Sport?

[The Ruptured Duck]

Ok, in jazz band today several of us got into a large debate(more like argument) about whether auto racing is a sport;  and also, if it is a sport, then are drivers atheletes?

i voted for sport/athelete

I would appreciate a response, and please, administrators, do not move it to the autos section becasue that would change the outcome of the results.

[denishc]

 I voted sport/athelet.
 Although I'm not an auto racing fan I do believe that the drivers are athelets and auto racing is a sport.  The drives must be in top physical condition and have quick reflexes to steer a car at close to 200mph.  Have any of you ever been in stop and go traffic on the highway for an extended period of time?  Remember how fatigued you felt when you got home from being in such heavy traffic?  Now imagine doing that at close to 200mph!!  So you can imagine how an auto racer must feel during and at the end of a race.

[RichieB16]

Yes it's a sport and the driver's are athletes.  Those guys have to be in very good shape to drive those cars at that speed with power nothing (brakes, steering, transmission are all manual).  That takes serious conditioning and endurance.

[The Ruptured Duck]

yes, even the oval racers work their ass off!

[BMan1113VR]

i would say yes sport (maybe)

drivers aren't athletes, athletic:yes; talented:yes

[Wing Nut]

If it's a sport how could they not be an athlete and vice-versa.  That's the definition of an athlete.  Some one who participates in a sport.  ATHELTICS

[Polynomial]

we have V8 supercar racing here in Australia and one particular track, Bathurst, is like driving from Brisbane to Mackay at close to 300 km/h non-stop.  Imagine how buggered you would be. . . . .

[Hagar]

Motor racing is a competitive sport. It depends on your definition of athlete. I wouldn't put racing drivers in the same class as a track athlete as the requirements are completely different. Yes, they have to be extremely fit & the training regimes of the top drivers are rigorous. That does not make them athletes. IMHO

Years ago things were quite different. Most racing drivers, indeed many other sportsmen, smoked & never went near a gym in their lives.

PS. Q. When is a sport not a sport?
A. When it's big business.

Sir Stirling Moss said, "I would like to race today obviously because it would mean I was younger, but I wouldn't swap now because it was a sport then now its a very important business. I'm very interested in it, technically, but no, I certainly wouldn't swap."

[Jared]

hmmm...isn't this in the wrong forum???

[Fly2e]

OK,...OK....
Seems I have been moving allot of auto threads to the auto forum recently!  ;D
Are you guys testing me?  ;)

Dave  8)

[Jaffa]

[quote]OK,...OK....
Seems I have been moving allot of auto threads to the auto forum recently!

[BMan1113VR]

i totally agree w/ everything you say hagar

[quote]OK,...OK....
Seems I have been moving allot of auto threads to the auto forum recently!

[The Ruptured Duck]

NO!!! it isnt in the right forum!

I requested that this stay in the general section because i want the response of all users and not just the auto crowd!!!!

If I wanted the views of the "auto crowd", i would have origionally posted it here!

NOW, I dont mind posting racing threads here(even though F-1 cars DO HAVE WINGS), but please, i think this is a valid exception!

[Hagar]

I have some sympathy with Duck. However, the people most likely to reply to this thread will visit the Autos forum. It seems a pity to me that arguing about where it should be posted seems to have stopped everyone posting their opinions on the original topic.

I think you're being pedantic about the wings. It's quite obvious what the "only wingless machines please!" statement means. The "wings" on racing cars work in the opposite way to those on aircraft & they were never designed to fly.

[Politically Incorrect]

Yes sport , yes athlete!

But I'm with duck and the others this one should stay in General Discussion or the Cafe'.
If you can talk about football, soccer, and other sports there then we should be able too have racing there too. Where would you put "bike racing" at? We don't have a "Bike" forum so I guess you would put it in discussion or cafe!
They only time I come too the "Auto" forum is when the original post has been moved, it get annoying at times especially when the topic of the thread refers to a sport.
Almost like those damn pop-ups that redirect you to another web page.
Is it time for a "Moderator Blocker"?  ;D
Sorry Hagar but most people that would reply too this thread don't come to the "Auto" forum, like I said I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for the fact that I clicked on it in "Discussion". Which makes me ask by having the link still in "discussion" isn't that like advertising, it forces you to come too a forum you don't visit in hopes that you might look around more?
I myself have replied too the topic and will now return to "discussion" because the "auto" form is boring!