Its because Canadians are a bunch of followers. Ever notice that anything other than Hockey doesn't get any coverage? Look at cup coverage.. back page somewhere. NCTS LOL good luck to see that anywhere in print...
I hate watching a bunch of thugs on figure skates chase a puck, yet there is so much coverage, I can't help know each time one of those idiots changes his underware. How could the possible make time for another sport, that heaven forbid someone might actually like, other than hockey. Thats Canadian "sports" coverage for you, and thats my rant 😉
1/2 of you are going to be thinking, what's wrong with this guy. Just an example of how we have all been brainwashed into "likeing" a chosen sport..
Whole world of sport out there, auto racing included.
As much as I am a racing fan, I don't believe that it is a sport, and this is part of the problem of newspaper coverage. It is a competition, yes, but not a sport. Before you jump all over me, I do believe that drivers are athletes, without a doubt. But here is why I believe it is not a sport:
As a hockey goalie, I can go out a purchase the same equipment that Martin Brodeur uses. As a baseball player, I can go out and purchase the same equipment that Vernon Wells uses. Therefore, the only thing different between myself and Brodeur is natural ability, and training. Racing is likely the only "sport", where equipment is the difference between finishing first and finishing last.
Now, how does this relate to coverage in the newspaper? Lets be honest, most people in Canada have played every sport out there, either through gym class or through various organizations. So no matter how bad they were at the high jump, they can relate in a small way which peaks their interest. How many people have every been behind the wheel of a race car? The percentage is small, therefore there is not a great motivation for the newspapers to cover it. Sure they are going to do the odd human interest story, but that is it.
Another thing missing right now is personalities. Folks want to read about people who are interesting. Even if you didn't know much about racing, odds are you had heard of Dale Earnhardt, Richard Petty, A.J. Foyt, Mario Andretti. Although they all have different personalities, each is an interesting person in themselves. For the most part, drivers are now cookie cutter type personalities which are just plain boring. I can't stand Sean Avery or Jeremy Roenick, but they are both interesting as hell. Bring some of that into racing and you give the newspapers something to write about.
The bottom line is newspapers are sold by the content that their readers want. If there was that much demand, it would likely be in there. Remember, the media is there for one reason and one reason only. To make money.
I have to disagree with you Marcisfan, having the best equipment doesn't always guarantee you a winning driver. Without the skill of the driver you don't have a team. Shrubbie is a good example of this look at some of the teams he's driven for this year and where he manages to finish in the race. Heck you can use DJ as a example also, despite not having the top notch equipment in the Nationwide series, the team has managed to post very respectable results this year when you compare budgets. It's too bad that TSN totally forgot about him in the Nationwide race. I sent numerous emails to the Sun and the Star last year offering them any kind of information they needed to put in the paper about the Canadian Tire series and all I got for response was the "stick and ball guys wouldn't give up their space".
#1 - As much as I am a racing fan, I don't believe that it is a sport,
#2 - As a hockey goalie, I can go out a purchase the same equipment that Martin Brodeur uses. Racing is likely the only "sport", where equipment is the difference between finishing first and finishing last.
#3 - Lets be honest, most people in Canada have played every sport out there, either through gym class or through various organizations.
#4 - Another thing missing right now is personalities.
#5 - The bottom line is newspapers are sold by the content that their readers want. If there was that much demand, it would likely be in there. Remember, the media is there for one reason and one reason only. To make money.
Hope you don't mind I added numbers so I can adress each point....
#1 - Friend, I wish I could put you in my car for 10 laps. When you get out, covered in sweat, and exhasted, please then tell me it isn't a sport... Goes to point #3 that people can't relate. Problem is they retate to much. Because you can drive 50 miles to work in a car, people often make the mistake that 50 miles in a race car is that easy.
#2 - Equipment, means a bit BUT it won't win you races. If my track point leader and I swaped cars, I can tell you he would still win. Take an example from nascar, the 18 car. JJ had problems keeping it in the top 35. Kyle Bush gets in it, and its the run away points leader. As you say you can BUY the same equipment as the pros use in hockey. Difference is in our sport, for the most part we have to MAKE what we use. Thats 1/2 of racing right there. What each and every one of us does for the 9 months over the winter you don't see us turning laps.
#3 - No we haven't played every sport. Hands up for who's played cricket. Hands up for who even knows how to play it... Not many. Many of us have played hockey. Goes back to the whole cultural thing. For the most part, it was at our parents suggestion that we play. How many parents are out there suggesting that their kids race a car? If you enjoy hockey, great. My objection is that its become a trend almost. Its all to often that someone asks me about that game, and when I respond I don't care, I get the strangest look from them. How about we turn the tables. If I ask someone about racing, should I be shocked when they say no, I'm not interested? Many people follow hockey, because they are followers....
#4 - Umm lets see, no personality? Tony Stewart throwing a fit over goodyear tires, a sponsor.. Edwards throwing a punch at Matt on TV.. Kyle Bush, an awsome driver, but he is also a dick. Harvick dancing on Rudds hood, strangling Biffle ect. Robby Gordon throwing a helmet.. Come on...
#5 - Don't disagree at all. Its unfortunte tho...
#1 - As much as I am a racing fan, I don't believe that it is a sport,
#2 - As a hockey goalie, I can go out a purchase the same equipment that Martin Brodeur uses. Racing is likely the only "sport", where equipment is the difference between finishing first and finishing last.
#3 - Lets be honest, most people in Canada have played every sport out there, either through gym class or through various organizations.
#4 - Another thing missing right now is personalities.
#5 - The bottom line is newspapers are sold by the content that their readers want. If there was that much demand, it would likely be in there. Remember, the media is there for one reason and one reason only. To make money.
Hope you don't mind I added numbers so I can adress each point....
#1 - Friend, I wish I could put you in my car for 10 laps. When you get out, covered in sweat, and exhasted, please then tell me it isn't a sport... Goes to point #3 that people can't relate. Problem is they retate to much. Because you can drive 50 miles to work in a car, people often make the mistake that 50 miles in a race car is that easy.
#2 - Equipment, means a bit BUT it won't win you races. If my track point leader and I swaped cars, I can tell you he would still win. Take an example from nascar, the 18 car. JJ had problems keeping it in the top 35. Kyle Bush gets in it, and its the run away points leader. As you say you can BUY the same equipment as the pros use in hockey. Difference is in our sport, for the most part we have to MAKE what we use. Thats 1/2 of racing right there. What each and every one of us does for the 9 months over the winter you don't see us turning laps.
#3 - No we haven't played every sport. Hands up for who's played cricket. Hands up for who even knows how to play it... Not many. Many of us have played hockey. Goes back to the whole cultural thing. For the most part, it was at our parents suggestion that we play. How many parents are out there suggesting that their kids race a car? If you enjoy hockey, great. My objection is that its become a trend almost. Its all to often that someone asks me about that game, and when I respond I don't care, I get the strangest look from them. How about we turn the tables. If I ask someone about racing, should I be shocked when they say no, I'm not interested? Many people follow hockey, because they are followers....
#4 - Umm lets see, no personality? Tony Stewart throwing a fit over goodyear tires, a sponsor.. Edwards throwing a punch at Matt on TV.. Kyle Bush, an awsome driver, but he is also a dick. Harvick dancing on Rudds hood, strangling Biffle ect. Robby Gordon throwing a helmet.. Come on...
#5 - Don't disagree at all. Its unfortunte tho...
+10
we've got off track here (no pun intended) but the root of the problem for local tracks (forget Nascar & the NCTS) is that the sport is not being marketed locally as an entertainment option. It should be advertised as an alternative to movies, clubbing, minor league baseball, etc. For example, Delaware's most successful years were when it advertised right along side of the movies in the London Free Press, not in the sports pages. Big City newspapers are not interested in coverage of a track 45 miles north of Toronto, but the Barrie Newspaper should be.
Time to get back to more of a family friendly atmosphere-no smoking, no drinking family sections at the track for example. Security people that look like they can actually do something if required. Facilities have to been brought up to modern standards-do you go to your local cinema and pee in an eavestrough like we do at certain tracks I've attended this year???? Currently we have too many track owners and not enough promoters. Since the back gate seems to pay the way, we have a bunch of lazy owners who consider any spectators that show up gravy and seem to hold spectators in contempt or a necessary evil
Once thing I will say re sport or not a sport-I forget the exact words of Ernest Hemmingway, but I believe he said the only sports were Bullfighting, Auto Racing, and perhaps Sailing (?). He said all the rest were games.