Why It's More Than Just A Sport

Yesterday we launched our BracketLife Brand Campaign video on all of our social media platforms (if you haven’t seen it yet, click here)! The video begins with a bold statement that says, “Bracket Racing isn’t just what we do, it’s who we are”. And if you are a bracket racer yourself, then you know exactly what this is talking about…

I can’t remember a time where I didn’t want to be a bracket racer. From the very first time my dad took me to the racetrack, I was hooked. I would do anything it took to get my mom to let me go to the racetrack with dad. And over the last eleven years, it has become part of my identity. I am a bracket racer. And a female one at that. I’m also the daughter, sister and (almost) wife to bracket racers.

So why is it more than just a sport for me? Well, because it made me into who I am today…

When I was a kid, the first question most people asked me was “what sport do you play?” which to that my answer was always “I race cars. I’m a drag racer”. It was the first thing as a kid that I was proud to be a part of and identify with; and as I grew up continuing to bracket race it became more than just a sport for me.

I’ve been able to spend every weekend with my family since I was 13 years old. While most kids thought this was ‘lame’, I wouldn’t have changed it for the world. Being in the presence of my parents (and sister) every weekend taught me SO much about life. We learnt how to lean on each other in both the good and bad times, learnt from each other’s mistakes, and shared all the highs and lows together. Now, my family has one of the strongest bonds I’ve ever seen, and I’m forever grateful for this. We consistently work together and push each other towards success. I credit a lot of this to our shared passion for bracket racing – it has always been more than a sport for us.

Bracket racing is also where I met my future husband. When I was a little girl and I dreamt about the person I wanted to marry, I thought about someone who was not just kind, but hard working, motivated, and respectful. Now I don’t know about you… but in bracket racing, you learn how to be all these things. Growing up in the sport, we learnt very quickly what it meant to have good sportsmanlike behaviour, how it’s important to always help other racers at the track when able to, and what it takes to win a race. I credit a lot of Brandon and I’s successful relationship to the character traits we learned as bracket racers. Without this sport we not only wouldn’t have known each other, but we wouldn’t be who we are today.

Bracket racing is more than just a sport. It’s my passion, my identity, and I’m proud to be a bracket racer. Aren’t you?

Catch you next-next week,

Rachel Ogilvie