Early Childhood Education

On Wednesday, there was a test session at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway 

to check various configurations of the IMS road course. 

It is anticipated that IndyCar will a add a road course event 

to the schedule next year, to be held at IMS.

Of course, the sound of a race car engine will lure racing fans

from their homes or workplaces. Folks bring chairs and coolers to spend

the day watching and listening to the cars as they navigate

the oval or road course. They indulge in various interpretations

of fact, rumor, or fantasy as they pass their time

on the spectator mounds inside Turn Two, a pastime

otherwise known as "bench racing." 

People bring their children, introducing them to what is hoped 

will become a lifetime love of the speed, smells, and skills

involved in this sport. In the top picture, a young man experiences

his first interview, perhaps in anticipation of a future as a driver or

a chief mechanic, where development of the savvy needed

to cope with the ever-present media cannot start too early.

The second young man is observing, carefully noting how the car

is handling through the tight turns. Perhaps his future is to be that of

an engineer or as an official, observing the behavior of all the

competitors on the track.

Participants in the Wednesday session were the National Guard-sponsored 

car owned by Panther Racing and driven by Ryan Briscoe,

and the Rahal-Letterman-Lanigan Racing team, whose Hewlett-Packard 

car was driven by Graham Rahal. During the time I was there, 

Ryan Briscoe, whose car is shown above, made most of the laps.

Among the visitors to Turn Two was the recently hired Director of

Operations and Competition for Indycar, Derrick Walker.

Walker began his auto racing career in the 1970s as 

a mechanic for the Brabham Formula One team,

then owned by Bernie Ecclestone. He eventually worked for

Penske Racing, first for Penske's Formula One effort,

then on to Indy Car racing, where he enjoyed a great deal of success, 

being involved in the team's four series championships,

as well as four wins of the Indianapolis 500.

Walker's knowledge, experience, and integrity are

well-known and respected by the racing community,

which has led to his current position.