Part 17

A couple of months later, Tony invited Darcy to go to a Track Derby for the weekend, which Darcy thought sounded like a lot of fun. As it turned out, she was in for a surprise. Tony had entered her for the Novice Run. She would be driving his track car ...on the track ...in an actual race! 

Tony set up practice runs on the old runway, so that Darcy could learn to tickle the engine and use the quirks of the track to her advantage.  Darcy was soon making her corners effective and placing herself strategically, as she came out of them. 

Tease the engine, draw more power

Slide the turn to gain some ground

Crop the curves and curb the clutch

Whilst gearing up for changing down

Then throttle flat, and fix the eye

Once chequers up, it’s time to fly

At last, it was the weekend of the Derby. Bright and early on Saturday morning, they threw their stuff into Tony’s camper, put the dogs on the back seat and set off, the track car bobbing on a trailer behind them.

When they arrived some 3 hours later, Tony chose a quiet, well shaded spot to park the camper, and unhitched the trailer. There was plenty of space and the dogs would be far enough away from the track not to be concerned by it.  Tony wasn’t up until the fourth race of the day so they had plenty of time to explore. He seemed to know a lot of people and Darcy was introduced again and again, although she doubted she would ever remember so many names. Fortnum and Mason were excited with all the activity and a real hit with all the children on site.

People laughing, children playing

Scents of grass and engine oil

Tents and Campers far afield

With campfires, set on stone and soil

Distant sounds of engines growling

Curious contenders, prowling

Weighing up rival’s resources

Looking on whilst tinkerers tweak

Feigning awe and admiration

But mentally noting where they’re weak

These contests aren’t just set for fun

There’s pride and passion to outrun

When it was time for Tony’s race, they shut the dogs in the camper, rolled the track car off of the trailer and Tony got in. It roared into life and bounced gently across the grass to the starting grid. Then, when all were in position, they were off.

Darcy stood watching from the stands, as Tony streaked into the affray and wove his way firmly into the cluster, coming out in sixth position. He held this spot until he had the chance to slip through, and he crossed the line in second place. Darcy was impressed.

His next race wasn’t until the following morning, so they spent a very pleasant evening watching some of the races, walking the dogs and, as it got dark, they settled own with some of Tony’s friends, around a barbeque, Darcy was loving every minute of it, and the dogs found all manner of morsels coming their way. That night, they crawled into Darcy’s sleeping bag with her and did not stir until morning.