Motorsports Culture

[mikecentola]

Culture can be defined as "the behaviors and beliefs characteristic of a particular social, ethnic, or age group" (source: dictionary.reference.com). Motorsports, of course, is defined as "competitions, especially races, involving motorvehicles..." We have defined this site, rspeed.org, as motorsports culture, which as you can imagine, means we are focusing on all aspects of motorsports-related culture.

What does motorsports culture mean to you? Most likely not the same as it means to me, or to another person. For me, I enjoy everything from drifting and track days to car shows and the weekly hang outs. However, these days it seems like everyone has something to say about their fellow enthusiasts, just for being interested in a different aspect.



What's wrong is that newcomers to the sport are seeing the all too familiar flaming, mocking and bickering of their peers. It should matter that there are new people interested in the sport, rather than picking apart everything they have to offer. Many times the newcomers are a little wet behind the ears and need the guidance of the more experience enthusiasts to help them out.

Also typical of the culture as of late is the apparent animosity between fellow enthusiasts at your local hangout. As enthusiasts, we should be so lucky to have found other people to socialize with, exchange ideas, and offer help to another person. It is very apparent that people are letting jealousy and other emotions dictate how they feel about their fellow enthusiasts.

Having been into motorsports since before I could drive, I was able to see both myself and my friends progress through much of this. It's easy to play the role of the conceited asshole who always knows more than everyone else, but you will get much more respect being humble and respecting others in the industry. Every chance you have to be "that guy," you also have the chance to help out a fellow enthusiast.

Remember to take this editorial with a grain of salt, because I'm just another one of those pricks in the industry trying to tell you how to be

Mike Centola

[shawnhpi]

nice write up..... Prick....



Shawn

[dmoffitt]

I see it differently. For some (many?) motorsports is our religion. Trying to convince everyone to just hug and sing kum-by-ya isn't gonna happen any easier than asking the Muslims, Christians and Jews to all agree on Jerusalem ... in that, it hasn't happened since the inception and won't likely in our lifetime. It's not to say you can't be both a NASCAR fan and like NHRA Drags or watch F1 but while we may have common THREADS tying us together (our love for cars and all things fast) we aren't wearing the same cloth. Think of it like women, straight men all like them, but we have our preferences (which is good, diversity) - I for one have strong preferences in motorsports just like some guys prefer certain types of women.

That's quite enough analogies for one evening tho... I think you see why I disagree

[MikeyB.]

Nice write up Mikey...

[WhtRice]

damn i wish i knew how to spell like you mike. your the man. lets make babys...

[crazybrew609]

great write up mike.. never well written perspective

[Captain Moai]

Trying to convince everyone to just hug and sing kum-by-ya isn't gonna happen any easier than asking the Muslims, Christians and Jews to all agree on Jerusalem ...

That's kind of like saying your version of the Times Union is better becuase your paperboy is different than the guy delivering to your neighbor up the block. Same message, different messenger. Does that mean we should disagree? I don't think it does.
People argue becuase they FIND things to argue about, which means they're out to prove one thing: they're right. I know i'm not exempt because I've done it too. Over time it gets old listening to all the naysayers and the elitists; People who are quick to trashtalk, yet contribute nothing. We may have our individual preferences, but I think Mike hit it on the head. Sooner or later we have to grow up and be mature in dealing with other people. It's okay to disagree, as long as you can do it with civility. Unfortunately, many enthusiasts aren't capable of seperating their car from their balls, or their balls from their brains.

[Cavi Mike]

I drink alone.

[mikecentola]

Thanks for the comments everyone!