Was there ever a good reason for open wheel racing?

[rockcasbah]

...other than the increased chance of death?

 

[Brains_N_Boobs]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XtW7ZTCfC5I

 

[PaxNurgle]

I've always preferred NASCAR myself, but open wheel racing features faster, better handing and more state-of-the art equipment. Plus, the tracks tend to be more interesting than just pure generic oval or tri-oval configurations, like 90% of NASCAR tracks.

But yeah, it is more dangerous. You can't bump draft, or intentionally contact other drivers and get away with it as easily. It leads to "Cleaner" racing- dirty-racing cheats like Kyle Busch or Brad Keslowski probably wouldn't do nearly as well there- but it also leads to a much higher rate of death or serious injury in the event of a wreck.

 

[SissySalina]

Just remember that any fast vehicle sport is dangerous. Recently the brats have taken over NASCAR and ruined the sport, racing is a skill sport (use to be) its not about pushing a car out of your way that's a demolition derby, totally different.
Car racing was for the skilled driver, high speed and risk, that's open wheeled racing.

 

[GuySLut]

Motorsports are inherently dangerous. Just like any extreme sport there are consequences for driver or mechanical failure. Tin tops are just as dangerous as open wheelers or bikes. Dale Sr. is a prime example.
It annoys me when a spectacular crash happens some folks will question whether anyone should compete in their chosen sport. The people that compete have made their choice and if that choice bothers you then don’t watch.
Now I’m sure there will be design changes made to that track and others because of the crash and I for one am glad that we can learn from accidents.
But to stop a sport because someone can be hurt is nuts. While we’re at it stop boxing, football, hockey........

 

[Tim2run]

If you are playing the game and not violating any rules then you are not playing dirty, you are playing smart. It matters not the game or the sport or even life. People who think that players who understand the rules, follow the rules and use the rules to their advantage are somehow taking "unfair" advantage are the same sort of people that are consumed by wealth envy, always assuming that the rich got there by some nefarious means.

All you have here is two types of racing. If you want to bag on something that's even more inherently unsafe, look to motorcycle (especially on ice with those spiked tires), horse or downhill skiing racing. Hell, you can even pull a hammy just doing the 50-yard dash or experience a heart attack.

The good reason is that people are free and able to follow, take part in and enjoy their passions.

 

[mark_j]

So what prompted all of this? The crash in Bahrain?

You do realize that Grosjean walked away from that crash with minor injuries.

 

[tjernst]

Skill and speed

Personally I feel open wheel racing shows the drivers true talent.

 

[Comshaw]

Was there ever a good reason for open wheel racing?
...other than the increased chance of death?

Or pitting the best against the best. Open wheel isn't all that dangerous. Try

the Isle of Mann TT
or

The Indy Mile


Comshaw

 

[Conager]

...other than the increased chance of death?

Saves on bodywork.

 

[Wonderer67]

I’m a big fan of modified stock cars (dirt and asphalt). Back in the day, they were literally modified stock cars, with souped up motors, fenders removed and other modifications. Today they’re designed to be open wheeled stock cars. The best racing you’ll find imo.

 

[magicalmoments]

I guess you could ask the same question for any "sport" that involves speed and imminent death.
There are plenty of them and they all seem pointless.
But there are no shortage of competitors.

 

[QueequegsHead]

Everyone loves one big left-hand turn.

 

[GuySLut]

I guess you could ask the same question for any "sport" that involves speed and imminent death.
There are plenty of them and they all seem pointless.
But there are no shortage of competitors.

I’m curious. Why do you view these “sports “ as pointless?

 

[PaxNurgle]

.... Recently the brats have taken over NASCAR and ruined the sport, racing is a skill sport (use to be) its not about pushing a car out of your way that's a demolition derby, totally different.
Car racing was for the skilled driver, high speed and risk, that's open wheeled racing.

This is exactly why I soured on NASCAR. It disgusts me to see guys like Kyle Busch pull that kind of crap and win races; and it seems like most of the "honorable" guys from like 10-20 years ago have aged out or bowed out of the sport. Though I do admit it was great to see Chase Elliot win the championship.

 

[QueequegsHead]

That which you complain about is nothing new. Remember NASCAR was born out of moonshining and like politics, those good old boys were not playing beanbag.

 

[rockcasbah]

Saves on bodywork.

only to the cars.

 

[zoso682001]

Personally I feel open wheel racing shows the drivers true talent.

Agreed , it's a different animal . In sportscar racing , like the just concluded 24 Hours of Daytona , there are penalties for misbehaving . Don't see much of that in NASCAR .

 

[PaxNurgle]

Exactly my problem with NAScar. Guys like Kyle Busch and fuckin' Keslowski get away with crap that would get them suspended, disqualified, or outright banned from pretty much any other racing series. I used to like NASCar, but I don't like dirty racing. It's also a lot harder to get away with intentionally wrecking someone in an open wheel car race, without wrecking yourself along with them.

 

[dolf]

You're hating on F1 now?

 

[rockcasbah]

You're hating on F1 now?

I love F1!

But since Senna’s death, I’ve questioned the safety of the sport, as many have.

One safety topic for discussion is the most fundamental of issues in open wheel racing; the open wheels.

If you enjoy motorsports, i think it’s a good topic for discussion.

 

[Wonderer67]

Give me the open wheel modified stock cars any day of the week. This is the predominant weekly race car in the mid Atlantic and New England. They can bump draft at the large tracks (especially at New Hampshire international) and go side by side in 1/4 mile bull rings.

I could care less about those fendered taxicabs.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Modified_stock_car_racing

 

[rockcasbah]

Exactly my problem with NAScar. Guys like Kyle Busch and fuckin' Keslowski get away with crap that would get them suspended, disqualified, or outright banned from pretty much any other racing series. I used to like NASCar, but I don't like dirty racing. It's also a lot harder to get away with intentionally wrecking someone in an open wheel car race, without wrecking yourself along with them.

So the inherent danger of open wheel makes for safer/better racing?

 

[silver gurl]

I wonder if Montreal will host F1 this year. I am guessing yes but with limited viewers and no street parties.

 

[colddiesel]

There have been 31 fatalities in 70 years of Formula 1 racing since 1950.

Only 1 person has died in a Formula 1 race since Ayrton Senna died 27 years ago in 1994. The last case was in 2015.

In the past 70 years however, thousands have succumbed to terminal boredom as spectators.