Today marked the 91st running of the Indianapolis 500... and Dario Franchitti of the Mario Andretti race team, was the winner of the rain shortened event... As race fans and casual observers know those guys and gals go real fast! They often exceed 200 miles per hour during the race... Below is my Indy car story...
I must admit that even though I lived in Indy for 23 years that it was not until I moved to Texas that I truly understood how fast they really go... On December 3rd, 2004, I along with about 30 of my colleagues had the opportunity to actually drive an Indy car!
We flew into Vegas for a three day event that included meetings, fine dining, great company and yes a little gambling... But the most intriguing part of the trip was our visit to the "Mario Andretti" racing school... You should have seen us... we were having cocktails the evening before the event and everyone in the room was bragging on how fast they were going to go... Some of us were a little reserved and unsure but we all took a part in the good natured fun... of course well into the cocktail party (for some reason) our bravery seemed to intensify...
The day of the event arrived and on the bus ride to the track the bravado continued to intensify... Everybody was going to be the fastest! Are you ready? Was the question of the day... we arrived at the track and we were now standing in line receiving our racing suits and helmets... The atmosphere had suddenly changed... no more could you hear the load bravado, it had been replaced by a more pensive mood... We were all dressed and herded into a classroom where we received 15 minutes of instruction... thats right we were about to get into an Indy car and go around a track at warp speeds and to prepare us we got 15 minutes of instructions! Well if you thought it was quiet while we were in the line, now there was total silence... And from what I can remember about the instructions I think they said when the light turns green floor it! Seriously they did give great instructions...
We were loaded into two vans and given a once around the track to get a feel for things and received a repeat of the instructions... then we were dropped off at the starting line where one by one we took our turn climbing into the cockpit of an Indy car and going really fast... You should have seen this once boisterous group of brave souls waiting their turn... Let's just say collectively bravery was no longer the word of the day...
As my turn arrived to get into the car, I was petrified but willing... I squeezed into the opening and was thankful that I was not claustrophobic!!! An instructor sat on the front of the car and gave me last minute instructions... "Just keep up with the pace car and you'll be fine"... Also watch the "flag man" He will waive a white flag if you are to far behind and a yellow flag if you are to close to the pace car." Now I'm approaching the starting line and the light went from red, to yellow ( I was desperately trying to remember all of the instructions but they were a blur) but when the light went green I just put the peddle to the mettle! I stepped way outside of my comfort zone! I drove 8 laps around the track but my top speed was only 141 miles per hour...
I pulled into the pits and got further instructions from the man sitting on the hood... he said, "You're doing fine, you don't have to worry about hitting the wall, your tires are made to hold onto the track, just keep pace with the lead car... (Sure uh-uh) But I took heed and went out for another 6 laps... This time I decided to throw caution to the wind and stay as close to the pace car as possible... what an absolute rush!!! Wow! All I could do is let out a yell "Whooo---hooooo---hooo-hoo! Hitting those corners and completing the 6 laps was amazing!
I was psyched! I returned to the pits and found that my top speed was 154.09 miles per hour!
After we all had our turn, we each got another treat... we got into a double seated car with a professional driver in the front and away we went... the driver took us around the track 4 times at a top speed of 180 miles an hour! It was absolutely incredible! You would not believe how close we were to the walls in the turns... It was literally inches!
The whole experience was one of those once in a lifetime events and one that I will always remember... I would strongly suggest the experience to anyone that has the opportunity!
We received a commemorative framed photo that included our group standing behind an Indy car as well as two single poses standing next to and inside of the car... the frame included a certificate of our top speed... We also received a Mario Andretti golf shirt and cap...
So today I was happy that Dario Franchitti won the race because my old buddy Mario Andretti is the owner of Dario's race team... Congrats to all of today's Indy 500 participants, and congratulations to my colleagues who for at least that day in December, raced like pros!
Rod
"If you put yourself in a position where you have to stretch outside your comfort zone, then you are forced to expand your consciousness." Les Brown
"My friend, leaving one's comfort zone is no small chore! Trust me, I've learned this first hand. I can say that when all's said and done it's worth it!" Josh Hinds
