I find myself from time to time willing to crack the door open a bit and embrace the notion that the enjoyment of a shared experience and appreciation of a common interest argues against my usual pessimistic outlook.
One such occasion came this weekend - a two day autocross event with my local club.
For two days a group of folks who otherwise might rarely intermingle come together because of a shared interest in driving as quickly as possible through a sea of orange cones. The event starts with a parking lot; a blank slate that is transformed into a maze representing the challenge that we will set ourselves upon over the next few days. Out of nothing, we create a shared goal.
The first few runs are tentative. Slowly, each participant learns how to navigate the challenge and the group learns what will define the scope of the task for the day as the times are posted for each run. Tire pressures are tweaked. Strategies are developed and refined. The optimal racing line becomes clearer with each successive run.
And, throughout the day a sense of camaraderie develops as each participant focuses on the spontaneously created quest, testing their ability to adapt and improve, measuring themselves against each other.
The ambient chatter is constant. Is the course good or bad? Does the course flow well? What line to take through such and such turn? What's for lunch?
The seasoned teach and show, the inexperienced watch, listen and learn. Tires squeal and smoke. The stench of brake and clutch is heavy in the air. Numbers accumulate on the grid laid out on the whiteboard.
Finally, the noise stops. The accidental community gathers around the tally board. The meaning of the numbers is discussed and debated. What could have been is bemoaned. What will happen in the future is speculated upon.
Orange cones are collected, stacked and stored.
The parking lot is once again a parking lot.
No comments:
Post a Comment