A very interesting read!
I would say that there isnt a set age to where things go downhill in your racing,we are individuals who have their own age/time where the eyesight and co-ordination/enthusiasm drops off.
I started racing when I was about 15/16 and when I was about 20 I took about 2 years out when I was more interested in other things (clubs,pubs and women mostly
)
But when I came back into racing I realised what I had missed. I never forgot most of what I learnt but it took me a while to remember it.
At 26 now I feel that i'm doing well as I can with the time and equipment I have.
Being married and having a 9 month old son meens I cant just go out and spend a lot on equipment,so I use what I have to its best,but focus on the weak links- I know I need a new stock motor,cells and charger (at least) as my current stuff is years old,but when I do well with what I have it makes me think about what I could have done with better,so I use these thoughts as a positive "push" to my desire to do even better next time
Sure,it feels great to own new equipment and get the gains out of it when they are there,but sometimes its cheaper and just as effective to improve what you already have.
When im able to,I use the money I have without being ott and I usually see benefits after reseaching what I need and what suits me best. (I use 4/5 year old 2000s in qualifying sometimes,im sure they are well abused by now,constantly getting a 5.5amp charge,it wont be long before they vent!)
Desire is a very strong thing and my wife taught me something very important.
" If you want something so much in life you'll go out and get it-strong desire will oversee all difficulties in life".
I feel that i'm a very focused person,and look at every aspect to make my racing faster and better in general. Dont let the bad times cloud your vision.
Sounds simple enough I know,but if youre lacking the interest in something YOU are the person that needs change your attitude,and only YOU can do that.
I have already got my son a toy radio controlled car to watch move around,it's very premature I know and Im not expecting him to like rc in any form when he's older,but if he sees something he likes at a young age then who knows- he might be able to take up the hobby much earlier in life and benefit from experience and watching them a younger age.
I'll keep racing all the time my desire and health are good,until I loose either or both i'm going nowhere. My talents have been realised by others and im looking forward to getting some assistance from them. Its a real positive buzz for me,things can only get better from here
Enjoy what you do but dont let it overtake your vision,stay focused and consistant on the track.
Im a bit of a "chance" racer,it'll sometimes look for overtaking where I can't. Sometimes it pays off,sometimes it doesnt. When it doenst it teaches me to be a bit more patient next time. Ive raced the same car for at least 3 years so I know its limits.
If I change to a new car i'll have to learn its setups and limits from scratch. And im not sure I have the time to do that. more importantly I dont have the money either
One last thing is dont believe in perfection-it doesnt exist. Just focus on getting your good points even better and focus even harder on your weak points