I come to vintage racing as a rookie rather late. I'm over 50 and never
raced in any other venue. Sure, I've autocrossed for years, have done a
number of high-speed solo events and have attended both SCCA and commercial
driving schools to get to the point where I feel confident in getting out on
the track and sharing the experience with like-minded drivers.
I'll admit I'm not ready for any pro-series. I don't expect to be racing
with other people going at 10/10ths. I also have a (relatively) low-buck
car. I don't know what my car is worth, don't care. I DO know how much
time and money I have invested in it and to me it's a lot. And I know I'd
much rather race it than fix it.
I driven just about everything with wheels (2-18), currently do at least
30,000 miles of highway driving a year, and try to carry the "vintage
attitude" with me in my daily driving. (I certainly feel safer on track
than on the highway). I think my highway driving record speaks for the
fact. Yes, I enjoy on/off ramps, twisty roads, and even challenging driving
conditions. I've had one solo accident (slid off the road into a ditch when
I rounded a curve and the surface changed from clear, dry asphalt to fresh
chip and tar, my fault but no ticket issued) and have been rear-ended at a
traffic light once. The only tickets I ever got for moving violations were
"too fast for conditions", that is, the cops in both cases heard the tires
crying out at their limit on dry pavement, but had no idea how fast I was
going (not very; the fun for me has always been the tight, twisty bits).
Anybody can go fast in a straight line, that takes no talent.
I've wanted to race all my life but didn't want to commit the resources
until (praise be) I became an "empty nester" with kids through college,
spare change in my pocket, and some spare time to go with it. I spent
twelve years restoring my ride and now feel honored that you gentlepeople
will share the track with me. Can I make a mistake? You bet I can, have,
and probably will again. But like Peter Krause ably instructs, I stretch
the limits not in the throes of the "red mist", but when I see I have clear
space on track and adequate runoff.
I consider myself a thoughtful, capable rookie. I suspect there are many
more like me. I've raced twice with SVRA and hope to continue doing so for
many years to come. The experience thus far has been wholly positive, even
with all the other rookies. I enjoy the experience immensely, and the
people I've met even more.
Talents may vary widely, but the vintage attitude should not. How does an
organization judge attitude? I guess only through performance. Keep the
rules tough enough to punish bad driving, but forgiving enough to allow for
the occasional solo spin. Four wheels off may occur because of someone
else's mistake.
Just a rookie point-of-view.
John Lehman
'68 Triumph GT6
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