Haha, you could be describing my childhood! I used to sit in my family's old Buick and "pretend" driving before I could even reach the pedals! I pined to get a go-cart, anything with wheels! In my seventies now I still look forward to driving, anywhere anytime! Ross, your writings have really reminded me of the mental component of driving, always alert and always observant!
I've have very few crisis birthdays in my almost 66 yr adventure. I was a little concerned when I turned 20 b/c I was no longer a teenager, but life was still opening up in front of me. I wasn't upset when I turned 30 but I was bothered when I turned 32. I suddenly realized I'd been driving half my life and that made me feel old. Oh to be 32 again! Enjoyed your story.
Wow Ross! Reading this was like reliving my life long interest in cars! The only difference being that I never made it to the highest levels of motor racing as you have. Funny how it all starts the same though. My father had a cursory interest in cars, as did my grandfather, but it never went beyond that. Unfortunately, unless one has an interested and engaged mentor, to help shepard that young interest along, it never really has a chance to blossom. Having said this though, at 67, I'm still working on perfecting taking those turns, and trying to always develop that "feel".
How great you somehow knew to take your foot off the gas and grenade the brake! Not everyone's "instincts" show up with such a good idea!! My mom gifted us kids her Hillman Husky when it was no longer safe to drive on the street (actually I'm not sure it ever was, no seat belts, and tilting front seats to gain access to the back, no locks needed!). We drove that thing around our tiny 20 foot radius slightly oval circle in the back yard for hours and hours, hold my juice carton, I'm going into second gear!! Thanks for the time warp back to the beginning.
Boy does this bring back amazing memories of sitting on my dads lap steering his big Buick while he worked the pedals. Age 6 or 7 as I recall, and as we drove, he asked me the make of every car that passed by till I knew them all. Around age 12 he had me ride out into the country with him to fix my sisters 55' Chevy that had died on her. Took him about 5 minutes to find the problem, then he hopped in his car and said "see you at home" as he drove off! That was probably the most exciting 8 miles ever.
So much in here I identify with! I loved this story Ross … and I can see why you’re so good at what you do.
Haha, you could be describing my childhood! I used to sit in my family's old Buick and "pretend" driving before I could even reach the pedals! I pined to get a go-cart, anything with wheels! In my seventies now I still look forward to driving, anywhere anytime! Ross, your writings have really reminded me of the mental component of driving, always alert and always observant!
How did the old Buick handle? :)
I've have very few crisis birthdays in my almost 66 yr adventure. I was a little concerned when I turned 20 b/c I was no longer a teenager, but life was still opening up in front of me. I wasn't upset when I turned 30 but I was bothered when I turned 32. I suddenly realized I'd been driving half my life and that made me feel old. Oh to be 32 again! Enjoyed your story.
Wow Ross! Reading this was like reliving my life long interest in cars! The only difference being that I never made it to the highest levels of motor racing as you have. Funny how it all starts the same though. My father had a cursory interest in cars, as did my grandfather, but it never went beyond that. Unfortunately, unless one has an interested and engaged mentor, to help shepard that young interest along, it never really has a chance to blossom. Having said this though, at 67, I'm still working on perfecting taking those turns, and trying to always develop that "feel".
Yup : )
How great you somehow knew to take your foot off the gas and grenade the brake! Not everyone's "instincts" show up with such a good idea!! My mom gifted us kids her Hillman Husky when it was no longer safe to drive on the street (actually I'm not sure it ever was, no seat belts, and tilting front seats to gain access to the back, no locks needed!). We drove that thing around our tiny 20 foot radius slightly oval circle in the back yard for hours and hours, hold my juice carton, I'm going into second gear!! Thanks for the time warp back to the beginning.
Boy does this bring back amazing memories of sitting on my dads lap steering his big Buick while he worked the pedals. Age 6 or 7 as I recall, and as we drove, he asked me the make of every car that passed by till I knew them all. Around age 12 he had me ride out into the country with him to fix my sisters 55' Chevy that had died on her. Took him about 5 minutes to find the problem, then he hopped in his car and said "see you at home" as he drove off! That was probably the most exciting 8 miles ever.