3 ms·

We watch every single F1 race, qualifying and sometimes practice. I have not been able to develop interest in FE. Racing is a hobby for us, not just something

We watch every single F1 race, qualifying and sometimes practice. I have not been able to develop interest in FE. Racing is a hobby for us, not just something we watch on TV. Every single one of my kids has gone through at least one SCCA driving course (multiple instructor-led days on track at Willow Springs Streets and Big Willow). We are into it, but FE just doesn’t click for some reason. Neither does NASCAR, BTW. At the risk of offending people, turning left for a million laps is just plain stupid. Sorry.

routerl 4y ago
A lot of what you've written resonates with how I used to think. While I don't find NASCAR very interesting, I no longer think of it as "turning left for a million laps", since track position (i.e. high, middle, low) is actually a subtle, tactical game. Also, as I'm sure you know, "turning", in any racing, is never as simple as just turning the wheel; race drivers also use the brakes and throttle to turn, and there's enormous subtlety in this. The skill in NASCAR (or IndyCar oval racing) is in carefully observing your opponents, and noticing the small mistakes they consistently make, which you can then, skillfully, convert into gaining positions. Having said that, I hate the way American broadcasters cover racing, and the biggest draw of NASCAR is absolutely the spectacular crashes, which I'm not a fan of either. So, it's not for me, but I do respect the drivers. Having said that, yes, FE has a long way to go before they are reliably producing exciting races. But they recently started racing on the same Monaco circuit layout as F1, and that race is reliably more exciting than F1's Monaco GP. If you watch no other FE races, ever, I'll nevertheless recommend watching the Monaco ePrix (dumb name), if only to see how good a race can be around those streets (something F1 will never demonstrate ever again).
- robomartin 4y ago
  I’ll look that up. Thanks. Having substantial on-track experience I think I understand. For example, I definitely use throttle steer to navigate something like the large sweeper at Big Willow while doing 140 mph. The wheel is not a good input for subtlety at speed. I don’t want to dump on NASCAR too much. I know there’s challenges and strategy. The culture of watching the races for the crashes is absolutely deplorable. Part of me can’t help but think that NASCAR reinforces the stereotype of the lazy American. Everyone sits around an oval stadium while consuming thousands of calories and watches the “race” for the carnage. I just don’t like it. Then again, I come here from a different culture. I don’t like what Americans call “football” (sorry, it isn’t). I played and I am into both rugby and real football. That is to say, there might be a cultural element to consider.
rascul 4y ago
> turning left Small nitpick, NASCAR also races on road courses. COTA, Watkins Glen, and Sonoma, plus a few others. They just raced the Indianapolis road course the day after Indy cars did. Also next year a street race in Chicago is planned.
MrMan 4y ago
I really only enjoy watching IMSA. the formula stuff isnt as interesting for reason I cant articulate well

routerl 4y ago

A lot of what you've written resonates with how I used to think. While I don't find NASCAR very interesting, I no longer think of it as "turning left for a million laps", since track position (i.e. high, middle, low) is actually a subtle, tactical game. Also, as I'm sure you know, "turning", in any racing, is never as simple as just turning the wheel; race drivers also use the brakes and throttle to turn, and there's enormous subtlety in this. The skill in NASCAR (or IndyCar oval racing) is in carefully observing your opponents, and noticing the small mistakes they consistently make, which you can then, skillfully, convert into gaining positions. Having said that, I hate the way American broadcasters cover racing, and the biggest draw of NASCAR is absolutely the spectacular crashes, which I'm not a fan of either. So, it's not for me, but I do respect the drivers. Having said that, yes, FE has a long way to go before they are reliably producing exciting races. But they recently started racing on the same Monaco circuit layout as F1, and that race is reliably more exciting than F1's Monaco GP. If you watch no other FE races, ever, I'll nevertheless recommend watching the Monaco ePrix (dumb name), if only to see how good a race can be around those streets (something F1 will never demonstrate ever again).

robomartin 4y ago
I’ll look that up. Thanks. Having substantial on-track experience I think I understand. For example, I definitely use throttle steer to navigate something like the large sweeper at Big Willow while doing 140 mph. The wheel is not a good input for subtlety at speed. I don’t want to dump on NASCAR too much. I know there’s challenges and strategy. The culture of watching the races for the crashes is absolutely deplorable. Part of me can’t help but think that NASCAR reinforces the stereotype of the lazy American. Everyone sits around an oval stadium while consuming thousands of calories and watches the “race” for the carnage. I just don’t like it. Then again, I come here from a different culture. I don’t like what Americans call “football” (sorry, it isn’t). I played and I am into both rugby and real football. That is to say, there might be a cultural element to consider.

rascul 4y ago

> turning left Small nitpick, NASCAR also races on road courses. COTA, Watkins Glen, and Sonoma, plus a few others. They just raced the Indianapolis road course the day after Indy cars did. Also next year a street race in Chicago is planned.

MrMan 4y ago

I really only enjoy watching IMSA. the formula stuff isnt as interesting for reason I cant articulate well