Artist's paint brushes cross the finish line! watercolor by Linda Young

 #77 by L R Young

13" x 17" Watercolor

Commissioned painting

The life of a hill climb racer over a two day weekend consists of burning rubber at the start line, pressing the accelerator to the floor and safely maneuvering one's car around a series of curves, twists and turns for a one mile stretch --all up hill on a narrow two-lane road!  As a driver you are in competition against others in your "class" and are always trying to better your finish time each time you drive up the hill. You could very well get five tries at it in one race day if all goes well. By the end of the weekend, it's possible to have gotten 10 runs.

Here, in this case, the driver steered around turn 5 at the Weatherly Hillclimb and came immediately in contact with "The Jump".  If you are traveling fast enough and your car is in the correct alignment before you approach this, you will safely rise above the roadway and land on all four tires to continue toward the next turn and cross the finish line at a speed of over 100 miles per hour .  If you have done everything right and didn't lose your nerve, you will end up the fastest driver and car in your class. Sounds a little scarey? It is!

These drivers don't do it for the money...mainly because there is no monetary reward for winning.  The only accolade they get is the applause from their fellow race car drivers, friends and family having a job well done.  They also receive a small shiney plate with the "win", "place", "show" or participation in that hill event. They receive that "trophy" for their efforts on Sunday evening at the awards ceremony. 
 
I've reviewed every possible reference photo for #77 and I am satisfied this painting is done  It is complete with my impression and artistic license which was used in several places.
As I said before in a previous blog posting, this was a very difficult painting and I really didn't correctly estimate the amount of work needed to bring it along. The detailing was a challenge.  However as me being the "driver" of my watercolor paint and brushes; I feel like I've crossed the finish line too.
 
Linda Young Watercolors P O Box 941 Carlisle, Pa. 17013