Jarold C
Senior Heliman
Location: Somewhere near Pittsburgh, PA
| Hell, you'll be having $400 dollar bottles of champagne poured over your head here soon.
A short survival guide for the soon to be famous:
1 Don't sweat the small stuff (especially $18 stuff).
2 Watch your mouth - Don't say anything that'll embarass you if your mama heard it on TV, even if the other guy was wrong.
3 Always thank whomever let you have your chance - your Maker (if you so believe), your parents, your team, your sponsor, your fans - IN THAT ORDER. Make sure you call your whole team into the circle with you - Try not to have your picture taken without them in it.
4 There is a big difference between an aggressive driver and an aggressive man.
5 Be gracious and humble as a winner (you'll get bigger sponsors and more loyal fans)
a) There is a new "bad-boy" in racing every week and they definitely get more women. They also lose their temper, their money, their sponsors, 1/2 of their belongings and custody of the kids. They can't get it up at 35 because of their B/P meds.
b) The good guys get to stay in the game longer, get the quality ladies and keep a steady fan base (that's important to sponsors - they LIKE you to win, but they PAY you to represent).
6 Be even MORE gracious and humble as a loser - always shake hands with the guy that "tapped you out", even if it kills you inside. He'll be the one lending you his spare engine so you can make the next race. (See # 7)
7 Karma is REAL, if you don't believe in it now, I guarantee you'll be a believer when you're 40!
8 Don't get married while you're racing, she'll change the way you drive - guaranteed. You'll be in "time trials" on AND off the course! Don't get forced into a marriage - wear that raincoat!
9 Don't get too big to spend AT LEAST 30 minutes after your biggest win to sign autographs (See #3 & #5). Sign the kids' programs first! You're a hero - act like one!
10 Don't sweat the small stuff!
We made that list up while working (dive-rescue teams) and drinking with the APBA Offshore guys in Key West 20 odd years ago. The older I get, the more wisdom I see that they had.
Best of luck - now we have someone to root for! (See, you already have a fan base  )
Guess what? I just saved a ton of money on my Auto(rotation) insurance! |
