Scouting and Indy Racing |
This Thursday I had an opportunity to see the BSA (Car 19) Indy race car and ride in a two seater Indy car racing around Las Colinas. What an experience of a lifetime!
Before the race, we were all treated to a great speech by Bob Mazzuca, the Chief Scout in all of BSA and an Eagle Scout himself. Bob talked about how Indy racing and scouting had a lot in common. Both are a team effort where you had to rely on your team. Both are a journy, not won by any one scout rank or Indy race. Both require so much from you (both mentally and physically), in preperation, education and dedication.
Did I mention I got to ride in an Indy car?
Alex Lloyd, the BSA Indy car driver then spoke about being in scouting in England. While he did not have a chance to achieve Eagle Scout, he is (and has to be) a well educated man to understand the science of driving an Indy car. Alex added that at the end of a race, mentally the driver is exhausted and physically they will lose about 8 pounds.
Did I mention I got to ride in an Indy car?
One boy asked a question about "why is there a wing on the back of the car?". Dale Coyne, the owner of the BSA #19 car, stated it creates down draft to keep the car hugging the road and how on different tracks, they have different wings. Alex then added that with some wings, there is enough down draft to allow a car to drive in a tunnel and "hug" the ceiling (yes that is right, drive on the ceiling). Talk about science!
All in all, it was a GREAT time and I really learned to appreciate Indy racing. Also, did I mention I got to ride in an Indy car? Look in our scout pictures area for a picture of the boys in front of the #19 car and a picture of me riding in the 2 seater Indy car. For the record, I asked Mr. Mazzuca and Mr. Coyne if I could drive. Without hesitation, they said "No". :)
Kevin Saye Scoutmaster
Submitted by: ksaye on Jun 16 2011
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