I was just wondering if you consider racing or professional Auto racing (nascar, Indy, F1) a sport, a hobby, a skill, or other? Whatever you answer, justify your answer, this question still is a mystery to me because there are so many points/counterpoints (Machine does most of the work, etc. etc.)

 

Driving is a skill, racing is a sport, participating in racing is a hobby.

The actual driving part is the skill because you are doing it. The car is merely a tool (like a basketball) - it does what you make it do.

Racing (the big picture) is a sport because it requires athletic ability (albeit not necessarily the same as running or weightlifting, say, but it still requires athletic ability). And yes, I know it's very tiring and exhausting - I've done it - so please, no flames about how physically hard it is to race.

Participating in racing is a hobby. You are either participating or you are not - it's a decision, not an actual physical action. What you do while participating (ie, driving) is what is the actual skill while the racing itself is the sport.

I guess racing itself could be considered a hobby as well as a sport, but I think the other two are clearly defined as a skill (driving) and a hobby/business (participating in racing).

 

to me, no. if the work required mostly comes from your body, then yes - like in the Olympics

 

It takes a person with great physical ability to race professionally. Great hand-eye-foot coordination. To be able to handle the G-forces for the length of a race in 100+ degree conditions or in a down pour. Drivers now go into training for their sports so they can handle their season. I would have to include it as a sport.

 

No question. Yes.

 

Yes, of course! You're always pushing the edge, competing to beat the other competitors. It requires hand eye coordination, stamina, strength and skill. Heck you even need special shoes and uniforms!!!

 

Dario nailed it...I absolutely think it is a sport.

 

"Racing is life. Anything that happens before, or after... is just waiting."
-Steve McQueen, Le Mans




And yes, I consider racing to be a full on sport. (Didn't McQueen also call it a blood sport in the movie?)

 

Just do one track day and all of your questions will be answered.
I can run more than a few seven minute miles and I am pretty
beat after a track day. It's not just physical exhaustion but
mental as well. The concentration required to lap a road course
quickly is unwavering.

 

Obviously coming from someone who has never driven a car at any rate of speed greater than 65.

Ever watch Markus Gronholm run a rally? The man never blinks. The reaction time and precise hand/eye coordination required to be a WRC driver is incredible - probably well beyond that of a MLB hitter. Ever watch someone run a 500 mile 4+ hour NASCAR race in 110 degree weather? Baseball is considered a sport and they rarely break a sweat - the NASCAR guys are losing 5-10 lbs from water loss and it's not a physical activity? Go read s2kmtl's post about driving the F1 car - no skill required in doing that, apparently.

If anyone seriously believes auto racing, even at the lower levels, is not a sport, they need their head examined.