One balmy Sunday morning, I woke up early feeling very excited about the day. I tarried in bed for a while, so many thoughts running across my mind. I was jolted into reality by mom’s voice waking us up- my sister Mae and brother Mico. We have to get up early and prepare for church which I don’t usually do. But this sunday morning it was different. I begged-off from going to church which I don’t usually do. Instead my dad and I prepared for a different journey- we are going to Tiendesitas. The thought of going there made me feel butterflies in my stomach.
In my usual attire of t-shirt and jeans & my Courtney (PSP) with me, my dad and I boarded Enterprise. Enterprise is my pet car; it is a Toyota starlet turbo (Japan model).
Dad let me drive. Feeling the road under my feet, my hands guiding the enterprise, I stepped on the gas. I felt like gliding in the air, coastal road was free from the hassles of traffic, without knowing it. We’re hitting 140kph. I heard my dads panicking voice telling me to slow down; it was a prelude of what’s going to happen.
At Tiendesitas, I had to convince myself I’m joining the autocross. I registered under the Novice category. It was my first time to run. I’ve been to many Autocross and Slalom before to cheer for my dad, Now it was my dads turn to cheer for me. I did my practice run with enterprise, my pet car, to familiarize myself with the path the autocross will go. I thought it was going to be easy. As my turn came, I felt the adrenalin rush in my body, I can hear my heart thumping out so loud. I stepped on the accelerator and as I panicked. I use the clutch instead of the brake to control my speed in every turn so as not to hit pylons. I feared that stepping on the brake will make my car turn turtle at great speed. To my dismay, my enterprise was disabled. I burned the clutch. My only consolation, I landed fourth among more than 10 male participants, not bad for a girl and a first timer, according to my dad.
The lesson I learned from the experience- “I have to be prepared in everything I do and to have presence of mind”
Next- Slalom
