36 replies to this topic

[THE "driverider"]

The article below really annoyed and was discussed on another thread.

Race Fans Deny Their Inner Ghoul


But it made me think, with all the excitement of the potential risk in motorsport. Do fans really not worry when a rider falls off in the middle of a track with numerous bikes avoiding them, or when a car catches on fire and a driver has to get out swiftly. I mean I'm all for the danger/risk element, but then such incidents happen I don't enjoy it, in fact I hope that everyone gets out safely.

Edited by THE "driverider", 27 October 2011 - 09:50.

[PayasYouRace]

Blood sport? Not as much as a certain sport that has had over 37 deaths since 1997, 18 of which between 2006 and 2008. But for some reason these people never write articles about the dangers of horse riding and the ghouls who watch it.

http://en.wikipedia....Eventing#Safety

Edited by PayasYouRace, 27 October 2011 - 10:19.

[karne]

But it made me think, with all the excitement of the potential risk in motorsport. Do fans really not worry when a rider falls off in the middle of a track with numerous bikes avoiding them, or when a car catches on fire and a driver has to get out swiftly. I mean I'm all for the danger/risk element, but then such incidents happen I don't enjoy it, in fact I hope that everyone gets out safely.

I hope this isn't a serious question! I can't believe anyone would think in that manner...

For myself, I will swear that my heart stops beating every time a car goes into a fence or a rider goes into the gravel trap, and won't start again until they move. I remember watching Mark's Valencia crash and begging him to move. (He did very quickly - apparently Ann has the same mantra whenever Mark crashes.)

I loathe watching the MotoGP riders come off their bikes and beg them to get up. I do a lot of begging when cars crash.

[THE "driverider"]

I hope this isn't a serious question! I can't believe anyone would think in that manner...

For myself, I will swear that my heart stops beating every time a car goes into a fence or a rider goes into the gravel trap, and won't start again until they move. I remember watching Mark's Valencia crash and begging him to move. (He did very quickly - apparently Ann has the same mantra whenever Mark crashes.)

I loathe watching the MotoGP riders come off their bikes and beg them to get up. I do a lot of begging when cars crash.

I don't think it's a blood sport, it's what the article is suggesting, not me.

And this is my exact point, I'm glad I'm not the only one who worries when an incident occurs.

Edited by THE "driverider", 27 October 2011 - 10:20.

[davemsc]

Blood sport? Not as much as a certain sport that has had over 37 deaths since 1997, 18 of which between 2006 and 2008. But for some reason these people never write articles about the dangers of horse riding and the ghouls who watch it.

http://en.wikipedia....Eventing#Safety

And that's to say nothing of the lives of the horses who die as a result every year.

[karne]

I don't think it's a blood sport, it's what the article is suggesting, not me.

And this is my exact point, I'm glad I'm not the only one who worries when an incident occurs.

Oh, sorry mate, I didn't mean to say you were suggesting it, I meant in response to the article. Whoops.

[THE "driverider"]

"But it's not just squeamish women such as me (and I have seen more than enough road trauma in my life) who suspect that some people are getting off on the carnage." - quote from Article

@Karne - no worries

Edited by THE "driverider", 27 October 2011 - 10:26.

[karne]

WHO THE HELL VOTED "NO"?!

[manmower]

The poll is a bit over the top, although I have to admire the jokers who voted no...

That article if you ask me is more than a bit misguided, uses loaded terms and twists everything no matter how opposite to fit into the general tone of the piece. And the fact that there are still only two published comments on it makes me think the author isn't really prepared to discuss or defend her views in any way.

[Rob]

WHO THE HELL VOTED "NO"?!

I can only assume they voted no to the question "Motorsport, a blood sport...?"

[billm99uk]

If it's a blood sport, it's not a very good one is it?

[Jazza]

In a way, a riders death is giving her something to write about and keeping her in a job. So by her logic, there is a bit of blood on her hands as well.

[GlenP]

Note to OP - make the survey question the same as the thread title, not the opposite!

No point in even looking at the results, because the thread is so badly worded!

[Jordana]

I love rugby but I must say that I saw more blood during the last World Cup than in the last two seasons of motorsport...

That article is crap and the lady who wrote it is an idiot!

[Fabien Pousset]

In a way, a riders death is giving her something to write about and keeping her in a job. So by her logic, there is a bit of blood on her hands as well.

This.

The level of motorsports-bashing in the general population has become unbearable lately.
Sure, if you take into account all sorts of motorsports series, the death toll certainly reaches a somewhat high number.

But some dumb people, who are completely oblivious to the fact that there is more racing going around in the world than just F1, will crassly ignore the fact that cycling and football have claimed more (in the case of football, WAY more) victims than F1 in the past 30 years.

Edited by Fabien Pousset, 27 October 2011 - 12:51.

[cheapracer]

WHO THE HELL VOTED "NO"?!

I ****ing WELL DID.

Should I give a **** about the other 150,000 people who die every day who I also don't know?

It's as simple as this, "go racing and you may be crippled for life or you might die", my exact words at many riders briefings and never in 7 years of saying it did one rider ever choose not to ride.

If the risks aren't acceptable take up knitting with rounded tips.

[Youichi]

Blood sport? Not as much as a certain sport that has had over 37 deaths since 1997, 18 of which between 2006 and 2008. But for some reason these people never write articles about the dangers of horse riding and the ghouls who watch it.

http://en.wikipedia....Eventing#Safety

More than 4000 people die whilst playing golf each year, worldwide.....

[PayasYouRace]

More than 4000 people die whilst playing golf each year, worldwide.....

Ban it! Ban golf now!

[Jazza]

I ****ing WELL DID.

Should I give a **** about the other 150,000 people who die every day who I also don't know?

It's as simple as this, "go racing and you may be crippled for life or you might die", my exact words at many riders briefings and never in 7 years of saying it did one rider ever choose not to ride.

If the risks aren't acceptable take up knitting with rounded tips.

But what has that got to do with "Are you ever concerned about a drivers/riders safety?"

I don't loose sleep if a driver gets killed as I don't know them. As you said, they are another one of the 150,000 for that day that I don't know.

But why no concern when you see an accident? Surely if you see a car go into the wall the thought should be, "I hope they are ok"... not "Don't give a **** if they get out or not"

Edited by Jazza, 27 October 2011 - 13:16.

[Jovanotti]

The journalist implies that the fans (subconsciously) demand drivers/riders to take risks for their entertainment. I think you should've asked something like "Is danger a part of the attraction of motorsport for you?" or similar..of course then you'd have kind of a third-person-effect (=people saying that others like motorsport because of the danger, but not themselves), so that distorts the result a bit, but over all I think that's the question you are looking for...?

Edited by Jovanotti, 27 October 2011 - 13:26.

[cheapracer]

But why no concern when you see an accident?

Because they chose to put themselves into that position. I also have no feeling when a Boxer gets knocked down other than the obvious 'wow' factor that comes with it and a racing accident.

By the way, I do and most certainly have helped people hurt in real life but they're not on a TV set nor were they doing something that's inherently stupid to do.

[Andrew Hope]

Why do silly little girls keep writing about motorsport?

[fieraku]

To be sure, my sentiments could have been expressed more sensitively, but in the angry barrage of abuse that followed, it surprised me that no one could admit they actually enjoy the inherent dangers of track racing. To do so would obviously expose the inner ghoul of spectators. Time and again I was told that people don't watch for the crashes.

Oh f*** off lady . My heart skips a beat everytime I see a crash and only when I found out everyone is ok my breathing resumes to normal.

I can go to my local demolition derby track if I want to see crashes.

[skid solo]

Because they chose to put themselves into that position. I also have no feeling when a Boxer gets knocked down other than the obvious 'wow' factor that comes with it and a racing accident.

By the way, I do and most certainly have helped people hurt in real life but they're not on a TV set nor were they doing something that's inherently stupid to do.

Wow I am impressed at your capacity to rational in the way you do. I run a similar strategy when I hear of a soldier dying in Afghanistan in the sense if you go into a foreign country with a gun in your hands don't be surprised if someone shoots you. But I personally get very close to the personalities involved in motorsport and it's not something I regard as stupid. As Jackie Stewart says the price of a mistake shouldn't be your life. motorsport is a passion of mine and I still see it as a sport. I don't regard it as a blood sport like bullfighting.. Maybe I am in denial??

[fieraku]

Wow I am impressed at your capacity to rational in the way you do. I run a similar strategy when I hear of a soldier dying in Afghanistan in the sense if you go into a foreign country with a gun in your hands don't be surprised if someone shoots you. But I personally get very close to the personalities involved in motorsport and it's not something I regard as stupid. As Jackie Stewart says the price of a mistake shouldn't be your life. motorsport is a passion of mine and I still see it as a sport. I don't regard it as a blood sport like bullfighting.. Maybe I am in denial??

It's like saying "So what a police officer or a firefighter died in the line of duty" he knew the risks he was taking etc. Very irrational and illogical thinking indeed.

Edited by fieraku, 27 October 2011 - 17:00.

[TURU]

It's like saying "So what a police officer died in the line of duty" he knew the risks he was taking etc. Very irrational and illogical thinking indeed.

Logic is not one of your strenghts, I suppose.

I am somewhat torn apart by this. I like to and do think like cheapracer, because at the end of the day they all know the risk, they're all adults, professionals who are payed to take that risk. So in a way, I'm not that concerned about their safety. And yet, when I see somebody crash heavily, my heart stops for a second. We humans are full of contradictions...

Edited by TURU, 27 October 2011 - 17:15.

[fieraku]

Logic is not one of your strenghts, I suppose.

I am somewhat torn apart by this. I like to and do think like cheapracer, because at the end of the day they all know the risk, they're all adults, professionals who are payed to take that risk. So in a way, I'm not that concerned with their safety. And yet, when I see somebody crash heavily, my heart stops for a second. We humans are full of contradictions...

You have reading comprehension problems
I was disagreeing with that kind of logic!

edit
I see that you're NOT concerned,my fault and never mind.

Edited by fieraku, 27 October 2011 - 17:19.

[TURU]

You have reading comprehension problems
I was disagreeing with that kind of logic!

I understood what you were saying.

There's nothing irrational or illogical in saying that a police officer or a firefighter knew the risks he was taking, because, well, he clearly knew the risks.

Edited by TURU, 27 October 2011 - 17:24.

[BenettonB192]

What an idiotic article. I would be heartbroken if any of the F1 drivers would die. I felt saddened by the deaths of Dan and Marco even tho i don't even follow their categories closely.
I watch motorsport because of the skill involved, the competition and the technical advancements.

Perhaps there was a time when i was a kid that i thought big accidents are cool but never since i really cared for the sport did something like that cross my mind.
I admire the drivers for taking the risk but how does this idiotic woman come to the conclusion this implies that me or any other racing fans actualy want to see them get hurt or even death?

[TURU]

Also, there is a world of difference between not being (that much) concerned about drivers' safety and watching for the crashes... The former doesn't imply the latter.

Edited by TURU, 27 October 2011 - 17:58.

[Tenmantaylor]

The poll question is completely different from the thread title:

Is motorsport a blood sport? - No

Are you concerned about a drivers safety? - Yes

Terrible poll.

More than 4000 people die whilst playing golf each year, worldwide.....

Factor in number of participants, average age, number of fags smoked and units of alcohol regularly consumed and come back.

Blood sport? Not as much as a certain sport that has had over 37 deaths since 1997, 18 of which between 2006 and 2008. But for some reason these people never write articles about the dangers of horse riding and the ghouls who watch it.

http://en.wikipedia....Eventing#Safety

And they killed Superman!

Edited by Tenmantaylor, 27 October 2011 - 18:04.

[Augurk]

That danger is exciting and we like watching brave drivers taunt the limit of what's possible doesn't mean we like or enjoy it when it goes wrong.

[Longtimefan]

The danger is exciting, yes without a doubt it would not be the same without the element of danger as Moss etc have said many times.

But to answer the question, Yes I get concerned about a driver a lot of the time and have been since I first got into F1 in 1970. Luckily most of the time there is good news, but sadly some days its the opposite and yes thats incredibly sad and I can get upset and deeply saddened by it.

I have never got over the crash on Oct the 6th 1973 of my hero Francois Cevert, even though I never met him and I was only 11 years old when he died. that day is still one of the most vivid memories of my life and even these days I can get teary over the loss of someone I only saw from afar.

TL;DR - Yes, I get very concerned.

Edited by Longtimefan, 27 October 2011 - 19:15.

[manmower]

Please don't be surprised or react with anything like "shock" when your parent/sibling/child dies on their morning commute tomorrow. We all know the risks we take when we drive our car/ride our motorbike or bicycle/walk on public roads.

[kismet]

I admit I rarely, if ever, worry about driver/rider safety. This doesn't necessarily imply I'm a nasty piece of sociopathic pond s c u m who gets off on blood, gore and human suffering; it's supposed to imply that I accept there's a certain level of risk/danger inherent in any activity in life. I don't want to see crashes and accidents but I acknowledge they're going to happen - and sometimes, unfortunately, with tragic consequences.

At the end of the day, it isn't all that different to me getting up in the morning and not being overly worried that I'll die in a car accident that day although it's a perfectly reasonable scenario in and of itself - after all, numerous people die in car accidents every day. Or me inflicting my uncoordinated self on an unsuspecting horse who could spook, bolt and basically kill me in a couple of seconds flat. Sure, it could happen but I'm not actively worrying about it until it does.

[TURU]

I admit I rarely, if ever, worry about driver/rider safety. This doesn't necessarily imply I'm a nasty piece of sociopathic pond s c u m who gets off on blood, gore and human suffering; it's supposed to imply that I accept there's a certain level of risk/danger inherent in any activity in life. I don't want to see crashes and accidents but I acknowledge they're going to happen - and sometimes, unfortunately, with tragic consequences.

At the end of the day, it isn't all that different to me getting up in the morning and not being overly worried that I'll die in a car accident that day although it's a perfectly reasonable scenario in and of itself - after all, numerous people die in car accidents every day. Or me inflicting my uncoordinated self on an unsuspecting horse who could spook, bolt and basically kill me in a couple of seconds flat. Sure, it could happen but I'm not actively worrying about it until it does.

[Bloggsworth]

When I was racing I didn't watch myself going round hoping I would crash and kill myself - Another journalist in need of a pay packet.