Pushing your car to limits and flying past everyone gets your blood pumping and adreneline rushing. To some people, nothing is more fun. There is another reason behind the creation on motorsport. It could also reflect your persona. You want to show to people that you are are not afraid to put your life in immediate danger,m to prove you are the best. Even though deep in your unconscious you are absolutely terrified.
All around the world, people turn up in there millions to watch F1 races, WRC races Moto GP races and NASCAR races. Much like an international football match, fans turn up to support drivers from their own country or team. I for instance support Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button Who both race for Vodafone Mclaren Mercedes. I also have slight prejudices towards Micheal Schumacher and Fernando Alonso. Schumacher becuase he purposely crashed into our own Damon hill to stop him winning the world title, and Alonso becuase the fact they he is a whiney, annoying little boy.
Street racing has almost became a sub-culture of its own in recent years, since the release of the movie "The Fast and the Furious" and many other sequel's. The definition of street racing is very straight forward. It's racing that takes place on the streets. It is either spontaneous in which people flash their lights to each other and race, or it can be very well planned and co-ordinated. The co-ordinated races would be planned well in advance, and often would have people communicating via 2 way radio. People also use police scanners and GPS systems to track the police patrols and to mark the locations of police hotspots. Street racing originated during the 1930's in America, due to an alcohol probation in some parts. Drag racing is very popular. Participants find long, quiet roads to race on. The first passed the finish line is the winner. Other types of racing such as "touge" which is like a cat and mouse race which takes place in the Japanese mountains is very popular, and drift racing as become increasingly popular in many countires. The motivations behind street racing are usually to do with the racer. It gives them the opportunity to show their cars off to other people. Their self-concept is one of no fear I.E not being scared of being caught by the police. Normally their cars are a reflection of their persona. Noramlly the cars are loud and and very eyecatching. But other motivations are, just the simple exitement of racing, without entry fees and strict rules and regulations.
Motorsport also brings people together at car shows. Again, fanatics turn up in their thousands just to get a look at the best cars in the world, even though majority of them will never know what it feels like to drive them. The biggest car show in the world is, the Goodwood Festival of Speed, attracting more than 150,000 spectators over the weekend. It is a truelly amazing sight seeing almost everyone of the spectators gasp in aw at the sight of the best cars the past and present have to offer. Celebrities also turn up, regulars are Lewis Hamilton, Jenson Button and Fernando Alonso. Tommi Makinen a retired WRC driver also rocks up, as do many retired F1 drivers, including Damon Hill and Jackie Stewart. As soon as we walk through the gates of the humble Goodwood manor, we all become the same. Our identity becomes the same. No-one is upperclass or lowerclass, we are all just nuts about cars. We all strive to prove how mad we are about cars and bikes. You wouldn't turn up to the Festival of Speed and expect a quiet, relaxing weekend. Expect to hear the roar of old V8's in American muscle cars, the rapid idle of F1 cars and the scream of motorbikes as they fly past you on the straights. Also make sure you have your camera ready for the Red Arrows display. It is these simple things that I love about cars. To some people, they are just machines with noisey bits of metal under the bonnet, but to me and so many around the world, they are a lifestyle and a love.
