How the Track is Like the Stage

It's hard to believe, but I had been Irish dancing for five years before I became interested in racing.  You'd think motorsports and dance would be a strange combination--in the seventh grade, I wrote an essay about my two interests and my teacher commented that they seemed to be on opposite ends of the spectrum.  On the surface, they are.  But on Saturday, I danced in a competition and gave it some thought.  Just before I went onstage, my brother told me to watch out for the seams, a la Will Power.  That's when I realized that these two very different sports have a lot in common.

For one thing, people have debated whether either of them should be considered sports at all, and the proper response to those people is the same.  Yes, Irish dancers look like pageant girls.  Yes, people drive cars all the time.  But why don't you get onstage and try to stay upright.  See if you can climb in the car and  keep up.      

Another similarity is that when I'm dancing, I am always worried about grip.  I put duct tape on the bottom of  my shoes to help me grab the floor.  Sometimes, I talk to whoever just got offstage:  "How slippery is the floor?  Do I need tape?"  It's an important question, because even though tape can keep you from slipping, it can muffle the sounds.  It reminds me of the alternate tires in Indy Car--you have to decide when grip or durability is more important.

Alain Prost once spoke some words to live by:  "When I look fast, I'm not smooth and I am going slowly.  And when I look slow, I am smooth and going fast."  Just the same, a dancer who appears to be moving quickly is struggling to keep up with the music, but a a dancer who seems to be at a comfortable pace is right on time.     

After the competition, we came home and watched the end of the Georgia Tech-Miami game.  It was a great day for Miami, but I hated seeing those shots of the Georgia Tech players.  In so many sports, there are winners and losers.  But in both Irish dancing and auto racing, you don't necessarily have to lose.  Little improvements can make a difference.  You can see your growth and take pride in your consistency.  That makes them the most satisfying sports to be part of.