Dave, your note is going on my shop wall right next to:
LUCK IS WHEN PREPARATION MEETS OPPORTUNITY
Example;
Watsonville, CA, 1/4 mile dirt track one Friday night. Past track champ's
tow truck was hit on the way to the track. He arrived at the pit gate as
qualifying was ending. He came out of the truck at the pit gate already suited
up, signed in, got in the car on trailer and fired the motor while the
crewman signed in. They pulled into the pit area, backed car off of trailer,
he was allowed one lap only, no warm-up or practice, and set fast time for the
night!
That was NOT luck. It was preparation and perseverance.
Howard taught me over 30 years ago that if you can't drive it on the trailer,
you're not ready to go racing.
Bryan (the word, "accident", is used to hide the truth)
Dave Dahlgren wrote:
>
> There is very little luck involved in racing that i have ever found,. there is
> preparation and perseverance though.
> When you shifted at the 'second torque peak' you were not lucky but you did
>learn
> something that might have been explored earlier.. A good dyno sheet and a
> calculator with your gear chart would have produced exactly the same 'luck'!!!
> Running second in a road race with 1 lap to go and winning is not luck
>because the
> lead driver made a mistake. You were in a second place car and the faster car
>made
> a mistake you took advantage of. The preparation made though to have a car
>that
> would run second was not luck it was preparation and driver/crew skill (maybe
>not
> in that order either)... then you had the opportunity to take advantage of a
> mistake by someone else. Anyone in my opinion that thinks racing is a lot of
>luck
> ought to spend more time at the slot machines it would be a lot more
>profitable...
> LOL
> Racing is a lot of hard work and preparation along with an attitude that
>allows
> you to take advantage of a situation by being at the right place at the right
>time
> prepared to act. And knowing when you are not ready and doing what needs to be
> done to be ready. if you are shooting for a record of any type and you know
>the
> required power and aero characteristics to accomplish the goal and show up
> unprepared to set your goals hoping for some 'luck' all you are doing is
>burning
> gas and making noise and probably spending a lot of time and money on
>something
> futile. If you do get lucky so to speak the it only showed you did not know
>what
> was needed to be done meet your goals. Racing is all about applied knowledge
>there
> is very little luck. I have yet to see Tom Burkland or Don Vesco or anyone
>else
> that has their act together consult their astrologer or get the chicken bones
>out
> to see how the next pass will turn out...
>
> The best way to make your own 'luck' is to be prepared and know what you need
>to
> know by whatever means are available, and if they are not available make them
>the
> next big project to find the answers to.. It is all applied knowledge and if
>you
> don't have the facts then you just don't know and that gets in the wishing and
> hoping mode that is usually the beginning of a failure.
>
> The great 'racer attitudes that get themselves into trouble by deception
>are...
> Its a lot of luck...
> It will be fine..
> This is good enough...
> It probably won't matter..
> I think i can get them at the tree...
> I think I can.. most anything.. you fill it in..
> It seems like....
> The other guy is doing....
> The engine sounds pretty good...
> Just put some tape over it...
> The oil pressure will be fine over 8000 rpm even if it is low at idle..
> That noise is probably nothing important..
>
> In general the use of the words..
> fine
> ok probably
> should be
> Might be
> won't matter
> seems ok
> don't worry about it
> it's no big deal...
> If....
> LUCKY
> 'Fill in the rest of your favorites that have put you on the trailer..'
> Dave Dahlgren
>
> Rose & Terry Hunt wrote:
>
> > Keith and list, Couldn't agree more that coming to a race prepared is so
> > important. I always try but sometimes I just don't know enough to get it
> > right. The guys with lots of experience are the most successful. As a
>relative
> > novice I know I'm going to have some problems. I am comforted when things
> > don't work out in the belief that with time we can get better at this game.
> > I'm also a believer in racer luck. This year Keith had bad luck . Last
>year
> > I had bad luck and blew the motor. This year I was trashing trying to get
>the
> > new motor in the car. It was hard to start, would hardly idle, and the MSD
> > tach. output was messed up. I shifted after the second torque peak and hoped
> > for the best. But you know what. I had good LUCK and set the record. You
>never
> > know what's going to happen. Growing up in No. Hollywood Ca. in the 50's I
> > was the neighborhood car nut. Few shared my passion for hot rodding. One of
> > the best things about our sport is the friendships we make. We are I think a
> > collection of car nuts from many neighborhoods in this country. So I can
> > honestly say that win or lose, I always enjoy the races and being with the
> > community of landspeed racers. Tomorrow is Thanksgiving day. I'm thankful
>for
> > many things., including being a part of this sport. Have a good one. Terry
> > Hunt, Guam Bomb, #743
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