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Is sim racing the future of auto-racing? With gas becoming a mighty burden to everything. Are the internal combustion engines on the way to extinction. Will our children's children only be able to experience the sounds and smells of what we know as auto-racing in museums. Are the stars of our sport today, the pioneers of the sport for tomorrow. |
Don't think so, but I hope it grows and becomes more popular. I heard about some people wanting to bring their steering wheels and rFactor to Quakecon and run lan events there, while just about everyone else is playing shooters and rts's. Perhaps in a few years we'll have our conventions, where the best sim racers in the world can unite and race!! I think even if technology gets to the point where we no longer use combustion engines, either racing will continue to do so, or it finds a way to use those new technologies. I think it will be funny to see how F1, and all open wheeling, changes as compared to NASCAR. F1 is always on the cutting edge, and I could see removing this type of engine if the technology becomes available, while NASCAR is more conservative, and will run V8's till the bitter end, even if on ethanol or another non-fossil fuel. The divide increases all the time, and minus a few removal of technologies, such as the removing of the traction control next year, F1 is much more capable of incorporating change. | ||
Auto racing will evolve like everything else in the world. If there is still a desire of speed and danger with automobiles, then humans will continue to race and will find new ways of fueling that drive. Sim racing has its own thing going on and I don't really think it will replace its real counterpart. It will remain a hobby for those who can't exactly afford to go out on the track with a real car but yet, still can find money to blow on a $2,000 gaming rig, $800 wheel/pedals, an ass-friendly replica cockpit and only god knows what else... | ||
I guess that makes sense. The risk and fear element of real life auto-racing will maintain its draw publicly, and sim racing will remain another venue. So if the "motorvation" for transportation becomes somewhat less strong, and auto-racing becomes like racing turtles around the living room and racing collisions deemed to dangerous, will anybody watch
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The interesting thing, based on Paul's comments, is does real motor racing lose its appeal to the masses when the levels of safety become so high that there is no longer any risk involved? | ||
Yep, I think the "safety card" is killing auto racing (it could get to other sports too), but I think there will be a point where people will think that auto racing is so mickey mouse that the commissioners will be forced to take away certain safety restrictions and risk getting sued but at the same time, saving the sport. However, with the Frances and the Ecclestones in the world...who knows :-/ | ||
Funny, I wrote an article for SimHQ about this in March 2000. SimHQ link (scroll to bottom of Features listing), or Clicky | ||
I think sim racing can become bigger then it already is, but it will never replace real racing. However, with the new coverage of videogames provided by CBS in the near future, it may be concievable that TV audiences are ready to watch sim racing. Perhaps R2P can take one of the best 45 minute races, create a pilot with it and send it off to Speed or G4TV. Although, you would probably need to make the series about Pete Bunces avatars if you wanted it to be shown on G4. It may not have as much appeal to the masses as Nascar/F1, but it is a whole lot cheaper to produce. And, as most race fans will agree, racing is racing. I know I'll watch just about any type of racing, assuming I have the full control of the TV. | ||
that would suck lol i hate how F1 is wanting to go BIO!! i mean thats just to much!! I mean i see where there coming from, trying to make the F1 cars have some simularites to that teams production cars.. But jeezeee, if anyboidy read the latest F1 Magazine, Those changes Mosley wants for 2011 are over the TOP!!!
By the way is that you cutting that tree down? | ||
Naw, auto racing will persist but it will go green like F1 is contemplating. The safety card will kill it ultimately if it becomes too safe. Who wants to watch cars go in a train with no risk of injury? Just my view of human nature. The risk of collision sports - auto racing, boxing, American football, rugby, and ice hockey - gives the sedentary masses a means of escapism. This is also, to an extent, why professional hockey resists banning fighting and why to an extent high level amateur hockey is so popular and well attended even though fighting is banned. Despite the ban on fisticuffs, advanced amateur hockey has tons of stick work not unlike the lumberjack cutting down the tree in the avatar. In short, in our modern world, the nonparticipants still want to see players/drivers blown up. Why do you think people stop at the scene of car wrecks on the road or circle around fellas punching each other out at a bar? | ||
Very Very good point Joe |