Is Motorsport absurd?

A Deceptively Explosive Start

Allow me, Xander, to kick-start this discussion on perhaps what seems to be an absurd topic, 'Is Motorsport absurd?'. I mean, what's there to pick apart, you might wonder. After all, Motorsport. We enjoy watching it, we get behind drivers, we marvel at the engineering marvels these cars are. But folks, my dear readers, let's pop the hood on this thing and take a closer look. Let's take that deep dive through the turbocharged labyrinth of this sport.

Have you ever sat on your couch to catch the roar of Formula 1 cars on TV, and suddenly your Golden Retriever Nugget looks at you as if you're a crazy alien from outer space? Well, that's been my life for a while now. My fur-buddy Nugget often gazes at me with confused eyes as I spend hours glued to the television set, cheering for my favourite driver, utterly absorbed. His adorable incomprehension leads me to explore, is it we humans that are a little absurd in our fascination for Motorsport, or is there indeed more to it?

The Mad Love for Thunderous Beasts

Behind the adrenaline rush and the heart-thumping thrill lies the sheer complexity of the machinery that powers this passion. Motorsport isn't just about racing, and it's about engineering, aerodynamics, teamwork, strategy, and of course, nerves of steel. Whether you're in awe of the blaring roar of an F1 engine, or you find yourself counting down seconds to the next MotoGP race, the blend of human skill and technological prowess exhibited in Motorsport could indeed seem absurd to some.

The sheer amount of work that goes into creating these thunderous beasts could even dwarf the efforts required to bring life to, say, an opera. There's a tremendous collaboration among engineers, physicists, and designers to create each car or bike. Hours of testing, refining, and perfecting go into the making of these speed machines.

Is it absurd? Not unless you consider a pianist's dedication to his craft or a painter's meticulous attention to detail ridiculous. It's passion, purely distilled. It's the quest for perfection, with every nanosecond weighing equivalent to gold dust.

Thrilling, Yes! Absurd, No.

Then, let's talk about the drivers. These gladiators of speed, defy limits that would cripple many of us. Imagine a barrage of G-forces hammering at you as you twist and turn at breakneck speeds, weaving between rivals, with the singular focus of being first across the line. It's audacious, it's thrilling, but hardly absurd. In fact, it's commendably glorious, beyond the realm of sane comprehension.

One day during my university years, I drove a formula student car, a scaled-down version of a Formula 1 car. I can tell you, even at a fraction of the pace of an F1 race, the experience was rich in adrenaline and terror. It made me respect our racing gods even more. They are not merely drivers but skillful and brave artists shaping a high-speed ballet on the tarmac stage, under the spotlights of millions of spectators.

A Common Thread of Absurdity?

But here's the funny irony: The vast majority of us will never drive an F1 car or a MotoGP bike. Heck, most of us can't even name more than a few components under the hood of our own everyday cars. Yet, we are mesmerised, obsessed even, with this world of speed and glamour. Is this our shared thread of absurdity as fans and followers of Motorsports?

Well, isn't this the case with most things we love? Do you need to be a professional chef to appreciate a well-cooked meal? Do you need to be an accomplished musician to enjoy a symphony? Motorsport is art, science, and passion combined into one. And it takes people like us, fans with a bend for thrill and appreciation for the craft, to absorb the spectacle and transform it into a worldwide phenomenon.

So, is Motorsport absurd? As snug as Nugget looks when he's sprawled across the couch watching me cheer for another overtaking manoeuvre on TV, I'd say no. The sport is a magnificent integration of technology, courage, strategy, and human spirit. And as long as these elements continue to command our attention and evoke raw emotions, the essence of Motorsport will never be absurd. More than making complete sense, it makes moments, memories and history.

As I rest my case, Nugget now sleeps soundly by my side, unconcerned about the rumble of passing cars still ringing in my ears. Our bond, amidst this riddling madness of ‘absurd’ Motorsports, continues to bloom - much like our shared sanity within the world of rubber, gravel, and roaring engines.