I finally must stand up and wave the white flag.
For far too long, I have been a vocal supporter of the outrageously high speeds found on today’s super-speedways.
Power and speed are an inherent part of the sport, I tricked myself into believing.
But enough is enough with this insanity.
The recent disaster involving NASCAR’s Dale Earnhardt has brought about an unnecessary loss and hardship that could possibly have been avoided.
Of course, hindsight always involves 20/20 vision, and nothing can be done to rectify the past.
Let’s all get together, though, and prevent similar repeats in the future.
Auto-racing must now determine how it wishes to approach the future–either with a permanently tarnished reputation or with a newfound attitude for positive change.
The status quo can no longer be acceptable.
First and foremost on the to-do list is a drastic reduction in speeds.
An out-of-control racecar traveling at 200 m.p.h. is the equivalent of a time-bomb ready to explode.
“True” racing does not automatically mean going as fast as possible.
Some mighty fine driving and quality entertainment can be witnessed at more realistic speeds.
And how about doing something about the walls?
In a face-to-face meeting between a racecar and a concrete monster, it’s not too hard to figure out which one will come out victorious.
Where are the super-absorbent barriers that are supposedly being developed?
Modern technology has taken great strides to make the cars the equivalent of land-based rockets.
What about directing some of this ingenuity to the safety side?
Please, let’s do something about this serious and dangerous problem before yet another terrible tragedy strikes.
