Driver vs. Machine

Top 2. May 11, 2003 2:10 PM

» Tom - Re: Curious to hear your thoughts...

In response to message posted by midnightvamp:

Very interesting. I’ve never thought of it quite that way, referring to driver vs. driver, etc. The IROC Series, International Race of Champions, uses Pontiac Grand Prix cars that are completely identical, right down to the engine tuning. The series pits driver against driver racing identical cars. I think it’s a breath of fresh air, but a lot of folks don’t take very much stock in it.

I see racing as driver vs. driver as well as driver vs. machine. The only way you could pit machine vs. machine is to use robotic mechanisms as drivers. As long as there is a human driver in the car, it becomes driver-machine vs. driver-machine. The human factor doesn’t always rely on logic to make decisions as a machine would, and the human factor also includes emotion, which in my view is the heart of racing.

I see the point you are trying to make with some of the auto manufacturers pitting more importance on the machine than the driver. Alluding that the driver can only accomplish what the machine is able to produce, so too must you allude that the machine can only produce if the driver has the skills to make it do so. That is where the driver becomes more important than the machine. A race driver’s skills are what separate him from his peers. Some of those skills include intuition, tenacity, strength, maturity, and a natural ability to feel the movements of the machine beneath. Hope this makes sense, it’s easy to feel having raced, but it’s hard to put into words.

-- posted by Tom

Top 3. May 11, 2003 7:14 PM

» midnightvamp - Re: Re: Curious to hear your thoughts...

In response to message posted by Tom:

Yes, I understand what you are getting at, and it does make great sense. The idea of driver-machine vs. driver-machine is probably the better way of describing the situation that seems to be facing some of the series where the cars are far from equal.

I was basically getting at the fact that in series' such as ALMS, those drivers with the most technologically advanced machines have the greatest chance for success. So long as the drivers are able to compete to the highest standard that the car allows, the driver with the best machine should be the one in the lead.

However, I am fairly certain that many drivers, no matter how great they may be, could lack the skills to produce fully what the car is able to, bringing even this form of racing back to a more driver vs. driver basis.

As for the strictly 'driver vs. driver' series, I honestly feel the same "breath of fresh air" that you refer to. I love to see what a driver can accomplish when pitted against one another on an equal basis. This way, the spectator is truly able to see who is the most skilled of the drivers competing. Also, I think it is great that series' such as IROC can allow for the more talented and skilled of the group to shine.

-- posted by midnightvamp

Top 4. Jan 8, 2004 1:59 PM

» toms77 - Best book on auto racing I've ever read!

Someone should make a movie out of this one! Check this wild story out: http://www.xlibris.com and Search: "Miracle at Monaco"

-- posted by toms77