Are NASCAR drivers "athletes?"

2009-09-23 20:11:40

#1

ISortGlass: Banned; +2|5569

This is an argument both I and my brother have had for years. Are NASCAR drivers, or any other driver in a professional motor sport, considered an "athlete?" Due to the fact that operating a motor vehicle, doesn't really require you to be athletic. You could take anyone whom is woefully out of shape, put him/her behind the wheel of a stock car, and he/she could race. The nature of nearly all sports require you to be physically fit. Are bowlers and chess players "athletes?"

I'm sorry if this thread offends anyone, but I just have to get this off my chest.

2009-09-23 20:13:31

#2

HaiBai: Your thoughts, insights, and musings on this matter intrigue me; +304|5695|Bolingbrook, Illinois

Not this again.

2009-09-23 20:24:25

#3

ICCULUS: Free Sam, Ban Finray.; +418|5635|Athens, GA

go try it and get back to me

2009-09-23 20:31:53

#4

SEREMAKER: BABYMAKIN EXPERT √; +2,187|6779|Mountains of NC

just remember to turn right

https://static.bf2s.com/files/user/17445/carhartt.jpg

2009-09-23 20:38:16

#5

Flaming_Maniac: prince of insufficient light; +2,490|6918|67.222.138.85

Reflexes and sound mind depend largely on a sound body. I know a lot of people (pretty much including myself) will think this analogy is stupid, but professional gamers aren't the stereotypical fat slob either.

Just because you aren't pushing your body to its limits of strength and endurance doesn't mean a sport isn't physically demanding.

2009-09-23 21:14:51

#6

Red Forman: Banned; +402|5611

Flaming_Maniac wrote:
Reflexes and sound mind depend largely on a sound body. I know a lot of people (pretty much including myself) will think this analogy is stupid, but professional gamers aren't the stereotypical fat slob either.

Just because you aren't pushing your body to its limits of strength and endurance doesn't mean a sport isn't physically demanding.

is flying an airplane a sport?

2009-09-23 21:16:04

#7

S3v3N: lolwut?; +685|6729|Montucky

oh shit they're making a turn.

2009-09-23 21:19:53

#8

Flaming_Maniac: prince of insufficient light; +2,490|6918|67.222.138.85

Red Forman wrote:
Flaming_Maniac wrote:
Reflexes and sound mind depend largely on a sound body. I know a lot of people (pretty much including myself) will think this analogy is stupid, but professional gamers aren't the stereotypical fat slob either.

Just because you aren't pushing your body to its limits of strength and endurance doesn't mean a sport isn't physically demanding.
is flying an airplane a sport?

uh yeah?

http://www.airrace.org/indexJS.php

2009-09-23 21:22:18

#9

Red Forman: Banned; +402|5611

Flaming_Maniac wrote:
Red Forman wrote:
Flaming_Maniac wrote:
Reflexes and sound mind depend largely on a sound body. I know a lot of people (pretty much including myself) will think this analogy is stupid, but professional gamers aren't the stereotypical fat slob either.

Just because you aren't pushing your body to its limits of strength and endurance doesn't mean a sport isn't physically demanding.
is flying an airplane a sport?
uh yeah?

http://www.airrace.org/indexJS.php

no not air racing. flying a CAT II approach with 100 people on board. seems to fit your definition so i was just asking.

Last edited by Red Forman (2009-09-23 21:22:32)

2009-09-23 21:25:28

#10

ICCULUS: Free Sam, Ban Finray.; +418|5635|Athens, GA

is it 110 degrees and are you inches away from other airplanes for 4+ hrs?

2009-09-23 21:27:01

#11

Red Forman: Banned; +402|5611

ph1shman420 wrote:
is it 110 degrees and are you inches away from other airplanes for 4+ hrs?

i am not arguing that...just his definition. calm down.

2009-09-23 21:27:56

#12

Flaming_Maniac: prince of insufficient light; +2,490|6918|67.222.138.85

Red Forman wrote:
Flaming_Maniac wrote:
Red Forman wrote:

is flying an airplane a sport?
uh yeah?

http://www.airrace.org/indexJS.php
no not air racing. flying a CAT II approach with 100 people on board. seems to fit your definition so i was just asking.

I think it takes the same physical exertion as a lot of sports, but without the competitiveness. So while I wouldn't classify it as a sport, I recognize that it is demanding to fly a plane.

and I knew what you meant, just dicking with you about Reno

2009-09-23 21:31:26

#13

Red Forman: Banned; +402|5611

competing against god maybe? gravity?

2009-09-23 21:36:09

#14

Flaming_Maniac: prince of insufficient light; +2,490|6918|67.222.138.85

If you pay tithes you don't have to compete against god.

_{k no more derail}

2009-09-23 21:36:57

#15

ICCULUS: Free Sam, Ban Finray.; +418|5635|Athens, GA

Red Forman wrote:
ph1shman420 wrote:
is it 110 degrees and are you inches away from other airplanes for 4+ hrs?
i am not arguing that...just his definition. calm down.

im calm as fuck brah

tranquil and serene until i run out of supplies

2009-09-24 06:16:17

#16

TC.Troy: Let the rough side drag; +111|6784

Well, lets see...
Go to a go-cart track, line up enough money to run about 40 laps, non stop. Then check and see if you neck, your arms, your torso isnt tired, heavy and/or sore.

Now...
Think about a NASCAR driver, on an oval course diving into turn 1 or turn 3 at or about 180-200mph, the side loads reach somewhere around 3-4 g's. They do this for 3-4 hours with the only breaks being caution laps. Why is it, do you think, that they have seats built with a rest/gaurd on the right side?

On another level...
F1...fighter planes on wheels.
Ever watched an F1 race broadcast and seen the little G meter on the screen? It will go from neutral to left 1.5-2 g's, to negative 2 g's, to positive 1.5-2 g's all in about 2seconds (of course, depending on where they are racing).

Do you think they are athletic? Imo, DUHHHHH, the HAVE to be, forces such as that placed on an unprepared human body can become threatening, not only to you, but to the racers around you, and your pit-crew.

Seriously, the only driver (successfull) I know of that doesnt really fit the "athletic profile is Tony Stewart. But, Tony has been a big ol' boy all his life. His body has adjusted to the requirements of his chosen profession and his driving style have allowed him to be as "athletic" as is required.

Again, if you want to know if they are athletes, go to a go-cart track and drive non-stop for about 40 laps, oval, road-course, it makes no difference. Then, ask yourself that question again.

2009-09-24 08:25:41

#17

ICCULUS: Free Sam, Ban Finray.; +418|5635|Athens, GA

/thread

2009-09-24 08:32:26

#18

Red Forman: Banned; +402|5611

ive seen some fat neckcar drivers. not too many fat f1 drivers though.

2009-09-24 08:34:59

#19

ICCULUS: Free Sam, Ban Finray.; +418|5635|Athens, GA

Red Forman wrote:
ive seen some fat neckcar drivers. not too many fat f1 drivers though.

no you havent

2009-09-24 08:36:01

#20

Red Forman: Banned; +402|5611

ph1shman420 wrote:
Red Forman wrote:
ive seen some fat neckcar drivers. not too many fat f1 drivers though.
no you havent

ja i have.

2009-09-24 09:06:26

#21

13rin: Member; +977|6690

ISortGlass wrote:
This is an argument both I and my brother have had for years. Are NASCAR drivers, or any other driver in a professional motor sport, considered an "athlete?" Due to the fact that operating a motor vehicle, doesn't really require you to be athletic. You could take anyone whom is woefully out of shape, put him/her behind the wheel of a stock car, and he/she could race. The nature of nearly all sports require you to be physically fit. Are bowlers and chess players "athletes?"

I'm sorry if this thread offends anyone, but I just have to get this off my chest.

Not a NASCAR fan, but your statement is incorrect. The forces and environment the NASCAR driver is subjected to -you could not take anyone and put them behind the wheel. An obese person wouldn't even be able to get into the car. Races last hours. Holding that focused attention at speeds up to 200mph for hours is probably a bit more difficult than you think.

Chess and Bowlers? Bowling is a sport. Chess is a game.

I stood in line for four hours. They better give me a Wal-Mart gift card, or something. - Rodney Booker, Job Fair attendee.

2009-09-24 09:27:48

#22

S.Lythberg: Mastermind; +429|6657|Chicago, IL

It's quite common for drivers to sweat several pounds off, it easily hits 100 degrees (F) in those cars, and they need lightning fast reflexes. I'd say they are certainly athletes.

2009-09-24 12:22:45

#23

aimless: Member; +166|6336|Texas

They play a sport so yes, they are athletes.

2009-09-24 12:27:43

#24

SEREMAKER: BABYMAKIN EXPERT √; +2,187|6779|Mountains of NC

they need to make it a olympic sport ........... take the best from all countries ( or the ones that can afford cars ) stick them in little racing go-carts :

https://www.barismancointeractive.com/images/go_karts/go_karts_250x251.jpg

and have them do a couple laps around the running track :

https://www.building.co.uk/Pictures/web/v/u/s/ATHETICS-SYDNEY.jpg

2009-09-24 12:30:26

#25

GravyDan: Back from the Grave(y); +768|6143|CA

It takes a lot of power and endurance to hold down your sister for fornication purposes with a Pabst Blue tall can in one hand. Such athleticism cannot be denied.

Last edited by GravyDan (2009-09-24 12:53:36)

BF2S Forums Are NASCAR drivers "athletes?"

Flaming_Maniac wrote:

Red Forman wrote:

Flaming_Maniac wrote:

Flaming_Maniac wrote:

Red Forman wrote:

Flaming_Maniac wrote:

ph1shman420 wrote:

Red Forman wrote:

Flaming_Maniac wrote:

Red Forman wrote:

Red Forman wrote:

ph1shman420 wrote:

Red Forman wrote:

ph1shman420 wrote:

Red Forman wrote:

ISortGlass wrote:

Board footer