Post
by mac » Tue Dec 11, 2007 7:29 pm
Where to begin..?
Lawrence has helped me so much this year, over and above the help and support he has provided Mandy & I since we became elise owners. Along with others Lawrence advised on with spec of Caterham I should be looking at and what to expect for my money. He checked over the photos of the car I found and was the first person I called when Kevin & I picked up the car.
He took the time to walk the autotest circuit with me, pointing out little things that I thought were trivial, made me consider my entry and exit line round the cone and patiently talked me through the circuit only for me to get lost after the second cone. At the time I thought it was very good of him but ultimately a waste of his time - I was wrong, as aways Lawrence was more than one step ahead.
When I complained about the car's handling and that it needed setting up, I was told time and again that the car was fine and it's only the driver that needs the set up - again he was spot on.
He offered support, talked me through which kit I needed, which I didn't and never once tried to talk me into doing hillclimbs instead of any other forms of motorsport.
I feel fortunate that I managed to do a hillclimb with Lawrence, to share the excitement, the buzz, the pure adrenaline rush that you get when you pit yourself against your own courage. Walking the course, I realised why Lawrence had spent so much time talking and walking around the autotest circuit, it was preparation. What he said, and how he made me approach an autotest was the exact same way as I was to approach the hill, look for the exit points, look where the tarmac has been polished and where the grip still remains.
Being under Lawrence's wing (if that's were I ended up) didn't mean that you knew where you stood with him, quite the opposite, but then that was the charm of the man, I think perhaps that was his way of mental training for motorsport.
A man who was generous with his time, something that very few of us are, who opened up his garage doors to all. A man who always knew what to say and when to say it, who could keep you grounded when you needed it and lift you when you were down.
He's the kind of man I would like to be.
We'll miss you, I miss you.
Mac
Last edited by
mac on Wed Dec 12, 2007 9:30 pm, edited 5 times in total.
S2 Elise (cobalt blue with stripes) - toy spec
Caterham 7 - hillclimb spec
Yamaha Thundercat - 2 wheeled toy spec