If you follow my social media offerings, you’ll know that a day at the racetrack is not a usual day for me. So, why go??
Many months ago, daughter Georgia, asked if I would go to the Gold Coast 600 V8 Supercars day of racing with she and Dad. You see it’s Georgia who loves the V8’s!! For these past few years it’s been a dad/daughter day…this year they asked me to come along.
So, in an effort to support Georgia in her passion and try to have an understanding of just the feeling of what she loves…I said yes.
I guess her love/passion for the V8’s could be likened to that of my love and passion for the tennis. The only difference being I do play tennis!! Perhaps Georgia is destined to continue pursuing her passion 🙂
On many occasions in the lead up to the weekend, I had been warned ‘Mum, it’s going to be loud…I mean like REALLY loud’. Despite the ample pre-warning, I’m not sure that anything could have prepared me for just how LOUD it is, Oh My!! As we arrived at the racetrack the Porsches were racing and what struck me instantly was indeed the loudness, but it was also the vibration…it just filters through your entire body.
And to put in perspective for you, my usual morning rituals consist of something like a somewhat more gracious start to the day…sunshine on the front deck, reading, coffee, meditation and a late, leisurely breakfast. We had been up since about 5am with an early morning drive to the Gold Coast from Brisbane and then to arrive to that sound and vibration…I think you get the total contrast of the start to my day.
I went really with no expectations and a mindset to be open to the experience and go with the flow. As we arrived we did just that and I gotta be honest, it took me a bit to get used to the noise and the vibrations!! In fact, I think I was watching the final 5 laps of the main race about 4pm that afternoon before I realised I wasn’t reacting to the vibrations anymore, lol!!!
Georgia had very kindly organised a ‘pit lane walk’ for the 3 of us. In case you haven’t been to this experience before either, it’s where you can walk along the outside of the individual team garages, perhaps chat with some of the team, see the cars and the insides of the garages up close and personal. And you might even be lucky to capture a happy snap, as Georgia did. From the pic, I think you can clearly see just who Georgia’s favourite team is…Big smiles from Georgia chatting with ‘Duddo’ aka Mark Dutton, Team Manager.
Honestly, I really did enjoy the pit lane walk. It provided the opportunity to see the sport closer. You see, whilst I don’t have a love of motorsports, I do love sport in general. So from that level, I appreciate the sport that it is. The absolute precision and commitment it takes. The mindset and dedication of what’s required to be an elite sportsperson. A curiosity of mine, if you like.
In addition to the enjoyment of the pit lane walk, I did also enjoy to find a patch of lush green grass where I actually did chill out and capture a few minutes of meditation (well of some sort anyway). And then of course, as you do, indulge in some hot chips for lunch!!
It’s a buzz of activity with helicopter flights taking off at every other minute, big screens everywhere you look, entertainers, merchandise and so much more. The dress code is basically anything from thongs and a bikini right through to your Louis Vuitton and a suit!!
I did really enjoy this day with a difference. I’m always open to learning and of course as a Mum always support Georgia. After all, who knows just where our passion will take us in life. Be Open and Say Yes to new experiences…adventure awaits.