My Tyre Marks
“Speed, I am speed. Faster than fast, quicker than quick. I am Lighting Mcqueen”. Growing up,I remember watching Pixar movies; “Toy Story” showed me the life of toys when humans weren’t looking, “Finding Nemo” showed me the beauty of life under the sea, “Wall-E” introduced me to a lonely robot with a heart. However there was this one movie that I could never get enough of: “Cars.” That was the beginning of my passion for four wheeled vehicles. The opening scene with the iconic quote, not only showed me I can always push the limits but also how it would feel to become one with a car. I was fascinated from the beginning, I have found beauty for the first time. I felt like I belonged to a world that was meant for me. It wasn’t just a movie; it was the starting line of my destiny. As a child, while my other friends played with dolls, I was mesmerised by the allure of four wheels. My toys were cars, my dreams were of driving. Then I had my first battery car, I would drive it day till night.
When I was by the age of ten I got in front of a real steering wheel for the first time with the guidance of my father. I remember the comfort of the seat belt hugging my little body while adjusting my seat to my convenience. I checked my mirrors, pressed the brakes and pushed the start button. The moment I heard the engine roar under my command, I felt an indescribable connection. I was one with the car; the blood in my veins was like the fuel flowing through the pipes to the engine where it pumped like my heart. The headlights shining bright like my eyes and the tyres leaving marks like my fingerprints. This wasn’t just about learning to drive; it was about fulfilling a destiny that had been whispered to me in countless viewings of “Cars.” As long as I could remember all I dreamt was to get my drivers licence. Yet, age was my temporary roadblock. Therefore, I started horse riding when I was twelve. It was a metaphorical step for learning to control one horsepower before I could master hundreds. Sat on the saddle as it were my seat, put on my riding hat as it were my helmet, held the reins as they were the steering wheel. At the time I galloped, I would sense the wind rushing through my face like a windshield, feeling the speed and aerodynamics of adrenaline. I learned the skills that would one day translate to the dance between driver and car.
During the quarantine I stumbled upon the exciting world of Formula One racing. This encounter was not just a simple distraction but a discovery of a passion within me for the high-speed, adrenaline-pumping sport. The histories behind the teams, the drivers pushing to the limits and dedication to win has mesmerised me. The potential of the rookie, just waiting for the opportunity, there was no room for mistakes. Reflections inside the infinity, the drivers would spark for the possibility. So focused that they would be lost in the rivalry, their chase of ecstasy. The goal was a kiss on the trophy, a lip stain opacity. A champagne for the victory, the rest would be history.
My journey from an astonished child watching “Cars” to a Formula One enthusiast my life was shaped by speed and the love of vehicles. Each phase of my life, from seeing Lightning Mcqueen, experiencing the thrill of driving at a young age, learning how to ride a horse, to becoming a Formula one fan has made me who I am today. Still and will move towards the direction of horsepower fueled by passion.