There is very little luck involved in racing that i have ever found,. there is
preparation and perseverance though.
When you shifted at the 'second torque peak' you were not lucky but you did
learn
something that might have been explored earlier.. A good dyno sheet and a
calculator with your gear chart would have produced exactly the same 'luck'!!!
Running second in a road race with 1 lap to go and winning is not luck because
the
lead driver made a mistake. You were in a second place car and the faster car
made
a mistake you took advantage of. The preparation made though to have a car that
would run second was not luck it was preparation and driver/crew skill (maybe
not
in that order either)... then you had the opportunity to take advantage of a
mistake by someone else. Anyone in my opinion that thinks racing is a lot of
luck
ought to spend more time at the slot machines it would be a lot more
profitable...
LOL
Racing is a lot of hard work and preparation along with an attitude that allows
you to take advantage of a situation by being at the right place at the right
time
prepared to act. And knowing when you are not ready and doing what needs to be
done to be ready. if you are shooting for a record of any type and you know the
required power and aero characteristics to accomplish the goal and show up
unprepared to set your goals hoping for some 'luck' all you are doing is burning
gas and making noise and probably spending a lot of time and money on something
futile. If you do get lucky so to speak the it only showed you did not know what
was needed to be done meet your goals. Racing is all about applied knowledge
there
is very little luck. I have yet to see Tom Burkland or Don Vesco or anyone else
that has their act together consult their astrologer or get the chicken bones
out
to see how the next pass will turn out...
The best way to make your own 'luck' is to be prepared and know what you need to
know by whatever means are available, and if they are not available make them
the
next big project to find the answers to.. It is all applied knowledge and if you
don't have the facts then you just don't know and that gets in the wishing and
hoping mode that is usually the beginning of a failure.
The great 'racer attitudes that get themselves into trouble by deception are...
Its a lot of luck...
It will be fine..
This is good enough...
It probably won't matter..
I think i can get them at the tree...
I think I can.. most anything.. you fill it in..
It seems like....
The other guy is doing....
The engine sounds pretty good...
Just put some tape over it...
The oil pressure will be fine over 8000 rpm even if it is low at idle..
That noise is probably nothing important..
In general the use of the words..
fine
ok probably
should be
Might be
won't matter
seems ok
don't worry about it
it's no big deal...
If....
LUCKY
'Fill in the rest of your favorites that have put you on the trailer..'
Dave Dahlgren
Rose & Terry Hunt wrote:
> Keith and list, Couldn't agree more that coming to a race prepared is so
> important. I always try but sometimes I just don't know enough to get it
> right. The guys with lots of experience are the most successful. As a relative
> novice I know I'm going to have some problems. I am comforted when things
> don't work out in the belief that with time we can get better at this game.
> I'm also a believer in racer luck. This year Keith had bad luck . Last year
> I had bad luck and blew the motor. This year I was trashing trying to get the
> new motor in the car. It was hard to start, would hardly idle, and the MSD
> tach. output was messed up. I shifted after the second torque peak and hoped
> for the best. But you know what. I had good LUCK and set the record. You never
> know what's going to happen. Growing up in No. Hollywood Ca. in the 50's I
> was the neighborhood car nut. Few shared my passion for hot rodding. One of
> the best things about our sport is the friendships we make. We are I think a
> collection of car nuts from many neighborhoods in this country. So I can
> honestly say that win or lose, I always enjoy the races and being with the
> community of landspeed racers. Tomorrow is Thanksgiving day. I'm thankful for
> many things., including being a part of this sport. Have a good one. Terry
> Hunt, Guam Bomb, #743
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