The 69 Adventure

Chapter 22 - Sept 20: Capability

ca·pa·bil·i·ty: Function: noun
Date: 1587
1 : the quality or state of being capable; also :ABILITY    

Jay made a parts run; Kat did a food run and Jay's rotors were replaced.  He was going to race with us!  Julie was also going to meet us at Atco, and of course, PK would be there.  

I had doubts about whether I could race.  The racing wasn't going to be the hard part (or so I thought) - I didn't know if I could wear the 5 point harness.  But just before we left for the track, a two week old work problem resolved and I was feeling good about things- the migraine was gone.  I took two pain killers and something to reduce the fever, and I was excited about racing - even mentioned it to my boss.  I didn't feel terrific with the fever and slept most of the way there in Jay's back seat.

Julie showed up at PK's shortly after we did, giving me just enough time to put on the stickers I had gotten in California.  We were sure they were good for 5 more HP!  

Ashtray Sticker (Mac joke)	Rear window

At the track, I got my permanent number, 4275 and we added 4 gallons of race gas.  I wanted more weight in the rear and I don't like it at anything less than a 1/4 tank.  Since Kat drove from PK's to the track, he took the first run: 12.199 @ 111.65.  Not the best mph, but certainly the quickest so far.  It was a good way to start off the night! 

I was determined that the next run would be lower 12's.  I did a good burnout.  I tripped the 1st light and stood on the brake, revving the engine.  The tach climbed towards 2500. I literally was standing on the brake - not sitting at all. I eased up just a tad and tripped the second light, holding the rpms steady and felt the car just slip and red lighted.  I couldn't hold it at 2500. I let off the gas a bit, brain clicked in and I mashed the gas.  I was really pissed at myself.  The run was terrific. Even Kat and PK commented how they had heard the car roaring down the track! The timeslip sucked. 

Back in the staging lanes, PK and Kat wandered over to the car and I handed PK the timeslip.  He didn't say much; Kat said nothing.  I had to ask a few times what the car ran: 13.357.  I grabbed my purse and told Kat to make the next run.  I went for a walk....a long walk.  

I ended up in the ladies room in tears, washed my face, and realized the fever was back....took 2 more Tylenol. The boob was shooting pains down to my breastbone and rib cage.  As soon as it cooled off, the sweatshirt was going on and the bra was coming off.  I went out and watched the cars run for a while, hoping the Tylenol would kick in quickly and feeling totally incompetent.  Jase's admonition that the car was above my capabilities kept running through my head.  Thad was right, sometimes we don't know the effect our words have on others.  I was feeling totally abysmal.  I had tried so hard to make that run good and I felt like I had let everyone, especially myself, down. Everyone, dear PK, was trying so patiently to help me do this better and I was just screwing it up.  I figured Kat could run the car the rest of the night; I was certainly in no mood to and I'd think things through when I was in a better better frame of mind.  Right then I was in pain and not good for much.  I headed back to the car.

Julie under the hood	Freddie

Julie and I tried ice cream.....I always told Sam that ice cream made everything better.  Ice cream had made Icebox's bee sting better, but didn't do much to stop me mentally beating up on myself!  A word from Jay or a hug from PK was enough to undo me.  Kat took the next run...a 12.4. 

The alcohol burners were running and the kids went down to watch.  I stayed with the car, putting on my sweatshirt and finally shimmying out of the pesky bra.  At least something felt better!  The next would be the last run of the night.  I realized if I didn't run it, I might not want to run the car again....falling off the horse syndrome.  I rationalized that each time I had run the car my times had gotten worse.  I was trying too hard, putting too much pressure on myself.  I just needed to run the car - the car could run a 12 easily.  I could drive a 12 - maybe not a low 12, but a 12.  Right then I just needed a 12. As all my stupidity was running through my head, a sharp pain was running through my chest, and fluid was draining down my rib cage.  The boob had ruptured and was draining.  It's a different kind of pain - more tolerable.  But it was the icing on the cake.  I moved the seat forward and readjusted the harness.  Poor Kat came back to make the last run, and found his seat occupied.  

Once Julie discovered we were running bra-less, she decided that was what Jay needed for luck!  I don't suppose he was much happier with his runs than I was with mine.  Julie wasn't a happy camper with Freddie running in the 17's either!  I donated my bra to her rearview mirror.  It must have worked.  Jay and Julie ran their best times of the night.

Jay's good luck charm	Julie's

I didn't try to get my best time; I just drove the car to a 12.6.  I can't break that 109 mph....yet.  

Bastard made it home uneventfully....it now had about 385 miles on the engine.  It had made it to the track and back with no roadside repairs.  It was running solid 12's.  I just needed practice.

Saturday, Kat installed all the new locks on the doors and the trunk and somehow adjusted the headlights.  This doesn't sound like much, but in the back of my mind, I now had the freedom to sneak over to the track on my own to get the practice I needed.  I could lock the car and leave it.  I didn't need someone to watch it.  I could drive it home without another car going with me to light up the way.  

Back to my capability reasoning.......

ca·pa·bil·i·ty: Function: noun
Date: 1587
2 : a feature or faculty capable of development 

ca·pa·ble: Function: adjective
Date: 1579
6 : having general efficiency and ability       

abil·i·ty: Function: noun
Date: 14th century
1 b : competence in doing : SKILL
2 : natural aptitude or acquired proficiency   © 2002 by Merriam-Webster, Incorporated

SKILL can be learned !!! There's hope for me yet.

Chapter 21  /  Table of Contents   /   Chapter 23