a letter from my wife after driving the owde

[jeffa711]

The fire suit made me sweat, the helmet wrecked my hair, and that lap belt was WAY too personal. I felt a little bit panicky as I sat on the grid in my husband's Formula Vee, waiting to go out on the track for the Open Wheel Driving Experience at NHMS.

That morning, I went to the class, and I rode around on the track with an instructor. I had sat in the car, yanking on the shifter, pretending to drive. How hard could it be?

As soon as I drove out onto that enormous track, I had an appreciation and awe of my husband and the other drivers. I was the slowest person out there (by far) and I felt like I was flying along. I just kept telling myself not to break the car. Just don't break the car.

By the second session, I had relaxed a little bit. I shaved 20 seconds off my pathetic lap times, and felt like a boss. I got to know the gas pedal a little better. I felt more confident that I would not break the pretty race car. I pulled into the impound area with a big smile on my face.

And I can't wait to do it again next year!!

[Nardi]

Awesome!

[helipilot04]

You have to understand every guy on Apexspeed as well as some of the lurkers are having their wives or girlfriends read this..

Thanks for the ammo....

[TimH]

Yeah, but now you're going to need a second car..

[nhJohn]

The fire suit made me sweat, the helmet wrecked my hair, and that lap belt was WAY too personal. I felt a little bit panicky as I sat on the grid in my husband's Formula Vee, waiting to go out on the track for the Open Wheel Driving Experience at NHMS.

That morning, I went to the class, and I rode around on the track with an instructor. I had sat in the car, yanking on the shifter, pretending to drive. How hard could it be?

As soon as I drove out onto that enormous track, I had an appreciation and awe of my husband and the other drivers. I was the slowest person out there (by far) and I felt like I was flying along. I just kept telling myself not to break the car. Just don't break the car.

By the second session, I had relaxed a little bit. I shaved 20 seconds off my pathetic lap times, and felt like a boss. I got to know the gas pedal a little better. I felt more confident that I would not break the pretty race car. I pulled into the impound area with a big smile on my face.

And I can't wait to do it again next year!!

NEXT YEAR?? We have a race in 2 WEEKS!!!
That car has the potential of being 2 secs a lap faster with you in it in just the weight advantage alone ...
Besides, he has to come in for a pit stop every 2 laps just to ask you for directions anyways ....

[jeffa711]

NEXT YEAR?? We have a race in 2 WEEKS!!!
That car has the potential of being 2 secs a lap faster with you in it in just the weight advantage alone ...
Besides, he has to come in for a pit stop every 2 laps just to ask you for directions anyways ....

So John are you trying to say my Vee makes me look Fat !! Lmao!!

[David Locke]

After doing this for a while we begin to forget what it was like when we started out. Sort of makes me wonder what my wife would think if she drove my P1 car (WF-1) . . .

[HayesCages]

After doing this for a while we begin to forget what it was like when we started out. Sort of makes me wonder what my wife would think if she drove my P1 car (WF-1) . . .

"Oh, this is why you say you hurt so much after driving"

[jpetillo]

And she had that smile firmly planted on her face the rest of the time there. Becky was awesome - the reason we do this! If she comes with a coach for next year's Open Wheel Driving Experience, we're in trouble!

[derminator]

Thanks for sharing. It is great that your wife got to experience the thrill we all get from racing.

[provamo]

coooooooooooooool

too bad more folks never have open wheel experiences

[njg005]

Fantastic write-up Becky! My favorite part of the weekend-Seeing your huge smile as you parked the car in impound after the second session. You did great!