I thought that this was some good advice, coming from one of the great drivers, for sure. I particularly think that numbers 3, 7 and 10 are good food for thought. “Here are 10 driving tips for a young aspiring race car driver, it would apply to most anyone wanting to race. 1- Always stay focused on whatever you are doing and don't move to another project till the present one is completed or discarded. 2- Always race to the best of your ability, never exceed what you think is possible for you at that given moment. There will always be another race. 3- You have to know your limitations and the same goes for the race car, it has limitations too, know them. 4- Constantly be diligent about your bodies health, never put anything into your body that is not good for it, such as soda, artificial sweeteners, alcohol, tobacco or any kind of recreational drugs. Personally, I don't even like white flour or sugar, that is why I'm 82 and still going strong. 5- I always took a nice slow walk down the racetrack, it is surprising what you will see and it will help you during the race. 6- I always got a good nights sleep before the big race, it made me more alert and gave me energy to finish a long day. 7- Never, never let your competition drive your operation, pay no attention to them, run your own race and team. 8- Always wear ear protection, you will need your hearing later in life, I didn't and for that I'm sorry. 9- Never ever drive the race car without the full safety equipment, for if you do, that will be the very time you will need the protection. 10- I always said a Prayer to God before the race, after all He is really the one in charge, give Him that respect and your life will be much more enjoyable. It always comforted me and I did better during the very stressful times.” Sincerely, Don "Big Daddy" Garlits July 1st 2014
Living Legend or dead hero,all about choices I suppose.It won't work for everyone. Ps,I do all the shit he said you shouldn't do also.
Don Garlits, Bill Burnam and a few other guys were standing in The Nugget Casino in Wendover shooting the breeze and I waited 'till the conversation died off and asked mister Garlits........"You've been pretty lucky in your life--would you mind pulling the handle at the dollar machine if I put a dollar in it?" He said he didn't think he'd been overly lucky but he'd be glad to yank the handle. Of course we didn't win but it was nice to have a short conversation with Don Garlits. He could have been insulted and said he worked for everything he had and luck didn't play a part but he has a lot more class than that.
Wise words even if he didn't follow them all the time as was said as we are all only human. I assume he lost a lot of races but you also can't deny his successes and being an icon of drag racing history. All statements above are based off of #10 and the faith within to God. Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
As for #7, I have heard it said " Do what I say, not do what I do". Yep learned that one the hard way.
3- You have to know your limitations and the same goes for the race car, it has limitations too, know them. Ol Don "borrowed" most of this one from Clint Eastwood..! Dirty Harry. Mike
#1 ?? ----------- I've been to Ocala, he NEVER discarded anything, and the World is a better place for it. Bob
The wisest thing I heard him say was in an interview after he broke the 7 second barrier in 1967 at Indy. He was asked what the ultimate quarter mile record would be. His response was; "We can't get there before we leave".
#5: Back in the day, this used to be standard procedure for a lot of the older visiting drivers at our local paved oval. Get there early before there was any hot-lapping and walk the middle groove all the way around, examining the low and high grooves as well. They made observations at driver's meetings regarding track features and current conditions that some of the local drivers didn't know or hadn't noticed. Did it myself when I later drove and ran a new track. Yes, good advice Mr. Garlits! Regards, Dave.
The Jalopy Journal
