The Last Lap
It’s a “guy thing” - (okay, a few gals). Speed, competition, desire to succeed - the focus, concentration, and dedication is an “adrenaline fix” to make life worth living for the person of this purpose. Racer or athlete. the former is also the latter.
(I know the bite of the racing bug. Back in my “salad days” I was involved with autocross, road rallies, and a few days of Formula Ford. It can be a money pit with steep sides.)
A friend of mine is an official in sprint car racing and provided me with some “inside” access to the sport. I put on my yellow vest (so somebody wouldn’t hit me) and wandered about unfettered with a license to shoot (photos).
Rather than taking a bunch of “racing photos”, I decided to concentrate on one particular contestant. My friend/official directed me to Jimmy Trulli.
Jimmy is an individual who has been “pursuing his competition dream” for almost four decades and decided that time and tide and reflexes had given him a signal to retire from the sport. This was his last season. He maintained a performance standing that was in the top tier of the sport.
These folks are serious - with serious money. The $65,000 engine might last for a couple dozen races. $400 tires are replaced every race or two.
Since this is a circular track, there are four tires of different sizes with single digit air pressure - note the stress flex.
Yes. It is rocket science. This scene brought back memories of my old racing days. Jimmy is discussing the residue on a spark plug to evaluate the air/fuel mixture.
“Adjust for minimum smoke.”- old car saying
When you don’t have the right acceleration at 7 or 8,000 RPM, you change the differential gears to a different ratio for different track conditions.
The cockpit is “form fitting” - you have to remove the steering wheel to crawl in. (The frame is available in extra-large.)
Gauges are minimal - oil pressure and temperature to monitor your investment. Speedometer and tachometer are not necessary since you are driving flat-out!
Dampers and shocks for various points of suspension and wing adjustment.
Spare front axel (yes, you only need a brake on one wheel for a circle track.)
It is a dirt track so it must be initially watered down to prevent it from becoming a “dust” track.
There are several “heats” to establish starting positions.
Jimmy was resting in the infield between runs. You can see his concentration on what was and wasn’t. Strategy to the end.
All of the cars are lined up to be pushed onto the track for the final race. They utilise magnetos so there is no starter or battery.
Jimmy was given a presentation in front of the grandstand from the promoter and was honored with a couple “front-and-center” laps before the main race. The love and respect he received from his fellow competitors was a tribute to his contribution to the sport.
My “privileged’ vantage point at the far turn was besieged with a hail of dirt clods. (Incoming! Hit the dirt!. Wait! It is dirt!) What you won’t do for the good shot.
He didn’t win the race but he finished in a respectable position. His crew, friends, fans, and family gave him an appropriate, if messy, celebration when he returned to the pits - complete with excessive confetti and showers of champagne of questionable vintage.
This is my favorite “racing” photo. I noticed Jimmy between events scanning the track. One can only imagine the nostalgia and memories that flooded his mind in those few minutes - perhaps saying a bittersweet goodbye to the terrain that was a major focus of his life for almost two score years.
Phenomenal run, Jimmy. Thank you for sharing a chapter of your life.
(And thanks to Dave and the Promoter for allowing me a special vantage point.)
Thanks for the look!