In my previous posting I provided some insight into the genesis of my interest in auto racing. From those early exposures to muscle cars and the thundering Can-Am race cars pounding their way around Laguna Seca Raceway in the mid 1960s, I was absolutely hooked. As my Mom says, “everything was cars, cars, cars…!”
I also mentioned in my previous posting of my belief in the “written goal.” From my experience, a person is far less likely to achieve one’s goal unless it is written. Once written, it takes a more solid form than a verbalized goal or one that’s envisioned in your own mind. Writing that goal is the first, small step towards making a goal or a dream become a reality!
I know this from my personal experience. In my never-ending car fantasies, I not only dreamed of racing, I envisioned owning a muscle car (specifically a 1969 Camaro), and of meeting Mario Andretti. These were pretty lofty goals for a single digit aged kid from a beach town in Northern California. However, I am here to say that all three came true. Why? Because I documented them, committed to them, put plans in place to achieve them, and worked towards them.
Need proof ? Here’s a picture of my 1969 Camaro, which I have successfully raced to a first place finish at the 2000 Pony Express 2 in Nevada in the 140 mph target speed 
class. And, if that’s not proof enough, take a look at this picture of me with Mario Andretti at the 2000 Formula 1 race at Indianapolis, where he raced a Porsche Supercup car. Even better yet, I rode with him at Putnam raceway in a Porsche Supercup the day before as he was taking hot laps!
What does all this have to do with amateur racing and this site? Well, I continue to receive questions asking “how did you do it?”. I thought that if I share some experience of how I made it into racing, I might be able to answer that question, and perhaps, inspire some other youngsters (of any age) to pursue their dreams as well!
Karl Chicca, Campbell, CA