In his nearly half century of auto racing, Bill Okell thought heB次元官网网址檇 seen it all B次元官网网址� on the tarmac, at least.
The 68-year-old Saanich-based driver brought home gold at the Sports Car Club of America 29th American Road Race of Champions on Nov. 6 Road Atlanta in Braselton, Ga., after racing to what he initially thought was a second-place finish.
B次元官网网址淚t was totally unexpected,B次元官网网址� Okell told Black Press Media.
When he entered the race, Okell was astounded to notice an all-too-familiar name on the GTL class entry list: Gary Johnson. Memories of a fateful 2014 encounter at the Laguna Seca Raceway in Monterey, Calif. immediately swelled to the surface.
It was OkellB次元官网网址檚 first national championship and he says Johnson drove into the back of his MG Midget during his third practice session, damaging it substantially. Okell says he never received an apology from Johnson.
B次元官网网址淣ormally in auto racing, you get out and say youB次元官网网址檙e sorry and talk about it, or just hold a grudge,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淏ut I expected him to get out and apologize to me because I did nothing wrong, he just slammed into the back of me. He actually ignored me the rest of the championship.B次元官网网址�
Eight years later, meeting at Road Atlanta would be the first time the two went head-to-head since their collision. In the championship final on a slick track in the rain, Okell got off to an early lead in his Mazda Miata but was soon passed by Johnson somewhere around the fourth lap, he said. As the race wore on, Johnson started pulling away.
Although Okell held steady throughout the remainder of the race, he was certain that heB次元官网网址檇 be going home with a silver medal. On his cool-down lap he even began thinking about what he would say to Johnson when they would inevitably meet on the podium.
B次元官网网址淚 realized at that point that I was going to have to talk to him on the victory podium,B次元官网网址� Okell recalled. B次元官网网址淏ut I decided I was going to be the better person and shake his hand and congratulate him. I just wished that he could apologize for nailing me eight years ago.B次元官网网址�
Ultimately, Okell finished the race in place B次元官网网址� less than 12 seconds behind Johnson. The championshipB次元官网网址檚 post-race weigh-in, however, found JohnsonB次元官网网址檚 MG Midget to be underweight. In an unusual twist of fate, Johnson was disqualified and Okell awarded the gold medal.
B次元官网网址淚 go up there and I stand on the second place podium fully expecting that Gary Johnson would be in first place,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淎nd the guy announces in front of everyone, B次元官网网址楤ill, what are you doing? YouB次元官网网址檝e been upgraded to first place.B次元官网网址橞次元官网网址�
While Okell said that he wouldB次元官网网址檝e preferred to beat Johnson cleanly, heB次元官网网址檚 satisfied with his effort and happy to bring the gold medal home to the Island as the only Canadian driver in the race.
B次元官网网址淪ometimes life can be unfair and sometimes life can give you gifts. It was just my turn to receive a gift.B次元官网网址�
ALSO READ:
Do you have a story tip? Email: austin.westphal@saanichnews.com.
Follow us on and and like us on
