Just Pazzin’ Thru…Have You Ever Wondered Why…
Posted on December 30th, 2005 in Uncategorized | No Comments »
In our wonderful world of motorsports, have you ever wondered why…
- …in the U.S., most stock car tracks are run in a counter-clockwise direction while the road courses mostly run clockwise?
- …at local tracks where there is both an oval and a drag strip, the competitors mix like water and oil? Very few of them attend each other’s events or even want to talk to each other?
- …most drag racing sanctioning bodies and/or tracks require “tech” BEFORE a car actually races while stock car organizations wait until after the races are finished?
- …some people prefer only one form of motorsports? Aren’t the same basic principles in place for all forms of racing (noise, speed, competiton, awesome race machines, etc.)?
- …no one has ever really knocked down the reason why a “checkered” flag is used to signal the end of most races? There are several theories but none has ever been proven?
- …people who buy property in close proximity to a racing facility have the audacity to complain later about the “excessive noise” and “dirt”?
- …the off-season becomes a breeding ground for all kinds of rumors, 99% of which never come true?
- …when drivers say “I’m never gonna race here again!”, “never” always lasts about 2 weeks–or less!
- …racing fans have the guts to complain about “little things” in the coverage motorsports gets? Not so long ago, race fans had to wait a couple of weeks AFTER an event before they could watch it on TV!
- …local radio stations and newpapers very rarely have any motorsports coverage?
- …baseball and football stadiums receive most of their funding from local and state governments but motorsports facilities are privately funded and have to fight for even a tax break?
- …most restroom facilities at motorsports venues (especially local ones) are so disgusting?
- …most people can tell you who finished 4th at the INDY 500 this year but can’t tell you who placed 2nd and 3rd, let alone tell you who won the race?
- …drivers and crew chiefs deny any first-hand knowledge of any ”illegal parts” in their racing machines? The usual shrug of the shoulders that accompanies “I don’t know” makes them appear either stupid or naive!
- …a lot of race fans and competitors think they know what’s wrong with the operation of a race track without having any direct past experience of running one?
- …most local stock car tracks still have ’70’s era Chevelles and Camaros running in their various divisions?
- …a lot of so-called race fans express displeasure for anything that runs with a 4 cylinder engine–or worse still, a two-cycle motorcycle/snowmobile engine–in a race car?
- …too many local tracks “skimp” on their rescue/emergency crews and equipment?
- …there remains only 3 quarter-mile dragstrips in New York State (NYIRP, ESTA, and Lebanon Valley)?
- …race drivers spend tons of money on their racing machines, then complain that the cost of racing is too high?
- …some drag racers never complain when they win a round by a minuscule margin but when they LOSE by a similar amount, something “…must be wrong with the timing system…”?
- …so many people, other drivers and fans alike, believe a driver is always cheating when they win? Especially if a driver wins a LOT?
- …we have so many great drivers, engine builders, crew chiefs, etc. in this part of the country?
- …you started reading this thing in the first place? (grin!)
That’s it for now! Happy New Year and a very prosperous and successful 2006!
Mike Paz, Motorsports Announcer
