Peter Lenz Dies at Indy
Aug 30, 2010 | 09:43 PM
#24
Banned
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,264
Kids of that age want to be their heros, and in the process sometimes a kid comes along with a truly legendary talent, as was the case here. The risk, as with any form of sport of this nature, is that they may not live to turn into the next Fogarty or Rossi.
It's a real tragedy when a child dies, though Peter Lenz lived more in his short time with us than many 60-year-olds I know. Locking his spirit away in a padded room would have been a great a tragedy as well-- perhaps even more so, given those he would never have inspired with his talent.
Every time we do that, be it by ever increasing safety police nonsense, or banning some form of competition all together, we move one step farther away from the legends that made motorsport what it is.
Accidents happen. Sometimes they're tragic. Most times, when they are, it's due to a one in a million conjunction of events which are virtually impossible to replicate. Reactionaries always come out of the woodwork when something bad happens. Often they do not, and never will understand the spirit and drive within someone like Peter Lenz, yet seem qualified to opine on why it should not be allowed to exist.
Peter's parents will have what-ifs chasing them for the rest of their days, and that's a damn shame. Though, they made the right choice in allowing him to do what he loved.
Aug 31, 2010 | 03:36 AM
#27
Thread Starter
| Teamspeed Pro
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,787
Locking kids in a padded room until they're 18 is how we kill the spirit of virtually every competitive sport you wish to name.
Kids of that age want to be their heros, and in the process sometimes a kid comes along with a truly legendary talent, as was the case here. The risk, as with any form of sport of this nature, is that they may not live to turn into the next Fogarty or Rossi.
It's a real tragedy when a child dies, though Peter Lenz lived more in his short time with us than many 60-year-olds I know. Locking his spirit away in a padded room would have been a great a tragedy as well-- perhaps even more so, given those he would never have inspired with his talent.
Every time we do that, be it by ever increasing safety police nonsense, or banning some form of competition all together, we move one step farther away from the legends that made motorsport what it is.
Accidents happen. Sometimes they're tragic. Most times, when they are, it's due to a one in a million conjunction of events which are virtually impossible to replicate. Reactionaries always come out of the woodwork when something bad happens. Often they do not, and never will understand the spirit and drive within someone like Peter Lenz, yet seem qualified to opine on why it should not be allowed to exist.
Peter's parents will have what-ifs chasing them for the rest of their days, and that's a damn shame. Though, they made the right choice in allowing him to do what he loved.
Kids of that age want to be their heros, and in the process sometimes a kid comes along with a truly legendary talent, as was the case here. The risk, as with any form of sport of this nature, is that they may not live to turn into the next Fogarty or Rossi.
It's a real tragedy when a child dies, though Peter Lenz lived more in his short time with us than many 60-year-olds I know. Locking his spirit away in a padded room would have been a great a tragedy as well-- perhaps even more so, given those he would never have inspired with his talent.
Every time we do that, be it by ever increasing safety police nonsense, or banning some form of competition all together, we move one step farther away from the legends that made motorsport what it is.
Accidents happen. Sometimes they're tragic. Most times, when they are, it's due to a one in a million conjunction of events which are virtually impossible to replicate. Reactionaries always come out of the woodwork when something bad happens. Often they do not, and never will understand the spirit and drive within someone like Peter Lenz, yet seem qualified to opine on why it should not be allowed to exist.
Peter's parents will have what-ifs chasing them for the rest of their days, and that's a damn shame. Though, they made the right choice in allowing him to do what he loved.
Confined talent is lost talent.
Last edited by SAB; Aug 31, 2010 at 03:39 AM.
Aug 31, 2010 | 12:26 PM
#28
Teamspeed Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 49
Well said!
Locking kids in a padded room until they're 18 is how we kill the spirit of virtually every competitive sport you wish to name.
Kids of that age want to be their heros, and in the process sometimes a kid comes along with a truly legendary talent, as was the case here. The risk, as with any form of sport of this nature, is that they may not live to turn into the next Fogarty or Rossi.
It's a real tragedy when a child dies, though Peter Lenz lived more in his short time with us than many 60-year-olds I know. Locking his spirit away in a padded room would have been a great a tragedy as well-- perhaps even more so, given those he would never have inspired with his talent.
Every time we do that, be it by ever increasing safety police nonsense, or banning some form of competition all together, we move one step farther away from the legends that made motorsport what it is.
Accidents happen. Sometimes they're tragic. Most times, when they are, it's due to a one in a million conjunction of events which are virtually impossible to replicate. Reactionaries always come out of the woodwork when something bad happens. Often they do not, and never will understand the spirit and drive within someone like Peter Lenz, yet seem qualified to opine on why it should not be allowed to exist.
Peter's parents will have what-ifs chasing them for the rest of their days, and that's a damn shame. Though, they made the right choice in allowing him to do what he loved.
Kids of that age want to be their heros, and in the process sometimes a kid comes along with a truly legendary talent, as was the case here. The risk, as with any form of sport of this nature, is that they may not live to turn into the next Fogarty or Rossi.
It's a real tragedy when a child dies, though Peter Lenz lived more in his short time with us than many 60-year-olds I know. Locking his spirit away in a padded room would have been a great a tragedy as well-- perhaps even more so, given those he would never have inspired with his talent.
Every time we do that, be it by ever increasing safety police nonsense, or banning some form of competition all together, we move one step farther away from the legends that made motorsport what it is.
Accidents happen. Sometimes they're tragic. Most times, when they are, it's due to a one in a million conjunction of events which are virtually impossible to replicate. Reactionaries always come out of the woodwork when something bad happens. Often they do not, and never will understand the spirit and drive within someone like Peter Lenz, yet seem qualified to opine on why it should not be allowed to exist.
Peter's parents will have what-ifs chasing them for the rest of their days, and that's a damn shame. Though, they made the right choice in allowing him to do what he loved.
Aug 31, 2010 | 12:58 PM
#30
Full of Win.
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 6,295
From: Gobbles Air Force Base
Gobbles Jr. played football for two seasons. He decided he didn't like it so no push from us. He is currently playing baseball and hockey starts in another month or so.
I have always viewed these types of activities as much more important than just the sporting aspect. It teaches individual performance in the context of larger teamwork, motivation, respect, the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat (seriously) -- all crucial elements of the social upbringing of a child. It teaches goal setting, and the struggle to achieve the same despite any setbacks encountered. It teaches having to go after what you want, and that it won't just be handed to you. And the best part is it does all of that without the child knowing that is what is actually going on.
I've read stories of kids mortally injured in baseball games, football games, hockey, etc. Kids the age of my children. It is certainly heart wrenching, and unfathomable to understand what those families are going through, but it never once urged me to consider telling Gobbles Jr. or Gobbles Princess to stay inside and read.