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Written by Alanna Lungren/Tahoe WorldOpen
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Wednesday, 12 July 2006 |
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I could taste the cold milk on my lips already.
Danica couldn’t pull it off in her rookie year at the Indy 500, but I was sure I was on my way as we pulled into the Infineon Raceway (formerly Sears Point) compound early Friday morning.
I saw the long paved track stretched out before me, I could smell the high octane fuel and catch a glimmer of the fiberglass bodies reflecting off my sunglasses.
Today, I was going to learn how to corner, accelerate and brake like an open wheel race car driver. I would learn how to pick my line through the race course, drive with the finesse of an expert, in essence: Become one with the machine beneath me.
Feeling like the fat kid on a Big Wheel — sitting inches off the ground with my legs bent up and straddling the fuel tank — one of the Jim Russell Racing School teachers loomed over me.
“OK, start your engine,” I heard muffled through my helmet. So it wasn’t an Indy Car I was sitting in — the 80 cc and single digit horsepower engine may not impress fans — but this kart slightly bigger than a child’s tricycle could still do 0 to 50 in six seconds.
The racing coaches taught us etiquette, warned us that in open wheel karts — rubbing is not racing, and pointed out the apex of the turn, when to brake and the fastest line.
 After the first full lap session, I turned in the third fastest time, only clocking 38 miles per hour. My arms were tired, back a little tense and heart rate escalated.
Suddenly, the people I had met just an hour before over bagels and fresh fruit compote were now my competitors — to be passed by the middle-aged chain smoker, the mother of five, or even my own father — was to fail.
Getting back out on the track, joints popping as I lowered myself into the groundlevel cockpit, I thought to myself now that the tires are sufficiently warmed up — it was time to take no prisoners.
To get way out and expand your ego via speed and competition, visit the Jim Russell Racing School Web site at www.jimrussellusa.com.
Photos courtesy of Alanna Lungren
Top to bottom: Alanna "The Dude" Lungren feels the need for speed at 38 mph at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma. Brian "The Kid" Lungren (second from left) readies himself for the green flag.
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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 12 July 2006 )
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