In the 2001 classic ‘The Fast and The Furious‘ protagonist Dom Toretto drops a line that’s viewed as the street racer’s personal philosophy.
“I live my life a quarter mile at a time. Nothing else matters: not the mortgage, not the store, not my team and all their bullshit. For those ten seconds or less, I’m free.”
Dude loves racing; truly feels alive behind the wheel. But a quarter-mile race isn’t very long, so he also means that he’s living in the now not stressing over the future.
But there’s more to it. As a racer myself, having competed in go-karts to drag-strips and road courses, when the engine is at redline…I am at peace inside. When I yank my helmet down over my balaclava, it muffles the sound of the outside world like cheap earplugs. At that point there is no payroll to meet, no kids tuition to save for, no argument about the dishwasher. There is only 100% focus on the road ahead. A very loud and frenzied meditation.
My dad was a vehicle man, too, from painting me a purple tricycle to assembling, after disassembling outside, a VW Bug in a friend’s living room, unrequestedly. He raced, drove 18 wheelers, opened a car lot with a junkyard out back that made die-hards know he was their guy! I love that quote you used. I’ve watched those at least 5 times each. The closest I’ve come to that is the first time I headed off in the middle of the night for a multi-state road trip all alone for the first time! Love night driving.
Thanks for spurring good memories to start my May!
Wow…I’m so glad that this quote brought up thoughts of your car-guy pops; sounds like a cool guy!
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I find it interesting that 18-wheelers were part of his history. Turning wrenches and selling cars/parts are one thing. But driving a big rig is a dying art and REALLY shows that he was a proper driver.
My blond haired, blue eyed baby sister hauled cars! She trains drivers now.
Blue eyed-baby. Hauling cars. You paint a picture with your words, Fitch.
Thank you so much. She is a picture. First time I ever saw her drive off in one, she had on a baseball hat and looked 15.
I love this post. It made me think of many things. I wrote about it, pushed the green button, and it vanished. I’m writing a post instead. Thank you!
I don’t know…I saw it. Probably the website waits for someone on our end to press the yellow ‘approved’ checkmark.
Fascinating post! i love the idea of frenzied meditation.
Jeepers…frenzied meditation. Did I write that?
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You know what I mean, right? Staying totally calm, controlling your breathing, not panicking…while all around you is sound and chaos. And you are just so focused, it doesn’t phase you.
Damn I thought that vanished lol.
There’s nothing I love more than speeding down a long stretch of highway, the wind in my hair from an open window, or when I used to be a backpack and the wind was all around me. Awesome post! 🩵
I think we’ve got to get you to a drag strip