There are some traditional events that bring families together. Annual summer barbecues, 50th wedding anniversaries, and a child’s first birthday are some things that come to mind. Who would have thought that a day at the race track could be a family bonding experience?
Today’s open track event at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca showed me two shining examples where the thrill of racing can be shared by anyone old or young, male or female.
Parked next to me in the paddock were a father and son team sharing a ride in a ’68 Cougar with a 302 engine stroked to 311. This silver bullet was dyno’d and measured 400 hp at the rear wheels (approximately 435 – 440 hp at the crank). Roger had built up the car for track events and invited his father, Roland, to share in the adrenaline rush.
Their shared enthusiasm for motorsports was evident by the huge smiles on their faces after finishing some hot laps on the track. Would you believe Roland is 72 years young?
How often are men questioned by their significant-others when they spend money on their expensive toys and hobbies? Gary is a devout track enthusiast and enjoys tinkering with his E30 3-series BMW. Rather than condemn Gary for his expensive track habit, Jenny decided to join him at the race track. Not as a spectator, but as a driver and instructor. Together Jenny and Gary instruct novices at the Trackmasters Racing events and nobody is left at home. Even Riko gets excited about coming to the track.
Gary performs a quick fix in the paddock so that his E30 can get below the 92db limit at Laguna Seca
Gary’s handiwork
Even Riko, the youngest family member, likes getting behind the wheel.
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