It's Official !

PJO_5

It's definitely apples vs. oranges between the two sports, and also consider this: the restrictor plates in NASCAR has leveled the playing field considerably. That's one reason why the races are so close...the other is that it's mostly about the aerodynamics/body in addition to the drivers.

Another big factor to me is that the F1 drivers can't exactly swap paint without BOTH cars wrecking due to open wheel versus the NASCAR bodies...that is something that cannot be argued, and takes a lot of skill and cooperation between drivers.

I watch both sports, but would lean towards driving in F1 first (of course I would love either one!). I also like to see the difference in cars when one handles better (through the curvy areas it gets ahead), and the other has the better acceleration that F1 brings to the table. NASCAR is much more dependent on the draft, and the drivers "hooking up" whether they are teammates or not, and that's part of the fun to see who will cooperate.

Of course, IMHO the greatest "pure racer" of all was Dale Earnhart...#3 beat everyone in the IROC series several times, and isn't that a good test? There was also AJ Foyt and others who could drive both types, but I think Dale was the best.

Take Care PJO

J.C.A._3

Spring has sprung.....

As I sit here looking at 10 inches of freshly fallen snow, the Formula one season is getting underway in the land down under.

This is MY official start of Spring...weather be damned! I must be Jonesing. It's almost midnight, but I've been counting down the days for over 2 months. Let the pigeons fly!

This is as exciting as ISH is, for me anyway. Go Ferrari! ,and may this be a SAFE and exciting season for all involved. Chris

Weezbo

Let me share in the joy *~/:)

yesterday was like -42F...closest i ever came to a fancy car was a young lady i used to zoom around with...she had a Lotus

Jim Bennett

Me too !!!

I'm also a huge open wheel racing fan (ChampCar, IRL, F1) and have been looking forward to this weekend! Though F1 will be different this year without Schumi:(

jim

Unknown

sorry gents

Sorry gents, I can't see what the excitment about watching the cars going around in circle as someone trying to win the rat race......
Hockey, on other hand, is pure joy, watching the 110 percent teamwork with pysical and finess to get that hard rubber puck into the net..... Aaaarrrooooooooo

J.C.A._3

F1 drivers,

Are perhaps some of the fittest men on the planet. As far as teamwork...ever seen a crew fuel and change 4 tires in 6 seconds? It is a total team sport.

This ain't NASCAR. These drivers turn RIGHT too. They also do it more than twice a year.

That's my story...and I'm stickin' to it.

Hey Bill Nye...what does NASCAR stand for? I know you told me...but I've forgotten. Chris

Jim Bennett

NASCAR

A buddy of mine pronounces in "Necker" as in red necker:)

Unknown

But, its still a

Buts its still a rat race going around,around,around around,around, gettin sleeppy zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Christian Egli_2

Fittest fitter?

Just looking at some of the splendid boiler installs that get posted here, I want to say the F-1 crews have nothing to envy some of our very own boiler fitters.

Can anybody tune a system in under 6 seconds? That's amazing.

Enjoy the season.

Dave DeFord_5

Just for the record...

NASCAR (R) stands for National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing or at least it used to. However, it is not as simplistic as some would like to make it.

First of all, nearly every safety innovation in your automobile from seat belts, to padded dashes, to crush zones has come as a result of a race car, many times NASCAR, testing the device first.

Secondly, while externally old tech 1950's engineering there is a significant amount of cutting edge technology that goes into full-bodied race cars. Nearly all combustion chamber development comes from NASCAR teams from what I hear. The limits placed on the other parts of the engines (displacement, flat-tappet pushrod engines, etc.) necessitate that the development be done somewhere else. As a result, the combustion chamber is one of the few places left to innovate.

Third, the fact that the cars only turn left (with two notable exceptions every year) does not negate the fact that they have honed handling to a fine science - albeit in one direction. Juan Pablo Montoya who was, I believe a sensation, on the F1 circuit has not managed to crack the top 10 yet in a NASCAR race. His average finish is below 20. Maybe, just maybe he is not the driving sensation everyone thought he was, or just maybe the Cup drivers are better than most people think they are. This is likely due to the fact that piloting one of these 3400 LB 800 HP behemoths on the very edge of traction takes a great deal of driver skill.

Unlike most open wheel cars, stock cars are almost alway operate at a significant slip angle at speeds in excess of 170 MPH when cornering, open wheel cars are rarely in this conditions at any speed. There is no traction control, no anti-lock braking system and no other type of driver assist to help drive the car with the sole exception of power steering. F1 at one time allowed all of these things although I believe they have backed off of some of them. So it may be ancient technology, but it is ancient technology honed to the finest edge imaginable with driver skills to match.

Moreover, the racing is just phenomenal for the fans. There is seldom a race without at least 5, and many times more than a dozen, lead changes. I have seen more than one F1 race where the leader of the first lap is never seriously challenged for the entire race. In fact if I am not mistaken there was a season a couple of years back when Ferrari was not seriously challenged for the entire year. I don't find that very appealing from a fan standpoint but I also don't denigrate the series because of the lack of competition. That type of racing has it's place and it's fans - it's just not my cup of tea.
Am I biased, you bet, I fuel one of these beasts in the only series that runs 3400 LB 110" wheebase cars nearly identical to Nextel Cup cars. However, I also see the attraction to open wheel racing and it's incredibly advanced technology - both have their place and fans. However to say that only rednecks like stock car racing is like saying that only preppies like open wheel racing. Neither is true.

Just like hydronic heating, which I believe was around at least from Roman times, stock cars are older technology honed to a razors edge. F1 cars are on the leading edge of internal combution technology but I my opinion the drivers are not what wins F1 races - it's the engineers. I'm not so sure that is the case in Nextel Cup. Just my biased $.02.

bill nye_3

Dave

Dave, don't take this personal.... it was a joke.

Non Athletic Sport Centered Around Rednecks

Me, I'm a drag racer, or I should say I wan't to be ... if I can ever afford to finish my car.

I do go and watch. I am from the muscle car era

Jim Bennett

Dave...

It was a joke, wasn't meant as a put down. I actually appreciate ALL forms of motorsports. Just have a particular affinity towards open wheel, but I WILL watch any racing!

Now the other stick, ball, puck sports, I'm not so sure...
(Tongue firmly implanted it cheek)

Cheers,

Jim

J.C.A._3

Like Jim...

If there are more than 2 machines trying to prove which is better....I'll watch it. That's racing.

I have an appreciation for all sorts of racing, but I LOVE F1.

Fineest kind brothers! BTW, it looks like it's going to be a great season.

First race finishes Ferrari, Mercedes/McLaren,Mercedes McLaren...

Big names but technological monsters. What more could I ask for? Let the games begin. Happy Spring! Chris

Wayco Wayne_2

When I went

to Wirsbo Mini Camp some years back, they took us to The Mall of America where we participated in a Nascar Simulator tourney. All the cars were hooked into a computer and you actually sat in a simulator and raced against everyone else. I lasted one round and spent a good deal of my race bouncing off the walls and spinning around in the middle of the track. Interestingly I didnt come in last. It's not as easy as going around the Washington beltway I must say. WW

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Tim_41

Hi everyone. I;ve been reading the posts for awhile now and I am a contractor in Maine. Its funny that I decide to reply to a post about motorsports.
Anyhow, if anyone one wants real excitement, check out the World rally championship or go to www.wrc.com. Also,
www.rally-america.com. The usa has some great events around the country. I have competed,crewed and I currently instruct driving skills in NH.
Anyhow check it out.
Thanks for a great site. I also am replacing my boiler with either a Vitola or a vitodens. Not sure which yet.

Dave DeFord_5

Sorry I took it personally

but I have met some of the finest people I know racing and it gets under my skin a little sometimes when Stock Cars don't seem to get the respect I feel they deserve. I, like the rest of you, enjoy almost any type of racing - heck I even go to the local tractor pulls. Not exactly racing but it is competition involving motors. Even went to a steam engine show last Sept. Awesome machines.

P.S. If you ever want to see an ARCA race from the other side of pit wall drop me an email.

Plumdog_2

I like all kinds of racing too

What about the finish at the Daytona 500? One car went airborne right behind the leaders, slid across the finish line on his roof, caught fire, jumped out, took off his gloves and disgustedly threw them into the burning car! I am a big Pikes Peak Hillclimb fan. Stand right by the course and feel the concussion when the big open wheelers pass by at about 130. Bring sunscreen and earplugs!

Ken C.

I agree with you

NASCAR is not my idea of an interesting spectator sport.

Jim Bennett

World Rally

Tim,

I agree, rally racing is pure excitment! Plant your foot in it and Go Like Hell! Those guy's are Crazy!

I remember a couple of years ago one of the drivers who was ahead in the points broke his pinky finger. He was going to have it amputated if it would allow him to finish the season.

Talk about dedication!

Tim_41

rally

Whats great about rally cars is the fact that they have to be street legal. Registered, and insured. They also have to have a working heat system. My cars were in the production based classes. The mods were limited. Rallying is really the only form of motosport that retains the factory OEM parts from the ball joints to the motor. I am looking to build another one in the very near future.

hr

speaking of Ferrari.. and hydronics

I've heard that Caleffi has a Ferrari engine on display in their facility in Italy.

Complete with a soundtrack of a reving V-12, as they sponsor one of the teams?

Any truth, or pic to prove that rumor?? Siggy? Rex? Mark?

Perhaps, Chris if we purchase enough Caleffi this year we could score some tickets. I'll work on that

hot rod


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Paul Fredricks_3

Hey Tim. You ever run into Gary Web up that way. I met him in the early 80's while doing TSD rallies in NY.

Just my input on motor sports. I'm a big F1 fan. The thing that bothers me about NASCAR is the blatant pushing of the sponsors names, as in "The Duck brothers, STP, Charmin, Valvoline, Kaopectate, Chevy was really running well today" I know that's who pays the bills, but F1 doesn't do that and there is a lot more money involved.

Steve_35

The difference in F1

is Ferrari is paying the bills. With NASCAR it's the sponsors.

What's Ferrari's budget now? Last I recall it was something on the order of twice the next team's budget.

I found Montoya's recent comments regarding the NASCAR community interesting. He said he enjoyed crew interactions which apparently non-existent in F1. He was also surprised that other drivers came to him with suggestions on how to improve.