Jeff Kleiner
03-24-2013, 07:14 AM
One of the regions that I compete with was founded 30+ years ago by 3 brothers and a couple close friends. All are still active and competing. It's a tight knit group and aside from an occassional newbie who soon learns better the egos were checked at the door years ago. It's my "home" and favorite place to run.
One of the founding brothers has a daughter who has been coming to the events since she was a tiny little girl. In recent years she has helped with timing & scoring, gridding, awards presentations and other duties as well as occupying lots of passenger seats (including mine :)). Her Dad and uncles have had her driving on our closed airport venue for a couple of years now when we do course setup the day before events. She just turned 16 and got her license. We had a non-points fun event yesterday and she drove her Dad's car in competition for the first time! One of her uncles rode along for her first round and when they returned to the grid Elly was greeted with cheers, applause and more than a few moist eyes (again, including mine)! I was honored when she and her Dad asked me to ride along and coach for a couple of rounds before sending her out to fly solo!
http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj43/jkleiner/ellymasoncrop.jpg
Just had to share 'cause it was one of the coolest things ever!
Jeff
One of the founding brothers has a daughter who has been coming to the events since she was a tiny little girl. In recent years she has helped with timing & scoring, gridding, awards presentations and other duties as well as occupying lots of passenger seats (including mine :)). Her Dad and uncles have had her driving on our closed airport venue for a couple of years now when we do course setup the day before events. She just turned 16 and got her license. We had a non-points fun event yesterday and she drove her Dad's car in competition for the first time! One of her uncles rode along for her first round and when they returned to the grid Elly was greeted with cheers, applause and more than a few moist eyes (again, including mine)! I was honored when she and her Dad asked me to ride along and coach for a couple of rounds before sending her out to fly solo!
http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj43/jkleiner/ellymasoncrop.jpg
Just had to share 'cause it was one of the coolest things ever!
Jeff