Ok, in jazz band today several of us got into a large debate(more like argument) about whether auto racing is a sport;  and also, if it is a sport, then are drivers atheletes?

i voted for sport/athelete

I would appreciate a response, and please, administrators, do not move it to the autos section becasue that would change the outcome of the results.

Yes it's a sport and the driver's are athletes.  Those guys have to be in very good shape to drive those cars at that speed with power nothing (brakes, steering, transmission are all manual).  That takes serious conditioning and endurance.

i would say yes sport (maybe)

drivers aren't athletes, athletic:yes; talented:yes

we have V8 supercar racing here in Australia and one particular track, Bathurst, is like driving from Brisbane to Mackay at close to 300 km/h non-stop.  Imagine how buggered you would be. . . . .

hmmm...isn't this in the wrong forum???

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We are indeed!  We only want those people of highest quality serving us!

NO!!! it isnt in the right forum!

I requested that this stay in the general section because i want the response of all users and not just the auto crowd!!!!

If I wanted the views of the "auto crowd", i would have origionally posted it here!

NOW, I dont mind posting racing threads here(even though F-1 cars DO HAVE WINGS), but please, i think this is a valid exception!

Yes sport , yes athlete!

But I'm with duck and the others this one should stay in General Discussion or the Cafe'.
If you can talk about football, soccer, and other sports there then we should be able too have racing there too. Where would you put "bike racing" at? We don't have a "Bike" forum so I guess you would put it in discussion or cafe!
They only time I come too the "Auto" forum is when the original post has been moved, it get annoying at times especially when the topic of the thread refers to a sport.
Almost like those damn pop-ups that redirect you to another web page.
Is it time for a "Moderator Blocker"? 
Sorry Hagar but most people that would reply too this thread don't come to the "Auto" forum, like I said I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for the fact that I clicked on it in "Discussion". Which makes me ask by having the link still in "discussion" isn't that like advertising, it forces you to come too a forum you don't visit in hopes that you might look around more?
I myself have replied too the topic and will now return to "discussion" because the "auto" form is boring!

Definitely got to disagree with you on that one Doug.  Sitting yes, but what they have to endure in the course of a four hour, 500 mile race is almost beyond comprehension.  If you're definition of an athlete is how much they sweat, then they definitely do that.

You're missing my point Kevin. It seems that we disagree on almost everything these days but despite what you might think I'm not deliberately trying to be awkward.

Yes - racing drivers need to be fit, yes they sweat, yes they can lose many pounds of weight during a race. I agree on all these points. 10 laps as a passenger in a Lamborghini Diablo around Goodwood race track exhausted me for the rest of the day. That does not make racing drivers athletes as their performance or success in a race is not dependent on their physical physique or fitness.

I give up! This is going no where

i find that this post talks ONLY about F1 racing, which no matter if it is a sport or not, or if the drivers are athletes or not, it still is about car racing, i don't think that it being in the auto forum will bias anyone's opinion

if other moderators see differently, please feel inclined to move it, personally i think it is fine where it is now

Hey Doug, anyone who gets to drive a Diablo around a race track is ok by me, no matter how much his opinion differs from mine.  Besides, I wouldn't want to be friends with someone who agreed with everything I said.  How do you grow as a person when everyone you know agrees with everything you say?  

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Yeah, it pretty much is...

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Duck, don't be offended.  Everyone get's a post moved from time to time.  In fact I would hazard a guess that there a very few memebers (including moderators) who haven't had one moved.  It's just something that happens, and there need be no hard feelings about it. 

In fact, I think I'll do a poll on that...

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Maybe if you just lighten up a little. This is supposed to be fun & not taken too seriously. I've read most of your posts & you have some interesting things to say. Please don't go off in a huff again over something silly like this.

Yes race driving is a sport. No drivers are not atheletes. What pippin says about atheletes being people who participate in sport is correct. However this does not neccesarily work the other way round. Meaning someone who participates in sport does not have to be an athelete.

Sailing is a sport. But are the people who sail the boats atheletes? No they're sailors. So someone who races a car round a track is a driver.

The only time a racing driver has to do anything athletic is when he has to run to his car at the start of Le Mans 24 hours.

That's a good question.  If a driver is not an athlete, then the pit crew should be.  Anyone who can change 4 tires, make adjustments to the car, and clean the windows in 30 seconds is definitly working...

It actually is pretty interesting to watch the Nascar pit crews. They can change four tires, give a full tank of gas, etc...etc...in just under 14 seconds!  They get as much respect as the drivers. The driver and car are the face of the team. The pit crew is science behind it. You try running 500 miles, leading the last 10 laps, and hoping that the past stop you made 43 laps ago was a good one because you didn't wait 1 second to put in 1 extra gallon of gas that you are going to need to complete the last lap!    Or to take 1 pound of air pressure out of the right front tire so your car stays lower in the turns. Or, you add 1 degree to the rear spoiler so your car sticks to the pavement ! It is all a science and the smartest team will win! As it is often said....
Many times a race in won or lost in the pits!

Doug, doesn't F-1 have that automatic thingy under the car that lifts it? Pretty cool. I guess there is no need for jack handlers! 

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Couldn't agree more. 

Very informative! Am I seeing this right, there are 3 guys to each wheel? How many total are involved in the pit crew? I think Nascar only allows 6. If another crosses the line, they will be penalized for having too many men on the car!
It is actually pretty interesting to watch the choreography that is played out among the pit crews. It is like a dance....a very fast dance. It is interesting to hear them say how they watch the videos of themselves after the race so they can see where they can gain a 1/4 second or so!

the F-1 crews also have more people changing the tires, which is why they can do it under 8s.