Hunter's weekend has been pretty good...he had a great first week of school (what a Praise that was!) and on Friday we took him to see "Senna", the documentary movie about F1 racer Ayrton Senna. Awesome movie! That will be a DVD purchase for us when they release it in the US. He loved listening to Senna talk about his Faith and watching him race.
On Saturday, we headed out to the track with 108 degree heat to race our Fall Series race #1. It was scheduled to run on the "short track" to give the racers a change up and make them learn new things. And learn new things, we did!
Scott had made some changes to Hunter's kart. He put on a new axle, with longer wheel hubs, which set the rear tires out way further than what he usually runs. Also, in trying to keep from needing to spend more money for the next and final round of SWRC Regional races in a month, Scott had pulled off all the "new" stuff on the kart - the tires, drive sprocket, spark plug, and more that I just can't remember...it's in a box. So, without him really knowing it, Hunter was already running at a disadvantage - old stuff.
When they went out to qualify, there were 7 karts on this very short track all competing for the same space. Hunter got caught behind one of his buddies and could catch Jake in the corners, but Jake had the pull away on the small bit of straight and Hunter couldn't get around him. So we were prepared for Hunter to start in 2nd position. But somewhere back behind him, Ethan made a better lap time. And that's all it takes in qualifying - just one good lap. So, we started the pre-final in P3. Not something that I'm used to anymore. I didn't like it. And I admit...I'm spoiled to Hunter being in front. And yes, I know, that's not always going to happen, but I'm Mom and I like seeing my baby in front.
But the cool thing was...Hunter was having so much fun. He loved chasing Jake in qualifying, he loved having someone to race with. Scott made another gear change and we started the pre-final in 3P and immediately, Hunter got a bad start and dropped into 4th. With only 10 laps on the short track to catch up, he picked off one kart and moved back into 3rd. Then he went to work on Ethan and Jake. I'd like to think they knew Hunter "Blue Bolt" Stine was on their tails because those boys were racing!! At the very end, Hunter found an opening and was racing Ethan to the finish line and it was so close, but Ethan pulled out the 2nd place finish. Hunter came in laughing and high-fiving the others and just kept saying what a fun race it was!
I was blown away. Shame on me. I had been sulking over him starting in 3rd and finishing in 3rd, and here he was laughing and having fun. Oh, Mom. Lesson learned.
Starting in 3P for the final, I walked to the grid with Hunter. I leaned down to talk to him and he said, "Yeah, Mom, I know...get around them." I laughed and said, "Well, yeah, if you can, but the priority here is to have fun. I would love to see you win, but the important thing is that you have fun. I will be proud of you no matter where you finish if you get out there and have fun and do your best."
Another bad start and he was running in 5th place! One of our friends said that it was good character building. I said, "Yeah. For me!" We laughed and then watched Hunter go to work. Methodically picking his time, working the corners and then picking them off one by one. He was running faster lap times by 1/2 to 1 second than the other drivers, but with no good openings on the corners, trying to preserve his kart for the big races, and old parts, he just didn't force a pass until he was good and ready. He moved into 2nd, but the kart slid and left the door open for Ethan to pass him back, so we finished the night with a 3rd place. Still...a podium finish.
Hunter was bummed on that one. I felt horrible. Did my attitude create this in him? Did I show such poor character that he felt he had to win or nothing? But later on in his prayer time, he asked the Lord forgiveness for showing such a poor attitude after the final.
More character building...for me.
Hunter cheered for his friends as they stepped on the podium. I love this boy.
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