31 replies to this topic

[bryman10]

I was recently at my wife's friend and co-worker's house visiting the other day. During a competitive game of Euchre (for those of you not from the midwest, look it up), I found myself in a discussion about auto racing with my wife's friend's husband. He and his wife are huge NASCAR fans, and the next thing I knew he was sharing with me the merits of NASCAR (For the record, I could honestly give a shit less about nascar).
He then proceeded to tell me that without a doubt, NASCAR driver's are above and beyond the BEST, and most highly skilled drivers in the world of auto racing. He then went on to say, that F1 drivers were on the "bottom" rung of talented drivers. I figured much of this was the beer talking, but I went ahead and listened anyway.

I don't want this to become a huge debate over types of tracks, advanced technology of the cars, $$$ involved/driver earnings, etc. I'm simply asking this..

WHO HAS THE BEST DRIVERS IN THE WORLD?

What do you guys think?



bryman<------ready for the racing gurus to come out in force

[cbstdscott]

NASCAR/Indy- turn left. turn left, turn left, turn left. Repeat (I know, they both run on "road" courses occasionally).

Whether or not F1 has the best drivers, that is the pinacle of motor sport. But I would give a shout out to endurance racers (Le Mans, ALMS, etc. ) for being able to sustain concentration and conserving car resources over the longest amount of time.

Scott

[flashmatrix]

While some of the ones you have up there mentioned are great and all, you cannot FORGET RALLY (WRC) drivers. Those guys are talented at what they do and PRETTY BALLSY. IMO.

[3rd1stGEN]

I voted for other.

The pro rally car drivers have phenomenal car control. I'd say they are some of the most skilled racers out there.

Chris

**edit** Damn, just missed being the first to mention Rally.

Edited by 3rd1stGEN, 24 March 2010 - 08:19 AM.

[DEIVIONCRX]

WRC without a doubt.

[rpr]

I would say WRC, then F1, then Sportscar (ALMS/Le Mans), then maybe NASCAR/IndyCar (I consider them the same thing, Indy is probably a bit easier because of better aero).

But really, they are all different animals, and the skills don't always cross over. WRC you need huge stones, F1 is basically down to qualifying and not making any mistakes, Sportscar is as mentioned physically and mentally demanding just for the endurance part, the rest I have no interest in.

[RETROCRX]

It's a highly subjective and loaded question.

Every top flight championship has the best drivers in the world....in that respective championship. Even right down to world championship karting.

It's really impossible to compare one to the other as they are such differing disciplines.

Example: Juan Pablo Montoya, kicks ass in Champcar, does Reasonably well in F1 and also does well in Nascar and is awesome in a sportscar. But success wasn't instant in any of those classes. But as an all rounder, JPM has to be up there with some of the best there ever was!

Problem is that not enough drivers have bounced around different series like that so you don't get to see who can drive everything, and who can only drive their particular discipline.

Sebastian Loeb of the WRC ranks up there as he has done WRC, F1 and LeMans very competitively. As well as a highly skilled gymnast!

Anyway, I picked other because you can't rank drivers based on their performance in one class of racing only. Youhave to see how adaptable they are to different cars and tracks.

Also, you have to differentiate a fast DRIVER from a fast RACER, becasue they are totally different things.

Rob

[jsgprod]

I know you mentioned Improved Touring/NASA but I was going to say SCCA.

Then you guys had to go and mention the WRC. Those guys amaze the Hell out of me sometimes.

Jay

[ballade]

Only one thing I hate more than NASCAR......... the fan base, but I must admit their legend driver Dale Earnhardt had mad skills.
A few years ago Montoya drove #24 and Jeff Gordon drove his F1 car. It was very easy to see that Montoya over drove while Jeff could only pull about maybe 8/10's
out of the car, not to say Jeff couldn't become a successful F1 driver but the cars just aren't in the same league.
wait a minute this isn't even a debate don't they shut the race down when it rains in NASCAR. The only thing I'll give NASCAR is that it's a good spectator sport but
for some good racing Australian Super V8 Touring Cars are amazing to watch.
I don't think it's necessary to watch WRC to see some incredible driving. Tallent is everywhere, not only at Talladega.

Rally
Rally
Jeff in a F1 car
F1 vs NASCAR

[firstgencrx]

WHO HAS THE BEST DRIVERS IN THE WORLD?

Why, Colorado has the best drivers in the world!

Oh, sorry. I thought you guys where talking about, never mind.

[NWClassicHonda]

F1 period.

[TribalHatch]

WRC PERIOD

[KSousa]

World Rally Racing. Rally racing is the most hardcore type of racing imo.

[cbstdscott]

Rally drivers have someone to tell them where to go.

[gtpilot]

Rally drivers have someone to tell them where to go.

Now that's funny! Scott, you really do have a sense of humor!

Kirk