a couple hours in the middle of the day, and the crew had the track almost dry when it started raining again, how frustrating that must be for them. Sunday morning there was no rain, but heavy cloud/fog cover kept the sun off the track until noon. Yet still the staff got the track dried and prepared, and on a brand new surface, still cold, they were able to get it into amazing shape.

They tell me they are using a new traction compound, I don’t know what it is but I am very impressed with how well it got a brand new surface to work.

Over the winter they also did many improvements to the facility, and wow does it look great. They have plenty more planned too.

Next weekend is the first big race of the season, The IHRA Pro-Am Tour event and I encourage any racers out there who are unsure about attending to check it out, you will find it an enjoyable experience from start to finish. And the fans want to get out there and check out a bunch of new cars, and the great improvements made at Eagle Motorplex.

On a side note to my weekend at Ashcroft, I found a great place to eat. It was a pleasure to meet Chef Chris, (who also races a street legal Dodge Stealth), and his wonderful staff on Sunday at the track. Saturday night, about nine, we were looking for something to eat for dinner and Chris’s Under The Bridge in Ashcroft was just closing, but still they very happily took our orders, and delivered it to our room with wonderful smiles, and jokes. On top of that, the food was delicious, possibly the best french fries ever. The hamburgers were actually hand made patties. My salad was fantastic. I am looking forward to eating there next weekend and every time I am racing in Ashcroft, great place. Check it out.