.. for someone like you.

For those of you who don’t know, my hobby is racing my Corvette. Tim and I participate in HPDE (High Performance Driving Events) and NASA Time Trials. I currently own two ‘vettes, a 2001 C5 Convertible (Millenium Yellow) which is my daily driver, and a 2001 C5, FRC which I purchased as a track car.

So I had an opportunity this weekend to go to my favorite track – Texas World Speedway (http://www.texasworldspeedway.com/) I had noticed that I had been getting a bit more aggressive on the street.. taking corners at speed and such… and so really wanted to get back and drive before the October event before GDCOnline. Tim’s car is set for the next NASA event, so we decided to just take my car down and he’d serve as “pit crew” for me.

The day went really well, the car ran like a million bucks, my times were good particularly as I was running on street tires and not my regular “stickies” (track tires.)  I had a “pit” spot (covered garage parking) so even tho the temps got over 100, there was a nice breeze and it was shaded, so not too bad.

Parked next to me for the event were two fellows probably in their 60’s with their Pontiac G8. At the end of the day, we were packing up. Tim was out at the truck and I was putting the last few things into the trunk of the vette when one of the Pontiac guys approached me.

“Did you have a good day?” he asked.

“Oh yes,” I said. “Car ran great, times were pretty good. I’m really happy with it all.”

He nodded and then said, “Well, I just wanted to tell you how much I admire you. I mean.. ya’ know… ” He nodded at my Corvette. “That’s an awful lot of car .. for someone like you.”

** blink**

** blink blink**

Someone like… ME?

WTF?!?

Seriously?!?!

What? someone from.. Austin? Someone tall? Someone with red hair?!

Yah, I was pretty floored. I just picked up the gas cans that were there and walked to carry them to the truck.

I then told Tim and John and they just **blink** and then broke up laughing.

“Is there anything left of the poor guy?!” they asked.

No.. I didn’t confront him. I’d had such a great day and was in such a good mood, I just didn’t have the mind set to take him apart for the OBVIOUSLY sexist remark…

Ultimately.. we pick our battles.. that wasn’t one I was willing to spend my energy or ruin my good day over.

But.. for all those people who tell my that sexism doesn’t exist any more today.. Well… “that’s an awful lot of car, for someone like you.”

ADDENDUM:

This must be “insult Sheri” week.

Tonight I stopped at our local corner store to fill the Wasp up with gas. Two young guys, about 15 or 16 years old, pedaled up on bikes. They circled me, the car and the pump and said, “Wow.. great car! What year is it?”

I said, “It’s a 2001.”

They said, “Yah, I thought so.. thought it was a 2000 or 2001. Heh… better not put a supercharger on that thing.”

Me – “Supercharger?”

Them – “Yah, Supercharger, if it had a supercharger, you couldn’t handle it. You couldn’t handle the power.”

Me-  ” …..”

Me – “Well, it does fine at the track without one, so I guess I’ll be fine.”

Seriously?? What is up with this? Is it cuz the car is black? Can I just punch someone now??