Quitting ice hockey and starting racing had such a positive impact on the lives of our entire family. We used to be one of those families that got up before sunrise to be at the ice rink for 6:00 AM practice or games. Fun for the one on the ice at that time, miserable for the rest shivering in the bleachers. Instead we got fun in the sun for the whole family.
In kart racing, there were categories for different aged kids, and even the parents had their own divisions. Nobody was sitting around just watching for very long. Maybe 30 minutes to get rehydrated and watch a family member take pole position, then your next session was ready to begin.
Once you become a racing family, even trips take on a racing theme. Rather than towing the RV to a lake, you’re camping in the infield of Pocono Super-Speedway watching the IndyCars.
Racing becomes part of who you are. It’s the reason to check the weekend’s weather report and even determines when to take vacation to see family overseas without missing a race.
All Canadian are sold on the idea that making to it the NHL is the highest level of enlightenment a person can achieve. But once you leave the rink, get to the track and turn a few laps quicker than you though you could, it becomes clear. Racing is life. Everything else is just…waiting.
Definitely a positive change. I kid you not, yesterday at the track meet I was thinking we needed some events for the parents to spice things up a bit.
Parents want to be supportive of kids’ endeavors / activities / pursuits … but end up being spectators. That’s not fun.
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Even if everyone in the family plays the same sport, you ain’t all on the same team!
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Racing allowed our family to do something fun together.