Who is/was the best race car driver ever?

Best race car driver and why?

  • Jeff Gordon

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Dale Earnhardt

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Richard Petty

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Al Unser

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Mario Andretti

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Michael Schumacher

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Darryl Waltrip

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Other Specify

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Total voters
    0
bet993 said:
VictoryRed,



First let me say I am not putting down NASCAR, but the article is flawed in its analysis of the two type of racing. NASCAR is a specification series with very restrictive rules so that there is a high level of competition among the cars. Items such as universal template for aero dynamics, the same tires and the same fuel all come to mind as ways the NASCAR sanction body really âہ“controlsâ€Â� the competition. It all geared to produce a race on Sunday with lots of lead changes and many different winners.



F1 on the other hand is much different (although slowly creeping towards a spec. series much to my dismay). The rules are written in such a way to allow the teams to develop a car based on their interpretation of the rules. This is why no two teams have the same aero dynamics, chassis, engines, brakes, electronics, etc. Each spends an enormous amount of money testing to determine what they feel is best the solution. Development and continual changes to the car take place during the season. Tire compounds are different by the brands and sometimes even different within the brands. Some designs and combinations work better different tracks. Sometimes the pieces fall into place where the best car/tire/driver all get together at once (i.e. Ferrari/Schumacher and arguably Bridgestone) which results in run away championships. But even then there are some great races.



This not to say one is better than the other, just completely different. In fact, the two series are too different to compare, and based on who wins a race and the number of lead changes as suggested by the article. A comparison of the IRL and NASCAR may be better because of similar rules and the type of tracks.



Obviously in the US there are many fans of the oval NASCAR spec. type of racing with many lead changes. At the same time there many fans of F1 that like the technologies involved, the very complicated strategies, the continual development of the cars during the course of a season as much or more than multiple lead changes on the same lap.



Personally I think the rule changes that the FIA has been imposing to improve the show of F1 are destroying the competition more than helping. The one lap qualifying is crap. The old method of a shoot out for the fastest lap with a maximum of 12 laps during an hour sessions was highly entertaining. I also really donâ€â„¢t like the new points system based on rewarding for consistent showings vs. winning. The new tire rule for 2005 looks like a horrible idea, not to mention the proposed plain to have spec. brakes that arenâ€â„¢t carbon.
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How true! The article is totally biased and full of mistakes..... Why didn't the writer compared the 2003 F1 season, where the championship was decided in the last race?



My son (4 years old) loves car racing, but his favorite is Nascar.... The reason? Well, in his own words:



"- Victor, what do you like better, Nascar or formula one?

- Nascar!!

- So, you like nascar more?

- yes!

- tell me why you like nascar more?

- They crash! they get boo-boos. formula one don't get boo-boos....... "



Well, here you got what makes nascar so attractive to some people... they crash a lot!!! A plain oval is boring, but easy to foolow. 500 laps is also boring, but again easy to follow. A formula 1 race on TV is hard to follow because of the circuit shape, plus al of the strategy involved. It is too cerebral to be enterteining for some people.... . A nascar race is only lap after lap, get fuel and crash, yellow flag,a few laps and more crashes.....



The article mentioned that more cars finished that particular nascar race, but the author forgot how accidented a typical nascar race is.... the continuous crashes kill the flow. But the crashes are interesting.



I don't deny that nascar is entertaining (crash after crash) but let's be honest, 300 laps in the same oval is boring (save the crash stuff). You need more b@lls than talent to race in Nascar. Besides, who could have rental car as "dream race car " ...... :lol



The 2004 season in F1 was uninspiring in the fact that one team dominated. But there were a few races where strategy and performance made the race very attractive and fiercely competed (Shangai, Monza, Magny Cours, Interlagos)



Different concepts of racing.





Alex
 
blkZ28Conv said:
Until a driver "actually" races many forms of racing all else is only a guess at best.



I love Michael Schumacher and his technical, natural skill and passion for F1 racing but until he demostrates his assumed versatility at the highest level of other racing formats and vehicles, I can only place him with greats of F1.

Do not forget other F1 greats made the attempt to conquer Indy 500 and Jim Clark and Mario actually won one. :xyxthumbs



I am still trying to comprehend where egos are involved in this discussion. :nixweiss
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Nigel Mansell did also (season championship) But in a direct comparison between serials, last year in the US grand prix Montoya (F1) and Gordon (Nascar) swapped cars and ran the lap as part of BMW's marketing. The time Montoya did in the Monte Carlo was plenty to qualify him in the middle of the grid for the nascar race. The time Gordon did in the Williams-BMW was 4 seconds off to even qualify for the F1 race....



F1 is considered the highest form of racing because it is not only the most technically advanced, but also the most complicated to run (difficult to the pilot because of the car and the track).





Alex
 
tdekany said:
I didn't mention it to justify my vote - I didn't even vote.



Drop it & get rid of your ego. Life is much more satisfying that way.
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Where does ego have anything to do with this discussion I'm still asking you? This was your ASSERTION that egos were involved in this once friendly discussion of driving skills.



Face it, there is no factual basis for labelling one driver the "Best" ever with inclusion of all forms of racing. Impossible!!!

This is just nice discussion material for a world audience that Autopia has.



Prime example was the excellent vote for John Force. Should he be excluded because he "only" drives a 1/4 of a mile @ 325 mph in a straight line in 4.4 secs? To diminish his accomplishments in his form of racing is somewhat narrow minded.



Number of wins, cash won, worldly stage, perceived glamore, laps ran, type of course, technical exercises, fan attendances, country of origin or even pundits opinions have no bearing or can be weigh properly to reach a logical singular conclusion of who is the "Best".

If you call it ego to state the non-existence of a definitive answer to this poll. I am guilty. If you feel put upon because you have a narrow view of the question and probably uninformed biases that I will not accept as fact. Find an answer that will change my view or swallow "your" ego. :cool:



ADDENDUM: Having a quite satisfying life as things exist as is. Could not ask for a single change. Hope the same for you. :xyxthumbs
 
Alex, I love and been to many F1 races in the late 70's and 80's (Watkins Glen and Montreal) and I understand the skill possessed by even the back markers when competing in F1. Was at Montreal when Carlos Paletti died (Didier stall his car on the starting grid). Still have the newspaper clipping of Didier horrendous crash a few weeks later that ended his F1 career (he later die in a overshore racing accident). I cried when Gilles had his awful accident in practice. Was stunned by the Ronnie Peterson passing from such a preventable post-accident complication (fat embolism). And still can not believe Senna's isn't with us. I love the technical exercises, race strategies and most of all presently Schumacher passion for this form of racing. Still with this 40+ years of love for F1 I can not conclude a definitive best driver. :nixweiss
 
blkZ28Conv said:
Where does ego have anything to do with this discussion I'm still asking you? This was your ASSERTION that egos were involved in this once friendly discussion of driving skills.



Face it, there is no factual basis for labelling one driver the "Best" ever with inclusion of all forms of racing. Impossible!!!

This is just nice discussion material for a world audience that Autopia has.



Prime example was the excellent vote for John Force. Should he be excluded because he "only" drives a 1/4 of a mile @ 325 mph in a straight line in 4.4 secs? To diminish his accomplishments in his form of racing is somewhat narrow minded.



Number of wins, cash won, worldly stage, perceived glamore, laps ran, type of course, technical exercises, fan attendances, country of origin or even pundits opinions have no bearing or can be weigh properly to reach a logical singular conclusion of who is the "Best".

If you call it ego to state the non-existence of a definitive answer to this poll. I am guilty. If you feel put upon because you have a narrow view of the question and probably uninformed biases that I will not accept as fact. Find an answer that will change my view or swallow "your" ego. :cool:
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I read this once in a book: **Do you want to be happy or do you want to be right. You can't be both** I always try to be happy.



So :



1 - If you can't understand why I mentioned "ego" then I am waisting your time.



2 - this thread is about who is best. You want to use logic? Well tell me what driver has accomplished more then M. Schumacher? On that alone makes him the best. Comparing a rally driver to a nascar driver - you can't, except their accomplishments.



3 - me being narrow minded? I only serve as a mirror for you.



4 - uninformed? I wouldn't call myself uninformed, although I will be honest with you - I don't care for watching nascar, but I do respect the drivers. Actually I respect all drivers no matter what type of racing. You have to be pretty good to get to that level.



BTW, being Europian I may have a better understanding of auto racing then you give me credit for, but then again it is very typical of humans to judge the unknown. :down



So the bottom line to me is (as I said above) that if we want to use logic as you suggested then Michael Schumacher has to be voted as the best driver. Comparing drivers in different form of racing are useless.



Have a nice day.
 
"I read this once in a book: **Do you want to be happy or do you want to be right. You can't be both** I always try to be happy."



I guess there is an exception to every rule.



When I make the correct diagnosis I am not only right but I am extremely happy for myself and the patient.



Comments 1- 4 speak for themselves.

Have a better day.
 
blkZ28Conv said:
"I read this once in a book: **Do you want to be happy or do you want to be right. You can't be both** I always try to be happy."



I guess there is an exception to every rule.



When I make the correct diagnosis I am not only right but I am extremely happy for myself and the patient.



Comments 1- 4 speak for themselves.

Have a better day.
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**I guess there is an exception to every rule. When I make the correct diagnosis I am not only right but I am extremely happy for myself and the patient. **



I will assume that you were trying to be funny? :confused:



**Have a better day.**



Here you go again, assuming things - Why think that I need to have a better day?

I guess you were not aware of how happy I am. EVERY DAY!



I consider myself the luckiest person in the world. :)



Adios Amigo.
 
Jeez Louise - this was a friendly thread about racing drivers and their egos are plenty big enough. Let's keep it friendly guys - life's too short.



And Lowe, you're very right - WRC is a masterclass in car control - and cojones the size of watermelons....
 
Lowejackson said:
Completely agree. WRC at least in the UK has always suffered from terrible media exposure
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I don't know the type of exposure you get in the UK but I am willing to bet it is better than here in the US, which is virtually none existent.



I love those in car camera shots of the driver and navigator just getting thrown everywhere with the navi just reading along and never missing a beat.
 
Senna for mine as well.



I respect Shumacher for his driving record, but he doesn't have the excitement factor. I also do not like his attitude (sore loser).



bet993 said:
I don't know the type of exposure you get in the UK but I am willing to bet it is better than here in the US, which is virtually none existent.



I love those in car camera shots of the driver and navigator just getting thrown everywhere with the navi just reading along and never missing a beat.
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Which begs the question who is/was the best WRC driver?



I have onyl been following WRC for a short while but I have some ideas...



Makinen - 4 WRC titles in a row? - he was crap at his time @ subaru though.
 
Colin McRae - sorely missed by the WRC fans and drivers alike IMO.



Fast, exciting and with a unique ability to wring the maximum potential from any car he drove - and the most spectular accidents too.
 
Definately was an agressive driver! Earned him the Colin McCrash tag :O



AndyC_1 said:
Colin McRae - sorely missed by the WRC fans and drivers alike IMO.



Fast, exciting and with a unique ability to wring the maximum potential from any car he drove - and the most spectular accidents too.
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AndyC_1 said:
Colin McRae - sorely missed by the WRC fans and drivers alike IMO.



Fast, exciting and with a unique ability to wring the maximum potential from any car he drove - and the most spectular accidents too.
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I must agree that Collin McRae should be included in the Survey, along with Tommy Makkinen. WRC is very underrated for some reason, I should root for Tommy coz when he drove for Mitsu, I bought an evolution. Now sold it and got myself a SCOOBY..:D
 
Andy Granatelli gets my vote. I read a book about him about 12 years ago and it just seemed he brought a lot of fun and entertainment to the business and brought a lot of spectators to see him. He might not be the best as far as driving goes but I feel he was the best because of how he helped the sport.



But, present era I would have to go with, and this sort of kills me to say, Jeff Gordon. The only reason why is because I have seen him not only behind the wheel of a NASCAR but also a F1 car and he does good with both.
 
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