As I write this, I reflect on how fortunate I am to live in such a beautiful state and the opportunities provided to me to live out a dream. Thanks to Earl and Karen Lackey, the owners of Alaska Raceway Park (ARP), I have a brand new 1/3 mile paved oval to pursue a dream. I don’t think there is a track in the United States with a more stunning view than ARP. I think about all that I have learned and all the friends I have made this summer.
It all started with the purchase of my first race car (thanks, Dave). I was working on it through the winter, getting it painted (thanks, Kevin), and reaching out and gaining sponsors to support my team (thank you, Alaskan Spirit Realty and Denali Auto Detail). Then my first laps at ARP (thanks to Earl, Karen, and all ARP staff) and the huge learning curve ahead of me. The race season is already halfway, and I have to wonder where the time has gone. The first five races have been a blast, with lots of excitement and some scratched paint thrown in as well. As I look ahead to the next five races, I wonder if I will learn as much in the next five races as in the first. I would be willing to bet I do.
I talk about looking ahead to the rest of the season, but “looking ahead” can mean much more. Last weekend I found out just how vital looking ahead can be. I remember when I first started driving in the local Sports Car Club of America Solo (aka autocross) events; the instructors always talked about “looking ahead” and looking at where you want to go instead of at what is directly in front of you. You would think after years of attending Solo events, I would have had that down. Well, as I am about to share, obviously not. During the 6-lap Trophy Dash, I ran fourth and tried to catch up to the lead pack. I stared intently at the back of the third-place car and watched my line closely.
Unfortunately, I was not looking ahead at the cars in the first and second positions. Going into Turn One (my nemesis at this track), the second-place car dove below the leader and, unfortunately, made contact. Both cars spun, which started a chain of events I couldn’t avoid. Had I been looking ahead, I would have had more time to decide where I was going and more time to get on the brakes; that didn’t happen. As I was staring at the back of car #66 in front of me, I suddenly realized what was happening and tried to go high to go around him. I didn’t count on the #66 spinning and turning sideways right in front of me. With no place to go and all tires locked up and sliding, I hit him right on the numbers (sorry, Paul).
All I can say is that I am very grateful I didn’t spare any expense on safety equipment. Everything worked how it was designed to, and the only thing I hurt was my thumb and pride. I am ok, but I can’t say that about the car. I ripped the fiberglass front end in half, crushed the aluminum air box, bent the front bumper beyond recognition, and messed up a tie-rod mount. I guess, looking back, it could have been worse. I’m not hurt. The car is very fixable, so life is good. With lots of help from my friend Dave at Alaska Racer Supply and Kevin from Hamilton Customs, the car is getting fixed and will be ready for this weekend’s events.
As I have said, the racing community is like a big family. They are very competitive but come together to help when one of their own needs it most. So as race day approaches and I spend my free time fixing my car and getting it ready for the weekend. I look back at how much fun I have had and all I have learned and keep reminding myself to keep looking ahead.
Brad Generous
Velocity Motorsport #63