Old Racecars
Reynard F2000 - DDT at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park Oct 2014
even when spewing oil on a wet track,
are delightful.
Heaven
is this with a classic Ferrari.
What Next
Posing with my primary sponsor for 2014 and former national champ,
Brett Goodman of the Bridgestone Racing Academy
And finally,
the racing funds have run empty and with that,
Ken's racing season is now over.
But, hopefully not for long.
Let's be real,
racing ain't cheap and my last name
isn't Andretti, Senna, or Earnhardt.
I never started racing go-karts at age 4
or anything ridiculous like that.
I'm 27 now and not getting any younger.
But I promise you,
get me into a race car
and I will work my freaking butt off.
I'll also drive the absolute piss out of that thing
with the biggest, stupidest grin on my face.
And I'll personally convince you,
just how amazing this sport can be,
and how much fun it is, to win.
If you are, or know anyone that's interested
in becoming involved with the beautiful sport
of automobile racing -
whether as team owner, sponsor,
or simply as a patron of the sport,
please, let's do lunch.
Racing. The highest highs and the lowest lows.
Take my word for it though,
it's the best.
Ken Fukuda
ken@griffeydreams.com
2014 Season Review
After a ten year long hiatus
and some additional drama
of a mid-season accident,
I'll admit,
it took me longer than I thought
to get back up to speed.
But I suppose, this was to be expected.
This year was to see if I still have it.
To prove to myself that I do have pace,
that I am fast, and only content,
being the fastest.
I learned how to
gather and analyze data more effectively,
as well as how to self-coach, test,
and fine-tune my driving much better.
The track record,
set by an ex-professional driver,
stands at 1 minute 30 seconds.
My time at the beginning of the
season was about 15 seconds off the pace -
way off in racing terms.
My last race is a good example
of the progress I've made:
In Free Practice, I clocked a 1:34.
Qualifying, 1:33.
Race, 1:32.
Give me another day in the car
and I'll be there.
I'll beat it.
Either way, a great summer.
I am so hooked,
again.
Race 3
Leading through the esses at 90 mph
Racing a formula car is
SUCH A FREAKING HIGH.
Today was the last race of the season.
Qualified 6th, finished 5th.
No podium, but I'm proud of the result.
Made a sweet pass
and was running 4th at one time.
Was racing against some quality guys today,
some instructors and ex-pros;
some whom I even beat.
When I began 7 months ago,
I was 15 seconds off the track record.
Today, I got it down to 2.4.
My body is still buzzing.
Race 2
Qualified sixth, finished sixth again.
But, I got my balls back.
Ten years away of driving any sort of vehicle
fast, and on the limits,
resulted in some undeniable mental atrophy.
Big gains were made towards my pace and
I'm finally close to my competition again;
some being almost ten years younger
or having previously raced professionally.
Can't wait for my next,
and final race of the season.
I am loving every single second of this.
Reminds Me
of a summer in Quebec, smoking Dunhills and riding bicycles with friends.
Race 1
Qualified sixth, finished sixth.
Chose the wrong strategy, lesson learned.
So Clean
and so nice 1:41
Practice Race
Just a mock race.
Still won it.
Stoplight Intimidation
photo cred unknown
Dodge Viper GTS-R
Accidents
Accidents are the worst.
Especially when someone else hits you.
They're also expensive.
Fortunately, mine wasn't this bad.
New York City
they. call. it
Indycar
Got to help out the Rahal/Letterman/Lanigan team in pit lane.
Saw my pitcrew friend get ejected for wrestling a race marshal to safety.
Even met Rob Ford.
But the only good photo I got,
was of me,
chirping away in Luca Filippi's ear
about how horrible of a race weekend he had.
Love racing.
That Once In A While
supercar lust.
Formula 1
F1...amazing.
And Quebec was just sick.
The Chorus of the Prosperous
Julie Andrews once stopped by
our school and told us,
And what you are doing in the sciences,
in medicine, law, research, politics, advocacy,
and the arts is making a difference, it really is.
Realizing your dreams,
will make this crazy world of ours,
a better place.
Been Waiting My Whole Life
for this.