tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12452759.post2395956046827587542..comments2024-03-22T07:12:47.560-07:00Comments on Pitchpull: A Tradition Lost?Greybeardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11919862790973521778noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12452759.post-89881757110424293982010-05-24T08:39:12.023-07:002010-05-24T08:39:12.023-07:00Greybeard: I've been teaching cops and fire en...Greybeard: I've been teaching cops and fire engineers emergency response driving since 1975. I make that observation predicated upon the fact that your visual horizon is so incredibly low in F1. You either have to memorize the track or have to have driven the track so many times that you know it by heart. Couple that low visual horizon with the incredible speeds encountered in concert with the IMPERATIVE that you CANNOT touch ANYthing in open-wheel racing, and you have a safety and racing margin that is pushing the envelope with every second. This, in turn, DEMANDS human reactive skills bordering on the unholy.<br /><br />Given, when your F1 track is about two cars widths it limits passing. But with a more open track F1 can be absolutely stellar. I'm more about the nature of F1 than its actual results. I'm wrapped up in the process of F1 rather than points. I've used cockpit videos of F1 in my classes in order to have my students try to identify apexes, late apexes or double apexes and where, if they were the driver, they'd place their own driving and sight lines.<br /><br />BZBloviating Zeppelinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01359816456769157176noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12452759.post-25723725151289153782010-05-24T07:59:12.611-07:002010-05-24T07:59:12.611-07:00BZ, I'll agree the F-1 cars are the pinnacle o...BZ, I'll agree the F-1 cars are the pinnacle of racing. I wrote a post some time ago pointing out that at 18,000 RPM the pistons are going up and down the cylinders 300 times PER SECOND, and THAT reciprocation is not something I can wrap my mind around. But F-1 cars are so computer controlled, and the tracks they normally run on are so restrictive, the driver that finds himself at the lead in the parade has a HUGE advantage...<br />Passing is extremely difficult.<br />Monaco is the most boring race in the world.<br /><br />What troubles me most about the IRL goes back to an indirect reference in my post...<br />Things have become so expensive the diversity we used to see in the series is gone. When Mom and I last went to the time trials there were four or five different chassis and three tire manufactures represented. The cars had engines manufactured by Pontiac, Chevrolet, Ford, Buick, and there were Cosworth-tweaked versions of some of those listed.<br />There were normally aspirated and turbocharged engines competing.<br />Now?<br />You can have any engine you want, so long as it's the same Honda your competitor is using.<br />How sad huh?Greybeardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11919862790973521778noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12452759.post-18619868891655572512010-05-24T07:24:14.595-07:002010-05-24T07:24:14.595-07:00My dad and I used to spend the month of May at the...My dad and I used to spend the month of May at the track. He was a die hard fan. <br />He used to build and race stock cars at the "Little 500" track across the street from the Indy 500, for those old enough to remember that. <br />I lost most of my loyalty when they changed to everyone drives the same engine, use the same tires and so on. What kind of sport is that? Where is the motivation to come up with a better car? Where is the excitement?<br />Gone are the best days of the Novis and the turbine.the golden horsehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01997072300287533624noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12452759.post-91436571625893490702010-05-24T00:14:30.067-07:002010-05-24T00:14:30.067-07:00I used to really enjoy the 500, but my real love n...I used to really enjoy the 500, but my real love now is F1 and rallies. Speed channel used to provide lots of rallies to watch; I absolutely LOVE the cockpit shots.<br /><br />I also LOVE the cockpit shots from F1 cars. In my opinion, THOSE guys are THE most accomplished of racers.<br /><br />BZBloviating Zeppelinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01359816456769157176noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12452759.post-8316072873016869732010-05-23T09:58:09.523-07:002010-05-23T09:58:09.523-07:00I agree. Pick your sport, any sport. Customer serv...I agree. Pick your sport, any sport. Customer service and respect for the fan has dropped WAY down, while prices and inconveniences have gone WAY up. Coupled with the superb TV coverage and instant news/statistics/information on the 'net, leaves little reason to go to the event. ...and the next generation will NEVER understand the thrill of being there.<br /><br />The subject line of this post is dead on. Lost and soon forgotten.ddfhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13302371912038013929noreply@blogger.com