Sixth Gear

I have had a few perspective awakenings.

- By Tommy Sheehan
Guardian Angel Emptor
Co-Driver Continential Challenge ST #82

Texting last minute details and delegating tasks that I am incapable of delivering ( that list is quit long) Preparing for the May 20th Guardian Angel Motorsports presents “Liberty for Lime rock “ I am walking a fine line between doing the good work and being a road hazard that will result in more good work needing to be done. I am managing but at moments I may have been a road Hazard texting while driving a F-350  with a 40’ goose neck half way across American in search of Mid Ohio.

I heard it on the radio in a song “Misery loves company but she will never foot the bill” I had a day that will flip that lyric

This all feels good there is no doubt, I am on the right side of this. I am traveling to mid Ohio. I needing to familiarize myself with the race track. This is my first trip to Mid Ohio. I will be returning latter this season to Race the BMW flying the Guardian Angel wings. I want to be ready I want to be worthy.

O crap I have to be honest. I am really escaping. I am escaping the madness of life. I am living the dream traversing the county in search of track time. Did I say that out loud?

Horse has left the barn, Deflect redirect. Back to the thesis.

I made it. I pulled in to the gates of Mid Ohio race circuit. Well almost, I got up to the gates but they were locked. One lone staff member was in sight hoisting a Honda banner on a light pole in a 40 foot boom lift. I pulled my truck and trailer up and shut it down happy to have made it. Happy to have replied to all the e-Mail with out incident. I introduced myself as he was lowering the boom to the asphalt. Hi, my name is Tom I am a Day early.  Is this a good place to drop a trailer for the night? I was tired and had really not made a great first impression. I wanted to hit the rewind button buy life does not have the feature so I was stuck. I am inspired to write this blog based on the next chain of events.

Welcome to Mid Ohio! Is this your first time out here? No problem you can park any where in this area. My Name is Brian. Welcome you are going to love this track.  I had done nothing to deserve this. I was alone for 10 hours texting with my thumbs. I had a hero’s welcome and I never saw it coming. Savor , It feels great what a day. Not knowing when a good run can end I did what all racers do. I pushed for more. “Brian” I asked “any chance I could walk the track?”

The reply was as cordial as the greeting. I can’t let you walk the track it’s closed. 10 minutes latter Brian pulled up in the track F-350 Hey Tom I have to check out the track before I leave do you want to ride around in the Truck, I can show you around?

I jumped in and we took a ride around the track. I got great prospective history and information in 15 minutes time I had a familiarity with the lay out. I will need more time for the actual race line . But I am stellar for my first 30 minutes

Circle back to our role in supporting David’s House. They perform the service that Brian provided to me. Like Brian , David’s House reaches out and welcomes strangers far away from home. Strangers with no idea of what is behind “the gate.” At the end of the day strangers are friends. That’s all that is left, the connections.

Back again to the lyric” misery loves company but she will never foot the bill” I think its phrased wrong. “ A great story has lots of characters, Every one contributes something.” What is your role?

Regards

Tom