ARB Motorsports

Fast and Fragile: Living Life with a Race Car

What is a car? A car is not just a pile of metal, plastic, and rubber; philosophically, it is an extension of the human body, a mechanical symbol of modern freedom, and an agent for social change. A car can also become an object we have emotional attachment to. This is a journey of one such relationship that enabled me to travel continents, take part in events that otherwise are for just a few, and meet and enjoy the company of a wide range of people. The title of the book, Fast and Fragile, is meant to sum up the car: a 1969 Lotus Seven. Fast, because despite having a relatively small engine 1600 cc and low horsepower (ca. 128 bhp in final form), it was never the slowest car, because of its light weight. Fragile, because Lotus cars have a reputation that can be summed up by a common humorous backronym for the brand name: “Lots of Trouble Usually Serious”. Its light wight tubular steel chassis, riveted aluminum panels, and fiberglass body work do not instill a sense of strength. The choice of the book’s subtitle, living life with a race car, is because of all the things I got to do because of this car, as well as the people I met both famous and like me ordinary. Finally, the shared enjoyment of race weekend becoming adventures with my wife.