5 things not to ask a race driver

Filed under: Features on February 15, 2007

And now for something completely different. This week I give you some easy reading in the only way a blog knows how: a list. It’s remarkable how many times people ask these questions soon after they discover that I’m a racing driver. So here’s my top five things you should never ask a racing driver.

1. Isn’t it scary?

Hannibal Lecter or Charles Manson. Killer Bees and Giant Snakes. Those things are scary and surprisingly, are also things that I try to avoid. Motor racing, however, isn’t. It doesn’t scare me, it thrills me. It provides a euphoric rush of adrenaline and challenges my nerves, but it doesn’t scare me. If it did, I probably wouldn’t do it.

2. Have you ever crashed?

Of course I’ve crashed. Do you think Lance Armstrong never fell off his bike? Motor racing is about pushing limits and inevitably you sometimes cross it. When you do, you crash. It’s no different to any other sport.

3. How did you get into it?

I’m not really sure why this irritates me, but it does. I guess it’s because if I played football or tennis, nobody would bother asking. Surely, motor sport isn’t that unusual, is it? I also get the impression that they expect a short answer, something like “it’s in the family” or “I’ve raced since I was young“. I don’t really have a short answer.

4. I went go-karting once!

Excellent, go-karting is fun! However, I hate to be the one to break this to you but racing go-karts is not what I do. It’s sort of like telling Tiger Woods you like to play crazy golf. They’re just not the same.

Note: In no way do I think of myself as motor sport’s Tiger Woods…

5. How fast do you go?

I never know what to say to this. I think what they really mean is how fast do you go in a straight line so I can imagine doing it on a motorway and then relate that to what you do? The truth is, unfortunately, that how fast a racing car goes in a straight line isn’t particularly important and from Formula Renault to Formula Three or Formula Palmer Audi to the World Series By Renault, the variation is actually very small (perhaps 20mph at most circuits). So how do I answer that? I guess that in the end, you tell them what they want to hear… really, really fast!

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Comments

Tim

February 16th, 2007

Hello mate, 1st off I’ve really enjoyed reading all your articles, I must come watch you race if it’s at all convenient for you?

I promise never to ask you any of those questions

Tim.

kraig

February 18th, 2007

hello the pin
your site is looking good,hows it shaping up for this season for you.
just want to know which teams and drivers you have your eye on for the very soon opener to the 2007 f1 championship.i think after winter testing maclaren are looking good and i hate to say it kimi in the red ass is going to win the title this year.

Martin

February 18th, 2007

Ahh, the Ski… How does the world find you?

F1? I think that people are underestimating Renault and the R27. Hiekki will out perform Fisi and they will be strong title challengers.

Kimi needs to win the title, if he doesn’t, he need only to himself why he hasn’t. Worst case scenario for him is if Massa continues to impress and I have full faith in that. Both are mentally volatile, so we’ll see who deals with it best.

Alonso looks impressive, he is certainly the most impressive overall and he seems to have gelled well with McClaren but I’m yet to be convienced the team can win consistantly again.

I choose Heikki and you choose Lewis? Same arrangement as last year?…

Tim: Come along, you’re of course welcome!

kraig

February 19th, 2007

of course martin same arrangement as last year.
did you manage to secure a deal with the company you work for,i cant see the brand on your home page.the new company i work for are based in colchester and there parent company are nationwide, i think i will mention you to the management next time im in the office and see what they say ,hey.

Gethin

February 22nd, 2007

LMAO… very good Martin…

I have been asked most of them too…. mainly the how fast thing…. once just for a laugh I said 180mph… for a laugh and got the answer “what in that little thing? you’re crazy” which obviously for anyone in the know is just ludicrous… I It would be cool if my Vee did 180 sometimes…