How old is too old?
You've heard the old saying "How old is too old?"And the answer is: Your never too old.Simple right, there's no "What if", "What about"...NO!....Your never too old for anything. Your body might not agree but most of us keep our minds sharp by doing what we love to do. It's when we say "I'm too old" is when we become old.Recently I was asked "When did you start racing?" I loved that question because at 48 years I got to reply "Last June" LOL! Yep, never raced a day in my life until this past June 2009. Started my first vintage race in June and in July bought a UCAR (modern version of a traditional stock car, no modifications, even run DOT tires.) and I raced the wheels off it placing 7, 7, 5, and 3 before a drunken race driver t-boned me and ended that career. I was going up against 20 year olds in beating the pants off them and I've never raced before. Why? Because I always knew I could do it and so I did.Our vintage race club, CapeFear-CARS (you've heard of us and if not you will) started in June with just 2 cars, OK, 2-1/2 cars. We were hoping to generate some local interest with the younger generation but instead we sparked a fire in the older crowd that got up, dusted off the cobwebs and joined the ranks of the fasting growing vintage stock car club in the Sandhills and Coastal Plains of North Carolina. Now, I'm the youngest member of the club...at 48 I am the greenhorn, the pipsqeak, the punk, the reckless youngster of the bunch and chasing these old geezers! How could this be that a bunch of "older" guys are out racing me? No way! I'm "The Kid" these old coots can't be faster than me, one of them is nearly 30 years my senior, he's an old man, senior citizen. So how can it be that he's faster than me and they all drive like there's no tomorrow. "Hey guys, I was just wanting to have a little fun?", but these "old dudes" are flying around the track as if we were running for $5000 purse when if fact we don't race for squat, nothing, zilch!! Bunch old geezers out running "The Kid"! Dang!But wait, I'm no "kid" I'm 48 years old, what the heck am I doing racing at 48? Am I nuts? Aren't I too old?Don't ask my club members that, they'll leave you behind brushing off their dust.So, how old is too old?
This is a great blog, Jim. It seems to me as long as someone is physically able to get in and out of the car, GO FOR IT! Should probably be able to pass a stress test, too. Old timers still play for keeps. Over the summer I've been talking to one of Michigan's best drivers from the mid 60's through 1990. He owns a late model and was getting fed up with the lack of performance from his car and "kid" driver. He pulled the entire suspension out of the car and put his own design back in. He took the car and driver to Dixie Motor Speedway for a test. Oh, he also took his old driving suit and a full face helmet with him. He hadn't driven a race car since 1997, but he got in and turned laps that would qualify for a race there. This guy is in his early 70's and was really banged up in his career, but can still outrun the kids. The car started running so good he sold it at the last race of the season and has a new car being built by Howe Racing to his specs for next season. He says the car is gonna be real good! He is staying retired, but said how good it felt to run again. BTW, the car number will be GoIng, a number Tom made famous in 1973 and won 48 features that year!You're never too old.Pete in Michigan
When I was racing, Paul Lewis was my crew chief. One day during practice he got into my car...nothing fit...seat, pedals, steering wheel, etc. He turned laps as fast...maybe faster than me. I know he could do the same right now...and would give it all he had. Pete is right...Old Timers always play for keeps. Good luck, Jim...in trying to keep a "just for fun" deal...lol.
I talked with an old timer last year and he won a sprint car race feature at age 75! He did it in a car that a "kid" couldn't get up to speed. Nothing against youth, but be careful of an old veteran who is running in the same feature you are. Might be a long night.
I'm not ashamed to say I was beat in our 6cyl class by a fella 76 years young. Grant it he has a faster car but he also knows how to wheel it around. Another case in point is Morgan Shepherd and James Hylton. Jimmy took a nasty hit in the ARCA at Rockingham in October this year but he'll be back. I just hope I have the strength, coordination and energy these guys do when I'm their age. And yes, how about that Mark Martin, he's represent all of us over 40 guys and gals, he's carrying the banner.
The word "old" has a wide array of meanings,now in your case old means used?? wore out?? or just plain not needed. You got to specify what old is, your car you got that you cherish so tell me isit old or didnt you rebuild it,that makes it new again or just usable,you tell meThe cars we got that has our heart and sole in them plus a lot of memories not to mention a few dollars are still not new but almost museum pieces. But what you are doing out there on the track old man is going back to school and learning what you didnt catch the first time around---i will make it short and sweet for you ---If you are to old to learn --then you Jim are an old fart that cant keep up and needs to go get that rocker oiled up cause you gonna need it------ ok did i make you mad? did i make you think? or did you laugh at me and call me an old fart back and say you will be be waiting under the flag stand --huh? any way you look at it it gives you many --------------------------------------------memories
I'll quote George H. Bush when asked "Why do you want to skydive?" He replied "What do you expect me to do, sit in the corner drooling?"
mark martin just said a good quote on his racing--he said he races to win not for the money --not for the prestige-- he races to win --he said he might be the old man but thats the way he looks at being out on the track to win thats the ultimate goal
Chris Karamesines qualified his dragster at this past weekends World Finals...over 300 mph....at 81 yrs old. Louie Unser used to run Pikes Peak into his 80s. James Hylton, Hershel McGriff, the list goes on.
Oh to be 48 again...lol
I don't know how old is too old, but it sure aint 40s 50s 60s or 70s.I meet people in these age brackets every week doing most everything I do.In my opinion you've got to be at least 80 before you start getting old these days, and some of my friends might not like me saying that.No offense but I was still a ball of fire at 48. I was working a career job, had a full time business on the side, and played some honkey tonk or show EVERY weekend.I didn't even slow down til my mid 50s.right after that Jeff Gilder speeded me right back up. I still can't keep up with him all the way, but he is younger than me!!
Well, I'm glad you geezers are going at it full throttle because most all my friends are older than me and if you guys quick having fun I would not have as much fun either.I have younger friends and they are cool but they are only now discovering risks and daring adventure, something I discovered years ago at their age and I don't want to rediscover exploring the world, I've done that, now I just enjoy having my fun a little closer to home and with people that share the same interests. I've been around the world a few times and have done and seen some pretty amazing things but I'll tell you one thing we race fans have that the rest of the world does not and that is some of the richest history in racing, plenty of race tracks (dirt/asphalt) to choose from, and the best group of people to hang out with that you'd ever want to meet younger or older, we are on the same page looking for the same thing that makes us smile.
I swear, Some young folks don't know what fun is. I don't think they believe half the stuff I tell them I did, and I don't even tell them about the real wild times.I save those for people who have had as much fun as I have. In other words, other old geezers. Not naming any names.
At 64 years young, I wish that I knew then what I know now, but that wouldn't have been very much fun would it ? I probably wouldn't have done so many risky things and had so much fun back then.Thinking back to some of the crazy things that I did in cars, I have to wonder why I am still here, I guess somebody was looking out for me. Over all I think that I like being older better than being younger. If you have good health, it is better than having a lot of money.
THERE IS NO AGE LIMIT IN RACING UNLIKE THOSE STICK & BALL SPORTS LOOK AT JUNIE OR TIM OR THE KING RICHARD PETTY THERE IS ALOT OF PEOPLE OUT THERE THAT BEEN IN RACING ALL OF THERE LIFE THATS THE ONLY THING THEY KNOW HOW TO DO
Jim, as you know, this is MY exact same story........only add 8 years! Took my first green flag at the young age of 55!!