For the Olympic Moments

Parent lectures are never fun to hear. And most parents wonder how much of the lecture actually got heard and how much was tuned out. Which leads the parent to lecture more to make sure something gets soaked in. For the most part, and depending on the personality of the child, I think it works.

When I was a teenager, my Dad, during dinner (and repeating an anti-drug commercial), shook his fork at me and said, "Don't do drugs." Thanks for the "talk", Dad, but I wasn't planning on it anyway, and unless you count beer and margaritas, I've succeeded. But, I did get the "lectures" on automobile safety: check your oil regularly, check your water levels, check the condition of your belts, keep proper air in your tires, for pete's sake, keep the car clean, and on and on. I remember those things very loudly in my head. And how long ago was it that I heard them? Let's not count.

So, when we lecture our kids on character and sportsmanship, it's not that we expect that perfect behavior right now. Oh, that'd be nice and for the most part we get it, but it's for those times we're not around. For those "Olympic" moments...where the worldwide cameras are on you and everyone can see what your character in the most upsetting moment of your life (to date) truly is.

Drivers Meeting in Waco. HES2 Drivers on the fenceline.

We drove to Waco, TX yesterday afternoon (2+hr drive from here) to race with some friends last night. Waco's kart track is smaller than ours and is nothing but corners - and very tough corners. It's a narrow track and there are not any good passing opportunities. I watched the struggles of the "big" racers and they have to make opportunities to pass - they don't come easily. So, in Hunter's 3 racing heats, the running order was decided by the draw of a number. He was last for 2 of the 3. And in those heats, that's where he ran, too. He just couldn't find the opening to get around without flat out running someone off the track and wrecking himself to boot. On the one heat where he started 2nd, he finished 1st. Yea. But when it counted, nope...no passing areas.

Grid for the TAG Cadet/Yamaha lineup. #88 in the back.

Oh yeah, I forgot to mention. We discovered his brakes weren't working very well when we rolled him up to the grid for the final. So, he ran a nothing-but-corners track with very bad brakes. He started off slower because of this, spun off a corner, got back on and ran down the pack and was running faster times and better corners than the rest of the pack, but he just couldn't pass. Oh, well, he did make one pass, but on this track, the gamble of making a pass means you also leave your self open for the pass-ee to pass you back, and that happened. So, when he came in...last...he was devastated. Bless his heart. But the poor attitude that flowed from this kid was nothing short of embarrassing. He was beyond mad about his brakes and almost hitting his competitors on the track because of it. Scott finally got him in the trailer, but not before the damage was done. Yes, it was lecture time. After the race and on our midnight trip home, it was lecture time. This morning, before church, a re-reminder of why we behave the way we should...for those "Olympic" moments.

Hadyn on the grid!

And I should not forget to mention our HES2 driver, Hadyn, who so impressed us with her driving last night. All trepidation was lifted as she drove full out, powering and muscling around corners, outrunning another rookie driver, and keeping lapping traffic at bay to increase her knowledge and ability behind a wheel. My Princess Warrior - 5 years old. Man, what will be in her future?

We don't expect perfection or the right attitudes from our kids at all times, but just like knowing that I need to check my oil is always in my head, I want to know that my kids will have in their heads, no matter what, have good character and show good sportsmanship!!



Who knows, if trampolining can be an olympic sport, then maybe karting will one day as well! Ha!

Some Days You Race, Some Days, You Just Hang Out with Friends!

It's been a while since my last post. It's been a while since our last race.

Hadyn and her new Kid Kart friend from HCKC! Racer Girls!

At the first of July, the Texas ProKart Challenge series ended it's 3 stop tour at North Texas Kartway. We had made the decision at the beginning of the year not to race this series. It was a painful decision, but due to circumstances around here, it was the right one to make. And Hunter was on board with that decision. For such a young boy, he shows such grace and understanding in decisions made by his parents. I love that. So, when this particular weekend rolled in, we volunteered to work. And it was great to see friends we raced with last year. But once Hunter saw those friends out there racing, I could see the longing in his eyes to be out there, too. But true to his character, he didn't fuss or whine about it. He knew this race was not his to run. This time. He put on his work shirt and helped out where needed. Well, that and playing with friends when he could.

Story Time around the Trailer!

Then we left for vacation and missed the next two club races, so again, no racing for HES2 Motorsports. Fortunately for us, one of those races was rained out, so it really wasn't like "missing" a race. Then we decided, with another family from NTK, to make the trip to New Braunfels to go race at Hill Country Karting Club and see more of our racing friends. The track at HCKC is very different from our track at NTK. It is shorter, for one, and the corners are more challenging, too. So, the kids that race at HCKC have to learn how to take advantage of passing in the corners whereas we get to take advantage of long straights at our track. It takes both to race, so it's a good learning experience for us!

Top 7 TAG Cadet Finishers

Hadyn got to race and did really well at a new track. She was racing with another rookie and actually beat him! So, she is learning something, too!! Hunter's race day at HCKC wasn't as good as usually expected, but after a poor qualifying round, I pulled him aside and we talked. It was decided between us that yes, a win or at least a really good podium run is preferable to not placing well any day, but if something new is learned and the driver has grown in knowledge and maturity by running a particular line or trying new things like braking patterns, then ultimately it really won't matter where you finish in the line up. And given that this was not a points race for us, this was the time to experiment and learn. I think he did gain some knowledge of what could be done and how, if not being careful, can get caught behind traffic and get bogged up!

It was a great weekend to hang out with friends, though. The kids were running around together just enjoying hanging out - heat and all! So, in the end, some days you race, some days, you just hang out with friends!

Goofy Kids!