FATHERS FIND BALANCE FOR SONS
Tue, 2008-01-08 09:28
Every father on the planet has a dream for his children and every child
has a dream to pursue, hopefully with the full support of their father.
Bob Gilbertson, NHRA Funny Car driver, put his dream for son Jake, 8 at the time, into motion after attending an elementary school function.
“I was sitting there, the curtain opens and there is my son sitting at a grand piano,” said Gilbertson. “I didn't even know he was taking piano lessons. Not that there is anything wrong with someone playing the piano. I just didn't know.”
Determined to balance the piano lessons, Gilbertson offered his son alternatives in the world of motor sports. Jake chose to pursue motocross, dropping the piano altogether. Drag racing was not one of the options, even though there are classes in drag racing for younger kids.
Every father on the planet has a dream for his children and every child has a dream to pursue, hopefully with the full support of their father.
Bob Gilbertson, NHRA Funny Car driver, put his dream for son Jake, 8 at the time, into motion after attending an elementary school function.
“I was sitting there, the curtain opens and there is my son sitting at a grand piano,” said Gilbertson. “I didn't even know he was taking piano lessons. Not that there is anything wrong with someone playing the piano. I just didn't know.”
Determined to balance the piano lessons, Gilbertson offered his son alternatives in the world of motor sports. Jake chose to pursue motocross, dropping the piano altogether. Drag racing was not one of the options, even though there are classes in drag racing for younger kids.
“We talked about it,” Gilbertson explained, “He wanted motocross. And, yes I didn't offer up drag racing. Motocross teaches you how to lose before you start winning and that is very important. In drag racing wins can sometimes come to easy and then you hit a dry spell and it hurts. In motocross there is a lot of self discipline and Jake has had to work really hard to get where he's at today.”
Jake won the Super Mini class last Friday night and finished second on Saturday night to take the overall title at the Charlotte Arenacross. Jake will be racing in Baltimore this weekend for the Toyota ArenaCross, round number two of the Eastern region points chase that determines qualifiers for the U.S. Open in October in Las Vegas.
All is not lost for those waiting for another Gilbertson to hit the drag strip. Jake will get his shot “when he gets his driver's license,” according to Bob. “When he turns 16, in two and half years, I've got plans for him in drag racing if that is what he wants to do.”
Another father who didn't push drag racing on his son is Clay Millican, multi-time champion in the IHRA and now regular competitor in the NRHA Top Fuel class.
Dalton Millican is an accomplished ATV competitor on a national level who is about to enter his second full year of competition.
“It was absolutely his choice,” says Millican of his son's choice of motor sports. “He tells his mother he won't go drag racing until his daddy is old, tired and worn slam out.
“And, I haven't pushed him. I know how hard it is to do this (race in the IHRA or the NHRA) and I have never directed any of my children this way. All I ask is that they do well in school and do well at whatever they chose. If they chose to go drag racing then I will support them as much as any parent possibly could.”
Millican has already lent Dalton support in his ATV efforts, helping the young man land Lone Star Racing and Torco Race Fuels as sponsors.
“I helped,” Millican admitted. “I won't deny it. But, he did the real work and he landed that sponsor.”
The story is the same throughout the motor sports industry. Father's love to see their sons compete however, they know all to well the cost of making it to the top. Without the desire and dedication no amount of pushing will get the job done. Like Millican and Gilbertson the best way is to support them in whatever they chose, even if someday it might be a piano.
Bob Gilbertson, NHRA Funny Car driver, put his dream for son Jake, 8 at the time, into motion after attending an elementary school function.
“I was sitting there, the curtain opens and there is my son sitting at a grand piano,” said Gilbertson. “I didn't even know he was taking piano lessons. Not that there is anything wrong with someone playing the piano. I just didn't know.”
Determined to balance the piano lessons, Gilbertson offered his son alternatives in the world of motor sports. Jake chose to pursue motocross, dropping the piano altogether. Drag racing was not one of the options, even though there are classes in drag racing for younger kids.
PHOTO GALLERY OF CHARLOTTE ARENACROSS
Jake Gilbertson pounds out a trail.
Bob Gilbertson, NHRA Funny Car driver, put his dream for son Jake, 8 at the time, into motion after attending an elementary school function.
“I was sitting there, the curtain opens and there is my son sitting at a grand piano,” said Gilbertson. “I didn't even know he was taking piano lessons. Not that there is anything wrong with someone playing the piano. I just didn't know.”
Determined to balance the piano lessons, Gilbertson offered his son alternatives in the world of motor sports. Jake chose to pursue motocross, dropping the piano altogether. Drag racing was not one of the options, even though there are classes in drag racing for younger kids.
“We talked about it,” Gilbertson explained, “He wanted motocross. And, yes I didn't offer up drag racing. Motocross teaches you how to lose before you start winning and that is very important. In drag racing wins can sometimes come to easy and then you hit a dry spell and it hurts. In motocross there is a lot of self discipline and Jake has had to work really hard to get where he's at today.”
When he turns 16, in two and half years, I've got plans for him in drag racing if that is what he wants to do. - Bob Gilbertson on son Jake.
Bob Gilbertson, an accomplished Funny Car driver, encouraged Jake to ride dirt bikes to balance piano lessons.
All is not lost for those waiting for another Gilbertson to hit the drag strip. Jake will get his shot “when he gets his driver's license,” according to Bob. “When he turns 16, in two and half years, I've got plans for him in drag racing if that is what he wants to do.”
Another father who didn't push drag racing on his son is Clay Millican, multi-time champion in the IHRA and now regular competitor in the NRHA Top Fuel class.
Dalton Millican is an accomplished ATV competitor on a national level who is about to enter his second full year of competition.
“It was absolutely his choice,” says Millican of his son's choice of motor sports. “He tells his mother he won't go drag racing until his daddy is old, tired and worn slam out.
“And, I haven't pushed him. I know how hard it is to do this (race in the IHRA or the NHRA) and I have never directed any of my children this way. All I ask is that they do well in school and do well at whatever they chose. If they chose to go drag racing then I will support them as much as any parent possibly could.”
Dalton Millican is an accomplished ATV competitor on a national level who is about to enter his second full year of competition.
“I helped,” Millican admitted. “I won't deny it. But, he did the real work and he landed that sponsor.”
The story is the same throughout the motor sports industry. Father's love to see their sons compete however, they know all to well the cost of making it to the top. Without the desire and dedication no amount of pushing will get the job done. Like Millican and Gilbertson the best way is to support them in whatever they chose, even if someday it might be a piano.
Categories:
