This Is Going to Sound Stupid, But NASCAR Should Ban Burnouts

I think NASCAR should ban smoking-tire burnouts by the race winners.  They're cliche.  They're not interesting.  And they gratuitously pollute.  (Yes, I know the racing itself is gratuitous pollution, but there's no reasonable chance of banning that.)

Those clouds of tire smoke are foul.  They are probably toxic, and there's just no reason to let them happen.  Unless you tell me the fans love it, are too stupid to see it for what it is, and would never stand for ending it because it's just the sort of excitement that gets them out of their trailers and down to the track in the first place, in which case it's too late to save the planet so let's party while it burns out.

No, I don't really think a weekly burnout ban will make a difference to the planet, but I think the symbolism is important.  If NASCAR is trying to go upmarket, all the way to the dead-center of the middle-class, it could take this opportunity to evince a little environmental goodwill and a bit of awareness about the world outside the racetrack.  Fans accept change like sheep -just a bit of bleating and they all forget the whole thing.

I recognize there may be little correlation between NASCAR fans and Al Gore viewers, but little steps are better than none.

Pipe dream?

Comments

[Shawn]

I don't think NASCAR is the only automotive sport that has burnouts. Actually, just about every one do burnouts. I'm not so sure why you would pick on NASCAR instead of drifting, which the entire event is a giant burnout.

[carpundit]

1. I've never watched drifting.
2. Almost no one else has, either, so the symbolic effect would be nil.
3. OK, let's add drifting. And drag racing, which has to be one of stupidest sports known to man. Just slightly above power boat racing.

[Erik Schwartz]

Powerboat racing in the ocean waves is serious shit.

[Ted]

I kinda like the smell of tire smoke. And I think the practice of a celabratory donut or 6 is a good addition to the show. It's certinly less poluting than the thousands of BarBQ grills burning in the infield at most races ( Nascar or Not). And besides, anything to stick it to the Algoreians is fine by me.

[Ted]

Last Year I attended the Factory 5 open house where they happily demonstrated tires that produce red and blue tire smoke for burnouts (not just the standard white stuff )

Photo here http://www.factoryfive.com/table/whatsnew/whatsnew.html

Oh and don't forget Unlimited Airplane racing - The worlds most efficient method of converting money into noise.

[carpundit]

Ted,

I totally understand the "stick it to Al Gore" impulse. Sadly, though, the environmentalists are right. We are killing the planet.

BBQ grills are worse in the aggregate. But the symbolism of environmental depredation inherent to the burnout is something that never fails to disturb me.

CP

[MyFordDreams]

CP!! Oh no, I'm having my doubts about you now. I mean you're a Car Pundit, but you don't like racing? I'm no fan of NASCAR, but I love racing in general and used to really love Drag Racing NHRA. Do you like any racing? Come on at least GP or Formula 1??

I don't expect you to embrace drag racing. It is sort of the poor cousin of the racing world, but it
's actually a lot of fun. You should try it one time before you dismiss it totally. Most tracks have open time trials and there's a class for any vehicle. I've seen Mercedes, Porsches, Subarus, and even Yugos drag race. It's a skill and a lot of fun.

[carpundit]

Fordie,

Who said I don't like racing? I love watching a race series with real driving: Formula One, ALMS, and a bunch of local SCCA stuff, for example. I even watch NASCAR on occasion on TV, even though its all a bunch of low-tech, low-IQ bullshit.

I go to at least one buy-a-weekend-pass-for-a-fortune-and-still-pay-8-dollars-for-a-beer race each year.

Drag racing? Nope. Boats? Spare me. Also keep me away from motorcycles, snowmobiles, and lawn tractors. Just cars please. And they have to turn both ways. And not be fake, like the "Car of Tomorrow" with the dumb-ass Chevy/Ford/Dodge/Toyota grille sticker.

[eeka]

What they should really do is invent racing tires that come in scented varieties:

http://tinyurl.com/35vjxq

[iced man]

Its the result of over heating where the car puffs a lot of smoke due to lack of Neuspeed Cold Air Intake where in the race track has lots of brands not withstanding the heat surrounding the car.

[buy viagra]

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[Jail Break]

Yeah, I agree. Exactly what you mean is that you are just concern to our planet Earth.
That's a great idea, even though we were enjoying this racing, how could we enjoy this for a long time if we won't even concern a little bit to our planet. It's really a polluted air you are having fun with and that's the racing. The smoke it's explode really destroying our environment. We can take an actions right now. We want to live , right ? Even though our life is just limited. But we must be careful though. I like your post. Very informative and environmental loving blog. Keep posting !

[Spartan300workout]

I agree, your post is only exposing the reality that concerns with the environment. And Environment is a our Life and give importance the things around us. Thanks for sharing this with us.

[Chevy HHR cold air intake]

CP is just concerned for the environment. I love racing too, but the demands of the environment of today are important as well. I fell you, CP.

[Air Intake Kits]

I guess it's about time they review their rules. NASCAR should formulate rules about this.