You Brits always so critical.

Generally speaking, insults make very poor jokes. Even you should be aware of that.

 

I was really wanting Ryan Newman to win-he's a great guy and good racer...Congratulations to Kurt-he was at the right place at the right time...:excited:

Remind me to watch on Thursday if you remember, please...I won't forget about the 500...I like the two car racing much better then the long trains...

 

Maybe it's me - because I've tried to watch Nascar, but I don't get it. The majority of the race is watching cars go round and round and round and round....well, you get it. Isn't the best part at the end? I really want to understand this.

 

I'm a brit?

Fuck me sideways. I am the most offended i have ever been. Possibly the most offensive thing one can say to an aussie. Sorry, but you crossed the line their buddy.

 

NASCAR style racing is quite complex, contrary to some beliefs, it is not simply "Go fast, Turn left".

To make a car the fastest on the track is a matter of finding the exact path to take, the speed and entry spot on a t turn is critical, as is carrying momentum through the turn, the exit location and amount of power applied, all combine to achieve the fastest elapsed time each lap. As the race proceeds these factors all change, heat, tire wear, fuel load, all combine to make it a job of constant correction.

Drivers are in control of those factors, the car however, must be set up to handle the best throughout the entire race track. Wheel alignment, spring and shock selection, tire air pressure, brake balance, are a few of the things that are controlled by the pit crew chief.

The car must be designed to offer the least air resistance at all speeds and driving conditions within a pack of other cars, or alone on the track. This is the job of the car builder, he also must comply with strict sanctioning body rules.

The engine builder must follow strict rules while wringing the most horsepower and torque possible from the engine and building it to last the duration of the qualifying attempts, the race itself and while going from idle to wide open hundreds of times during a race.

The cars circuiting the track appear to be cruising alone with little effort, to the less savvy observer, but they are riding a very thin edge of maintaining traction at the fastest speed possible. A mere tap by another car can send it careening into the wall and/or other cars. Positioning on the track is critical to maintaining speed and stability.

Image yourself on the interstate with cars just inches apart on all sides, driving at the maximum speed that your vehicle can attain, just a wiggle or change in speed can disrupt the whole pack.

These guys do it at 200 mph+ for 500 miles or 3 hours. It ain't for the slow witted or weak of heart.

 

Well said Tenguy, That is a great description of NASCAR style racing.
A personal addition, there have been several drivers from other "greater" series that have all come and failed to do well in NASCAR. The focus and athleticism that the drivers have is unmatched by any sport or other racing series to be specific. F-1 races are what, 150 miles? They last an hour and a half to 2 hours? NASCAR Sprint cup races, many are about 500 miles, they take around 4 hours. That's 4 hours of constant concentration. 4 hours of putting a 3400 pound car with around 900 horsepower exactly where it needs to be to go it's fastest. All the time, battling for that same spot on the track because there are 42 other cars that need to be in that spot to go as fast as they can.

And Tenguy and the other fans in here, OH MY GOD, that was THE coolest shoot out I have ever seen....EVER!! The 500 this year is going to be insane.

 

OH and Waroo99, there's an Aussie in NASCAR who was a V8 racer and well he's not doing to well in NASCAR cup competition either. Just throwing that out there.

 

I love motor racing of all types, but living in Britain we only get NASCAR late at night

 

Don't forget there's qualifying today for the 500(The Great American Race) on Fox at Noon Eastern time...I love it all!!!

 

yeh i know, Marcus Ambrose. Good V8 (real racing car series) driver. Should be coming back to the real sport soon. Just got some unfinished business over in the US.

 

You are an Aussie???


So sorry, I offer my heartfelt apologies.


To the British.

 

The V8 racing series seems like a fun sport, reading the specifications on the car it appears to be what the NASCAR Winston Cup and Busch Grand National series were like before they went to a pure racing chassis.

 

Yep, as with any motorsport, they pale in comparsion only to the fitness of Boxers. I agree. I also agree that is a very difficult sport to perform in..all forms of motorsport. The mental fitness to concentrate on such a repative task is up there with desk clerks (that was a joke - but the mental fitness is very very high in all motorsports) I dont know how many G's Nascar racers are pushed through on those sweeping bends, but id say its likely more than F1 and V8 drivers.

F1 drivers reach top speeds of 360Km/h or 220 Mp/h but the fact that the tracks are a little more than a continual round circuit adds to the difficulty of the task at hand. The slightest touch in an F1 can result in a crash which could tare a car to shreds in a matter of seconds. These men must also go through the exact same tasks (although different) to what the Nascar drivers go through. They must hold the line, get the tires warm, conserve fuel, and bust a move at the right moment. There is more chance for accidents to happen, maybe not at the speed as Nascar, on anyone track as there are more variables. Pit crews have the same basic jobs, as do pit chiefs. Infact, alot about winning a race comes down to the Pit chiefs calling in a Pit stop. All about timing. im sure its the same with Nascar

V8 Supercars get to speeds of up to 190Mp/h theoretically, down long straights on some tracks. Many tracks are tight which creates an intense racing atmosphere. the ability to overtake is restricted, and the risks some drivers take to get that spot can end up nasty, or look fantastic. The Enduro races are some of the best races Motorsport has to offer. The Bathurst 1000 (621 miles or so in the old scale (americans still using old things, how obscene) (heheheh)) sets the standard for Motor racing anywhere I have seen. 2 drivers in each team from nearly 30 cars battle out 1000 Kilometers of uphill down hill, curving and sweeping action, taking you Up and Over and Down Mount Panorama. All the while, drivers are on the offensive or on the defensive. The Seasons Championship thoughts are put aside as each driver goes for the win. It is recognised as one of the toughest races anywhere.

The skill comes in not only handling a car at high speeds, but being able to get through the busy tracks unscaved and coming out on top. Yes, it also comes down to the pit crew making the right calls and operating functionly.

F1 drivers struggle to move to V8 driving. As would V8 to F1 and F1 to Nascar and Nascar to V8 and F1 and V8 to Nascar. Everyone is trained differntly.

At the end of the day, It all comes down to preference. V8 > Redbull AirRace > Rallycar driving > F1 > Moto GP > Nascar

And that all comes down to 2 things with nascar being last...The highly repetive circular rotation of the track, which all looks the same 100% of the race or there of.. and the BATSHIT ugly cars.

Before you say. I highly appreciate and accept the amount of effort and training and fitness and everything that is put into Nascar racing. Just, as any sensible human would agree, not my thing

 

Your second last comment is one of your opinion.

Perhaps you are unfamiliar with the number of F! AND GP drivers who have tried NASCAR, few have made it.

Several years ago there was a series called the IROC series, where drivers from various racing circuits competed in equally prepared cars. The NASCAR drivers consistently outperformed the Indy car, FI and GP drivers.

There was also a competition of track and field, plus other strength, agility and endurance events that was held between all types of athletes. NASCAR drivers again outperformed most other athletes through all events.

Can't remember the name of the contest, can someone help me here?

 

Nascar ROCKS !!!! good thread folks

 

I also stated that it was of my opinion. I also stated that many drivers cant make a transition from one motorsport to another. And i also remember such a contest being held. I just cant remember anything about it.

hmmmmm You said that IROC pitched together the bits and pieces to make a fair racing car between nascar and F1. I doubt thats possible. The G force pressures, the aerodynamics of the vehicles would be completely different. ride heights and sensitivity in steering would just be uncomparable.

Also on further concideration. This on account of all motorsport drivers. I think athletes in IronMan compititions or Tri-Athletes, aswell as Roadbike riders (Le Tour de France etc) and atheletes of Australian Rules Football would be up their with boxers, pushing race drivers down the list.

 

It takes a while to really like it...I think a lot of it is having drivers that you like and understanding all the rules...Personally, I love it!!!

However, there are some tracks that I don't really enjoy the race as much...Those are good tracks to take a nap during the middle of the race...

 

This is one I break out in times like these, A few years back there was a car/driver fun swap thing. At Indianapolis road course, an F1 driver took a Stock Car around the road course, and then a NASCAR driver took an F1 car around the track. Guess who did better?
The NASCAR driver went fast enough to qualify for the F1 event at Indianapolis. The F1 driver could barely keep the car on the road.

Again, just saying.

And your comment about the tracks being similar, while there are several that are built in the "Cookie Cutter" mile and a half "D-oval" shape, there are many that are very different. And Even the "Cookie Cutters" drive differently and have different characteristics in their asphalt.
Also how many F1 events are there in a season? 20 and the first one is 308Km in length? NASCAR's first race of a 36 race season is 1046.07 Km if you count the qualifying races on Thursday.