Racer of the year

[flapjack]

http://www.racer.com/racer-of-the-y...re-for-the-seasons-top-racers/article/325232/

 

[vegasnitro]

I love me some John Force and Jeg Coughlin Jr, but the racer of the year is Sebastian Vettel by a wide margin. Tied the record for most wins in a season and set the all time record for consecutive wins. Made everyone else look ordinary by comparison.

 

[flapjack]

What I like about it, though, is that it is a write-in vote, not some pre-determined list. As for Vettel, is that him, or the team? I haven't really followed F1 since they switched from turbo-charged V6s to naturally aspirated V-10s/V-12s (and now they are switching back, from what I hear). Senna dominated, too, but he always worked for great teams. Taking nothing away from either Vettel or Senna, but if the car isn't good, good luck, especially in F1.

 

[vegasnitro]

Tom, that team argument applies to all forms of Motorsports. If Force drove for Tony Pedregon, he would not have won the Funny Car title. (No disrespect intended for TPed). The best drivers will always find their way to the best teams.

Vettel does have the best designer in history (Adrian Newey), but Red Bull's funding is behind Ferrari, McLaren and Mercedes, and the Renault engine they use is generally considered down on power a bit to the Merc, as evidenced by Hamilton and Rosberg sitting on pole nearly as often as Vettel. Vettel was fast when he needed to be, managed the tires better than anyone else and absolutely destroyed his teammate, who did not even manage to win a race while Vettel made it look so easy.

Lots of rule changes in F1 next year, turbo V6's, spec fuel pumps, tons of aerodynamic tweaks, 100kg limit on fuel for the race ... I am not betting against Newey/Vettel.

I also love that the vote is write in. I got nothing against people who want to vote for Force/Langdon/Coughlin. They all had great years.

 

[rckymtn3]

I totally agree. After watching the Schumacher years, I truly never thought I would see another driver dominate, and outdrive the very talented competition F1 provides, but, then this other German hits the scene. Amazing. He cares for tires, drives on the absolute edge while doing it, and makes it look easy.

 

[rckymtn3]

What I like about it, though, is that it is a write-in vote, not some pre-determined list. As for Vettel, is that him, or the team? I haven't really followed F1 since they switched from turbo-charged V6s to naturally aspirated V-10s/V-12s (and now they are switching back, from what I hear). Senna dominated, too, but he always worked for great teams. Taking nothing away from either Vettel or Senna, but if the car isn't good, good luck, especially in F1.

I think your comment is far more true in drag racing than road racing. True, parts and teams always have a great deal to do with it, but the ability to be one with the machine is never so crucial as it is in F1 (in my opinion anyway). Wet, dry, different tire compounds, all while dealing with an ever-changing car weight.

 

[StockersRock]

I think your comment is far more true in drag racing than road racing. True, parts and teams always have a great deal to do with it, but the ability to be one with the machine is never so crucial as it is in F1 (in my opinion anyway). Wet, dry, different tire compounds, all while dealing with an ever-changing car weight.

That "one with the machine" ability, plus those other factors (minus the weight issue), are the reasons I'd have to give a vote for MX'er Ryan Villopoto. He dominated indoors and outdoors this year, and is simply riding at a level above all his peers right now.

 

[none]

Lots of great choices, no doubt about it. In my opinion, no one stepped up bigger than John Force. Found out he was losing not one but two of the biggest and best sponsors in the sport. Overcame the Dark Side advantage and dominated down the stretch. Oh yea, he is also 112 years old!!! RACER of the year!

 

[Paul]

IMO, the only award someone from the NHRA will win is the Drag Racer of the year. Racer of the year will likely go to Vettel or Johnson. Drag Racer of the year should be hands down Shawn Langdon, he dominated from beginning to end. If this is a popularity contest and it ignores the actual results of the FULL year, then Force will win.

 

[Bullard Anderson]

The entire team and funding play so much of a huge part motorsports today it really should be Team of the Year. But I know how things work.