Tuesday, March 28, 2006
Reflection...
As most people that know me are aware, I had a bit of a wake-up call on Saturday, when in what was a relatively minor off in the rally car, I had a substantial log come through the window and belt me in the side of the head. Then there were other events over the weekend that have caused even more pause for thought.
In the two days since, I've had plenty of time to reflect, and think about whether I would continue rallying (I will, definitely), what impact this would have on my wife and our relationship (none, thank heavens), and why I want to keep rallying (a difficult question at the best of times).
When it comes down to it, why we do anything can be hard to define, and usually has a multitude of reasons, some we can quantify/qualify to ourselves, and some we can't.
I know that I always say I rally (and enjoy motorsport) because of the people involved with it. I maintain that anything could be interesting, if the people involved are passionate about it. It just happens that motorsport people are passionate about their motorsport, and rally people doubly so.
I enjoy the challenge of rallying. I enjoy the variety of surfaces, conditions, times, people and all the other variables. I enjoy the fact that it's not easy (although that can be very frustrating, too).
I enjoy having someone in the car to share the experience with, who also contributes to your result. I enjoy competing against someone else, but against myself and the clock at the same time.
What has struck me over the last couple of days, is that I enjoy that rally people care. That they ask how you are, and care about the response. That they offer to help, and seek ways to actually make that mean something.
I enjoy the people, and what we mean to each other. I enjoy that we reflect each others strengths, and weaknesses.
In the two days since, I've had plenty of time to reflect, and think about whether I would continue rallying (I will, definitely), what impact this would have on my wife and our relationship (none, thank heavens), and why I want to keep rallying (a difficult question at the best of times).
When it comes down to it, why we do anything can be hard to define, and usually has a multitude of reasons, some we can quantify/qualify to ourselves, and some we can't.
I know that I always say I rally (and enjoy motorsport) because of the people involved with it. I maintain that anything could be interesting, if the people involved are passionate about it. It just happens that motorsport people are passionate about their motorsport, and rally people doubly so.
I enjoy the challenge of rallying. I enjoy the variety of surfaces, conditions, times, people and all the other variables. I enjoy the fact that it's not easy (although that can be very frustrating, too).
I enjoy having someone in the car to share the experience with, who also contributes to your result. I enjoy competing against someone else, but against myself and the clock at the same time.
What has struck me over the last couple of days, is that I enjoy that rally people care. That they ask how you are, and care about the response. That they offer to help, and seek ways to actually make that mean something.
I enjoy the people, and what we mean to each other. I enjoy that we reflect each others strengths, and weaknesses.
Thursday, March 23, 2006
Larger than life?
I read this article over on Coop's blog (found via a Jalopnik linkage), and whilst I agree with the premise in modern day drag-racing or Formula One, the premise didn't ring true for me.
Whilst even doyens of the politically incorrect like Sprintcar Racing and NASCAR have been brought into the mainstream (and hence politically corrected), there is a huge raft of motorsport that still has larger than life figures. You just have to look closer to home for them.
The World Rally Championship still has characters, and ones that you wouldn't expect. Whilst the "Hollywood" act of Petter Solberg is PR polished, the actions and words of someone like Marcus Gronholm speak volumes, and he really conveys his feeling, be it cursing the gearbox in last years Peugeot 307, or his admission of guilt in crashing his Focus WRC06 in Rally Mexico.
I remember back to the first time I saw Steve Kinser race his sprintcar in Australia (in the late-90's), and then being able to meet the man. Thinking he was a god, and then realising that he was as human as I was.
The same goes for the heroes of Australasian Rallying. Meeting Possum Bourne, or Neal Bates, or Simon Evans. Ross Runnals, Geoff Portman or Greg Carr. These guys are from different era's, with very varied personalities, yet all have about them the "Air of Giants". But they are still accessible, still happy to have a chat and a beer. They are still "real people".
I think that's the difference. Giants were those who walked amongst us. And still do.
Not the untouchable PR puppets, that so many would-be giants have become...
Whilst even doyens of the politically incorrect like Sprintcar Racing and NASCAR have been brought into the mainstream (and hence politically corrected), there is a huge raft of motorsport that still has larger than life figures. You just have to look closer to home for them.
The World Rally Championship still has characters, and ones that you wouldn't expect. Whilst the "Hollywood" act of Petter Solberg is PR polished, the actions and words of someone like Marcus Gronholm speak volumes, and he really conveys his feeling, be it cursing the gearbox in last years Peugeot 307, or his admission of guilt in crashing his Focus WRC06 in Rally Mexico.
I remember back to the first time I saw Steve Kinser race his sprintcar in Australia (in the late-90's), and then being able to meet the man. Thinking he was a god, and then realising that he was as human as I was.
The same goes for the heroes of Australasian Rallying. Meeting Possum Bourne, or Neal Bates, or Simon Evans. Ross Runnals, Geoff Portman or Greg Carr. These guys are from different era's, with very varied personalities, yet all have about them the "Air of Giants". But they are still accessible, still happy to have a chat and a beer. They are still "real people".
I think that's the difference. Giants were those who walked amongst us. And still do.
Not the untouchable PR puppets, that so many would-be giants have become...
Thursday, March 16, 2006
Rally Des Femmes '06: The aftermath.
I've just uploaded to flickr some photos of the damage my wife did to my previously beautiful 180B. I've since done a local rally with the car (Mini'Dulla '06) and managed to finish 7th outright, so there doesn't appear to be any damage to anything other than panels and pride.
I've got just over a week to be ready for the first round of the Total traction Services ACT Regional Rally Series, the 2006 Captains Flat Rally. I'll be doing some basic rally prep on the car this weekend, but my panel-beater and painter are unavailable, so it looks like the car won't be returned to its pristine condition until after Oberon... in 3-4 weeks time.
Still, I thought the shots of the damage might illustrate what a "small" bingle can do. Nothing too bad, and it's kinda been whacked out a bit, but it's sill not pretty. The bit behind the wheel arch is what makes me wince...
Subaru Rally of Canberra 2006
Well, it's over for another year.
I saw the cuteness of curvy women in racesuits (ooooohhh! sexy!), the wonder of a Ford Focus Group N(P) rally car (sounds cool, doesn't go very fast... yet), and enjoyed the 3am starts and 1am finishes.
Next up is the Captains Flat Rally, the first round of this years Total Traction Services ACT Series, and the next opportunity to bring the 180B out for some fun. It's still not repaired following my wife's journey into the scenery, but it will be soon.
I've booked my flights to go to WA fo rthe Quit Forest Rally in May, so I'm looking forward to that, and I'll have to book my flights to Queensland soon for the Coates Rally of QLD. It's action everywhere, and I don't have to worry about finding time for work, now that my section has been axed, and I'll be potentially excess (again).
The fun never stops!
I saw the cuteness of curvy women in racesuits (ooooohhh! sexy!), the wonder of a Ford Focus Group N(P) rally car (sounds cool, doesn't go very fast... yet), and enjoyed the 3am starts and 1am finishes.
Next up is the Captains Flat Rally, the first round of this years Total Traction Services ACT Series, and the next opportunity to bring the 180B out for some fun. It's still not repaired following my wife's journey into the scenery, but it will be soon.
I've booked my flights to go to WA fo rthe Quit Forest Rally in May, so I'm looking forward to that, and I'll have to book my flights to Queensland soon for the Coates Rally of QLD. It's action everywhere, and I don't have to worry about finding time for work, now that my section has been axed, and I'll be potentially excess (again).
The fun never stops!
