While there is the usual air of pish taking and banter people know that this is the event . . . the real deal . . . the one with blatant risks which are hard to ignore . . .
I hover in the 49 second range in practice, blaming tired tyres and the cold for lack of performance, but in reality it's lack of commitment . . .
First timed run and it's threatening rain . . . time to put up or shut up and put in the best run of the year, when you know people after spending many weeks with them you can tell they are serious, people get introverted, people are quiet, needing some peace and quiet to think things over . . . this is not the norm at most events . . . more than any other event this is a mind game . . . concentrate, relax, smooth aggression . . . most people can describe their runs in exquisite detail from memory . . . you can remember the stones hitting the bodywork when you run wide, you can remember the shift light flashing, every sound the car makes, you can feel the car pitch, roll and yaw into the corners . . . 100x what you normally sense . . . it's hyper real but all in slow motion . . .
48.27 seconds . . . yes Lawrence with 100 less BHP
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7jX4TZcS4JQ
After another season of PB's at every venue this is the only one that really matters . . .
2 people I know well put wrecked cars on trailers this weekend . . . another had a minor incident and a number more went home on trailers . . . there are risks . . . file that for another day . . . don't think about it too much . . .
Why do people do this, why do they spend the money and the time, why do they travel from the far south of England to run up a 40 second track, why do they take the risk ? people do get hurt here . . .
Simply because it is the ultimate hillclimb, it is pure mind over matter, it is terrifying but stunningly simple . . . and the reward is adrenaline . . . lots of it . . .
You reduce the margins between the car and the barriers every run until you are 'happy' with a few inches between the car and the armco so long as you go faster . . . I do wonder how much closer will be acceptable . . . I guess >=0 inches so long as it's fast . . .
It's crazy but absolutely aweseome . . . this is not like any other speed event . . .
Do not listen to those that do not get it . . .
Fd
