Track Days

John sometimes jokingly refers to himself as “Racer John.” He was truly a racer in his youth, racing small motorcycles on dirt courses wherever his more practical wanderings took him. These days there is a hint of irony in the phrase as he no longer races competitively.
John keeps his hand in by attending something called “track days.” There are organizations that sponsor these events at racetracks around the country. At some point since the moto-cross days, John switched to superbikes so he usually goes to New Hampshire Motor Speedway in Loudon New Hampshire. This is a paved track. Among other things, it hosts two NASCAR races annually. It is a serious venue.
Track days are not competitive in the sense that anyone gets a trophy; however, riders are taught how to improve their times. For an additional fee there are various options like electronic timing and video cameras that attach to the motorcycles so the rider’s performance can be analyzed. Participants range from serious racers familiarizing themselves with the track or new equipment, to middle-agers whose partners gave them the day for their birthday. While they do not race each other, they all go as fast as they dare or, for the brave, the equipment will allow.
Recently I joined John for a couple of days at the track. On these occasions, my duties are simple and few: help lug tools and unload the motorcycle, time a few laps, help free him from the protective suit. (The suits, each costing hundreds of dollars, are a requirement. They are made of Kevlar, synthetic canvas, and hard rubber. Drivers conform to them rather than the other way around and, depending on the design, can be difficult to get out of.)
This time it is hot and sunny so I spend a lot of time under the cover of the garage. I am not alone as classes based on experience divide track time. As a result, only a third of the riders are on the track at any moment. For every rider there are also one or two people playing roles similar to mine. There are girlfriends and wives in the mix and there are an increasing number of women riders.
I tend to notice the women because – well I’m a guy – but also because they are a minority in this male dominated sport. One of the things I noticed is that the younger women, who invariably dress for appeal, seemed preoccupied and bored. By contrast the (relatively,) older women are involved and in many cases ride when their class is called. In one family the riders are in different classes, apparently by design, as they have two pre-teens that they take turns supervising.

I spent a fair amount of time speculating on the differing reactions of the women but came to no conclusions. It may be so simple as the relationships that last, last because the partners adapt to the interests of the other. There are almost certainly successful relationships in which the disinterested partner stays home but that is its own adaptation.