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Login to post Forums » Grassroots Motorsports » It seems GRMers are drawn to F1 more than any other series, true?

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May 18, 2011 4:31 p.m. AugustusGloop New Reader

In my modest experience of track days, Lemons, and Chump Car I have noticed an appreciable affinity for Formula One in the crap can racing crowd, much more so than other major series. This pattern seems to hold true on this board as well. It seems much more interest in F1 than what one might expect in say, Nascar. I get it, but can't explain it. I am a huge F1 fan, don't care for Nascar.

What say ye wise bearers of the wrench? Anyone else notice this pattern?

What's your personal form of motorsport involvement and what's your automotive entertainment preferences?
May 18, 2011 4:35 p.m. Giant Purple Snorklewacker SuperDork
My personal favorites are... in some loosely defined order:
- British Touring Car
- MotoGP
- Pirelli World Challenge
- Grand Am
- ALMS
- DTM
- Aussie V8s
- F1
- Patron Porsche Cup
- The rest
There are things that would be on that list if I could ever see them on TV somewhere.
May 18, 2011 4:40 p.m. z31maniac SuperDork

My list would be similar but with F1 at the top, then BTCC/WSBK. Then I enjoy any other production-car based, road racing series.
May 18, 2011 4:41 p.m. BobOfTheFuture HalfDork

For me its

American rally: various series mostly Max Attack.

LeMans/ALMS

The new World Challenge

WRC, if I could watch it

Probably some Ive forgot

F1

The rest
May 18, 2011 4:41 p.m. Woody SuperDork

WRC was by far my favorite, until it disappeared from regular cable. Then F1.
May 18, 2011 4:49 p.m. Grizz Reader

Rally stuff is more interesting to me, but I can't watch any of it outside of youtube.
May 18, 2011 4:55 p.m. ArthurDent Reader

F1 holds no interest to me. I do like Rally and such. Mostly racing where the cars at least look production based don't appear to look all the same. Nascar = yawn, F1 = yawn
May 18, 2011 4:56 p.m. MitchellC Dork

The only racing that I watch is at the dirt ovals nearby, and that's an annual thing at best. Rally is the only type of racing that I watch on TV; all of the other ones are pretty boring without the sounds and smells and funnel cakes of live racing.
May 18, 2011 5:00 p.m. JoeyM SuperDork

watching other people - especially ones I don't know personally - do stuff? [yawn.]

I know Gerardo Bonilla, so I legitimately cared about ALMS the year that he was driving. Since then, not so much. I went to Sebring last weekend because JG was driving and I wanted to see the car, say hello, etc. While there, I saw that four MSCC guys were driving the track. That's more interesting to me than pro-racing with people I don't know.
May 18, 2011 5:08 p.m. carguy123 SuperDork

The trend I've noticed is the group seems to be attracted mostly to cars that turn both left and right.

Everyone has their favorite series and car formats but it seems the more off the wall the better.
May 18, 2011 5:08 p.m. HiTempguy Dork

ArthurDent wrote:

Nascar = yawn, F1 = yawn

This guy knows.
May 18, 2011 5:43 p.m. Kramer HalfDork

I grew up near Eldora Speedway, and I know some people who race there. NASCAR is the top tier of the grassroots racing that runs at this and hundreds of other dirt and asphalt tracks. Many of these drivers and car builders have 95% of the talent and skills to build and race NASCAR. Some similar tracks are sanctioned by NASCAR.

I can see some NASCAR tech in the setup of my Miata. Roll cage design, seat and restraint design, some aero mods (splitters and such) and other things.

I've sat on the frontstretch at an F1 race (two, actually) I have absolutely no desire to see another F1 race in person, and watching on TV is horribly boring. Where's the passing? Other than the top few positions, do any of the other competitors care where they finish?

I don't see much F1 tech trickling down to Miata road racing.

As far as entertainment value, I can't see why anyone would find TV coverage of an F1 entertaining. If you have a favorite team, driver or car, then I can understand, but for quality of racing, you gotta admit, it's pretty lame.
May 18, 2011 5:51 p.m. dean1484 SuperDork

I dont care if they are racing lawnmowers. I will watch it
May 18, 2011 5:58 p.m. Twin_Cam SuperDork

Hell no. WRC is where real driving takes place. Those guys have cajones the size of cantaloupes. F1 is so weak anymore, too many stupid rules.
May 18, 2011 6:04 p.m. Javelin SuperDork

When WRC was on Speedvision I would watch it religiously. Nowadays I don't watch much racing on TV. I'll watch some NHRA if it's on, if only to hear John Forcesay 50 sponsors and "I saw Elvis" in under 10 seconds. If I catch a Rally or an F1 live I will watch. If I catch any road racing live, I will watch.

All that said, F1 is the only series I actually "follow". I actually read the Autoblog wrap-up every race as it's more exciting.
May 18, 2011 6:36 p.m. Jay_W HalfDork

WRC and US rally....
May 18, 2011 6:53 p.m. EvanB SuperDork

JoeyM wrote:

watching other people - especially ones I don't know personally - do stuff? [yawn.]

My thoughts exactly. Except for WRC for a few minutes at a time.
May 18, 2011 7:25 p.m. Maroon92 SuperDork

I watch every major international racing series. It's part of who I am, and part of how I make my living! LOL. At least, that is the excuse I give my SO.
May 18, 2011 7:53 p.m. friedgreencorrado SuperDork

Love me some F1, but my favorite is endurance sportscar racing. I think I saw McQueen's LeMans movie when I was about 8yrs. old (I'm old enough that it was new then), and it blew my mind. And I was already a Can Am fan when it came out. Other than those two (and yeah, WRC, I'll spend half a day watching the onboards on wrc.com after a rally finishes), I'd rather watch World Challenge, or SCCA/NASA club racing. If you've never seen the Runoffs, you don't know what you're missing.
May 18, 2011 7:55 p.m. ncjay Reader

I am in the minority on this one because I enjoy ALL types of motorsports. Each one has its pros and cons. F1 is great for the high tech cars, but the on track competition is usually a bit lame. Nascar is the opposite with comparitively low tech cars, but better on track action. I have a drag car sitting in my yard ready to go whenever I can. I spend some of my spare time at the local short tracks helping guys with their street stocks or late models (both dirt and asphalt). I'm also trying to get my own street stock built so I can race my own car. Would also love to be involved in Chumpcars/LeMons and having a car at the UTCC is on my list of things to do. If it involves 4 wheels and an engine, count me in. My two favorite types of race cars are Nascar modifieds and dirt late models, but I also appreciate Formula Fords and everything else up to the Indycar series.
May 18, 2011 7:59 p.m. turbojunker HalfDork

I absolutely hate F1.
May 18, 2011 8:05 p.m. Toyman01 SuperDork

I'll watch any kind of racing. The DVR records F1, most of the sports car races. I even like Monster Jam. If it involves engines turning lots of RPMs, tires being abused, and someone waving a flag, I probably like it. I even catch a couple of laps of Nascar once in a while. Usually just before I fall asleep.
May 18, 2011 8:12 p.m. Javelin SuperDork

I'll watch any kind of racing in person. I've been to the Daytona 500, Pepsi 400 night race, NHRA Top Fuel in Seattle, Night of Fire in Orlando, and a ton of small tracks and races. My favorite to watch in person is Sprint Cars. The 410's up in Skagit put on the best show I've ever seen. The Sprints in San Jose were awesome too until they shut the track down.
May 18, 2011 8:18 p.m. Cole_Trickle New Reader

I watch all types, but mostly NASCAR, Aussie V-8's and Rally. I love going to the local short tracks and watching the guys slug it out.
May 18, 2011 8:25 p.m. dogbreath Reader

I hate spectating other people doing something I want to do. I would drive F1, I'd drive NASCAR, I'd drive street stock, I'd drive rally, I'd drive karts of any size. I won't watch any of them for more than a couple minutes.

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