What’s In That Other Bag? More Bricks?
Written by Allan Brewer · April 26, 2007
Allan Brewer Blogs the Week Leading Up to the Kansas 300
by Allan Brewer
allan@fastmachines.com
Have you ever wondered about the exotic places and exciting encounters a real racing writer experiences as he trots around the globe covering glamorous drivers and teams, wining and dining at the most fabulous local establishments, chain-smoking and living hard all the way to the checkered flag?
Well, here’s your chance to see how it is through my eyes as I prepare to embark to another Indy Racing League IndyCar event, this time in Kansas City, for the Kansas Lottery 300 next Sunday evening (April 29th) at 4:30 PM EDT.
Today’s installment: What’s In That Other Bag? More Bricks?
Does anyone besides me remember those cool aluminum Zero-Halliburton brief-cases with the rotating numeric locks at each clasp?
Those were, maybe still are, the best-looking pieces of business hardware a man or a woman could pack. They just reeked class, and international style, and…first one on the list to get mugged coming and going from a cheap motel!
Stealth is the only way to go. Trust me on this: the more inconspicuous your gear-bag the better.
I schlep around an old leather bag that’s been beaten up and scratched, clasps re-glued and re-re-glued, and the shoulder strap wired together at the hook with so much picture-hanger wire that a metal detector screams for mercy when it sees me coming.
It’s a bag that you wouldn’t try to steal from me if you saw me quickly exiting a bank, wearing a mask with a Colt 0.45 in my hand.
Inside is a run-of-the-mill Dell laptop, a cheap Sony cassette recorder and some extra tapes, batteries, sunglasses and a neat little rubbery, red Target-logoed thumb drive given to me at Chip Ganassi’s shop a year ago.
There’s an Ethernet cable (sometimes the wireless isn’t reliable in these media centers), some sunblock (I burn easy) and earplugs.
There is also a set of earphones with a mini-plug that I can listen to Mike King and his crew (the absolute best race broadcasters I’ve ever heard—sorry Mr. Sid Collins!) call the race on their internet stream if I decide to stay indoors and write while the laps are counting down.
Yes, that’s right—indoors.
I will often sit indoors, in the media center, and watch the closed-circuit TV and data monitors, neither of which is much different than what you see on IndyCar.com with their fabulous streaming video and T&S.
Only difference being I’m not enjoying a cold one while you probably are. Such dedication…Mr. Pulitzer, are you listening?
Maybe Kansas is the race where I’ll finally go outside and watch the race…like a fan.
Hmmm…but if I do that I’ll never get out of that media center on race day before 8 PM so I can head home.
May need to think that idea through a little more.
Tomorrow: It’s Not the Destination; It’s the Journey
Yesterday:What’s In That Bag? Bricks?
Allan Brewer is a motorsports writer for Fastmachines.com, Motorsport.com and two websites of his own: IndyProRacer.com and A1TeamRacer.com on the internet. He’s a sometimes contributor to TrackForum and the IndyStar open-wheel forums…when he’s goofing off and supposed to be working!
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