Clark,
Finally, a question I am qualified to answer!
Not only have I raced with my daughter, I have raced with my son too!
It all started too long ago to remember but they would probably tell you it
had something to do with bouncing around Northern California in our Morgan
when they were only 4 and 7 years old. We even brought the Basset Hound
sometimes.
In those days I had the dream of racing some day but made an agreement with
myself to be sure their college was taken care of before I risked my neck in
a race car. Once that was behind us I started vintage racing and the kids
just came along because the kids always came along no matter what we did.
(we moved so often that there were no friends or relatives to leave them
with). Gradually (and I guess inevitably) our entire circle of friends grew
to include just about every Morgan nut in the world along with some of the
other vintage characters that you all know.
My son (named Morgan) was a great athlete so I would never let him in a race
car during college. I think the reasoning went something like "one way to
break your leg is enough!" I stuck him in a proven Morgan race car after he
graduated and he showed real promise. (beat me in his first race) However,
he brought his intense competitive spirit with him and ended up giving it up
when the bills exceeded his salary.
Then one day my daughter Stacey asked me if she could try racing. Caught me
completely off guard! She really didn't want to go as fast as the Morgan
went so we found an ex SCCA 948 Sprite, put Jeff Gordon's number on it, and
the rest is history. She is in her fifth year now and has never put a
scratch on the car. I have to tell you it was one of the biggest thrills of
my life when HSR combined our groups at Daytona and we went side by side
around that banking!
To sum it all up I am getting to the point where I enjoy being crew chief
more than I do driving but we all still have a great time together with our
friends at the track. She even met here husband at a party given by one of
our racing friends!
So bring your daughter along, there is nothing any more exciting that is
legal! (and I don't see anything wrong with the fact that both my kids are
my "buddies")
SuperDave Bondon
Morgan #72
----- Original Message -----
From: <clark@dnf.com>
To: <vintage-race@autox.team.net>
Sent: Wednesday, April 04, 2001 3:04 AM
Subject: Girls in racing
> Hi All,
>
> I've been sitting back digesting the many thoughtful responses to my
earlier
> post about my daughter's first race. I've saved every one.
>
> Veronica has been exposed to fairly interesting cars throughout her five
> years (she did a 25 mph lap of Laguna Seca in my Speedster at age 2 1/2).
> I've tried not to impress upon her that cars need to be a part of her
life,
> just mine. My wife and I have been separated for a year now, and I'm
> noticing that Veronica is identifying other vehicles, playing with my
> diecast models (especially the expensive ones), and asking more and more
> questions. I haven't encouraged this awareness of cars, just played
along.
> And I've also struggled with whether she's just showing this interest to
> stay close to me, a concern she shouldn't have regardless of her
interests.
>
> The big question I have to answer for myself as I go on is: will I be
> exposing her to this stuff for my benefit or am I just fulfilling her
> interest and providing her with a good day. My wife has already given me
> the "she's not your little buddy" lecture.
>
> Sorry for the personal aspects here. In my original post I wanted to
> acknowledge the drivers that made our day special. I also wanted to learn
> that I'm not alone in wanting to share my hobby with my daughter. Your
> personal experiences have certainly made these questions easier to answer.
>
> Thanks very much,
>
> Clark
>
> Future Devin racer
>
>
>
> --
> Clark Smith
> QuickTime TV Operations
> Live Events Producer
> 408.974.3155 Office
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