This was the experience that awaited me with rounds 3 and 4 of RallyCar™ Rallycross at New Jersey Motorsports Park near Millville.
The competition for these two rounds was different from the previous rounds (except for being located at the Lightning Course). The course was shorter, it supplied more dirt sections, and, best of all, it provided thrilling side-by-side and bumper-to-bumper racing. The intensity and excitement definitely had been turned up from previous rounds.
I brought along my 12-year-old son, Matt, as his birthday present. I have taken him to tracks since he was four. He never took a real interest in racing, but has always been interested in my work.
But this weekend, we had an awesome experience to share. He followed me around the track as I took photos. I was on the inside of the fence, and he was on the outside with spectators. He was excited to show me the photos he was able to take with his phone.
He was eager to stand in line with all the other fans and get autographs from the drivers. This weekend had made him a full-fledged race fan!
Matt watched the rally drivers on the track. I coached him from inside the fence, letting him know what cars were coming around and who was driving them. He began to learn the colors of the cars and then could identify some of the drivers.
Sorting through the pieces of wrecked rally cars, he searched for parts to have autographed. And yes, he was trying to figure out a way to get a whole bumper home in his small suitcase. (We did get all the parts through airport security without an issue, although the lady at the ticket counter must never have been asked if it was OK to take car parts through security, since she asked, “Like a real car?”)
This was an exciting and thrilling memory that will last a lifetime. This race made for one of the best bonding experiences my son and I have had. Although this was more typical of an experience for dads and their sons, but then again, I’ve never been a typical mom!
-- Melissa Carlson
