Is Drag Racing a "Real Motorsport"?

[XA-Coupe]

Originally Posted by 4Vman

Its a motorsport with a heavy reliance on machinery as opposed to driver skill.

In drag racing, 1/100th of a second delay in reacting can mean the difference between winning and losing.That comes down to driver skill.. not to mention reading track conditions.
I love both drag and circuit... and I understand they have different demands on the drivers... and respect anyone that gives either forms a go.

[Quadcams]

Drag racing is easy you say, no skill, car does all the work, look if you cant do something dont bag it.
My father use to race open wheelers, even after I explained to him whats involved to get a good ET in drag racing he commented that it not that easy a SPORT.

Ok run my car around a circuit (prividing you have the skill level and cars set up) would take around 10 odd laps to get up to a OK pace, yes of course alot more to be quick. Now I do 10 passes at the strip (with car set up properly) in a manual you will be doing very average passes your times all over the place and In a auto maybe not as much trouble but never the less still doing average passes.
What Im trying to say is getting a good ET takes alot of skill/practice the same as doing a quick time on the circuit, hell you say us slower drag racers dont have ball's how can you comment on what some people do you dont know when there not drag racing maybe riding 15' northy bommy or jumping canyons on trail bikes or jumping out of planes etc etc.
If you like circuit racing Im stoked for ya, if you like drag racing Im stoked for ya varity is the spice of life but baging other SPORTS is like baging someone because you dont like the way his hairs parted.

This thread has come about because a few guys said run the car down the strip, regardless what ET you run your mph will show the cars real power no happy strips, no conservitive strips, no bull s*#@t maybe the best dyno in town lol.

[xd5.8l]

The 3 biggest problems the sport has

-No handicaps
-regulations are very hard to enforce when you think about the complexity of a vehicle. (everything can be tweaked)
- no set budget/salary caps

[LethalLeigh]

Obviously there's a little more to drag racing that purely flooring it. There's a degree of skill involved in getting the bastard to run the 1/4 mile in the first place.

Huffs the most wang? I thought I was pretty well versed in English but now I'm truly lost.

Drifting - "That's not how you make porridge!"

[Falcon Coupe]

Drag racing IS motorsport, it may not take the skill of a circuit car, but the MPH sorts out men from boys, it's the best way to test the power being made from a new mod, powerfigures don't mean much with out a run to prove it.

[jabba]

I new that comment of mine would get a few feathers ruffled, just didn't think someone would actually cry about tho... Oh well..

But seriously drag racing is fun and I do enjoy it, but some of you who go out there and run your automatic car for 400m and claim King, king of what.. Your really good at standing on the accelerator, stalling your car up to 3000rpm and letting your foot of the brake.... Where's the skill in that apart from bettering your best reaction time, I am unable to see were huge amounts human skill become involved because the auto transmission changes gear for, all you have to do is hold the peddle flat for 400m. I dare you to achieve the same results in the same car but only this time do it with a manual.. In my opinion it is not a sport until you start getting into the serious stuff such as funny cars Funny Cars and the like. Then were talking Motorsport. It like comparing surfing a surf board and riding a blow up surf mat. One take a lot of skill the is fun

So here's my opinion....

If your racing a purpose built drag car :yes, it is a motorsport
If drag racing a car capable of sub 11 pass in competition: yes it is a motorsport
If your racing a street car at a TnT, I call it a social...

[ratter]

Originally Posted by jabba

So here's my opinion....


If your racing a street car at a TnT, I call it a social...

Like doing a track day at the island?

[jabba]

Originally Posted by ratter

Like doing a track day at the island?

Yes.......But it take more balls to go flat out through turn 1 then it does to go flat out down the 1/4....

[XRchic]

Originally Posted by jabba

Yes.......But it take more balls to go flat out through turn 1 then it does to go flat out down the 1/4....

I give you that yes. It takes more balls to play a full body contact sport without the full protective gear (ie AFL) than gridiron, for example with helmets, etc, etc... but both are still sports.

My son, as I said, plays footy on Saturdays for the under 10s. He might never play AFL for the Crows, but he is still playing a sport.

[GasoLane]

Originally Posted by jabba

Yes.......But it take more balls to go flat out through turn 1 then it does to go flat out down the 1/4....

Tell that to the Pommy at Calder who's supercharger blew up and knocked him unconcious 60m from the start

Or keeping this in a straight line

[jabba]

Originally Posted by GasOLane

Tell that to the Pommy at Calder who's supercharger blew up and knocked him unconcious 60m from the start

Or keeping this in a straight line

In the cars that we are all driving it does not take big ball to do a 1/4 flat out as it would to go through turn one flat out at the Island.... However the real racers in the seriously quick cars (IE. funny cars and top fuelers) those boys have balls the size of water-mellons to the 1/4 in the machine there piloting.. Then you got those phsyco's on the Drag bikes. They have balls the size of Aire's Rock.

[ratter]

Originally Posted by jabba

Yes.......But it take more balls to go flat out through turn 1 then it does to go flat out down the 1/4....

Not going to argue that, but both are great fun and real motorsport

[Ryan]

Originally Posted by jabba

Yes.......But it take more balls to go flat out through turn 1 then it does to go flat out down the 1/4....

Yeah I agree, but both have their certain skill requirements too.

Alot of drifters, give drag racing crap, but at the end of the day, it's a personal choice and if people want to spend $100,000 on a purpose built drag car, that runs 8s, so be it.

No different then spending countless money on tyres for drifting or whatever.

[fiery]

Originally Posted by jabba

Yes.......But it take more balls to go flat out through turn 1 then it does to go flat out down the 1/4....

Well that actually would depend on who though wouldn't it...

There are people that are terrified for many reasons about the 1/4 mile but over time have decided to give it a whirl.. That in my opinion takes 'great big balls'...

Jabba you are entitled to your opinion but don't belittle others for their choices...

[ebxr8240]

If the car is auto you are basically steering!!!
Unless you have lots of power, then it's a different story...

[Chris]

Originally Posted by jabba

Yes.......But it take more balls to go flat out through turn 1 then it does to go flat out down the 1/4....

big call.

Ive gone 1.40's around the island in my ESP, and ive run 9's in a full weight XD.

your comparing a Macca's playground to a boxing ring dude, dont start this or you'll end up :

[Falcon Coupe]

Originally Posted by Chris

big call.

Ive gone 1.40's around the island in my ESP, and ive run 9's in a full weight XD.

your comparing a Macca's playground to a boxing ring dude, dont start this or you'll end up :

1.40's is scary fast around the Island, please don't tell me it was on street tyres.

[GRNKPR]

[QUOTE=Chris]big call.

Ive gone 1.40's around the island in my ESP, and ive run 9's in a full weight XD.



Not only are you my favorite Drag racer you also can mix it up around the Island 1 40s is so close to knocking off the lap record

http://www.piarc.com.au/files//PHILL...%20RECORDS.pdf

Maybe you should send your resume to FPR as Jason Bright is leaving and they are battling to get there BA s around in this time ,maybe they could by your ESP

[hot460]

Originally Posted by jabba

Yes.......But it take more balls to go flat out through turn 1 then it does to go flat out down the 1/4....

Are you for real!!!!!!! :

How about next time you go to a DRAG Meet, Try to watch how many drivers have too work the steering wheel alot to keep the cars going straight and keep them off the concrete wall (not grass) lol.

Funny cars are probably the best example of SKILLFULL DRIVING. :eclipsee_
Stand at the back of these things and watch how wild they go down the track. I am sure you will change your opinion.

Ask a V8supercar driver if they'd like to have a drive in a funny car or top fueler and I would bet they LIFT THEIR FOOT way before the 660'. :

[jabba]

QUOTE=hot460]Are you for real!!!!!!! :

How about next time you go to a DRAG Meet, Try to watch how many drivers have too work the steering wheel alot to keep the cars going straight and keep them off the concrete wall (not grass) lol.

Funny cars are probably the best example of SKILLFULL DRIVING. :eclipsee_
Stand at the back of these things and watch how wild they go down the track. I am sure you will change your opinion.

Ask a V8supercar driver if they'd like to have a drive in a funny car or top fueler and I would bet they LIFT THEIR FOOT way before the 660'. :[/QUOTE]
Is that the only bloody post of mine you have read. If so go back and read the rest...

Yes I am serious when I say it take more balls to run through turn one flat out then it take to go flat out down a 1/4 mile....

I have also stated that the boy driving the funny cars, top fuelers have ball the size watermelons.. I would for the anally challenged that I never said once that drag racing is not a sport. I for one say it is.... However I do not believe that it take a great deal of skill to run a 1/4 mile in the cars that 99% of use on here on the forum, particular if there automatic. Craig@ACE is the only one that I now of that owns a funny car, the rest have slightly modded falcons.....

So in say that, Take you 15 to 12sec Falcon and try and put that through turn one at Phillip Island at 200kph+. I bet you can't, in fact I would say most you could not... But I asure you, you could all run down the 1/4 with no problems at all

[XRchic]

Originally Posted by jabba

I new that comment of mine would get a few feathers ruffled, just didn't think someone would actually cry about tho... Oh well..

Crying? Nope. Discussion and questions? Yes. OMG, that is what we DO in a forum! You should feel privileged that you have started such an interesting debate!

Originally Posted by jabba

But seriously drag racing is fun and I do enjoy it, but some of you who go out there and run your automatic car for 400m and claim King, king of what.. Your really good at standing on the accelerator, stalling your car up to 3000rpm and letting your foot of the brake.... Where's the skill in that apart from bettering you best reaction time, I am unable to see were huge amounts human skill become involved because the auto transmission changes gear for, all you have to do is hold the peddle flat for 400m.. In my opinion it is not a sport until you start getting into the serious stuff such as funny cars Funny Cars. Then were talking Motorsport. It like comparing surfing a surf board and riding a blow up surf mat...

Not everyone races an auto on the 1/4 mile. I dont. Now, I have done a few things in my life time. I have driven both autos and manuals of various cars on a circuit (a relatively difficult one, Mallala) and also taken my MANUAL 5 speed BA down the strip at Heathcote on quite a few occasions too. Now, from personal experience it DOES take some skill to launch a manual, 5 speed, heavy BA 6 cyl off the line with a dodgy, very slippery clutch and NO LSD! I have somehow managed to do that and get a reasonable 60 foot time of 2.23, and a PB ET of 14.80. My car has also done 95.33 mph. I also have a reasonably painful busted left foot. Please dont comment on the skill level of people who do this sort of thing. I am SURE without doubt that there is someone who could get a better time in my car than myself, but that just means they have MORE skill in something that is quite difficult to do!

Driving on a circuit is a very different thing, I grant you that. However, in some ways is not so difficult. You usually only race on a circuit in a car that is very well set up for it or there is no point, so braking is not so much of an issue as the brakes usually cut it anyway. As does suspension and set up generally. Obviously it very much depends on the level at which you are racing, such as in the V8 SC series, that would be seriously difficult. However, those of us who do it in only a semi-serious manner I dont think would find it much more difficult to do than any other sport at that equivalent level.

I personally, find both challenging at that level - and I am not that good at either of them. Both require a lot of experience in learning when to change gears at the best time, changing gears quickly as to not lose ET or maximise acceleration coming out of a corner - either way a slow gear change can cost. Launching is also a drama on a circuit if you are looking to beat a lap PB or actually race another car.

If you are not racing in the V8SC, you have more room to make a mistake and make it up on a circuit as you have more time and opportunities... if you slip up only to the tune of 100th of a sec on a 1/4 mile, your ET is poo... and the earlier you make the mistake, the bigger the cost at the other end.

And that doesnt change whether you have auto or manual. I have taken an auto down the track too, and found it very difficult to launch. And I think ANY reasonably powerful car will be difficult to launch, regardless of auto or manual as you have to avoid wheelspin at all costs as it wastes valuable time. In fact I think it is harder to launch an auto in a way, as for the most part you cant really stall it up as much as in a manual and you have less control over the launch without a clutch, even though you can actually change auto gears in a semi manual fashion. I know that many will disagree on the auto v manual thing, and think that auto is easier. Please note that it is just my personal opinion, as I have had very minimal experience racing autos and even driving them generally over my life time.

I think both are difficult enough to do PROPERLY to be considered a sport, and I dont think that auto or manual make any difference, and it certainly shouldnt be assumed that everyone drags in autos!

Both are also quite costly to do properly, so as to have a car that is not only powerful but well set up!
So here's my opinion....

Originally Posted by jabba

If your racing a street car at a TnT, I call it a social...

How do you define the difference? What about racing a street car, but what if its running semi slicks on the night (not cheap), what if it is a street car but it has had $10K worth of go fast mods spent on it, to improve set up and power to the tune of increasing in tenths of a second? What if it is a street car but it is also an R&D guinea pig for a high end workshop in order to improve times in the future for a group of cars?

My car is a street car. It has a baby capsule in the back and will have removable car seat next time I drag. It transports my two oldest kids to school and my other to various appointments. I use it to get to work and to do my shopping. I have also spent a lot of money on it to get it faster for the 1/4 mile and will be spending a lot more on it. It is not a dedicated drag car and it probably will never do any better than a low 13 second pass, and I will probably never be the best driver to run it either.

But I consider what I do a sport. I travel interstate to do it, which is more than social. I want a PB. I have also raced in bracket racing and have come runner up, so there is the competitive element.

It is just as much as a sport as my son's Saturday footy game in the under 10s...

So if I am not participating in a motorsport, then I will take my Ford tomorrow and trade it in on a Datto 120Y and just give up on drag racing altogether!

Geesh!

[Pinkbits]

[QUOTE=jabba] I dare you to achieve the same results in the same car but only this time do it with a manual.

I think Kev and Whoosha would beg to differ.

[russellw]

To suggest that it isn't a form of Motor Sport is to be elitist. Every form of competitve event that involves a car and a driver where there is a degree of skill involved and set criteria qualifies. From the simplest club Motorkhana through to F1 they are all iterations of the same basic concept - to pit your machinery and skills against another.

Likewise, it isn't the machinery used that defines whether it is a sport otherwise one could argue that HQ racing or other forms of relatively inexpensive motor sport don't qualify either when compared to V8SC or F1. They do. By the logic applied above a day spent punting an auto GT-P around a track in a competitive event isn't motor sport either - bugger me, I'll have to take up macrame or basket weaving next time to get the competitive juices flowing because I have obviously wasted the last 30 years and don't deserve the trophies in the cupboard.

Much as I don't like Drift (mostly because of the subjective scoring system), it does meet the basic criteria outlined above and thus qualifies as a form of Motor Sport.

More than a third of Olympic events are based on subjective criteria and I don't see anyone suggesting they aren't competitive sports.

Cheers
Russ

[brenx]

Definately a motorsport. Drag racing is all about consistancy. It's not that easy to be consistant.

Jabba : No one drag races in D for dumb. Well maybe a computer controlled auto might? Anyone with a fast car actually has to change gears manually.

[FLUB378]

Originally Posted by brenx

Definately a motorsport. Drag racing is all about consistancy. It's not that easy to be consistant.

Jabba : No one drag races in D for dumb. Well maybe a computer controlled auto might? Anyone with a fast actually has to change gears manually.

Well said, that shows who are the drag racers competing and who go to 1 TnT in their stocker and say "that was easy, I can understand what all the fuss is about!"

[Steffo]

Drag racing is most definitley a real motorsport.

[SpoolMan]

Not only does it take skill, have a look at the nitro cars/bikes it takes a great deal of courage to steer a that amount of power down 400 meters with more G-Forces than the space shuttle.

Best thing about drag racing everyone can have a go, DYO is a great equalizer regardless of your budget.

[Laminge]

Social event, aka the forums day, no, its a social event, it is meant to be a family day where your partner can jump in your car and have the same thrill as yourself, take it away from a social scene then yes, it is a motor sport.

Only the anally challenged will play for sheep stations on social events, and refuse to get into the spirit of the event the same people fail to offer encouragement and turn to snide remarks because a person runs a slow time or cannot stage properly.

[XRchic]

Originally Posted by Laminge

Only the anally challenged will play for sheep stations on social events, and refuse to get into the spirit of the event the same people fail to offer encouragement and turn to snide remarks because a person runs a slow time or cannot stage properly.

I agree, that at an event like that people should not bag anyone else's attempts and that it should be fun. However, fun and competition/sport are not mutually exclusive. You can undertake a primarily social activity, have it considered to be a sport, have fun and be a GOOD SPORT all at the same time. People spend a lot of money to get good times at Heathcote and take their OWN performance seriously, while always appreciating the attempts and enjoyment of others too... its about balance.

[GRNKPR]

Originally Posted by Laminge

Social event, aka the forums day, no, its a social event, it is meant to be a family day where your partner can jump in your car and have the same thrill as yourself, take it away from a social scene then yes, it is a motor sport.

Only the anally challenged will play for sheep stations on social events, and refuse to get into the spirit of the event the same people fail to offer encouragement and turn to snide remarks because a person runs a slow time or cannot stage properly.

anally challenged ? no one even mentioned beads !! Brenx have you still got yours in ?????????????????



Drag or circuit both take skill and balls but i get more out of circuit
same money spent but cicuit i get more track time =bang for buck