10-08-2023, 11:42 PM
Chapter 143
Since we managed to get some drive time in today without too many distractions, it was time for a break. I was no where close to getting things tested like planned. But two days ago I would not have believed we would be at the track today with all three karts running.
Chris was totally bummed out. His day had not gone at all like he was expecting. With all of that work done on his kart, it did not drive like he had anticipated. I guess if he was expecting a miracle then maybe should have been on 34th street, not sitting down in the pits at a track surrounded by grass and cows off in the distance.
I had walked off from the pits to grab a cup of ice cold water. Looking over at Chris, I could tell he was hot and miserable feeling. Being so hard on himself did not help any either. It is hot today and his hair was all knapped and sweaty.
Returning to our pit spot I quietly walked up behind Chris. He was still slumped over with his head down. Waving at Steve got his attention, then I made some hand gestures to him. Steve shook his head understanding what I was about to do.
So Chris, do you feel like the kart is handling OK out there? Steve was attempting to keep his attention, but not much response back. Chris just shrugged his shoulders not even looking up.
Standing right behind Chris I carefully aimed my cup of ice cold water right over his neck and poured it down his back. This gave an instant reaction. Chris jumped straight up with his first reaction to start swinging. WHAT THE? Chris immeidiately covered over his mouth before yelling out some obscenity. He caught himself just in time.
With his temper flaring, he tried a swing at me. I stepped back missing his fist. Steve immediately jumped up grabbing his arms and keeping him in check. Hold up there cowboy. Chris was tense and trying to break free. Steve stayed strong until Chris quit resisting.
What the heck was that....? he first started yelling with his back arched reacting to the unexpected distraction of that intense cold sensation. Then shaking off the purely magical effects of cold water running down his back when really hot.
I didnt say anything while he was still adjusting to the frigid cooling sensations being experienced. Just smiling while watching his facial expression change. At first there was enough anger I was expecting him to keep swinging at me just out of natural survival instinct. But a few seconds later, I saw the stress and tension drain from his face. Not a big happy grin yet, but not what it was.
Wow, what a difference. Thanks for that Terry, I think. Was that your reason to do it? I sure have been in a sour mood. But now I feel a little bit better. Sorry for being such a pain out here today. I was really bummed out from things not working like sort of expecting. Well I still am bummed out.
One thing I was happy to find out is that Chris managed to control himself. Only a few weeks before, when first hanging out with us, he had a tendency to go off when he was challenged or thinking we were picking on him. He had been showing an uncontrollable temper at the time.
With him catching his mouth really surprised me. I had mentioned how bad it sounds when some people get angry and start throwing all kinds of profanities out. This was a sign of someone completely out of control and very self destructive.
Chris didnt really understand at all. He told me just about everyone he has been around acts that way. It was nothing unusual to him hearing most others including a lot of his classmates to act the same way.
But since Chris has been hanging around with us so much lately his mannerisms have changed a lot. He wasnt letting certain foul language slip out like he had at first. I told him not to let it happen around my mom or he would be in the dog house for life.
Chris took an immediate liking to my mom. But most people do. When she is around, it is like a security blanket holding you safe. She does not coddle you or anything like being spoiled. Just knowing she is there makes you feel a lot better. But she also has no problem laying down the law either.
Then explaining about watching my oldest brother getting his mouth washed out with a bar of soap for cursing, was something to think about before using certain language. I also told him my mom would have no problem washing all of that filth out his own mouth with that very same bar of soap, if he got caught by her.
Chris went pale as his eyes opened really big when I first told him all of this. After that day, he seemed to keep mostly in check. Only a few times did he let things slip only to realize how bad it did sound to use that type of language.
He said when everyone else used foul language all the time, it seemed only natural to do the same. But since spending so much time with us, he has done a great job keeping in check. Now he frowns when other people just go on using poor choice of words when there is no rational reason to do so.
Chris straightened up and now in control of himself. The cooling effect did its job and now is subsiding. With a decent grin showing on his face he quickly grabbed the cup of water from my hand. I was expecting to get doused, but surprised to find out otherwise.
Chris bowed his head down and poured the remainder of the ice cold water over his knappy hair and shook all around. While holding out the cup for me to take back, he swung his fist into my arm. That was for sneaking up behind me. At least Chris was now smiling.
OK guys I feel a lot better now. But what do I need to do to get better at driving? I am so lost out there. I mean nothing is even close to what I was expecting. I am in left field on roller skates. Chris then let out his signature double chuckle.
The idea of upgrading my kart was something I could not even imagine at first. Then thinking about having a kart that would actually handle and how much faster I could go. It was all I thought about for that first week.
Then realizing it was really going to happen. I would have a decent kart now like most of the faster drivers out here. Today I discover that maybe I am not going to be one of those faster drivers. Well at least not yet. Is there any advice you guys can give me that might make some difference today?
Chris I dont know if it would help any, but my kart just about drives itself. Even tho it is not that much different than Terrys, I can still tell a difference. It may be nothing, but why dont you take my kart out for a few laps.
I got to thinking about all those laps you have followed me in my kart. I suspect your kart handles slightly different than mine. But you have been trying to copy exactly how I drive. Or how my kart likes to be driven by me.
Since this live axle is not at all like you are so used to driving then maybe try to make some minor adjustments to your driving style. Or to the way your kart wants to be driven now.
How about we swap karts and take some more laps. If you promise to be very careful driving my kart out there, we can do this. I am so pleased with how my kart turned out, I sure dont want anything to ever happen to compromise that.
Since we first got my kart all dialed in, it has been so easy for me to drive without even thinking about what I am doing. Just focusing on the kart ahead or something I need to be on the watch out for.
Maybe this kart has spoiled me. I have driven Terrys kart and put some laps on Franks. Even tho there didnt seem to be that much difference, I was much more comfortable getting back in my kart after driving them.
There is one thing from what I have learned so far since we have been working on karts, is just a small amount of weight difference can drastically change how a kart handles. There is a bigger weight difference with me than Terry, so your kart will likely be more difficult for me to drive.
Terry said my kart feels a little bit loose to him, even when he runs a faster lap time than I can. But if he changed the kart to suit him, then I slow down when driving it. To me it would feel too hooked up.
What I am getting at is once you are comfortable driving a live axle kart, it will be tuned just for you, nobody else. You will end up being the fastest driver in your kart when it is dialed in correctly.
But another driver just about your size can do the same after a few laps getting accustomed to it. I remember reading those arguments about the need for minimum weights for karts to help make it more fair to everyone. Some think there should be a minimum driver weight for any given class.
To me this does not make that much sense at all. Weight does make a lot of difference of course.... When Steve first started talking, Chris had been very interested, making himself comfortable sitting down back up against the fence. His knees were bent up with arms crossed. But his head started nodding then plopped down.
Somewhere along the way Steve lost focus on the discussion and kept droning on about all of this other stuff. To Chris it had nothing to do with his lack of driving ability today. So he sort of slipped away into oblivion.
Hey Steve, I think you lost your audience. He looked at me then over to Chris who had dozed off and enjoying a late afternoon snooze. Yea, maybe I did get carried away there. But considering all of the hard work we have done today, I think Chris is now showing some of them smarts Frank is always talking about.
Open practice had begun. A dozen engines started almost at once. This brought Chris out of his dream state. Holy crap, what just happened? Chris went big eyed, looked around but not seeing anyone paying attention to him.
We had walked over to the fence and ready to watch the first batch of karts pull out on the track for practice. There was a familiar sweet smell in the air and a renewed interest in why we were here today.
Why dont we check over the karts one more time then make some final laps Steve? That sounds like a plan. Maybe by the time we are ready there wont be so many karts all bunched together out there. That looks like an accident just waiting to happen. Speaking of accidents, it looks like Frank just showed up.
I quickly spun around to zero in on a Volkswagen now pulling into the parking lot. A quick look across the pits, realizing they were all full up. The new arrivals were having to pit outside the fenced in area. I guess that will include Frank tonight. There was no room for him to squeeze in with us.
Since we managed to get some drive time in today without too many distractions, it was time for a break. I was no where close to getting things tested like planned. But two days ago I would not have believed we would be at the track today with all three karts running.
Chris was totally bummed out. His day had not gone at all like he was expecting. With all of that work done on his kart, it did not drive like he had anticipated. I guess if he was expecting a miracle then maybe should have been on 34th street, not sitting down in the pits at a track surrounded by grass and cows off in the distance.
I had walked off from the pits to grab a cup of ice cold water. Looking over at Chris, I could tell he was hot and miserable feeling. Being so hard on himself did not help any either. It is hot today and his hair was all knapped and sweaty.
Returning to our pit spot I quietly walked up behind Chris. He was still slumped over with his head down. Waving at Steve got his attention, then I made some hand gestures to him. Steve shook his head understanding what I was about to do.
So Chris, do you feel like the kart is handling OK out there? Steve was attempting to keep his attention, but not much response back. Chris just shrugged his shoulders not even looking up.
Standing right behind Chris I carefully aimed my cup of ice cold water right over his neck and poured it down his back. This gave an instant reaction. Chris jumped straight up with his first reaction to start swinging. WHAT THE? Chris immeidiately covered over his mouth before yelling out some obscenity. He caught himself just in time.
With his temper flaring, he tried a swing at me. I stepped back missing his fist. Steve immediately jumped up grabbing his arms and keeping him in check. Hold up there cowboy. Chris was tense and trying to break free. Steve stayed strong until Chris quit resisting.
What the heck was that....? he first started yelling with his back arched reacting to the unexpected distraction of that intense cold sensation. Then shaking off the purely magical effects of cold water running down his back when really hot.
I didnt say anything while he was still adjusting to the frigid cooling sensations being experienced. Just smiling while watching his facial expression change. At first there was enough anger I was expecting him to keep swinging at me just out of natural survival instinct. But a few seconds later, I saw the stress and tension drain from his face. Not a big happy grin yet, but not what it was.
Wow, what a difference. Thanks for that Terry, I think. Was that your reason to do it? I sure have been in a sour mood. But now I feel a little bit better. Sorry for being such a pain out here today. I was really bummed out from things not working like sort of expecting. Well I still am bummed out.
One thing I was happy to find out is that Chris managed to control himself. Only a few weeks before, when first hanging out with us, he had a tendency to go off when he was challenged or thinking we were picking on him. He had been showing an uncontrollable temper at the time.
With him catching his mouth really surprised me. I had mentioned how bad it sounds when some people get angry and start throwing all kinds of profanities out. This was a sign of someone completely out of control and very self destructive.
Chris didnt really understand at all. He told me just about everyone he has been around acts that way. It was nothing unusual to him hearing most others including a lot of his classmates to act the same way.
But since Chris has been hanging around with us so much lately his mannerisms have changed a lot. He wasnt letting certain foul language slip out like he had at first. I told him not to let it happen around my mom or he would be in the dog house for life.
Chris took an immediate liking to my mom. But most people do. When she is around, it is like a security blanket holding you safe. She does not coddle you or anything like being spoiled. Just knowing she is there makes you feel a lot better. But she also has no problem laying down the law either.
Then explaining about watching my oldest brother getting his mouth washed out with a bar of soap for cursing, was something to think about before using certain language. I also told him my mom would have no problem washing all of that filth out his own mouth with that very same bar of soap, if he got caught by her.
Chris went pale as his eyes opened really big when I first told him all of this. After that day, he seemed to keep mostly in check. Only a few times did he let things slip only to realize how bad it did sound to use that type of language.
He said when everyone else used foul language all the time, it seemed only natural to do the same. But since spending so much time with us, he has done a great job keeping in check. Now he frowns when other people just go on using poor choice of words when there is no rational reason to do so.
Chris straightened up and now in control of himself. The cooling effect did its job and now is subsiding. With a decent grin showing on his face he quickly grabbed the cup of water from my hand. I was expecting to get doused, but surprised to find out otherwise.
Chris bowed his head down and poured the remainder of the ice cold water over his knappy hair and shook all around. While holding out the cup for me to take back, he swung his fist into my arm. That was for sneaking up behind me. At least Chris was now smiling.
OK guys I feel a lot better now. But what do I need to do to get better at driving? I am so lost out there. I mean nothing is even close to what I was expecting. I am in left field on roller skates. Chris then let out his signature double chuckle.
The idea of upgrading my kart was something I could not even imagine at first. Then thinking about having a kart that would actually handle and how much faster I could go. It was all I thought about for that first week.
Then realizing it was really going to happen. I would have a decent kart now like most of the faster drivers out here. Today I discover that maybe I am not going to be one of those faster drivers. Well at least not yet. Is there any advice you guys can give me that might make some difference today?
Chris I dont know if it would help any, but my kart just about drives itself. Even tho it is not that much different than Terrys, I can still tell a difference. It may be nothing, but why dont you take my kart out for a few laps.
I got to thinking about all those laps you have followed me in my kart. I suspect your kart handles slightly different than mine. But you have been trying to copy exactly how I drive. Or how my kart likes to be driven by me.
Since this live axle is not at all like you are so used to driving then maybe try to make some minor adjustments to your driving style. Or to the way your kart wants to be driven now.
How about we swap karts and take some more laps. If you promise to be very careful driving my kart out there, we can do this. I am so pleased with how my kart turned out, I sure dont want anything to ever happen to compromise that.
Since we first got my kart all dialed in, it has been so easy for me to drive without even thinking about what I am doing. Just focusing on the kart ahead or something I need to be on the watch out for.
Maybe this kart has spoiled me. I have driven Terrys kart and put some laps on Franks. Even tho there didnt seem to be that much difference, I was much more comfortable getting back in my kart after driving them.
There is one thing from what I have learned so far since we have been working on karts, is just a small amount of weight difference can drastically change how a kart handles. There is a bigger weight difference with me than Terry, so your kart will likely be more difficult for me to drive.
Terry said my kart feels a little bit loose to him, even when he runs a faster lap time than I can. But if he changed the kart to suit him, then I slow down when driving it. To me it would feel too hooked up.
What I am getting at is once you are comfortable driving a live axle kart, it will be tuned just for you, nobody else. You will end up being the fastest driver in your kart when it is dialed in correctly.
But another driver just about your size can do the same after a few laps getting accustomed to it. I remember reading those arguments about the need for minimum weights for karts to help make it more fair to everyone. Some think there should be a minimum driver weight for any given class.
To me this does not make that much sense at all. Weight does make a lot of difference of course.... When Steve first started talking, Chris had been very interested, making himself comfortable sitting down back up against the fence. His knees were bent up with arms crossed. But his head started nodding then plopped down.
Somewhere along the way Steve lost focus on the discussion and kept droning on about all of this other stuff. To Chris it had nothing to do with his lack of driving ability today. So he sort of slipped away into oblivion.
Hey Steve, I think you lost your audience. He looked at me then over to Chris who had dozed off and enjoying a late afternoon snooze. Yea, maybe I did get carried away there. But considering all of the hard work we have done today, I think Chris is now showing some of them smarts Frank is always talking about.
Open practice had begun. A dozen engines started almost at once. This brought Chris out of his dream state. Holy crap, what just happened? Chris went big eyed, looked around but not seeing anyone paying attention to him.
We had walked over to the fence and ready to watch the first batch of karts pull out on the track for practice. There was a familiar sweet smell in the air and a renewed interest in why we were here today.
Why dont we check over the karts one more time then make some final laps Steve? That sounds like a plan. Maybe by the time we are ready there wont be so many karts all bunched together out there. That looks like an accident just waiting to happen. Speaking of accidents, it looks like Frank just showed up.
I quickly spun around to zero in on a Volkswagen now pulling into the parking lot. A quick look across the pits, realizing they were all full up. The new arrivals were having to pit outside the fenced in area. I guess that will include Frank tonight. There was no room for him to squeeze in with us.