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den 15 september 2003
After rain comes sunshine
Dear friends,
The last race, in Chicago, was a tough break for Team Rahal. It started good for us and we managed to qualify 4th, about a tenth adrift from pole. We concentrated most of the time on race set up though because as intense as our races are, with lots of wheel to wheel action, that is really important.
In the beginning there were about 4-5 cars that were a little bit better than us but we stayed in contention, improving the car in the first pit stop a little and running back and fourth in the lead pack of about 10 cars and it felt like we had a good shot at a really good result. But after little over half distance the fun was over. We had just turned into turn 3 when the car all of a sudden just went out of control. My first thought was that someone hit us or that I had turned down on someone, because there was a violent jolt and a loud sound, just like when you have contact. At the same time I thought it was strange because I had checked my mirrors and had not seen anyone. But as close as the racing is, well, I guess you just cannot be sure and as a driver you always try to find a logical answer to what happens, even in the heat of the moment. We discovered afterwards however, that there had been no contact, at least not between any cars.
The right rear tire simply exploded from something penetrating the sidewall. Although we are not 100 % sure we think the reason was that something broke off from our car to cause the damage.
In a situation like that, there is nothing you can do to prevent going out of control. You are going as fast as the car has grip to do, which in this case was about 225-230 mph, and if you then all of a sudden remove a good part of that necessary grip, well, its like removing one of the two wings on an air plane while in flight. You are just along for the ride. The only thing you can hope for is to get out of it in one piece. The car spun around and hit the wall with a force that nearly knocked me out.
Shortly after the impact while still sliding backwards, the team asked over the radio if I was ok.
That’s kind of standard. I remember hitting the wall while with A.J. Foyt’s team once. A wheel broke just before turning into a corner and Tommy, the guy on the radio, came on the radio before the car had even hit the wall and asked if I was ok.
A.J. slapped his hand of his radio transmitter button, then “Wham” as the car hit the wall, he said, “Now ask him if he’s ok”!
Even if I replied I was ok in last weekend in Chicago, had you seen me that same evening being hauled around in a wheel chair in the airport you’d known that that was not entirely true. The impact banged me up pretty good in my left side, the left foot the worst. Although I was in pain and limped pretty bad right after the incident it was nothing I was prepared to cave in for. I left the track and drove to the airport but I guess the adrenalin supply stopped somewhere between the track and the airport. When we got there I was stuck and could hardly get out of the rental car!
When returning to Columbus that same night we went to the emergency room to check it out but fortunately nothing was broken. After getting a pair of crutches I was on my way.
Luckily there is a really good rehab center in Columbus and after having them work on me every day the last week I can now walk on it again. At the end of the first session they even taught me to put the crutch under the right arm when walking (which was kind of embarrassing)!
Now we are on our way to California for our next race at California Super Speedway in Fontana. We are going out a little early to do some PR activities at Disneyland and then on Wednesday we are going to Honda’s headquarters to meet the people at their office who supports us tremendously.
I hope we have some good fortune this weekend. I carry hope because Team Rahal is a good team with a great spirit and after rain comes sunshine. Always.
Since the last report we have also released “Kenny Brack and The Subwoofers” “Live from Nashville” CD. I got to say I am really proud of all the band members because it turned out really good.
My favorite tunes are Me & Bobby McGee, Let There Be Rock, Rocker and of course Sweet Home Alabama where the song’s creator, former Lynyrd Skynyrd member Ed King participates. You can listen to some flicks under music on my web page www.kennybrack.com or of course buy the CD for the nimble price of $ 10. Like they say “All good things in life are free”. Nearly anyway. All profits go to a good cause, The CARA Charity organization.
Before Chicago I spent some time in Sweden. I’ve not been there since February. That’s the longest period I’ve been away since I started racing in 1984.
In any case it was very nice. Fall is beautiful there. It was still warm but the air was very crisp and a light that only countries located high up on the globe experiences. I will spend some more time there now since the season is getting less intense towards the end.
My wife Anita spend the whole month of August there and when I saw her after 3 weeks she had taken on the shape of a balloon, only that its not air. She’s pregnant, due in late December, but I never thought 3 weeks would make such a difference. It will be a girl. I am looking forward to it, although its hard to understand the grasp of it before it’s a fact. A challenging thing this moment is to find a suitable name. My wife hesitates to give her a name that any of my previous girl friends could have been named. Right now we are thinking perhaps “Eric”:)
For you who are members of my fan club there’s soon time for another web chat. Despite our trying time this year I hope you still enjoy the benefits of the club and that you take some time to log on and talk a little bit. You can find the details on my web page.
Let’s hope for a good race this weekend!
Talk to you all soon,
KB
kennybrack.com
KB
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