The four greatest words
Gentlemen, Start Your Engines!
That’s music to my ears.
One item on my dream list is to one day give the command to fire the engines before a race. I can hardly believe it myself … me, the one who can hardly speak in front of more than five people, wants to stand before thousands (and millions if you count the TV audience) to say the four most famous words in motorsports.
I’ve even practiced giving the command … come on, don’t tell me there aren’t a few of you out there who have done the same thing. I don’t say it really loud, I do have neighbors, but I do use a very loud whisper.
I have some opinions on how the command should be given. I even took a completely unscientific poll of friends and family to get their opinions. Watching the July 24 NASCAR truck race at O’Reilly Raceway Park near Indy made me think of that poll and numerous conversations I’ve had with people over the years. There was one female driver in the race and the command that was given was, “Lady & Gentlemen…”
To me, that’s like fingernails on a chalkboard. Everyone I’ve talked to about it agrees that when there are one or more female drivers in the field, just say “drivers, start your engines”. Former truck series driver, Kelly “Girl” Sutton agrees with me. She told me that she preferred to hear the command as “drivers” so that she didn’t feel like she was being singled out.
Another part of my little poll was about the way the command was given. The question I asked was: “What kind of command do you prefer – some company CEO coming up and ‘saying’ the command, a Kevin James screaming style or somewhere in between?”
So far I haven’t found anyone who just wants someone to “say” the command. Most people have told me they’re middle ground, but I have had a few that like my choice of the Kevin James style. For those of you who didn’t hear it – there’s really no way to describe it, but basically it was really loud, a lot of bass, went on long but not too long and just really got you pumped up.
I have noticed this season that more and more grand marshals are trying to pump up the crowd with their rendition of the command. Yes, I know, what about the command given at Indy on July 26; it certainly didn’t have a lot of “pep.” Well, all I can say is anyone who complains about that hasn’t been watching NASCAR or any kind of racing for long. There are just some traditions that shouldn’t be messed with.
So, if you’re ever in a position to give the command to fire the engines, make sure to prepare and practice how you’ll give the command. It should be full of excitement and the energy level should match that of 43 engines coming to life all at once.
(4 votes, average: 2.75 out of 5)
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