A couple of weeks ago I was
at Daytona International Speedway watching some of the world’s best sports car drivers
compete in the Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona. (That’s 24 hours of non-stop racing…
Overnight… Talk about noisy!)
In the last few hours of the
big race, I began thinking about how racecar drivers are, in many ways, the
wild cowboys of today. They’re smart about the nature of their job, they don’t
mind taking a few risks, they’re competitive with their peers…
There are quite a few similarities
between the drivers of today and their transportation, and my characters from
the old west:
TODAY = OLD WEST
Horsepower = Horsepower
Leather seat = Leather
saddle
Gas pedal = Spurs
Brakes = Reins
Racing helmet = Cowboy hat
Tires = Good horse shoes
Grain alcohol for fuel = Oats
& grain as feed
Where the heroes in my
stories need a strong, healthy, reliable mount, the “cowboys” of today want the
same thing, really.
What similarities did I miss? I’ll give away a print copy of one of my PRP anthologies or one copy of a book from my backlist to someone who leaves a
comment. (Don’t forget to include your email address!)
Happy Reading ~
Tracy
Facebook.com/TracyGarrett.author
Tracy, your mind runs in wild weirdness. LOL I would have never come up with the similarities in auto racing and cowboys the way in which you did. It sort of reminds me of the old TV series, The Dukes of Hazard. My nephew loved it, probably with the same enthusiasm that cowboys love their fast horses. Men, they don't really change, do they?
ReplyDeleteAll good things to your corner of the universe.
Thank you, Sarah--I think. lol
DeleteMorning Tracy. I've often thought the same thing about men with their trucks.
ReplyDeleteThat's very true, Barb.
ReplyDeleteI just had a big smile when I saw the title and then read the post. There is also the dang 'I can do this' attitude that still hangs around. Oh, the love of cowboys and race car drivers. They also have that special connection to their 'ride'. Doris McCraw/Angela Raines
ReplyDeleteGood job, Doris.
DeleteTracy, what a great post. I really love this thought. When I was a young girl--10,11, 12--I was in love with racing. But my dad was not interested in the least and I had no brothers, etc. But I remember watching the race (back then the Indy 500 was the only one televised, as I recall) on tv.
ReplyDeleteNow you make me think about which kind of car my hero(es) would drive. Hmmm. That could be fun--matching up our old western heroes with race cars from today. LOL
Cheryl
That's an interesting thought.
DeleteA Wild Ride vs. A Wild Ride. I love the similarities you though up. Very clever, and oh, yes, men have been alike since time began. Think back to the Knights jousting...same thing?
ReplyDeleteBut you gotta love a man who has this attitude.
Great post. I enjoyed it.
For me, racecars = Steve McQueen. And that makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. *grin*
ReplyDeleteKaye
What a great metaphor, Tracy! I'd never-a thunk it up either. A couple of Christmases ago, we got our son in law (a racing nut) ten rounds in a race car at a major track. Wow, he was in heaven. Me, I like to go fast, but that tight rubber suit and trying to climb in and out...doubt this old body could handle any of it. But we had fun watching Scott speed around the track! Enjoyed the post today.
ReplyDeleteTracy, I absolutely loved this blog. You are a genius. I love all car racing, especially Nascar (love horse racing too). I grew up going to Watkins Glen Race track every year with my father until I went to college, then picked it back up again. My husband is a total "car guy"--drives a hot Mustang, talks cars 24/7 and we go to various Nascar races off and on, and NEVER miss a race on TV. My son does track time at several race tracks. I've even had the delightful treat to have ridden around some of the race courses with professionals at the wheel and let me tell you it is a thrill. I loved your comparisons and I would have never thought them up. Thanks for a lot of laughs. You've definitely showed us when someone puts their mind to something and lets their imagination fly, they can come up with some of the greatest ideas/similarities. I now know who to call when I need some special metaphors. Love this so much I'm going to have my hubby read this. He'll hoot for sure. Thanks for making my day.
ReplyDelete