It's always obvious when talking to a fellow junkie. I don't mean to make it out like it's some sort of exclusive club either. I've begged people I know to just try it once just so they would stop calling me crazy.
My first experience was WKA 5hp stock go-karts roughly 25 years ago. I spent well over 1500 bucks just to get in that first heat. 5hp stock lasted exactly 1 Sunday. I proceeded to spend all of my savings moving to 100cc yamaha pipe. That lasted until I had enough money to put together my first shifter. It had to be faster and I needed more. That craving went on for almost 10 years until I called it quits.
I had to decide between my own selfish addiction and providing a more stable future for my wife and kids. I may have loved racing, but I wasn't anywhere near good enough to every get past running local Indiana tracks. I remember talking with my wife one night about starting to save for kids college. We were going over annual tuition costs and all I remember is her talking bla bla bla while I secretly calculated in my head that I could almost get a complete Ed Pink for the same money. That's when I realized I needed to sell off the stuff and quit.
I don't go to the races anymore. All it takes is to get one whiff of that sweet smell of burning methanol (and you KNOW what I am talking about) and it starts all over again... it's so funny how your body starts to react to those old triggers and the smell was always my favorite.
God, I really hate being a has-been.
“I don’t go to the races anymore. All it takes is to get one whiff of that sweet smell of burning methanol (and you KNOW what I am talking about) and it starts all over again... it’s so funny how your body starts to react to those old triggers and the smell was always my favorite. God, I really hate being a has-been. “
Better a has been than a Never was ;)
Oh yes...I know exactly what you are talking about. Every time I see a Trophy Truck hauler or a Buggy on a trailer go gown I-40 or 15 into Vegas I get a lump in my stomach that takes a while to go away. The smell of VP race gas is like perfume... But Channel #5 is cheaper....
It REALLY is an addiction. I’d love to see a good grad student do a thesis on the phenomenon.