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ACCELERATION �1 last inch of useful traction on the exit of all-out ones that require that you do The risk itself is only another vivid lit- the turn. something as hard or fast or long as you tle intensifier, a psychological enhancer • (It is equally involved in deceleration, can—are routinized ways of firing off that further sharpens the sensory mes- f course. Braking a car in racing has al- every neuron you can summon up. sage. Maybe that's why many racing ways seemed to me to be one of the That's where the fun lies, where the drivers and other high-risk athletes and most elegant problems in sports. You thrill comes in. Even in high-risk sports performers can be so blase about have to select the latest possible mo- such as motor racing, the thrill isn't threats to their lives and limbs. They're ment that you can apply the brakes to from exposing yourself to danger having too much fun—experiencing too slow the car just enough to go through (ABC's "Wide World of Sports" to the much in the way of sensory fireworks— the corner at the fastest possible speed. contrary notwithstanding), but from the to pay much attention to inconsequen- You must apply the brakes as hard as bombardment of sensory stimuli. It may tial matters like risk. That may not be possible for the shortest possible time not be socially redeeming, but it also is very smart—and also may not be socially that will bring the tire surfaces to the not the acting-out of some Freudian redeeming—but it's a lot less scary than point just short of sliding.Your job is to death wish. It's just enjoying your nerve the idea that our heroes have this secret approach, but not exceed, these values. endings. Cigar smokers and brandy lust to crisp themselves in a ball of You can't tell when you exceed any of sniffers can make the same claim. flame. e them until you do so. It is a problem of adjustable negatives, of going faster by decreasing less. Done right it is a dem- onstration of major-league powers of proprioception.) Sounds like fun to me.Anyway, that,I think, is why acceleration is such a kick. It's a great deal more than some touch sensors on your butt and your semicir- cular canals (but it's also that,too,some \ k outrageous signaling from those dumb organs). It's fun because of that entire great, thrusting sensory load, all those �41";' neurons crackling away, telling you how ► t` alive you are. Acceleration is a sensory intensifier. Most sports—at least the high-effort, • / MAY 13£3 ;,�i li•• y�4 7 -�: fi+ ':: a✓�7 yjb!; �' •