Class Note 1952
Issue
Given the inexorable physical toll inflicted upon us by the passage of time, it is to be expected that we each suffer some degree of slowing down. There are, however, at least two of us—Alan Smith and Ron Rose—who, counter to expectation, continue to strive for increased speed in their lives, albeit in different ways.
Alan’s field is track. A swimmer at Dartmouth, he took up jogging on a treadmill in his mid-40s and, upon retirement to Brevard County, Florida, in 1992, expanded his workouts and began competing in 5K and 10K road races. In 2001, because it was easier on his body, he switched to the softer surface of a track, where the races are shorter but faster, and he has achieved noteworthy success in 800M and 1,500M races in the 75-to-79 age category. He has recently taken on a rigorous training regimen both on the track and in the gym, under the guidance of a personal trainer/coach, with the goal of running even faster in years to come.
Ron Rose’s pursuit of speed takes place on another type of track. He is pursuing with considerable success his avocation of sports car racing, a hobby that dates back to the 1960s. The competition consists of time trials on slalom-like, pylon-marked courses conducted under the auspices of the Sports Car Club of America. Ron competes primarily in the Steel Cities Region, which encompasses Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, where Ron lives. There are 10 events each year, with prizes awarded on the basis of cumulative performances. There are no age distinctions for contestants, so Ron has at times been up against drivers as much as 50 years younger. In 2008 Ron, driving a stock 2007 BMW 335i that he otherwise uses for daily driving chores, won his region’s championship in his car’s weight-and-horsepower classification despite missing two events, and at this writing he is looking forward to repeating in 2009.
There may be some other classmates who are speed demons. Let me know and I’ll see that you get appropriate recognition; maybe even arrange some intra-class competition (just kidding).
—David A. Drexler, 1706 N. Park Dr., Apt. 8, Wilmington, DE 19806; (302) 428-0398; dave@drexler.com
Sept - Oct 2009
Given the inexorable physical toll inflicted upon us by the passage of time, it is to be expected that we each suffer some degree of slowing down. There are, however, at least two of us—Alan Smith and Ron Rose—who, counter to expectation, continue to strive for increased speed in their lives, albeit in different ways.
Alan’s field is track. A swimmer at Dartmouth, he took up jogging on a treadmill in his mid-40s and, upon retirement to Brevard County, Florida, in 1992, expanded his workouts and began competing in 5K and 10K road races. In 2001, because it was easier on his body, he switched to the softer surface of a track, where the races are shorter but faster, and he has achieved noteworthy success in 800M and 1,500M races in the 75-to-79 age category. He has recently taken on a rigorous training regimen both on the track and in the gym, under the guidance of a personal trainer/coach, with the goal of running even faster in years to come.
Ron Rose’s pursuit of speed takes place on another type of track. He is pursuing with considerable success his avocation of sports car racing, a hobby that dates back to the 1960s. The competition consists of time trials on slalom-like, pylon-marked courses conducted under the auspices of the Sports Car Club of America. Ron competes primarily in the Steel Cities Region, which encompasses Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, where Ron lives. There are 10 events each year, with prizes awarded on the basis of cumulative performances. There are no age distinctions for contestants, so Ron has at times been up against drivers as much as 50 years younger. In 2008 Ron, driving a stock 2007 BMW 335i that he otherwise uses for daily driving chores, won his region’s championship in his car’s weight-and-horsepower classification despite missing two events, and at this writing he is looking forward to repeating in 2009.
There may be some other classmates who are speed demons. Let me know and I’ll see that you get appropriate recognition; maybe even arrange some intra-class competition (just kidding).
—David A. Drexler, 1706 N. Park Dr., Apt. 8, Wilmington, DE 19806; (302) 428-0398; dave@drexler.com