Boat racers know how much fun the sport is and how much it has to offer aside from speed and thrills on the water.  I am amazed at the number of multi-generation racing families in the sport, and the wide range of ages that participate, not to mention the young girls and women that drive.  It is just plain fun to spend weekends at the races, and enjoy the fellowship and camaraderie of others who share the same passion.

Races take place in all areas of the country, so there are plenty of races to participate in beginning as early as January (in the deep south), and running through the end of October.  Sometimes the very early and the very late season races are run in chilly conditions.  I’ve had frost on the boats on more than one occasion.  Some of the more veteran racers could probably tell tales of snow as well. 

One of the unfortunate drawbacks to the sport is the driving distances involved to get to some of the races.  Most races are run on Saturdays and Sundays which means that many racers have to drive on Friday evenings after leaving work.  This usually means arrival at the race sight very late on Friday night.  Some of us are blessed with plenty of vacation time, and do the driving early in the day on Fridays and arrive well before dark.  Whatever the case, we all make the trip to the races with the excitement and anticipation of the racing to come which overrides the long trip.

The situation is different on Sunday afternoons when the racing is over.  There are boats to be unrigged, and trailers and vehicles to pack for the trip home.  If you happen to be a member of the hosting club, there are additional duties of pulling out patrol boats, breaking down the clock, generator, judges stand, etc.  This can mean a late departure, and many miles to travel before getting home, getting to bed late, and then getting up for work on Monday morning.

At the last race of the 2011 season at Tabor City, NC, the Sunday races finished very late due to a blown out Saturday.  We took boats apart and loaded the trailer in the dark, and then started on the eight hour drive home.  Several cups of coffee got me through the long night of driving, and the thought often crossed my mind that it sure seemed like a long way home.

Needless to say, we arrived safe and sound that night, but dog-tired.  But the real trip home is not finished yet.  The final trip home requires a journey across a river that we must all take one day.  No one knows the date of their trip, so we must live each day prepared for it.  We have the assurance that Jesus Christ has prepared a place for us, but we must accept his invitation to call that place home.  If you haven’t accepted his invitation yet, the time to do so is now, it grows shorter each day. Reach out to him, he wants to welcome you home!