Beating the Winter Doldrums It seems that every year as the month of September drawls to a close drivers, crews and family are ready for a welcomed break. For most of us, that break is only welcome for a couple weeks or a month. Whether it's the bitter cold, the snow or most likely our passion for the sport of racing, we start longing to be back behind the wheel. While I'll admit there is no replacement for a warm summer evening behind the wheel of your race car, here are a few of my favorite ways to beat the winter doldrums. Race or Spectate...Okay here is the best replacement for a warm summer evening behind the wheel of your race car-climb behind the wheel of your car in an indoor venue or better yet in a warmer state like Florida. Here are some of the popular events during the winter months.
Read...There are some pretty good books that can help you enter the new season better educated on driving and set-up. There are a couple of them that we sell that I try to read each winter for a refresher.
Watch...Just like the book thing. We carry a couple of videos that are also good to watch over and over again. Both videos are nice compliments to the books listed above.
Wrench...I say it every year, "I'm going to get an early start on getting my car ready for the upcoming season." The reality of the situation-every year as the first practice of the season drawls near, I am frantically working to get my car done. If you need a little inspiration check out our article on "Best Practices for the Winter Re-Build". Definately a case of "do as I say, no as I do". |
Wrench...I say it every year, "I'm going to get an early start on getting my car ready for the upcoming season." The reality of the situation-every year as the first practice of the season drawls near, I am frantically working to get my car done. If you need a little inspiration check out our article on "The Winter Re-Build". Definately a case of "do as I say, no as I do". Work-Out...Here's one for you. How much money have you spent trying to get that extra weight off your car. A know a lot of drivers that will spend like crazy trying to get a little weight off their car and then pig-out during those winter months when it's hard to get out and moving. In many cases they end-up offset any gains that made through lightening their race car and in the end probably end up spending more on a new driver's suit. Sure a lighter driver is one performance gain, but don't forget that a driver who is in shape also stays sharp further into the race. There's just to many reason not to give this one a try. Make a trip to your local gym. Play...I'm not a big computer games guy. It seems like up until a few years ago all of the really cool sports games were reserved for the stick and ball sports. I recently had the opportunity to play Rat Bag's World of Outlaws Sprint Cars. If you've not tried this one you really should. Although it takes some getting used to, it's a lot of fun. You can select from several different tracks including Eldora and Bloomington, just to name a few. The graphics are awesome. It features a race format that includes qualifying, heat races, B-mains and the feature. For you asphalt guys Papyrus Nascar games are also a lot of fun. Neither is too expensive, I picked up the World of Outlaw Sprint Cars for $24.95 and Papyrus Nascar 2003 for about the same price. You can pick up a steering wheel and pedals off e-bay for next to nothing. For under $75, I picked up both games and my steering wheel/pedals. On more than a few evenings I've lost track of time playing these games. Bench Race...I'd almost forgotten all about the art of bench racing. On a recent trip to Indianapolis to visit a friend's race shop, a steady stream of racer and crews made their way into the shop. Track stories, tech-talk and a little bit of good ribbing followed. It's often way to busy during the season to spend time just hanging-out, buy its a great way to unwind and pass a little time until spring arrives and it's time to go racing again.
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
