Lotus 27

“Moderation in temper is always a virtue; but moderation in principle is always a vice.”

– Thomas Paine

Moderation in temper is always a virtue: check. It’s never a good time to lose your temper. Moderation in principle is a vice: check. It seems like now more than ever we need to live by guiding principles to hold our society together. And while we need patience and temperance to understand and further common goals with people not exactly like us, being temperate in principle is a bad idea, says Thomas Paine.

But temperance is a wonderful way to be. Not too much. Not too little. Just right.

I immediately think of our customer Chris Locke, and his Checkered Past Racing. Locke is the model of temperance. He rarely if ever loses his temper, even in situations where it would be expected.

I can always rely on Chris Locke to be a voice of moderation. It’s an inspiration in my dealings with others, and in business.

Temperance: An Interfanatic Quality

We have spent decades building systems and processes to keep an even flow. To keep websites running, to keep workflow steady, to keep excellent relations with our customers, we rely on temperance. It makes a better experience for everyone when things go as planned.

It doesn’t always work out that way. But that’s what we’re gunning for every day. Not too fast, not too slow, just right. And completed properly.

Checkered Past Racing™: Temperance in Action

In a sporting setting, it’s easy for things to get heated. I’ve seen Locke race many times – and get into sticky situations. Most are not his fault. He seldom, if ever, gets excited. He’s able to keep his head down and complete the race, often with the result he wants, without losing his cool. That’s temperance.

“…cool, collected drivers must maintain temperance to ensure the exciting but safe execution of a historic racing event. Locke always executes.”

In racing, it’s really easy to get yourself in a bad position if you don’t keep your head. Racing a car requires massive concentration, and the consequences of losing concentration is exacerbated by the vintage machinery. Racing is always dangerous, but the cars Locke races are immensely more dangerous than their modern counterparts. They have many safety improvements, but inherently they’re not as safe as being built with the latest technology. As such, cool, collected drivers must maintain temperance to ensure the exciting but safe execution of a racing event. Locke always executes.

His cars are beautiful and historic. Chris Locke races a Lotus 27 Formula Junior, a Lotus 77 Formula One, and most recently, a Merlin Formula Ford. Look for upcoming articles about the Merlin.

The Lotus 27 is the culmination of mid-1960s formula car technology. It’s light, lithe and nimble, and powerful for its type. Unfortunately, many of the other cars in his class are similar in power, so Locke must keep his wits about him. Locke maintains his concentration, and carries more speed through corners than his competitors to win.

The 1978 Lotus 77 is in a whole other world of power and technology. Although there’s just over a decade between the cars, the Lotus 77 is a quantum leap forward. Colin Chapman’s next Formula One design, the Lotus 79, would prove to be yet another quantum leap in technology, so this car contains the beginnings of a Formula One revolution. None other than Mario Andretti raced Locke’s Lotus 77.

When operating a 500+ horsepower, high downforce Formula One Lotus as Locke does regularly, an erratic right foot will create a disaster. Only Locke’s addiction to temperance helps him cross the finish line every time.

When I look through our book of business, it’s hard to find a character more devoted to the even keel than Chris Locke. It is our pleasure to work with him through his Checkered Past Racing.

Interfanatic Service Focus: Interfanatic Power Marketing Package

To keep business flowing evenly, a solid and predictable marketing plan will keep an even, solid and predictable flow of customers coming in. Without sales, you have nothing.

A diverse marketing plan that includes digital ads, reputation management, content marketing, email marketing, and social media will keep your business’ presence top of mind for prospective customers. Properly managed, you can turn up and down the flow of customers evenly.

Not sure to start? No problem. That’s exactly what we’re here for. We’ll learn about your business, get you to answer a few questions, and custom tailor an entire marketing plan to your budget.

Interfanatic: Temperance Keeps Us Steady

Day in, day out, our customers depend upon us to get the job done. We can’t always do everything at once. But we can keep the steady stream moving to ensure their project’s success.

This week’s image:
Interfanatic‘s founder, Ryan Delane, takes or creates every image you see in our social feed.

For life to flourish, there must be temperance. Whether it’s the depths of the ocean or a mountain forest, that region must remain temperate. Extremes destroy, in politics, in life, and in the ecosystem. This pretty little succulent is a reminder of how good we have it here in California. And it’s an inspiration to keep things going the right way by avoiding extremes. As Paul Simon said,
“…Goldilocks and the three bears
Nature in the crosshairs
And how we all ascended
From the deep green sea
When it’s not too hot
Not too cold
Not too meek
Not too bold
When it’s just right and you have sunlight
Then we’re home”
Excerpt from Hurricane Eye, You’re The One, 2000