Its been a while since I last posted anything new but we have been caught up with many other things among them work which without, almost everything would come to a halt. Since the season ended last year we have started on the new car project but have a very long long way to go still. As for the other cars (BRE, 140Z and the Datti) well they're standing literally where we left them last year and will decide in due course how we play the year 2013 that lies ahead.
A while ago I overheard someone saying there needs to be more atmosphere and camaraderie especially among the classic car guys. I stopped and thought about this for a while and came to the conclusion the we have been 'gooi-ing gees' for the last 6 or more years at virtually every race meeting. I mean we practice like everyone else on the Friday and if our cars are all sorted we light the fire and the camaraderie starts flowing. By 18h30 most of the other competitors have dwindled away while we are participating in the 'gees' with a handful of die-hard buddies. Of course a couple of liquid refreshments (hydraulic sandwiches) are always enjoyed especially a few 'cold ones' after a hot Friday session and by later that same evening we sometime have up to 15 or more visitors and a few 'bos luise' as well. The more the merrier as the saying goes. As the vocal cords start producing greater air velocity with many stories and jokes doing the rounds, so too does the volume of music increase which can range anything from the Mamma & Pappas, 60's, 70's to even German folk songs and in between we even squeeze in some Weskus traditional music. By then the 'cold ones' are almost finished and 'Rich e Lieu' starts to take over. On a bad month 'Drosdyhof' does some fine dining.
An overseas visitor last year for the Ford & Friends weekend says he's never ever experienced such a vibe anywhere else in the world and he travels the racing world for a living doing photography. See Speedhunters - Z
Pictured below on the extreme left (right as you look) is Bryn Musselwhite who did a photo shoot for Speedhunters. After the shoot an interview was conducted and we explained that we braai (BBQ) after a practice day. He popped the question, So tell us about that? “A fire creates atmosphere, we said, add meat and alcohol and with those two and it’s a bloody good combination.” - I’ve never been to a race circuit like it before and I’ll show you some more in another post, it’s a great place" said Bryn.
He even waited for the sun to set before whipping out his camera and snapped the occasion.
“The motor racing is the cherry on top. On a Friday night we all get together and Braai (BBQ), drink and we talk sh*t. If we get a chance to race then that’s a bonus. The camaraderie and the talking is what it’s about.”
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These photographs above were taken at the 2012 Ford & Friends event and is unusual in the sense that we don't normal take photos. Spanners, crowbars,stop watches we have but not cameras at the track. What has become a custom is that we are often some of the first to get to the track and definitely the last bunch to leave.
Taking it one step further, such tradition, camaraderie and track braaing is not only reserved for Cape Town (Killarney) but is enjoyed and performed at even away races we attend such as the past weekends racing at Zwartkops in Pretoria West (3 Feb 2013). A completely different atmosphere but one with the same result. We are again the last to leave the place and the 44 gallon drum nearby is equally filled to near overflowing capacity with recyclable beverage holders.
So while our cars may not be ready as yet for 2013 we have already secured enough wood, a case of 'Polisie Koffie', we have Bells by the dozen, Windhoek Lights by the case, plenty ice and a Jukebox loaded with plenty oldies ready to start the new season.
So if you are not finding sufficient camaraderie or feeling the 'gees' at the track don't look our way, we already have a reputation for not knowing when to go home and its infectious towards other petrol heads and competitors alike.
So where were you??
