28 October 2018

4-year-old Jayden was sitting next to his dad watching the Mexican grand-prix. "Dad, why is that guy so happy? he did not even win!"

"I know Jayden but because he had a great year all-round he became the champion today. He has the most points over the whole season."

"But don't you need to win to become champion?"

"Well, winning is great but the one who gets the most points over the whole season will be the champion and this year Lewis Hamilton became champion again. Did you know your dad is a massive Hamilton fan? I even saw him racing life once the year you were born."

"You like watching these races a lot, right dad?"

"I do, I get up in the middle of the night sometimes to not miss anything. Do you know how many years I have been doing this?! 20 years! Without missing a single one!"

"Mom doesn't like it when you're watching dad. You always claim the television in the living room."

"That's because this one is bigger than the one in my bedroom and I need to be able to see everything right? And I work hard every day so let me enjoy this ok!" dad said while laughing.

"Brandon" mom yells from the bedroom. "Are still not done watching the race? It's time for Jayden to go to bed."

"I don't wanna go mommy! I'm not sleepy yet"Jayden replies first.

"Let him stay for a bit Catherine it won't do him any harm to stay up for a bit right?"

"Yeah, and I want to see Hamilton on the podium mom."

"That won't happen Jayden because he finished 4th. Only the top 3 get on the podium. Max Verstappen won the race today and he's Dutch just like us. Maybe someday we can watch him race."

"Would you come to watch me race if I won too dad?" Jayden asked.

"I would always come to see you race Jayden. I wouldn't miss a single one. But racing is very expensive you know! It takes a lot of money to even race karts let alone racing in the higher series."

"Are there even more series dad?:

"Yeah, a lot from karting to f4 then f3,f2 and finally f1. And those are not the only racing series there are hundreds of series and classes to race in. Some race all over the world and some just race in one place. But no matter what or where you race it will always be fun to find out how fast you are compared to other racers."

"Can't I try racing dad? I want to win races like Max Verstappen too!"

"You know I'm a Hamilton fan, right? Even if he became champion he lost quite miserably today dad grumbled. But if you really want to race we can go karting next week. I know a place where they have karts kids can use too. It will be a lot of fun!"

"Really dad! I would love to go. Can mom Lyssa and Damian come too? Then we can have a real race."

"If they want to join then why not. Although I don't know about your mom. She doesn't really like karting."

"That's because you always get too competitive!" his mom who just came into the living room said while laughing.

"Your dad is a bad loser Jayden. He always complains or finds excuses when he loses."

"Have you beaten dad often mom? Is he good at racing?"

"Of course I'm good at racing!" dad exclaims. "It's just that I'm a bit heavy so it's not as easy for me to be fast in those underpowered karts."

"See what I told you Jayden, we haven't even started yet and he is already making excuses. Do you know mommy never lost while racing your dad?"

"That's not true!" dad replied. "I won the first time we went karting right?!"

"That's because I did not want to beat you on the first date!" mom said while barely holding in her laughter. "Who brings a girl karting on a date anyway?" she said while longingly thinking back to those days. "Jayden asks Damian and Lyssa if they want to go karting next weekend" she said. "Mom will show you guys why dad doesn't bring me karting anymore."

Running up the stairs Jayden yells for his older brother and sister. "Do you guys want to go karting next week?!"

"Sure!" Damian calls back, "it's always fun watching mom beat dad on track again."

"Yeah why not!" Lyssa also replies. They usually have barbeques at the local karting track so there is no way she'll miss the opportunity to get some barbecued meat.

"It's settled then!" dad concludes. "Next week I'll show you guys who is the fastest and you all will know not to make fun of me again!"

"Alright dad," Jayden smiled. "Maybe I'll be faster than you too next week."

"No way! If I get beaten by you I will do your chores for a week."

"Can I join in this bet?" mom also replies at dad's comment.

"Uuu uhm, let me think about that a bit. I have been gaining weight lately and those karts really are underpowered. Can I get a handicap like last time?"

"Your shameless!" mom says while laughing at dad. "Well if It's just a second like last time it won't be a problem."

Jayden keeps looking from his mom too his dad. "Are you really that slow?" he can't help but ask his dad

"Next week you all will see who's slow and who's not!" dad replies.

"Don't think I don't know you've been going karting with your buddies after work!" mom said while preparing to bring Jayden to bed.

"I can't wait!" Jayden says with a big smile on his face while first giving his mom than his dad a hug. After wishing them goodnight he sprints op the stairs to his room and jumps into bed. Tonight he won't get any sleep. Imagining what it will feel like to go racing for the first time.