I'm 73.
But let me tell you about the difference between 62 and 73. It's not exactly
the book-match reverse of your first 11 years, but in some respects it's not
far off. Ask some of the other old goats.
As for passing the Mantle of Wisdom, don't hold your breath. Last year I
earned second place in the regional ARHMA series in Vintage Motocross. I
ride my old Maico 400 that I bought new in '73. And, yes, that feeling
waiting for the gate to drop hasn't change one iota. As with the Triumph, my
MO is to ride with persistence and make few mistakes.
Richard L. Taylor, Jr., FAIA
TAYLOR ARCHITECTURE
<blocked::blocked::http://maps.yahoo.com/py/maps.py?Pyt=Tmap&addr=112+Krog+S
t.+++Suite+196&csz=Atlanta,+Georgia&country=us> 112 Krog St. Suite
196
Atlanta, Georgia, 30307
tel:
<blocked::blocked::http://www.plaxo.com/click_to_call?src=jj_signature&To=(4
04)+223-1313&Email=tarch@bellsouth.net> (404) 223-1313
fax: (404) 223-1312
mobile:
<blocked::blocked::http://www.plaxo.com/click_to_call?src=jj_signature&To=(4
04)+660-4920&Email=tarch@bellsouth.net> (404) 660-4920
<http://www.taylor-architecture.com/> www.taylor-architecture.com
_____
From: Bill Babcock [mailto:Billb@bnj.com]
Sent: Sunday, February 15, 2009 3:04 PM
To: Richard Taylor
Cc: 'Mark Eginton'; fot@autox.team.net
Subject: Re: [Fot] SVRA allows 5 speed transmission conversion!
Jeez Richard, I'm 62. How old do you need to be to get perspective? I'm
waiting for the mantle of wisdom to fall on my shoulders, it would be good
to know when that might happen. I'd like to prepare for it. Incidentally,
somehow I always had the notion that you were younger than me.
On Feb 15, 2009, at 9:34 AM, Richard Taylor wrote:
As a venerated representative of the opposite end of the prepared-car
spectrum from Babcock, I can say that I totally agree with him
My ole #196 is as close to a first derivative TR-4 as there is out there. I
drive it to the track with roll up windows, heater, turn signals and a
Georgia Tech license plate. And the trophies I add to the shelf are seldom
for being the fastest. Enduros are my forte and much of my modest success is
for simply finishing without a mistake. It's amazing how dependable a
mildly-pumped, 125HP TR-4 is. But, as Bill points out so well, I can still
race as hard as I know how. But it's against my select group of other guys;
other guys, frequently in other marks, who for what ever reason, run at
about my speed.
Now do I hold a grudge because another TR has a Tojo transmission? No, I
could care less. The way I look at it is that there is almost no limit to
the time/expense one can go to to squeeze another Joule of juice out of an
old Triumph. So I say, have at it. As long as there is a spot in a grid for
me to line up in and race my car to the best of my ability in the manner
that gives me great satisfaction, I'm happy.
All this said another way: I appreciate the be-true-to-your-cause driver's
concern, and I respect the efforts and difficulties of the sanctioning
bodies, but slicing and dicing rule book restrictions (other than safety
stuff) just isn't part of my sport.
I will also add that there was a time many years ago (maybe when I was
Babcock's age) when I didn't feel this way. So maybe it's just an old man
thing.
Admittedly, however, my view may be tainted because in the past there has
been very little control over who does what to their car.
Richard
Bill Babcock
Babcock & Jenkins
Billb@bnj.com
503.936.7660
www.bnj.com
Editor
Ke Nalu e-Magazine
Paddlesurfing's Web Journal
Bill@kenalu.com
www.kenalu.com
blog: www.ponohouse.com/ponoblog
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