Why Every Kid Should Get Into Racing

[Lizey]

I'll start my story in June of this year. I got a phone call from one of friends dads who is into racing saying he had a race car for sale. Being a 19 year old gear head, I was all over that. 48 hours and $650 later this was sitting in my driveway. Its a 1993 Chevrolet Lumina EuroSport. 3100V6 with an automatic. It didnt run at the time, and he didnt know why. I got it home, put a battery in it, coil packs off an old 3.1 we had out back, and some gas. Fired right up.

[Lizey]

So once I had the car home and running, I realized "oh crap, I cant afford to race! I just spent $650 on the car!" Well thanks to several local business generosity, I got sponsored and my rookie season was under way.

[Lizey]

The first few weeks went good. I got some top 5's including a 2nd in my first Feature Race. Racing on a 1/4 mile dirt track is way different than any racing Id ever done before.

[Lizey]

And then it happened. On July 28th I got in a wreck on lap 13. It was a bad one. I got spun sideways out of turn 4 and it was so dusty, the 15 year old girl didnt even see me and nailed me at 45+ mph. It took literally over 100 hours of labor, and running all over the Upper Peninsula of Michigan to find the parts I needed...but Friday night before the next race we finally got it together. (The last picture is the rebuilt rear end)

[Lizey]

That next race was the best of my life. I got 4th in the qualifier, so I was sitting okay for the feature. After a long race against a Neon painted like the General Lee and a blue Mitsubishi Eclipse I somehow managed to come out ahead and win my first Feature Race. I truely dont think theres a greater feeling in the world! (Youll have to click the link to see the picture, its to big to attach) There was only one race after that, and I finished 6th giving me a final points standing of 22nd out of 55 cars.

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10152089137825282&set=a.10150380855390282.608201.889850281&type=1&theater

[Lizey]

So back to my original point. I think every kid should get into some kind of racing, even if its just for one summer. You learn so many lessons and skills that youd never get without this kind of experience. I spent countless hours of pounding out dents and tweaking and welding and etc... and it was all so worth it in the end. Speaking for myself, I would easily say this was the most memorable summer of my entire life, and Im beyond excited for next season allready.

[Ghoste]

Yep, hooked for life.   
Congratulations too.

[charge69]

Nice pics and a great story about your first racing experiences. I am wayyyy too old now to start dirt-track racing but it sure looks like a great time. Thanks for the story.

[Dino]

That's how I started out, great fun!  Congrats on the standing.   

[JB400]

I agree, getting kids into racing is a good idea.  Matter of fact, anytime you can get a kid off the computer and off the cell phone, it's a good idea.