The Sunday News
Lovert Mafukure
They say boys never grow up, their toys just get bigger! I reckon its true, I see a bit if not a lot of that in myself. Every boy that hasn’t rebelled to the fairer sex has a kind of fascination for big boy toys that he himself cannot even begin to explain.
For me, it’s something about engines, I’m the type of guy that revs up everything, from the blower I use to clean my car to hair dryers, it’s an absolute craving for revving — I just can’t help it — I just have to. It’s like a drug and I LIKE IT J This fascination however, has serious side effects like the heavy foot syndrome. This usually happens when your foot becomes too heavy for you to lift it off the throttle pedal. Its’ like sleep paralysis and no-matter how hard you try, you just cannot. It’s the nice kind of sleep paralysis. The only catch is . . . you need it on the track more than you want it on the street for a couple of reasons I will try to deliberate on here.
It seems like common sense but common sense isn’t so common these days — being responsible should be the ultimate goal for every road user. We love cars but in the wrong hands, a car is the ultimate killing machine. Statistics can still prove the fact. Street racing does not only put the racer’s life at risk — we wouldn’t make so much noise about it if it did but it puts the lives of innocent people at risk as well should anything happen while someone is street racing. Racetracks are designed for racing, public roads are not for racing. You will not find any obstacles at the track. It is just you, competitors and the road ahead so if you have an insatiable need for speed, get to the track, there are no speed limits even. The right people that you need to mentor and help you are right at your disposal.
Apart from it being dangerous, it is illegal. A lot of hit and run cases are reported and people eventually end up spending a lot of time locked up for a moment of thrill in the wrong place at the wrong-time. I always reiterate the same sentiments, that the roads are for all of us and if all of us played a part in keeping our roads safe you can only imagine the outcome. Our problem is that we have people that expect the next person to do the right thing and not ourselves. Let’s all get the ball rolling and better our roads.
Drinking and driving is a bad combination and is not encouraged at any level whether you an armature or a professional and it will not be tolerated at any of the drag events. Come and nurture your talent or passion for motorsport the right way — on the track. It’s not only for the thrill, racing improves your driving skills and you become better at driving generally. You will eventually learn how to handle a car that’s out of control, handling a car at high speed, handling a car that has lost traction. All these will help your day to day driving.
I know a couple of people that used to have cars but they are now pedestrians because they lost their cars to street racing induced accidents. The funny thing about it all is that it all happens in a split second and you start counting your losses. Take it to the track, you will not find any obstacles but just open road to dominate. So if you believe you are that good or you have the passion then start now, get recognised and who knows where it might take you.
Save the Date, May 25 — Africa Day Public Drags. Bring your car, your friend, your family. Race legally! Let’s keep our roads safe for our families and loved ones. Happy Motoring!
