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I guess I have a different idea in my head as to what an “athlete” is. I don't think just because someone has to work out and be really fit to do his thing automatically makes him an athlete. Is an astronaut and athlete? They have to be in tip top workout physical shape to even qualify for job. Is a pro dancer considered an athlete? I think the word “sports” should be in there someplace. Dancing is wonderful and so is being an astronaut but is that a “sport”? Now a guy in the Tour De France , in my opinion is an athlete. His legs are doing the work not a machine under the hood.

I’ll try to give you my best definition/comparison. Bear with me as this might jump around.

Lets take that TDF guy Vs a race car driver and compare as close as we can ‘point to point.

Both drive/ride a machine so that removes that from the equation.

Both require concentration to keep control over the machine. Eyesight, situational awareness (other racers/riders) hand/ eye/ foot coordination (shifting braking/steering etc are also common to both.

Both are in competition. Mentally the rules/dictates/needs of competition apply to both.

Now the apparent difference. The TDF guy uses his body’s power to directly power and control the machine. The RCD uses his body’s power to withstand sustained g force and other physical effects produced while maintaining control of the machine. (even 5 point harnesses do not keep you pinned immobile and sustained 3-axis Gs are physically very taking on the body)

In a case where the TDF were to stop using his body’s power to provide propulsion or become physically exhausted from his physical exertion, the machine would stop. If the RCD stopped using his body’s power to maintain his position at and in command of the controls or became physically exhausted from physically resisting sustained G eorce, the machine would stop/crash.

TDF can ride in direct sunlight resulting in elevated body temps and possible heat exhaustion/dehydration.

RCD wears multiple layers of fireproof clothing and sits in a high temp ‘cockpit’ resulting in elevated body temps and possible heat exhaustion/dehydration.

So when you get right down to it, what’s really the significant difference?

Fish hawk,

You should just do a ride along for 4 or 5 hot laps at the Richard Petty experience, which is not even out where NASCAR drivers sit for 500 miles! They get up to the 160+ mph range on those battered “daily drivers”, and it’s a plenty to make you respect the true athleticism involved in stock car racing, just riding, much less ignoring how much it takes to drive one.

It takes some serious constant force to keep that machine in the groove, and you are in a constant battle with the g-forces. NASCAR machines are not luxury cars — mainly because they’d just kill you faster if they were. The cars are designed to make you work to make them move, since if they didn’t, a small shake at close to 200mph would put you square in a wall.

Combine that with the mental stress of a wailing engine, constant radio chatter, heat, fumes, tire noise, fueling strategy, groove selection -— it takes a special amount of concentration to just drive, much less be superior.

I completely agree. I’m not overly educated so I can’t think of a word that I’d use to describe someone like a dancer, or a NASCAR driver, since I don’t consider either to be athletes.

To me, I consider Soccer, Hockey, Off/Def line in Football, Bikers, Wrestlers (real wristlers), and Tennis, to be the domain of true athletes.