If it flys, floats or races, rent it.
On the personal front, I have a strong love of motor racing. During my stint working overseas (see the section about past cool stuff) I had the opportunity to restore and race a vintage Formula Ford. It was a 1979 Van Diemen FF1600 that belonged to my benefactor (many thanks to Charles Burnett III) who graciously allowed me to incorporate it into the set of hobbies that I already couldn't afford. The old axiom is very true - How do you make a small fortune in auto racing? Start with a large one.
Of course, I hadn't learned that yet.​​​
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During my first summer of overseas work, I returned home intermittantly and attended the Bertil Roos racing school at the Texas Motor Speedway infield track. Later in the season, I raced one weekend at Virginia International Raceway and, incredibly, closed the weekend with a podium finish. It was a small field of drivers, and I think at the end of the day fatigue got to a few. I gridded in fifth place and early in the race I spun out down to eigth (DFL). Eventually I was able to claw my way back to third.
When I returned to the UK I obtained a National B license and competed in a full season of BARC sponsored racing in the Van Diemen. That season was plagued by mechanical failures and close-up tire wall instances, but I finished enough races to lose the dreaded "Rookie" plate that you are required to display on the back of your car (the equivalent of a sticker that says "Student Driver")
That season of racing coincided with my work for the BSCC project discussed on the past fun stuff page, so for a time I was consumend personally and professionally with motorsports. Managing a project and managing my own racing agenda at the same time.
Me in a Sparco racing suit taking a selfie, summer 2002
Me racing at a Bertil Roos "Arrive and drive" event at Virginia International Raceway. I'm the one that has dropped two wheels going wide on the turn
The 1979 Van Diemen in the Garage, complete with personal and company logos
Me in the Van Diemen at Lydden Hill, UK
Snetterton