pandr
09-01-2011, 03:51 PM
It's not always so simple
Inside Motorsports
By Jim Utter - charlotteobserver
Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2011
In many respects, advances in technology bring positive, beneficial changes.
That is true in NASCAR, particularly in the area of driver safety. The use of the HANS device and extensive work done on car chassis to make them more durable and help prevent serious injury and death – has been seen in countless examples over the last 10 years.
Simplicity has always been at the heart of NASCAR racing.
Build cars and engines that are durable, run fast and beat the competition. Try to find advantages others haven't, or even try to slip something creative past the inspectors.
Hopefully, make enough in the race to pick up your stuff and take it to the next one.
That’s worked for more than 60 years.
But these days, NASCAR has been battling technology as much as benefiting from it, at least in terms of competition.
With changes in competition, technology and even society, rules have been changed or adopted that affect how races are run, even how drivers behave.
The influx of millions of dollars in corporate sponsorship brought greater demands on drivers and teams and greater responsibility – sometimes to the detriment of a rough-and-tumble heritage.
Technology has made race cars far more durable, all but eliminating the attrition factor from 500-mile races, but it has also created unexpected problems in such areas as aerodynamics.
There are more big tracks than short ones, a trend that only multiplies the aero problems – and the cost of overcoming those issues.
Officials have tried to keep engines in line with NASCAR's origins, but next year carburetors will yield to fuel injection. Is there anyone who doesn’t think a whole new array of problems will develop as a result?
Yes, technology has done wonders for NASCAR competitors and fans, who now have access to more information than ever.
Yet technology has also changed the once-simple sport forever. I do not doubt that in some ways that’s occurred in every sport, but in stock car racing – where many argue equipment has more influence than the competitor – it’s far greater.
The question remains: In the long term, will that be for the better?
The answer is likely yes, but only if NASCAR fans are willing to accept the ever-changing landscape.
C/P Thats Racin
Inside Motorsports
By Jim Utter - charlotteobserver
Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2011
In many respects, advances in technology bring positive, beneficial changes.
That is true in NASCAR, particularly in the area of driver safety. The use of the HANS device and extensive work done on car chassis to make them more durable and help prevent serious injury and death – has been seen in countless examples over the last 10 years.
Simplicity has always been at the heart of NASCAR racing.
Build cars and engines that are durable, run fast and beat the competition. Try to find advantages others haven't, or even try to slip something creative past the inspectors.
Hopefully, make enough in the race to pick up your stuff and take it to the next one.
That’s worked for more than 60 years.
But these days, NASCAR has been battling technology as much as benefiting from it, at least in terms of competition.
With changes in competition, technology and even society, rules have been changed or adopted that affect how races are run, even how drivers behave.
The influx of millions of dollars in corporate sponsorship brought greater demands on drivers and teams and greater responsibility – sometimes to the detriment of a rough-and-tumble heritage.
Technology has made race cars far more durable, all but eliminating the attrition factor from 500-mile races, but it has also created unexpected problems in such areas as aerodynamics.
There are more big tracks than short ones, a trend that only multiplies the aero problems – and the cost of overcoming those issues.
Officials have tried to keep engines in line with NASCAR's origins, but next year carburetors will yield to fuel injection. Is there anyone who doesn’t think a whole new array of problems will develop as a result?
Yes, technology has done wonders for NASCAR competitors and fans, who now have access to more information than ever.
Yet technology has also changed the once-simple sport forever. I do not doubt that in some ways that’s occurred in every sport, but in stock car racing – where many argue equipment has more influence than the competitor – it’s far greater.
The question remains: In the long term, will that be for the better?
The answer is likely yes, but only if NASCAR fans are willing to accept the ever-changing landscape.
C/P Thats Racin