Paddock Hill - What's in a Name?
In my day job, I had a meeting with a new client that the president of my company was sitting in on. Something he likes to ask when he meets new clients is the origin of their name. So here's ours.
The Trading Post part is pretty simple. The mountains of Montana and Wyoming are among my favorite places in the world. The phrase "Trading Post" recalls a bygone era, when pioneers traveling by rail or wagon could pause from their journey, rest, and replenish their supplies.
Just as those frontier outposts marked the edge of exploration, I find my own personal frontier at the race track pushing the boundaries of performance. If I could be anything in the world, I'd be a race car driver. In fact, I am...albeit at an amateur level (thank you for your financial contribution to enabling my habit).
To the uninitiated, the image above is that of the iconic Paddock Hill Bend at the legendary Brands Hatch Circuit in Kent, England.
In my opinion, Paddock Hill Bend is one of the most challenging corners for a racing driver. Approaching at top speed by the end of the front straight, you commit to the 200-meter braking board on the left-hand side, denoted by two dark slashes on a white background. You can hardly see the late apex just below the crest of the hill on the right.
If you carry too much speed, you're in the gravel.
If you take too much curb on the apex, you're in the gravel.
If you misjudge your braking, you're probably in the tire barrier...after having run out of gravel.
Adding to this challenge is the fact that while the track is turning right to go down the hill, it's tilted to the left - a phenomenon known in the racing world as an "off-camber" corner.
The margin for error is absolutely zero.
Despite all this, you make it through unscathed, careening down the 8% grade and riding the red and white kerbs until it's time to brake into the next hairpin corner, known as Druids. So many things can go wrong when taking Paddock Hill Bend, but when you get it right, it's a rush like no other - the same rush that keeps me coming back to the track.
From the mountain outposts of the West to the gravel-lined corners of Kent, we are rooted in heritage and fueled by adrenaline.
Welcome to Paddock Hill Trading Post.
The Benchmark of Craftsmanship.