FIRST LAP LOSER
It happens.
Just his past week-end four cars were quickly removed from the race before they had completed the final lap. That must be one the worst moments a racing driver can experience.
And, so often, it seems to happen in the general world - just as it did this time on the race track.
I don't know if they inquired into the causes of this particular case, but it made me wonder, even as I watched the usual plethora of instant re-plays which followed. Re-runs were done from at least six different angles, it seemed to me, and in each one showing the instant the crash started to form, it was clearly not the fault of the driver of the first car - although one could contend that he should have known better than to be ahead of the zany behind him.
We cannot pick and choose who is to be in the race beside us. We assume that they known what the are doing, and we also feel sure the authorities who plan and execute the races make sure participants are ready, worthy, able and willing to conduct themselves in a sportsman-like fashion. If we are to continue to classify stock car racing as a “sport”, we are going to have to find some way of instilling such as an attitude in particpants and in their suppprters must be accented. Far too many people view such races as a modern version of the Roman Circus or Spanish Bullfight in which death is a possible outcome. When someone gets killed - the onlookers can have a fine time.
We see the same sort of thing in business right now as perfectly legitimate mutual funds groups find themslves marked, driven from the race, even ruined by the careless act of some other less pricipled firm. The second car tips the rear bumper of the car ahead, and causes it to sweve and possibly spin off toward the outer retaining well. It hits the wall in a crashing blow and slides back across the track toward the in side rail and in the path of other cars which are moving at over one hundred and fifty miles per hour. The fans go crazy with excitement both in the stands and in many land as TV repeats the action again and again.
In the business area, the indiscreet act of one mutual funds group, cause others to suffer loss. This is unfair.
All stock car drivers are not alike and that should be made known by prompot acrtion taken against those who give the activite a bad name by infractions of rules. Either by intention or sheer stupidity, the second driven tips the rear end of the first car and the results are costly. If action is taken against such drivers, the most we can expeect is a small fine or some sort, He lost a great deal, you might say. But, others did as well. Five personal racing dreams were shattered when those five cars crashed and support teams would not have a winner or even an also ran contender in those who they have respect and in whose abilities they take due pride.
The stock car races are going to be greatly enhanced in the next year or two as the move from rural to urban locations.
A.L.M. November 16, 2003 [c520wds]
