We’ve had this discussion before, but it’s still not entirely unfair to say that sports car racing at every level is basically club racing. That’s not meant to denigrate it by any means.
In fact, I think it’s quite fabulous that you, or I, or pretty much anyone, given the financial resources and training, could compete against the best drivers …
Hmm...how about those 'nascar' yellows bunching up the field?
It is not really parity when, almost every hour, lost laps are given back, and the field is bunched up under yellow flags that are much longer than necessary.
Now, now guys. The story is talking about actual racing...
JG "That’s true nowhere else in the world of major sports."
False. I just sold a car to a guy running the Boston Marathon. Once upon a time I did a few long distance triathlons. You can go head to head with the pros if you do the work and put in the time. In triathlon some of them even hang out and cheer for the slower people.
But yes, sports car racing is seriously cool. I really loved seeing Porsche 956s going at it when I was a kid. It's nice to see sports car racing getting its grove back.
The racing is not better because of the people in it, it's because rules makers understand so much more than they did 35 years ago.
"Hey, that car with the smaller motor that gets better gas mileage, and therefore carries a smaller fuel cell, is constantly 15 seconds quicker on their fuel stops. Why is that?"
Part of what made me love going to IMSA races in the 80's was seeing my friends from SCCA club racing running. Now, I don't feel like going because they have made a concerted effort to push out locals, unless they have a fat bank account.
So what the author is saying is to push out the little guy and make the sport a rich guys only sport. Basically turning the series into spec racing filled with a bunch of no talent rich guys. Many other series have gone this way and have failed. Sorry if it offends your ADD ideology but not every race has to be a nail biter and shouldn't be. That's just the nature of racing. It's a team sport, finding a mechanical advantage in a car and winning as a result is part of the excitement and it promotes a progression in technology . I'd much rather see something like the GTP, GT, GTO, GTU of days gone by. Not perfect but a hell of lot more fun.
hardwebb said:So what the author is saying is to push out the little guy and make the sport a rich guys only sport. Basically turning the series into spec racing filled with a bunch of no talent rich guys. Many other series have gone this way and have failed. Sorry if it offends your ADD ideology but not every race has to be a nail biter and shouldn't be. That's just the nature of racing. It's a team sport, finding a mechanical advantage in a car and winning as a result is part of the excitement and it promotes a progression in technology . I'd much rather see something like the GTP, GT, GTO, GTU of days gone by. Not perfect but a hell of lot more fun.
The gtp, gt, gto, and gtu days had a bunch of amateurs racing in those fields as well. There has always been smaller teams even in the highest classes with paid drivers.
I like rooting for the "underdog"!
Sorta related.... I like watching the Ferrari challenge to see how badly we'll funded drivers can suck at racing. Pretty sure I could finish upper 3rd in those races! Haha.
In reply to hardwebb : I know it's a different kind of racing, but the reason NASCAR went to the chase format was because Matt Kenseth once won the championship with three races left in the season. TV ratings tanked, which made the paid advertisers (both on the air and on the cars) unhappy. Competition creates viewers, which draws sponsors, which brings money, which brings other good things.
If they have a qualifying car, let 'em race. I recall an article about garage buddies from Jacksonville realized a car they bought 'still' qualified for a Daytona Pro Race. Not sure if 24hrs or 500 but a track or authority President visited their shop to deliver the news they were 'in'. Turns out they were drivers and crew, didn't have money for the registration fee much less crew and lots of tires. End of day they finished respectfully and made it work on no budget to start. Who were those (4 I think) guys from Jacksonville? That's a story well worth documentary... maybe movie worthy. Oops, what am I saying... movie worthy! I got to be out of my mind momentarily. Movies are the worst ever, go to the theater any month and see titles from bottom of the barrel. These 4 guys would do as well as Racing In The Rain, didn't win but the story has great human interest for respectfully making it to the finish against the formerly thought of as Best of The Best. Home Town Heroes against all odds make the best story. Doug
If they have a qualifying car, let 'em race. I recall an article about garage buddies from Jacksonville realized a car they bought 'still' qualified for a Daytona Pro Race. Not sure if 24hrs or 500 but a track or authority President visited their shop to deliver the news they were 'in'. Turns out they were drivers and crew, didn't have money for the registration fee much less crew and lots of tires. End of day they finished respectfully and made it work on no budget to start. Who were those (4 I think) guys from Jacksonville? That's a story well worth documentary... maybe movie worthy. Oops, what am I saying... movie worthy! I got to be out of my mind momentarily. Movies are the worst ever, go to the theater any month and see titles from bottom of the barrel. These 4 guys would do as well as Racing In The Rain, didn't win but the story has great human interest for respectfully making it to the finish against the formerly thought of as Best of The Best. Home Town Heroes against all odds make the best story. Doug
If they have a qualifying car, let 'em race. I recall an article about garage buddies from Jacksonville realized a car they bought 'still' qualified for a Daytona Pro Race. Not sure if 24hrs or 500 but a track or authority President visited their shop to deliver the news they were 'in'. Turns out they were drivers and crew, didn't have money for the registration fee much less crew and lots of tires. End of day they finished respectfully and made it work on no budget to start. Who were those (4 I think) guys from Jacksonville? That's a story well worth documentary... maybe movie worthy. Oops, what am I saying... movie worthy! I got to be out of my mind momentarily. Movies are the worst ever, go to the theater any month and see titles from bottom of the barrel. These 4 guys would do as well as Racing In The Rain, didn't win but the story has great human interest for respectfully making it to the finish against the formerly thought of as Best of The Best. Home Town Heroes against all odds make the best story. Doug
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