For all the environmental wackos out there and the ones that think they might be

Since you didn't seem to condone this ridiculous act, I'm going to just throw out what I initially thought of when I started reading this.

Some people just sit around and think about what they can do to cause drama in other people's lives. It's almost like causing grief gives them a feeling of purpose. A feeling of being significant... perhaps a bit less anonymous in the world. Perhaps these folks just need to find a hobby? I can think of a lot more productive things to do than sit around outside an event and picket. Go out and volunteer for the Special Olympics, or plant a tree, or help the homeless, or volunteer at the local youth center. Do something productive with your time rather than coming across as spreading hate at a sporting event.

 

Puritan: "Someone whose greatest fear is that someone, somewhere is having fun."

The amount of fuel consumed by cars on the track is dwarfed by the amount of fuel used by the multiple big-rig trucks used to transport cars and equipment to each race every weekend, not to mention the amount of fuel used by the owner's jets and driver's motorhomes.

My guess is that when you consider the total audience (millions of TV viewers), the amount of fuel consumed per spectator at a NASCAR race is small, probably less than you would consume throwing a kayak onto the top of your Prius and driving it to a nearby body of water for an afternoon of paddling.

Why don't you hang out at the airport and berate people for flying to vacation destinations, or for that matter, traveling anywhere at all.

 

We need to double and quadruple our efficiency in everything we do - transportation, housing, business, education. Want to double your profit, cut your cost by one-half or decrease emissions by one-half? Double your efficiency. Efficiency is the most cost-effective way to go.

Racing is clearly inefficient, even with bicycles or on foot. As humans, we need competition. However, we don't need to expel hydrocarbons (oil, rubber) during competition. Racing will gradually eliminate itself through cost. As India and China increase competition for fossil fuels, hydrocarbon-based events will be squeeze out.

 

There is absolutely no need for NASCAR, Indy 500 or any of the other races.

We don't need to test internal combustion engines and technology any more. They are not a novelty either. (Which is why car crashes shouldn't be "news".)

There is no need to waste the rubber, gas, diesel, oil etc by the participants and onlookers, nor the need to produce the airborne particulate matter and greenhouse gases by participants and onlookers.

The entire thing is a waste AND contributes un-neccessarily to pollution.

 

There is absolutely no need for NASCAR, Indy 500 or any of the other races.

We don't need to test internal combustion engines and technology any more. They are not a novelty either. (Which is why car crashes shouldn't be "news".)

There is no need to waste the rubber, gas, diesel, oil etc by the participants and onlookers, nor the need to produce the airborne particulate matter and greenhouse gases by participants and onlookers.

The entire thing is a waste AND contributes un-neccessarily to pollution.

 

At least you admit to being selfish.

 

I don't think I would be considered an "environmental wacko" but the pollution inherent in airline travel bothers me to the point that I really don't want to fly anywhere anymore.

I also don't believe that "environmental wackos" are the ones preventing oil companies from expl^H^H^H^H developing new sources of crude oil and refining capacity. In fact, with the current administration, I don't believe the "environmental wackos" have much influence at all.

I do believe that we should try to develop transportation that does not depend upon a supply of oil. I believe this because:

1) There is a limited supply of oil and it will eventually become so expensive to buy that it will drag down our economy. I think we are seeing the beginning of that now.

2) Because of our need for oil, we have to deal with other countries (and religious affiliations) that greatly resent our influence. Our national security would be improved if we were not dependent on them.

3) By burning oil, we are dirtying our air, and losing the opportunity to use it for other products (rubber, plastics, etc) that we need. This is true even if you discount the arguments for global climate change (which I don't discount)

I'm not sure if that qualifies me as an "environmental wacko", but I tend to think of it in terms of self-preservation, both as a country and as an individual.

 

Instead of NASCAR, how about a Tesla Racing League?

Competition may lead to improved battery function, weight saving techniques, super capacitor technology, etc. That would be worthwhile and could be done with renewable energy sources. You could make that a rule.

 

Some motor racing is carbon neutral.
http://www.clipsal500.com.au/2008-power10/pdfs/latest/premiers07_release.pdf
Motor racing is where new developments are born, ABS, stability control, radial tyres, safety structures both in the car and on the road side, fuel injection, automotive aerodynamics, even hybrid technology and the list goes on. I believe next year energy recovery braking will appear in Formula 1. This could see it gain greater acceptance in the consumer domain.

Why not just ban driving a car except for essential travel like commuting to work. If you can't walk there or ride a bike there, you can't go there.

 

So if I understand correctly, you'd like the assistance of the people you ridicule to help you save money while you cheerfully disregard anybody else's well being. Fair assesment?

And if I read just a bit further between the lines, we find that high gas prices are due to these same Environmental wackos, correct? Near-sighted gluttonous stupidity had nothing to do with it, apparently.

 

Playing Mario Kart is fun.

Car racing is fun.

But watching other people drive in a circle on television?
Just seems more boring than watching paint dry.
To each his own I guess.

 

Next year in Formula 1 the rules allow (partial) capture of energy during braking. I did some back of the envelope calculations and I believe peak power dissipation is on the order of 1 megawatt (peak deceleration 5gs), so whatever they come up with will be able to handle energy capture and delivery at rates many times higher than passenger hybrid cars.

There might be no trickle-down technology from NASCAR, but in F1 they had things like active suspension, traction control, and computerized engine management before they started appearing in passenger cars. And if it weren't for the rules, they'd have had stability control too.