46 replies to this topic

[MKSixer]

I watched Indy with non-racing fans and they absolutely loved it. I was also at a party Saturday night when several friends told me they watched Monaco Quali because of my overall enthusiasm for Autosports in general and F1, in particular.

 

I know that here we are debating the finer points of racing that he general fan will be less than enthusiastic about and often lament about how much better it was X years ago.  

 

That said, are you an ambassador of our sport and encouraging of others to watch in a single or multiple disciplines or do you denigrate it and tell people not to bother with it?

 

FNG=Freaking New Guy/Gal.  My apologies.

Edited by MKSixer, 29 May 2023 - 20:33.

[juicy sushi]

I try to be as welcoming as possible, but not pushy.  I love it, but I realize that it's a niche thing and try to not give them a hard sell or try to teach them to be "correct" fans.  

[HerbieMcQueen]

Any chance I get, I'm trying to transfer the passion and joy I feel for Indycar to friends and family.

 

We all grew up on Formula 1 but as my interest has subsided somewhat in the media production that it's become, I've tried to put across the benefits of open wheel racing on this side of the pond. It's hard to shake the feeling that there's a section of Formula 1 fandom that seem hooked on a media product. I consider myself more the oily rag, back of the garage type of motorsport enthusiast, so I'm always sure to ask what it is about motorsport they enjoy before I go all Leigh Diffey on them.

[messy]

I teach in a college and particularly spend a lot of time with the students who have ASD and other additional needs, we have a kind of hub in the middle of the college where a core of regulars will come most days when they don’t have lessons. A number are into F1 but only F1, and I’ve gotta be honest, these days if they come to discuss the previous day’s Grand Prix I’m quite often joking about them wasting their lives and talking up the Indycar instead. I kind of play down my interest in F1 these days, except in places like this. I guess I feel quite bad about it really. I don’t think F1 is in a great place in 2023 but I still watch it and care maybe more than I willingly admit in ‘public’.

[pdac]

I might have partook in this poll if I knew what an "FNG" was. Seeing TLAs used just cuts my enthusiasm for anything.

Edited by pdac, 29 May 2023 - 15:28.

[Beri]

Unsurprisingly; around 2016 every colleague, family member or friend that never expressed any interest in Formula One, and thus leaving me to not bother to talk about racing with them, suddenly found themselves interested in Formula One. Sadly enough they all saw me as their go to guy to find out more about the sport. And I tell that it was sadly, because I genuinely hated it since they only became interested in the sport due to a certain "that guy" winning a race. Not because they did find the sport interesting.

[Risil]

I might have partook in this poll if I knew what an "FNG" was. Seeing TLAs used just cuts my enthusiasm for anything.

When I first saw the poll I thought that FNG has been posting here for years, he doesn't need anything explained to him

[Zmeej]

Not sure if I understand the poll's first question: "Are you enthusiastic about motorsports to the general public?"

 

Does this mean:

- do you express this enthusiasm elsewhere than on this forum?

- do you express your enthusiasm in public?

- has your enthusiasm put you on a mission to raise the level of interest in motorsports in the general public?

 

Re the second, responded "Not really."

 

Re the third, i.e. FNGs, there should be an "Other" response field. 

 

First off, there are various kindsa FNGs.

 

1/ There is, as Risil pointed out, our FNG, to whom the meaning of the Vietnam-era acronym no longer applies,

and "splaining" things to him is a different matter, with different risks.

2/ There are FNGs who are new to the forum, but not new to racing, and thus they could need to have the forum's atmospherics etc. explained to them, but not racing itself.

3/ There are FNGs who are that to both the forum and racing, whose posts in the "Introduction Thread" should be read to check their age, level of sensitivity, etc. However, in that respect, prefer to just leave them to their own pace of gathering information, give them the opportunity to "learn from everyone," etc.

 

Then, there are racing FNGs beyond the forum, in life.

 

i/ Haven't been in a bar watching a race in a loooooong time. Can't remember if I've ever gone to a bar with the intention of watching a race.

As such, this disqualifies me from diagnostics in terms of them kindsa encounters.

 

ii/ People (say, neighbours, but also new acquaintances) about whom I learn that they're into F1 (other forms of racing don't come up anywhere near as often) tend not to be new to the sport, so - ditto.

 

iii/ Haven't ever run into the street, carried by enthusiasm for something just watched on TV or on YouTube, and shouted "Who loves racing?"

 

However, this could be something to do in, say,

France - "Qui aime la Formule Un?"

Italy - "Chi ama Formula Uno?" [please correct as required]

 

Would suggest that the best timing for the former would be after Charles LeClerc won a race.

For the latter, after Ferrari did.

 

Edited by Zmeej, 29 May 2023 - 16:32.

[AncientLurker]

Have no idea what a FNG is? Guess I am old or do not know much about racing?

 

I avoid talking about racing or encouraging others to watch it. It is a weird niche sport (imo) and people either like it or they don't. It is too hard to explain to people why it is interesting, heck, I have trouble explaining to myself why I watch it. Even if someone is a 'car guy/gal' I don't assume they like racing. I consider myself a race fan, and I like nice cars, but am not a 'car guy' because I have no interest in the inner workings of engines or any of that. I just like to drive fast. Wrenching my kart was what finally got my out of karting, just hated it. Should have started younger, richer, and been good enough to have an engineer.

[PayasYouRace]

What's an FNG?

 

First use of acronyms and abbreviations must always be spelled out.

[AustinF1]

I try to be as welcoming as possible, but not pushy.  I love it, but I realize that it's a niche thing and try to not give them a hard sell or try to teach them to be "correct" fans.  

Pretty much this.

[Zmeej]

Ancient Lurker & PayasYouRace

 

Fuc8king New Guy/Gal

https://en.wikipedia...ki/FNG_syndrome

Edited by Zmeej, 29 May 2023 - 16:34.

[Claudius]

I’ve been watching F1 for 30 years and I still enjoy it.
Finally my son is coming around to watch F1 with me.

[Zmeej]

Zmeejette watched races with me when she was little (2-7). At that point in childhood, one simply agrees with Dad, so Schumi was the Devil (Chort, in Ukrainian), Mika and Kimi were great, etc. The best was her own decision to pull for Fernando because his Renault's livery made it akin to a Ukrainian flag on an open-wheel racing car.

 

Then her enthusiasm dimmed for 18 years.

 

Recently, that is, very recently, she watched several Netflix thangs about F1 so not only is she caught up, but she knows more about many teams and drivers than I do, which is

 

VERY COOL!     

Edited by Zmeej, 29 May 2023 - 17:03.

[Afterburner]

I am always talking about how much fun and enjoyable racing is to anyone who will listen, and inviting new friends to watch races or taking them to races. For instance, a friend and her sister who’ve never been to a race before are going to the Petit Le Mans with me and my wife this year. When I got free tickets for working races back in the day and couldn’t get my fellow classmates to go, I invited my professors to come to races with me (only one ever took me up on it and she had a blast). So I think the first option in each poll is the most accurate for me.

The only way this sport grows back to what it was in the late postwar era (when Andretti and Foyt were household names) is enthusiasm. I love it so much, and will always share that with others as long as I’m able.

(Also I knew what FNG meant. )

[Zmeej]

Great post

 

That said, IMHO, F1 is unlikely to grow back to Cold War-era enthusiasm because it has become so corporate and wildly expensive to attend.

 

Of course, because it has grown to include races in PRChina, Singapore, Azerbaijan, and the Middle East, it has a greater global reach (it's kinda curious what's stopping management from placing a race in India), but it's a very different phenomenon now.

 

For that matter, because there hasn't been a race in Argentina for two decades+ (since 1998), enthusiasm for it has probably dimmed significantly in South America as a whole, and probably has in Brasil as well. Of course, the latter would become rekindled if/when another Emmo/Piquet* comes along.

 

* EDIT: Had originally written “Piquet/Senna.” Upon reflection, IMO it’s highly unlikely that another Ayrton will grace the grid.

Edited by Zmeej, 30 May 2023 - 04:23.

[red stick]

I’ve been watching F1 for 30 years and I still enjoy it.
Finally my son is coming around to watch F1 with me.

When he posts here, will he be Britannicus or Hamlet?

[red stick]

I try to be as welcoming as possible, but not pushy. I love it, but I realize that it's a niche thing and try to not give them a hard sell or try to teach them to be "correct" fans.

Pretty much this 2.0.

Edited by red stick, 29 May 2023 - 17:37.

[red stick]

What's an FNG?

First use of acronyms and abbreviations must always be spelled out.

Such a simple concept, so seldom honored.

[Zmeej]

Such a simple concept, so seldom honored.

 

Now it has been.

 

But you're right.

 

Social media has become worse than the military in this respect.

[juicy sushi]

I mean, it's supposed to be fun, and in my advancing age I have slowly learned to be less hung up on what other people are finding fun vs what I am finding fun.  I do explain the things I find fun in motorsport, but I realize that, judging by the relative scale of the fanbases and budgets, what I am finding fun is definitely not the majority opinion.  And I am ok with that, both for them and for me.

[Zmeej]

 

As I've fogeyed, am similarly less worried, and more indulgent as to what fascinates Da Yoof - both in the sense of "Well, whatever turns their crank," and "No need for me to get into that."

 

As for majority opinion, my inclinations have looooong been akin to Ricky Roma's, who sez in Glengarry Glen Ross, "If everyone thinks one thing, then I say - bet the other way..."

Edited by Zmeej, 29 May 2023 - 17:48.

[ARTGP]

I don’t spend any time at all telling anyone I know to watch F1 or racing. The niche and obscure is the attraction…The last thing I want is for people I have to see in the real world to argue with me about a race….A lot of what is argued about on here should never leave the internet 😂.

Edited by ARTGP, 29 May 2023 - 17:52.

[Zmeej]

IMHO, it would be nice if you could tell us why you consider Le Mans the race to watch.

 

Of course, this is not, in some sense, "the real world" (although arguments can certainly be marshalled that it's part of it ), so you can feel free.

Edited by Zmeej, 29 May 2023 - 18:45.

[ARTGP]

IMHO, it would be nice if you could tell us why you consider Le Mans the race to watch.

Is this meant for the other thread by chance?

[Bloggsworth]

What are FNGs?

 

You either like motor racing or you don't, I've never tried to persuede anyone to like any sport unless they're asking about it. Try getting an American to like cricket...

[Claudius]

When he posts here, will he be Britannicus or Hamlet?

Hahaha, good one.
I don’t think he’ll be interested in posting here but if he does I’ll make a formal announcment.

[Sterzo]

Back in the days when I was considered employable, every colleague knew I was a motor racing enthusiast. That flushed out fellow enthusiasts (including an active competitor or three), and I'd encourage people with a mild interest to go and watch a live meeting. Two of us organised a couple of hire kart meetings each year, plus outings to open events, and "encouraged" (i.e. bullied) as many people as possible to take part. (Addressing objections such as "the helmet might flatten my hair"). If people weren't interested in motor racing, fair enough, but enthusiasm can be infectious.

[MKSixer]

I might have partook in this poll if I knew what an "FNG" was. Seeing TLAs used just cuts my enthusiasm for anything.

FNG means Freaking New Guy/Gal. Tongue in cheek.  My apologies.

Edited by MKSixer, 29 May 2023 - 20:38.

[MKSixer]

Now it has been.

 

But you're right.

 

Social media has become worse than the military in this respect.

A global Pharma company I used to work for whose first 2 letters are Pf is the absolute worse.  There was an internal website which was over 10 full web pages of acronyms.  This wasn't surprising since they hire primarily from the military.

[Zmeej]

Ah yes, internal corporate "communication"...

[pdac]

FNG means Freaking New Guy/Gal. Tongue in cheek.  My apologies.

 

Thanks. I've added my vote now - no, not really, absolutely.

[JHSingo]

Friends of mine definitely know I like motorsport, and I'll bring it up in conversation if it's relevant or if they ask me directly about it, but on the whole, I don't really say too much about it. I suppose it stems from my school days, where I very much felt like the odd one out in terms of preferring to motorsport to football - and why I turned to F1/motorsport forums. But, in person, I know when it's just not worth talking about to someone when they're not interested. 

 

I've encouraged people to watch it before - but never been pushy. As for asking any questions, it kinda annoys me if someone's forever asking questions whilst a race is actually happening. Because, most of the time, it's obvious, or will get explained in the coverage if said person can stop yapping and actually listen to the commentary...

[MKSixer]

Not sure if I understand the poll's first question: "Are you enthusiastic about motorsports to the general public?"

 

Does this mean:

- do you express this enthusiasm elsewhere than on this forum?

- do you express your enthusiasm in public?

- has your enthusiasm put you on a mission to raise the level of interest in motorsports in the general public?

 

Re the second, responded "Not really."

 

Re the third, i.e. FNGs, there should be an "Other" response field. 

 

First off, there are various kindsa FNGs.

 

1/ There is, as Risil pointed out, our FNG, to whom the meaning of the Vietnam-era acronym no longer applies,

and "splaining" things to him is a different matter, with different risks.

2/ There are FNGs who are new to the forum, but not new to racing, and thus they could need to have the forum's atmospherics etc. explained to them, but not racing itself.

3/ There are FNGs who are that to both the forum and racing, whose posts in the "Introduction Thread" should be read to check their age, level of sensitivity, etc. However, in that respect, prefer to just leave them to their own pace of gathering information, give them the opportunity to "learn from everyone," etc.

 

Then, there are racing FNGs beyond the forum, in life.

 

i/ Haven't been in a bar watching a race in a loooooong time. Can't remember if I've ever gone to a bar with the intention of watching a race.

As such, this disqualifies me from diagnostics in terms of them kindsa encounters.

 

ii/ People (say, neighbours, but also new acquaintances) about whom I learn that they're into F1 (other forms of racing don't come up anywhere near as often) tend not to be new to the sport, so - ditto.

 

iii/ Haven't ever run into the street, carried by enthusiasm for something just watched on TV or on YouTube, and shouted "Who loves racing?"

 

However, this could be something to do in, say,

France - "Qui aime la Formule Un?"

Italy - "Chi ama Formula Uno?" [please correct as required]

 

Would suggest that the best timing for the former would be after Charles LeClerc won a race.

For the latter, after Ferrari did.

 

Will respond in detail after I finish duct taping my head back together...

[Zmeej]

 

And...

 

sorry about that.

Edited by Zmeej, 29 May 2023 - 22:15.

[jonpollak]

I am STILL the world leader of Racing Cheerleaders..

 

Jp

[MKSixer]

I am STILL the world leader of Racing Cheerleaders..

 

Jp

We love this about you, JP!

[tourister46a]

I never told anyone that that they have to watch a particular race. You can't put the love of racing in somebody, and you damn well can't take it out.

[Alan Lewis]

I clicked the "ignore the question" option for the last section of the poll, but that's not actually true. My experience is that "the public" don't ask the questions in the first place. Motorsport is a minority interest which most people are indifferent to.

Of course, that may be partly down to my living in the North East of England where everyone learns at an early age that football is the only sport that has ever been invented.

Working in IT means I'm obviously not very sociable, but people I do meet are far more likely to want to talk about my support for Kidderminster Harriers than hear my views on Verstappen, Hamilton and Co.

[Zmeej]

Working in IT means I'm obviously not very sociable

 

Are you sure that isn’t the other way around - that you work in IT because you’re not very sociable?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Just kidding.

[Alan Lewis]

Are you sure that isn’t the other way around - that you work in IT because you’re not very sociable?










Just kidding.

Oh, probably a little of Column A, a little of Column B...😏

Edited by Alan Lewis, 30 May 2023 - 21:23.

[Sterzo]

I Working in IT means I'm obviously not very sociable, but people I do meet are far more likely to want to talk about my support for Kidderminster Harriers than hear my views on Verstappen, Hamilton and Co.

 

Sociable or not, you're obviously very charitable to support KIdderminster Harriers.
 

[Alan Lewis]

Sociable or not, you're obviously very charitable to support KIdderminster Harriers.

Oi! We've just been promoted. Four more and we're in the Premier League.


...well, it could happen...

[RPM40]

I've tried to get friends into motorsports over the years but usually they only take a passing interest and don't really enjoy it that much, now I don't really publicize any passion for motorsports to others apart from the friends I have who actually follow it. I kind of prefer discussing here than with other people in person anyway.

[amerikalei]

A global Pharma company I used to work for whose first 2 letters are Pf is the absolute worse.  There was an internal website which was over 10 full web pages of acronyms.  This wasn't surprising since they hire primarily from the military.

 

You used to work for PininFarina...?

Edited by amerikalei, 30 May 2023 - 21:38.

[amerikalei]

If something accessible is coming up, I'll usually try to let a handful of old friends who like sports but aren't hardcore racing fans know about it: Indy 500 pole qualy for example.

 

While enjoying a perfect strong morning coffee with the Monaco race I was happily surprised to get a text from an old (little league old...) friend letting me know he was watching Monaco. 

 

I suppose my passion gets passed on to a loose network of folks who like details, design, teamwork, courage and skill.  So, friends, or folks who I'd like to consider fellow travelers, even distant ones.  I try to do my share.

 

 

[MKSixer]

You used to work for PininFarina...?

I'm old but not THAT old!!