 Having
never been on the track myself I can not even imagine the thoughts of the
Racers, but I see the sparkle in their eyes as they pull of those
sweaty helmets looking like small children at Christmas just receiving
the best gifts of their life. I watch as they get on their pit bikes
and run to the Media center to get their times and talk about their
race with other racers. They are high-fiving each other, slapping
each other on the back, and yet those behind the fence are there smiling,
and yet still behind the fence. They are not really missing out on
the camaraderie, but enjoying the satisfaction that the Racer arrived,
at the finish line, on 2 wheels, in one piece with such pride. |
 Those
of us behind the fence have our own special family. We are the ones
that worry together, laugh together, share food together. Some of
us still can not go to the "Fence" and watch. The other Fencers
are there for them though, taking pictures and worrying all the same, we
might not doing the high-fives but we are still enjoying the glory moments
of a days race well done in our own special way. So here is to all
the Fencers, the ones that give up their vacations, re-arrange money,
plan the meals, run to the store for supplies, watch the kids, spend endless
hours by themselves and with other Fencers, travel hours to get to the
"In Field" to be with other Fencers. |
If
anyone had told me I would have been a "Fencer", I would have said
absolutely not!
I doubted that my Racer was ever going to make it big, all I could
think about was "what is this going to cost!". I can no longer
deny my excitement. Maybe this is why I accepted being a "Fencer",
maybe I can live a little bit through my racers glowing eyes, and
truly child-like smiles. So, here I am, hooked since the first
time I saw my Racer take off that helmet during a Track Day. I believe
another author stated that, "a racer would never forget their first race,
the thrill, the excitement, the beating heart, like they will never forget
their first kiss". |
 The
Fencers will never forget that first track day. As their Racer pulled
off that helmet, out of breath with excitement, babbling wildly about every
corner, checking out knee pucks to see if they had scuffed the racetrack
and last but not least their faces glowing like that over-lit jack-o-lantern
at Halloween. They had turned into small children again. You
know the ones, those who got the new sneakers and could run faster, jump
higher and were going to be track stars. That new Racer was hooked
and because you Love them.... You are hooked also.
High-five to all you
Fencers! My hat is off to you! |
They
stand there on the other side of the fence, finger gripping the rough wire.
Waiting, wondering and worrying. Who are they you ask?
