Although the title of this column is "Technically Speaking," I'm going to stray from my usual nuts-and-bolts topics for this final column of the year. I'd like to comment on the only subject that concerns racers more than horsepower: money.
My fellow back-page columnist Ken Owen can certainly write with authority about the evil produced by the love of money. Our parents told us that money can't buy happiness, and the Beatles sang to us that money can't buy love. I'm going to add another item to the list of things that money can't buy: success in racing.
I know that deep pockets are better than empty pockets. But I also know that without desire and determination, money is like gold plating - flash without substance.
Money is highly visible in auto racing because the sport depends so heavily on equipment. Racers compete in the pits as well as on the track. Who has the biggest trailer, the most lavish motor home, the biggest pile of spare engines, the most expensive toys? A marathon runner or a soccer player may be a multi-millionaire, but in a crowd of athletes wearing gym shorts, it's difficult to gauge a person's financial status. |
I have nothing against rich people. In fact, I wouldn't mind joining their ranks some day. But I am concerned about the intimidating effect that money has on new participants coming into drag racing. There's a common belief among both sportsman and professional racers that you can't compete successfully without big bucks. I think that's dead wrong.
When you pull up to the starting line, nothing matters except your ability, your preparation, and your car. You can only race with one engine, one transmission, and one
rearend. It doesn't matter whether your race car arrived on an open trailer or inside an 18-wheeler. The timers don't care whether you drove to the track in a clapped-out station wagon or flew in on a private jet. When the Christmas Tree flashes, what counts is your skill, not your stock portfolio.
As a professional engine builder and a professional
racer, I am well aware that speed costs money. I urge my
customers to buy the best parts they can afford because
quality is usually less expensive in the long run. The
trick is to identify what is really important. If I had
to choose between a new pair of cylinder heads with five
percent more airflow and a new set of chrome wheels for
my trailer, I'd go for the
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