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As a racer myself, I don’t watch a lot of racing. I’m not entirely sure why this is; I guess maybe it hits too close to home. When I watch racing, it feels like work: I …
Runoffs were great, some really good racing. Same for club racing at the regional level. "Pro" racing is highly overrated, most drivers aren't "pro" drivers at all, and the driving reflects it. And then there is nonsense that goes on behind the scenes with the sanctioning body trying to make sure all the car makers are happy by giving them all a race win or two thanks to the God of BOP. It is just ridiculous.
You can't really generalize. There are good pro racing and good amateur racing. With the Run offs you get the best of the best. You take a random SCCA or nasa regional race and it's a crap shoot. There is usually some decent racing in the Spec classes but there is also a lot of crashes.
DTM, Aussie V8, IMSA (especially the CTSC) is some really good racing. Where as most of the 911 Cup series are ehh at best. PWC has been hit and miss on the racing side in recent years. I think that this year will be more of a miss.
I like racing so it's all good. I've worked all of the series that currently run in the US. I've seen a lot of racing the last 6 years.
In reply to HapDL :racing goes in cycles I remember Can-Am in its glory days and when it couldn’t generate a crowd
same with Trans Am
Vintage
NASCAR
etc
I always went to the Runoffs when they were at Mid-Ohio. Always took that Friday off work too. My favorite race(s) of the year. Couldn't get to Indy last year (it's about the same travel-time for me), but the next time it's that close I plan on being there.
Stan
As I mentioned on the FB post, I only have so much time and money to devote to attending races. I gravitate towards the series that I follow the closest, which is IMSA. Close racing is great, but it's even better when you have some sort of vested interest in a car/team/driver.
Would it be cool to go as a spectator to the runoffs? Of course! Would I choose that over going to an IMSA race? Nope.
Sounds like I need to do the runoffs at VIR this year then because its an amazing track
I would say that amateur racing is better to watch. In my observations of road racing, even a minor variation in lap times will spread the field out quickly, and there that much actual competition to watch. On the other hand, Spec Miata (for example) there isn't as much variation, plus large fields ensure there are battles throughout the field. This also tells me that what makes a race exciting isn't the speed of the field, but the competition in it.
On a related note, road racing is inherently difficult to watch, because there usually isn't someplace in the stands you can sit and see the entire track, so you only see a few corners at best. This ends up being better to watch on television or coordinated video feed.
Compare high-end road racing to the average local dirt/paved oval tracks across the nation - tons of fans on a regular basis, lots of close racing, and they can see the entire track. Even if the leader breaks away, he has to make his way through traffic.
TL;DR: large fields of slower, more closely matched cars is better than small fields of super-fast cars.
FIYAPOWA said:I would say that amateur racing is better to watch. In my observations of road racing, even a minor variation in lap times will spread the field out quickly, and there that much actual competition to watch. On the other hand, Spec Miata (for example) there isn't as much variation, plus large fields ensure there are battles throughout the field. This also tells me that what makes a race exciting isn't the speed of the field, but the competition in it.
On a related note, road racing is inherently difficult to watch, because there usually isn't someplace in the stands you can sit and see the entire track, so you only see a few corners at best. This ends up being better to watch on television or coordinated video feed.
Compare high-end road racing to the average local dirt/paved oval tracks across the nation - tons of fans on a regular basis, lots of close racing, and they can see the entire track. Even if the leader breaks away, he has to make his way through traffic.
TL;DR: large fields of slower, more closely matched cars is better than small fields of super-fast cars.
Some of what you mentioned is why the multi-class racing (such as IMSA) is so appealing to me as a fan. THere is always something going on. This year at Daytona I used my iPod to listen to IMSA radio the entire time I was at the track. it was great being able to hear the commentators the entire time to know what is going on. Without the radio feed, I probably wouldn't have had any idea about all the tire issues, the 5 minute stop and hold for the #29 Audi, etc..
I'd go to pro races to see the latest machines and the fastest lap times. Plus vendors and manufacturer booths are interesting to see.
However, there's better paddock access for spectators with the drivers and teams at amateur races. Sometimes it's fun to trade notes over the track and set ups.
To be totally honest, it's better to watch racing on TV. You get to see pit stops up close and it's easier to find out about mechanical failures. Plus no need to deal with traffic and pricey concessions.
j_tso said:I'd go to pro races to see the latest machines and the fastest lap times. Plus vendors and manufacturer booths are interesting to see.
However, there's better paddock access for spectators with the drivers and teams at amateur races. Sometimes it's fun to trade notes over the track and set ups.
To be totally honest, it's better to watch racing on TV. You get to see pit stops up close and it's easier to find out about mechanical failures. Plus no need to deal with traffic and pricey concessions.
That depends on the type of pro racing your talking about. Imsa and alms etc have traditionally had great great paddock access and usually is included with any ticket. Tv wise yes depending on where you are watching but it’s easy to find out about that stuff with radio lemans,they are some of the best you that will ever cover a race.
Best seat in the house is the driver's seat. Second best seat is one where you get lots of good camera feeds.
I say good competition makes for better spectating than outright speed or skill. Take two competitors (or more!) of similar skill levels, and watch them jockey for position, it's a hoot! The top level pros, they make passing look so easy sometimes, I miss that they even did something. It's truly magical in that sense.
That last point is why I'll likely never be at that level. I can cut fantastic times around a track, but there are always better drivers out there that can exploit a weakness without you even realizing you were doing something wrong.
As far as crowds and whatnot, I still say that if you took beer away from any sport, you'd find out who your true fans are. This goes for any sport, and frankly, the idea of selling copious amounts of alcohol and entertaining folks with really fast cars, then expecting them to get home safely without incident? I know the responsibility is on the consumer, but... seems poorly matched if you ask me.
I tend to prefer watching road racing on tv. The only series I enjoy watching in person are Global Rallycross and World of Outlaws. Those events don't seem to have a bad sear in the house and overall good experience.
If only I could get V8 Supercar, BTCC, DTM on cable I would be a happy camper.
V8 Supercar actually has a great feed through their superview program. It's only $48 for the year. DTM has been on CBS Sn on tape delay. BTCC has streamed through their website in the past: http://www.btcc.net/live-zone/live-streaming/
You can also watch various touring series like supercars,dtm,btcc,tcr,etc on motor trend on demand.
ill be watching the Adelaide 500 races on it this weekend.
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