Driving School Part III (we move to potentially landing upside down in the swamp - Fun!)
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Saturday night was spent fixing the "issues" on the truck so I would be allowed on the track again. The boyfriend decided I could get more hands on in this so after topping up some fluids I was given a panel to put back in place. He also decided to let me "learn on my own" by not saying a word as I voiced my idea of how this piece would attach and proceded to try. With him under the truck it was difficult to hear if he was laughing or not under his breath but I am sure there was something going on. Eventually I discovered the correct way for the panel to fit without leaving any wires sticking out. We packed up and headed out for dinner with some friends and I was able to re-live last wednesday from the other end of the spectrum. We went for sushi and one member of the party is allergic to seafood. Go figure. "Life is a risk and dammit I'm having something to eat!" was his motto for the evening. Fortunately there was a reasonable selection of bbq items for him to feast on while we kept our fish at the other end of the table.
Sunday was the day to move from the oval track to the road course. We parked in the pits and went back up to the cafe for our introduction.
We all pile into a variety of vehicles for a quick tour around the track, stopping and getting out at each turn. The instructors give their views on the strategies and things to look for as well as things to avoid. Parts of the track are bordered by cement wall (bad), straw bales (not so bad), open grassy field (perfectly ok to go through if you wind up off the track), and swamp (definately not good). Each description of how you could end up in the swamp ends with either being backwards or upside down in the swamp. The weather is cool and raining but we will be going ahead with the driving anyway. I am seeing a clear correlation between last night's dinner and todays excersises.
Sunday was the day to move from the oval track to the road course. We parked in the pits and went back up to the cafe for our introduction.
We all pile into a variety of vehicles for a quick tour around the track, stopping and getting out at each turn. The instructors give their views on the strategies and things to look for as well as things to avoid. Parts of the track are bordered by cement wall (bad), straw bales (not so bad), open grassy field (perfectly ok to go through if you wind up off the track), and swamp (definately not good). Each description of how you could end up in the swamp ends with either being backwards or upside down in the swamp. The weather is cool and raining but we will be going ahead with the driving anyway. I am seeing a clear correlation between last night's dinner and todays excersises.
Now the day before this we had a drawing up on the wall of the road course with a few instructors basically describing the layout and strategies for driving the various turns. We also had an assortment of stories regaling us with near death experiences and expensive cars completely written off. We were supposed to walk the track at that time but the performance school for mototbikes was behind schedual after having to send two students to the hospital. As one astute member of the group commented, "We can't help but notice how you are talking about bringing us all within minutes of death without even cracking a smile". From the comments I overheard as we were leaving, it would seem that the message was at least getting through to some of the younger guys. As for the rest I do not know. But then, that is the point isn't it? Refer to the waiver you signed at the entrance: these guys are emphasizing safety for a very good reason!
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