“Are we going racing or going to a picnic?”

For the past couple months I have mentioned “FUN” as something that seems to be missing at the drag strip in recent years. The responses I have received have been incredible. I have heard from dozens of No Box racers and Box racers as well as Import Racers, NMCA racers, Super Class racers and IHRA / NHRA class racers. There is one common feeling among most of them: they agreed with me. The challenge now is WHAT can we do to keep this hobby more fun for us (the racers), our family, and guests we bring to the strip with us. I have a lot of ideas and the people who sent in e-mail also had a lot of great ideas. Most of these ideas are so simple they often are overlooked and others require a little planning by the participants and the track operators.

Most racers enjoy about three basic things when it comes to racing. The friends you make at the track are number one in my book. Nowhere can you meet people from so many walks of life and share a common interest and learn to respect people so much. I feel it is a terrific place to take your family, especially young children. The “track rats” (I always liked that reference to kids around the track for some reason) learn about respecting other people’s property and paying attention to what is going on around them. And never discount the MATH skills they develop figuring out those ET slips for you.

They also get to develop friendships that they never would have if they hadn’t been at the track. They learn about competition and how great it feels to win as they watch Dad or Mom win a round or a race. They also see the frustrations of losing or making a driving error. In most instances they also see other people’s reactions to winning and losing. What they learn from this is up to you. They learn sportsmanship, if you give them examples of it; they learn you can’t win them all but you sure should try to.

The whole family should be allotted some time during the race event. Sit down for a lunch or some barbeque. Ask the kids or friends you brought along if they are enjoying the day so far. If they don’t say yes right away find out why. If this crazy sport is going to survive it is critical that we make it enjoyable to more than just ourselves. Would a small fold-up awning to provide shade make it more enjoyable? They only cost about $150 to $400 depending on size and quality. They will last about twenty times longer than a pair of slicks so they are a good piece of equipment. Would a chunk of carpet under the lawn chairs make it more comfortable? How about a fold-up picnic table or a better ice chest?

I know, you are asking yourself this question; “ARE WE RACING OR GOING TO A PICNIC?” Truth is, you are doing both if you want your family or friends involved. I can remember when a race partner I had was so impatient with me one day as we loaded up the lawn chairs, cooler, play pen, charcoal grille, etc. that he asked me that exact question. My reply then was the same as it would be today; “Damn right we are on a picnic. We sure aren’t making a living at this racing deal and if the wife and boys aren’t coming, then neither am I.”

He actually started having more fun after that and I really think became a better racer because he relaxed a lot more at the track.

Think about your priorities before you leave for the track. You prepared the race car, trailer and tow vehicle the best you could. Did you prepare to ENJOY the weekend by preparing to have some FUN? I hope so; everyone around you will appreciate it more and you will race better if everyone around you is enjoying the time at the track.

I know the thoughts I have expressed above are not hard-core racing views to some of you. Then again, if you have a family, these views are as important as whether the UPS guy showed up with the new race car parts or not. All I am saying is take some time to think over your game plan and include things for the whole family to do at the track.

Now, what has been happening on the bracket-racing scene? My editor, Jeff Burk, is really interested in starting a special section of Drag Racing Online dedicated just to bracket racing news and tech articles. I hope we can get it started and I hope you will give us some input as to what you would like to see in the “bracket racers section.”

Next month I will be all fired up about stuff, as I will have had my old “Attitude Adjustment” Dart out to the strip. Win or lose in 2000 I am going to have some “serious fun.” Hope to see some of you at the races. Be sure to stop by and pick up your www.dragracingonline.com decal! I haven’t told Jeff (the editor of DRO) that he will be paying for these so let’s keep it between you and me.

I hope you found this column thought-provoking. If you have an opinion I want to hear it and so does the Big Kahuna here at Drag Racing Online. Just email me at Jok@racingnetsource.com.

Good Luck in 2000 and BE SAFE!!!!! (We need the readers!)

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