I was born a Gen X-er in Hong Kong, but my family moved to Canada when I was still a teenager. I got my driver’s license in Toronto at 16, and from that point on, I’ve enjoyed most of my time behind the wheel.
Unlike many people, who seem to get easily frustrated and irritated when driving, I’ve been fortunate to have numerous “Uncle6Speeds” in my life – seasoned driving enthusiasts who have helped me develop the maturity and discipline to navigate even the most challenging traffic situations without popping a gasket.
The key has been cultivating the right mindset – one that allows me to find the pleasure in the journey, not just the destination. It’s an approach I’m grateful to have learned, and one I hope more drivers can adopt to make our roads safer and more harmonious for all. And I have these Uncle6Speeds to thank for helping me get there.
Driving Lessons From Dad
I’m grateful to have had a dad is”Uncle6Speed” in his own right. Even from a young age, I can remember sitting shotgun as he deftly shifted his work truck, his taxi, and his prized first-gen Mitsubishi 3000GT through the winding mountain roads of Hong Kong – driving very spiritedly to show off his skill and control.
But when we made the move to Canada, and he had to adjust to driving on the left-hand side of the road, he decided to give the domestic market a try and bought an automatic sedan. Let’s just say that particular vehicle didn’t exactly live up to his standards.
Anyway, when I was around 15 years old, Dad was driving a ’91 Honda Civic – still an automatic, as he wanted Mom and I to be able to drive it as well. But he made sure I had plenty of seat time with him before taking my G2 test, or venturing out on my own. Every chance he got, I was behind the wheel, and he was “nagging” – I mean, teaching – me, ensuring I understood the true privilege of driving and had all the fundamental skills down pat. He was relentless about verbally drilling the bad habits out of me.
As an adult now, I can’t tell you how much I appreciate that. It’s kept me out of so much potential trouble over the years. And later in life, he even convinced me to start riding a motorcycle, going so far as to put down the down payment on a brand-new Kawasaki Ninja 250R for me. I learned an incredible amount from that experience as well, but that’s a story for another time.
The point is, I owe my dad a huge debt of gratitude for instilling that driving passion and discipline in me from such a young age. He truly was – and still is – the quintessential “Uncle6Speed” in my life. Thanks Dad.
Gone Fishing
I’m particularly grateful to have my Uncle Ricky, who was the first “Uncle6Speed” I can remember, besides my own dad. Uncle Ricky is my mom’s younger brother, and he’s been a driving enthusiast for as long as I can remember – still to this day, he’s passionate about driving manual, currently rocking a MT Subaru Crosstrek.
Back in the day, he would take me on fishing trips in his old Accord coupe with the flippy lights, and during those long drives there and back, he would share his deep love for the art of driving.
During those trips, he would show off his slick shifting and expert footwork, allowing me to experience firsthand how he maintains total control of the vehicle – accelerating or decelerating at a moment’s notice, with effortless precision. And despite the challenges of the road, he’s always been remarkably forgiving, kind, and patient behind the wheel. Nothing seems to faze or upset him; his calm demeanor and refined driving skills have consistently kept us out of trouble.
It was from observing Uncle Ricky’s gentlemanly behavior and his ability to be the “bigger person” in tense driving situations – when most would have reacted with anger or selfishness – that I learned the importance of empathy and consideration on the road. In fact, I was resolved to become just as skillful and effortless with a manual transmission as he is, long before I was even old enough to get my own license.
Discovering the Thrill of NASCAR with “Uncle6Speed” Tony
I’m also incredibly grateful to have my Uncle Tony, my dad’s brother, as another one of my “Uncle6Speed” mentors. Uncle Tony has a kid my age, my cousin Anthony, and we were just wee little ones when he first took us to watch a NASCAR race.
Now, I’ll admit, on the ride there, I was kind of ridiculing the whole idea of NASCAR, dismissing it as silly. But Uncle Tony quickly set me straight, sternly explaining the intricate skill and strategy involved in that style of racing. He made sure to bring us right up close to the track, so we could fully experience the cars flying by.
And let me tell you, that was an unforgettable moment. The smell of high-octane fuel mixed with burning rubber and exhaust fumes, the deafening roar of the engines, and the sheer wave of energy that seemed to blast through your body as those machines zoomed past – it was all completely awe-inspiring.
In that instant, I witnessed the insane levels of concentration and skill required of those drivers, as they navigated mere inches from each other, inches from the wall, all while pushing the limits of speed. It was a humbling experience that taught me not to be so quick to judge or dismiss things I don’t fully understand.
That day at the racetrack opened my eyes in a big way. Uncle Tony’s willingness to expose us to that high-octane world, and his insistence that we experience it firsthand, left a lasting impression. It made me far more open-minded and appreciative of the incredible talent and dedication required in motorsports. I’m grateful to have had that formative experience with him.
An Unexpected Mentor
And then there’s Uncle Simon – this guy is an absolute legend, in my book. Now, we’re not actually related, but he’s been one of the most impactful “Uncle6Speeds” in my life.
I used to work at this place where Uncle Simon would regularly visit as a contractor of some sort. Being the car guy that he is, it didn’t take long for us to bond over our shared passion. Whenever he’d come around, cars would be the only thing we’d talk about.
One day, he found out that I was trying to learn how to drive a manual transmission, but didn’t have access to a stick shift car. Without hesitation, he tossed me the keys to his company car and said, “You’ve got until I leave to figure this out. Don’t go too far, and don’t burn the clutch.”
That was a huge leap of faith on his part, considering it wasn’t even his personal vehicle. I had a lot of freedom at that workplace, so I immediately dropped everything and started practicing my manual driving skills.
I didn’t quite get far that day, but every time Uncle Simon would come around after that, he’d toss me the keys again and tell me how long he’d be sticking around. One day, by pure chance, a friend of mine who knew how to drive stick started working with me, and was able to provide some hands-on teaching during one of those practice sessions.
From that point on, I’d take every opportunity I could to drive Uncle Simon’s car on my own, and he was always happy to hand over the keys and encourage my progress. He never asked for anything in return, and refused to even take gas money from me. Looking back, I wish I had been more appreciative of his generosity at the time, but I was young and a bit oblivious.
Regardless, it was only because of Uncle Simon’s kind gesture that I was eventually able to purchase my first car – a 1993 Honda Civic hatchback with a manual transmission. I’ll forever be grateful to him for that pivotal experience, and for helping me take that crucial first step towards becoming the driving enthusiast I am today.
Mentors in Mechanics and Motorsports
I’m also incredibly grateful to have had the guidance and influence of Uncle Danny and Uncle Hong in my life. Uncle Hong, whom I affectionately refer to as “Sifu Hong”, worked for Uncle Danny, who owned an auto repair shop.
Uncle Danny was a true car enthusiast, and he kept his beloved grey Mercedes 190E at the workshop. Over time, he would share his deep passion for that car with me, and eventually even allowed me to move it in and out of the shop and around the block. Through that experience, I learned so much more about enjoying cars beyond just my JDM cravings at the time.
He also introduced me to a whole new world of European makes that I found absolutely captivating – VW Corrados, BMW E30s and E36s, Porsches, and more. And through some of his friends and customers, he exposed me to a whole new type of “hobby”.
But I also learned some tough lessons watching a few of those same cars come back to the shop after late-night “incidents.” It really drove home the importance of consequences and responsibility when it comes to high-performance vehicles.
Meanwhile, Sifu Hong was the master technician at the shop, and I had the privilege of learning from him as an apprentice. Not only did he pass on invaluable repair techniques and mechanical expertise, but he was also the first to challenge me to a proper racing competition – on Gran Turismo, using the Xlink Kai online service at the time.
I wanted to take a moment to properly credit and link to their website. Xlink Kai is a free program developed by the team at Team Xlink that allows console gamers to play online together, even on older systems. While I am not sponsored by Xlink Kai, I’m grateful for their efforts in creating this service that enables retro and niche console gaming communities to stay connected. If you’re interested in learning more or trying out Xlink Kai, be sure to check out their website at www.teamxlink.co.uk.
You see, I had been playing Gran Turismo for a while by that point, and considered myself a pretty skilled driver. I could handle a manual transmission, earn gold licenses, and even drift with the best of them. But my approach was more like a “jackass” – dive-bombing the AI, riding the walls, cutting corners, whatever it took to win.
Sifu Hong introduced me to the world of sim racing, showing me his simple Logitech setup at home and advising me to get something similar so we could race for hours on end. And let me tell you, this frail-looking old man with glasses could absolutely tear it up on the virtual track. He taught me so much about true driving skill, discipline, and respect.
I’m forever grateful to both Uncle Danny and Sifu Hong for the invaluable lessons they imparted, and for opening my eyes to the deeper joys and responsibilities of being a true driving enthusiast.
Conclusion
If it weren’t for the guidance and influence of these incredible “Uncle6Speed” mentors in my life, I’d probably be a very different driver. Without their passion, patience and wisdom, I’d likely be content driving an automatic transmission, viewing driving as more of a chore than a joy. I probably wouldn’t be as considerate or empathetic towards my fellow motorists, and would adopt more of a “me against the traffic” mentality.
In that scenario, there would be little incentive for me to continue developing my skills and mindset as a driver. I’d simply view it as a necessary evil, rather than a privilege to be embraced.
This is the kind of driver many of us risk becoming, in the absence of those passionate, experienced voices to guide us. The government alone can’t instill that sense of responsibility and respect. And parents, while incredibly influential, may not always have the specialized expertise to fully cultivate that driving maturity.
No, it takes people who are truly passionate about the art of authentic driving – people like “Uncle6Speeds” – to effectively teach and pass on that driving ethos to the next generation. They impart the vital lessons about the privileges, consequences and courtesies involved in being behind the wheel.
So if you share that same driving passion and understand the importance of developing empathetic, disciplined motorists, I would highly encourage you to step up and become an “Uncle6Speed” for someone else. Not only can you make the world a better, safer place on the roads, but you just might end up changing a life for the better in the process.
Join the conversation! Share your experiences and stories of your own “Uncle6Speeds” in the comments below, and let’s inspire more drivers to embrace the joy and responsibility of driving.
