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Bluteam
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Posted: Friday Feb 22nd, 2008 02:18 AM |
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Liam Ryan
Our friends North of the border have a tendency to enjoy things a little more than most. Their attitude often displays a mixture of seriousness but without forgetting the fun factor. I had the privilege to meet one such family that exemplifies what I think of when I hear that unmistakable North of the 49th parallel accent. Their son caught my attention when his focus to race had such intensity for a young child a few years ago. He's now 12. Liam and his friends had been studying the driving habits of one of their competitors. He never knew our reaction to his findings would bring about a memory to last a lifetime. But then again, he never knew who was studying him either.
Follow along as we talk to a youngster with so much passion to race, he actually studied the moves of his opponents.
Here are his thoughts - enjoy.
CA: My friend Liam Ryan - how are you sir?
Liam: I'm doing good.
CA: Still giving it all you got every lap?
Liam: Yes I am. I just think you gotta give it everything you got on every lap.
CA: I hear you had a pretty good showing at the Winternationals in Primm?
Liam: Ya, I won Hvy 160, and Briggs W/F. I didn't do to good in the AA because I had a weird car.
CA: Oh, ya, that too. But I was talking about how many times you rode the roller coaster.
Liam: Oh, probably like 10 times.
CA: Ok dude - tell us who Liam Ryan is.
Liam: I'm not really sure. You could probably say I'm happy. I like to have fun. I like to stay up late and sleep in on weekends.
CA: What if you had to stop racing forever?
Liam: Right now? I would probably have no job for the rest of my life because I can't really do much else.
CA: What do you think about girls racing?
Liam: It doesn't really bother me unless they're really really slow and get in the way.
CA: What is the biggest race you have ever won?
Liam: Probably the Winternationals. My favorite class is the Briggs.
CA: Who is a bigger race fan - mom or dad?
Liam: Definitely my dad. My mom likes watching me race but she doesn't really watch any other racing.
CA: Tell us who your favorite driver is to race against and why.
Liam: Probably Reece Goetz because he's the most competition, he's fun to race, he won't put you in the wall, and he's a nice person.
CA: So I hear you've got a 600 Mini Sprint all ready to go.
Liam: Yes I do, I'm gonna race it this year. It's gonna be a lot of fun.
CA: Do any of your friends in school drive race cars?
Liam: Um, ya, Nick and Alex.
CA: You've always been pretty fast even when you were little. But now you're getting bigger, do you think people are gunning for you?
Liam: I wasn't as good at first. In my first year I wasn't good. But in my second year I got better. I think they're just trying to go out there and win, so I don't think they're gunning for me.
CA: Where does Liam Ryan end up?
Liam: NASCAR. I think its gonna be a hard thing to get there, but if I do get there I'll be happy.
CA: What else would you like to be when you grow up?
Liam: That's probably just it. I can't really do much else.
CA: Describe your worst moment in racing.
Liam: Probably losing a race. There was one race at the 2007 Topeka grands where they disqualified me and I had the fastest car there. In my Jr Novice year I had a really bad crash, so that was bad for me at that age.
CA: Almost every time we go to Langley, it rains. Do you think we should run rain tires in 1/4 midgets?
Liam: NO! because right now it is sunny and hasn't rained this year.
CA: Your home club got the 2009 Western Grands awarded to them huh? How cool is that?
Liam: Yes. That's good because I'm pretty good at my home club.
CA: What is your favorite day of the week?
Liam: Friday. Because that is the end of the school week.
CA: Dirt or pavement?
Liam: Doesn't matter to me.
CA: Who do you ask first - mom or dad?
Liam: Depends what it is. Racing - my dad. Something else - my mom.
CA: Favorite food?
Liam: Pizza or Sushi.
CA: Is there anything that you don't think you can do?
Liam: Probably a back flip on flat ground.
CA: Remember that time you guys followed TJ up into the loose stuff under yellows?
Liam: I think the track was really sticky and to be fast you had to be loose, so we went up there and got it on our tires under the yellow and went looser for the race.
CA: Do you feel you need to learn more to be a better race car driver?
Liam: Yes, I do. There's a lot more to do than step on the gas and turn left but that's most of it.
CA: Travis Rutz is probably the most famous guy to come out of the Langley Quarter Midget Club. Are you the next Canadian Kid?
Liam: I hope so.
CA: You got a girlfriend?
Liam: (long pause) I did. I dumped her.
CA: Tell me something nobody else knows about Liam Ryan.
Liam: I eat cabbage.
CA: What is your favorite thing about 1/4 midget racing?
Liam: My favorite thing would probably be that everybody is together.
Thank you Liam, I had fun talking with you. You're still one of my favorites to talk too, and I don't want you to ever change who you are.
CA
Liam is great. I love his 49th parallel accent. He wanted to thank his parents for being with him the whole way. I'm sure they will always be there by his side for sure. The magical thing about kids is you get the real deal. No mixing of words. The other great thing .............. the tone of their voice when talking about their friends. It's different than the excitement they exude when asked about racing. It's a tone that covers everything between devotion and concern. I hope Liam fulfills his dreams. And I hope he'll always be my friend.
 
Green to Checkers,
Ted Hartman
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GregB
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Posted: Friday Feb 22nd, 2008 02:26 AM |
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| Thanks BT & Liam
____________________
greg@beachhutvacations.com
http://www.nwracetalk.com
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Bluteam
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Posted: Tuesday Jul 29th, 2008 02:19 AM |
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This past Saturday Liam won the Western Grand Nationals in California in the Heavy 160 class. 
Congratulations Liam, Cheryl, and Richard. 
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Current time is 11:35 PM | |
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