This item was circulated on the Midwestern Council's mail list. I
thought others might find it interesting. This is the text of a
presentation by K. Alexander Talbot (a Council member) at the Year 2000
NSSCC Indoor Driver School. For those of you not familiar, the "Indoor
Drivers' School" is a 4-week series of lectures put on by the Madison
and North Shore clubs each year for its new members and other interested
parties. Seems like sound advice for newbies like myself...
Scott
++++++++++++++++++++++++++
> Ladies and Gentlemen of the North Suburban Indoor Drivers School of
> '2000:
>
> Wear your helmet.
>
> If I could offer you only one tip for the future, a helmet would be
> it. The
> long term benefits of a helmet have been proved through many years of
> racing, whereas the rest of my advice has no basis more reliable than
> my own
> racing experience. I will pass along this advice now.
>
> Find the beauty and reliability of your current race car instead of
> always
> thinking of that next car. Oh, never mind. You will not appreciate the
> beauty and reliability of your current car until you've spend 6
> mosquito filled nights working
> on the new car trying to synchronize the cool multiple carb set up.
> But
> trust me, next season, you'll look back at videos of yourself
> finishing
> races and recall in a way you can't grasp now how good that other car
> really
> was and how much fun you had. Your car is not as slow as you think.
>
> Don't worry about upcoming race weekends. Know that worrying is as
> effective
> as trying to win a Formula One race in a Miata.
>
> Preparation and organization is the key to have a successful and
> enjoyable
> weekend.
>
> Don't do anything that scares you or your instructor.
>
> Rest.
>
> Don't be reckless on the track. Don't put up with people who are
> reckless
> on track, eventually they will spin out of your way.
>
> Relax..
>
> Don't waste your time on go fast parts. Sometimes you're ahead,
> sometimes
> you're behind. The race is long and, in the end, it's only with
> yourself.
>
> Remember the victories you have. Forget the DNFs. If you succeed in
> doing
> this, tell me how.
>
> Keep your old trophies. Throw away your old tires.
>
> Pre-register.
>
> Don't feel guilty about leaving your chores and worries behind. The
> happiest people I know have something that gets them away from it
> all.
> Some people realize this too late in their life and realize there may
> have been
> more to life than work, mowing the yard and watching must see T.V.
>
> Use all the track.
>
> Be kind to your tires. You'll miss them when they're gone.
>
> Maybe you'll win, maybe you won't. Maybe you'll race at Road America,
> maybe
> you won't. Maybe you'll quit after one school, maybe you'll be doing
> victory
> doughnuts after winning the 2002 Trans Am Championship. Whatever you
> do,
> don't brag too much, or berate yourself either. Your victories will be
> half
> chance. So are everyone else's.
>
> Enjoy your brakes. Use them as efficiently and as late as you can.
> Don't be
> afraid of late braking or of what other people behind you might do.
> Brakes
> are one of the greatest assets you have during a race.
>
> Practice, even if it's working on your lines getting on and off I-90
> or
> pushing that stroller though Woodfield this weekend.
>
> Come in if you've been black flagged, even if you're positive you
> possibly
> couldn't have done anything wrong.
>
> Do not read the Dupont Registry. It will only make you feel poor.
>
> Get to know your competitors. You never know when you'll need one or
> more of
> them for a part, tool or assistance.
>
> Pay attention to your guests at the track. They are your best shot at
> keeping you organized and most likely will help your weekend run
> smoothly.
>
> Understand that race weekends come and go, but the memories will last
> a life
> time.
>
> Work hard to bridge the gaps between your car's capabilities and your
> own,
> because spending more does not equate to lower lap times.
>
> Own a British car once, but sell it before if breaks. Buy a GT-1 car
> once
> but sell it before it breaks your bank.
>
> Thank your spouse.
>
> Accept certain inalienable truths: Fuel prices will rise. IT guys will
> cheat. You, too, will get old. And when you do, you'll fantasize that
> when
> you were young, race gas at Blackhawk was cheap, tech people were
> reasonable, and drivers paid attention to the flags.
>
> Pay attention to the flags.
>
> Don't expect anyone else to fund your racing. Maybe you'll have
> sponsor money.
> Maybe you'll have a wealthy spouse. But you never know when either one
> might
> run out.
>
> Don't mess with too many of your car's settings at one time or by the
> time you're
> done you'll never get the car right again.
>
> Be careful whose advise you get, but be patient with some of us who
> supply
> it. Advice is a form of nostalgia. Dispensing it is a way of getting
> a
> rusty MG from the junk yard, cleaning it up, painting over the ugly
> parts
> and trying to sell it for more than it's worth.
>
> But trust me on the helmet.
>
>
> Alex Talbot - 2000©
>
> This was written by K. Alexander Talbot and he holds the Copyright to
> this... If you'd like to use this please contact K. Alex Talbot at
> (847) 808-0123 or atalbot@graebel.com
>
>
>
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