Road rage in Motorsport
Discussion
there's lots of track rage in club motorsport, hot headedness about some perceived slight, or just piss poor driving that's ended up in damage, followed by some retaliation on track. Some people can't get their head around the fact it is a sport and go overly aggressive in their driving. Stock Hatch back in the day was well renowned for that behaviour.
I'd say it happens in almost every club race, even today.
I'd say it happens in almost every club race, even today.
The worst I ever saw was in banger racing at Nelson Stadium years ago - that will date me…
Someone got pushed into the barriers, and was facing the wrong way - he was really annoyed. So he drove against the racing traffic to have a head on with the guy who pushed him into the barriers. He got out of his car, and went over to the other car and a genuine fight broke out. It took quite a few marshals to stop it.
As a scrutineer we do see it in Parc Ferme, but it’s rare now, with phones and cameras everywhere.
I do 6-10 meetings a year, and see 15-20 races at each one.
Walking over and being all shouty shouty, slamming the car roof, probably 5 times a year
Pushing the other driver as they get out of the car – once, maybe twice a year.
Fisticuffs – I haven’t seen anything for 3 years
Proper “going for it fight” – probably 5 years ago now.
What happens in the paddock is another matter and we care not.
Most keep their aggrieved thoughts to themselves and repay the complement at a later date.
I know of championships which have finished due to someone being a dick on a regular basis, and competitors just think “no more – I’ve had enough”. It’s usually at the cheaper end of saloon car racing for some reason.
I know of some drivers which enter into another “zone” and have a rotten attitude as soon as they go through the gate to packing up and going home.
Someone got pushed into the barriers, and was facing the wrong way - he was really annoyed. So he drove against the racing traffic to have a head on with the guy who pushed him into the barriers. He got out of his car, and went over to the other car and a genuine fight broke out. It took quite a few marshals to stop it.
As a scrutineer we do see it in Parc Ferme, but it’s rare now, with phones and cameras everywhere.
I do 6-10 meetings a year, and see 15-20 races at each one.
Walking over and being all shouty shouty, slamming the car roof, probably 5 times a year
Pushing the other driver as they get out of the car – once, maybe twice a year.
Fisticuffs – I haven’t seen anything for 3 years
Proper “going for it fight” – probably 5 years ago now.
What happens in the paddock is another matter and we care not.
Most keep their aggrieved thoughts to themselves and repay the complement at a later date.
I know of championships which have finished due to someone being a dick on a regular basis, and competitors just think “no more – I’ve had enough”. It’s usually at the cheaper end of saloon car racing for some reason.
I know of some drivers which enter into another “zone” and have a rotten attitude as soon as they go through the gate to packing up and going home.
Oof, plenty of rows over the years, only one or two that have escalated although never that seriously.
The only time I've almost had fisticuffs with someone was several years ago when someone nearly put me in the wall at Hamilton and didn't like it when I gave him a taste of his own medicine on a safer corner. They were in the garage next to us and after the race, instead of fronting up to the big angry fat bloke he'd tried to fire off (me), he decided to go for my Dad and bounce him off the side of my car and onto his arse.
The whole of my car crew dived on me as I grabbed him by the collar and wound up to smack him in the chops. Lucky for me as it probably saved my racing career.
Lucky for him too that I got to him before the old man did as, despite losing out nearly 40 years, several thousand bottles of Rioja and almost a foot in height, I'd much rather fight myself than the old man, he's a vicious old b
d 
Amazingly neither the incident on the track nor the incident in the pits was picked up by the officials. Things really are a lot tighter than they were even a few years ago and the better for it.
These days I'm a much calmer person and I've definitely progressed to being more wise about someone punting me off before it happens and so avoid having the ruck in the first place
The only time I've almost had fisticuffs with someone was several years ago when someone nearly put me in the wall at Hamilton and didn't like it when I gave him a taste of his own medicine on a safer corner. They were in the garage next to us and after the race, instead of fronting up to the big angry fat bloke he'd tried to fire off (me), he decided to go for my Dad and bounce him off the side of my car and onto his arse.
The whole of my car crew dived on me as I grabbed him by the collar and wound up to smack him in the chops. Lucky for me as it probably saved my racing career.
Lucky for him too that I got to him before the old man did as, despite losing out nearly 40 years, several thousand bottles of Rioja and almost a foot in height, I'd much rather fight myself than the old man, he's a vicious old b
d Amazingly neither the incident on the track nor the incident in the pits was picked up by the officials. Things really are a lot tighter than they were even a few years ago and the better for it.
These days I'm a much calmer person and I've definitely progressed to being more wise about someone punting me off before it happens and so avoid having the ruck in the first place
Edited by The Wookie on Wednesday 21st July 16:43
Karts.
The worst was with a younger teenager and a helicopter parent dad who was convinced his son was the next Senna. He wasn't - he was very inconsistent rather than slow and had a habit of ramming people.
His time ended after his son missed the podium, his son had a floor tantrum, dad had a fit and demanded that the leader was DQd and then threw his sons helmet at the track owner's head. Banned.
The worst was with a younger teenager and a helicopter parent dad who was convinced his son was the next Senna. He wasn't - he was very inconsistent rather than slow and had a habit of ramming people.
His time ended after his son missed the podium, his son had a floor tantrum, dad had a fit and demanded that the leader was DQd and then threw his sons helmet at the track owner's head. Banned.
Indoor kart race, two leading karts tangle and then get passed by a good few karts whilst stuck in the tyres and then there is a red flag. The driver at fault had a major strop and was protesting his innocence whilst he dragged his kart halfway round the lap to be back at the front…. How we laughed….
As always, the Yanks always have to go a step further,,,,
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tony_Stewart#Death_o...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tony_Stewart#Death_o...
Not necessarily drivers either…
An infamous episode decades ago at Oulton Park, I was there marshalling and heard about it, but I didn't see it.
A driver came off at Lodge all by himself and hit the barriers hard, bits were everywhere. He was OK, and so the marshals got the waved yellow out and were signalling the other drivers to slow down. One driver didn’t and came round the corner, spun and went flying across the grass JUST missing the marshals on it. This is a no-no – to put it mildly…
Rather than raise a complaint and deal with it officially, the marshals on the corner decided they would “have a chat” with the driver later. Word got round the marshals and about 2 dozen turned up at his camper for an apology. His mechanics instantly vanished.
The driver decided to double down on his stupidity and argue that it was no big deal. A decent right hook which laid him out indicated that others saw differently. The team packed up and went home.
Another episode was at Donington Park with a driver called Mark Thatcher – yes – that one. I think he was in an M3.
He fell off under yellows and gently touched the barrier with marshals working trackside. They weren’t at risk, compared to above, but it was a seriously crass thing to do.
A number of marshals gathered outside the team’s motorhome for “a chat” with Mark. He came to the door and tried to bluff it all off, and then did the classic “do you know who I am?”
The reply of “even more reason to smash your effing teeth in” was maybe not the response he was hoping for.
The team manager turned up and wanted to know what on earth was going on. The marshals explained the background, the team manager hadn’t got a clue what had happened on the circuit and exploded at M. Thatcher. I don’t think he ever drove for the team again.
An infamous episode decades ago at Oulton Park, I was there marshalling and heard about it, but I didn't see it.
A driver came off at Lodge all by himself and hit the barriers hard, bits were everywhere. He was OK, and so the marshals got the waved yellow out and were signalling the other drivers to slow down. One driver didn’t and came round the corner, spun and went flying across the grass JUST missing the marshals on it. This is a no-no – to put it mildly…
Rather than raise a complaint and deal with it officially, the marshals on the corner decided they would “have a chat” with the driver later. Word got round the marshals and about 2 dozen turned up at his camper for an apology. His mechanics instantly vanished.
The driver decided to double down on his stupidity and argue that it was no big deal. A decent right hook which laid him out indicated that others saw differently. The team packed up and went home.
Another episode was at Donington Park with a driver called Mark Thatcher – yes – that one. I think he was in an M3.
He fell off under yellows and gently touched the barrier with marshals working trackside. They weren’t at risk, compared to above, but it was a seriously crass thing to do.
A number of marshals gathered outside the team’s motorhome for “a chat” with Mark. He came to the door and tried to bluff it all off, and then did the classic “do you know who I am?”
The reply of “even more reason to smash your effing teeth in” was maybe not the response he was hoping for.
The team manager turned up and wanted to know what on earth was going on. The marshals explained the background, the team manager hadn’t got a clue what had happened on the circuit and exploded at M. Thatcher. I don’t think he ever drove for the team again.
There was a Fiat racing class here in Ireland a number of years ago. Its' nickname was "Fiat-Nam"
It was before my time but a video was posted of the racing coverage from the season on youtube.
The last bit of the coverage shows some road rage. In a race long fight for third, and a last ditch attempt to get third, Driver A sends a no hope move up the inside of driver B and basically rams them aside. However, driver C who witnessed this and has the TV camera in the car, seems to take issue with that manoeuvre, is seen gesticulating and takes it upon himself to ram driver A off the track, keep the foot to the floor and keep ramming driver A and got himself DQ'd.
Guess who bought the car that got the ste knocked out of it after being rammed years later? Lol my poor car....The funny thing is I watched that video hoping that my car would 1. be in the video and 2. hopefully not be too badly damaged!
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3-OT1gFMCPE&li...
Incident is at 30:00 onwards!
It was before my time but a video was posted of the racing coverage from the season on youtube.
The last bit of the coverage shows some road rage. In a race long fight for third, and a last ditch attempt to get third, Driver A sends a no hope move up the inside of driver B and basically rams them aside. However, driver C who witnessed this and has the TV camera in the car, seems to take issue with that manoeuvre, is seen gesticulating and takes it upon himself to ram driver A off the track, keep the foot to the floor and keep ramming driver A and got himself DQ'd.
Guess who bought the car that got the s
te knocked out of it after being rammed years later? Lol my poor car....The funny thing is I watched that video hoping that my car would 1. be in the video and 2. hopefully not be too badly damaged!Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3-OT1gFMCPE&li...
Incident is at 30:00 onwards!
Truckosaurus said:
As always, the Yanks always have to go a step further,,,,
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tony_Stewart#Death_o...
Thats a harsh statement.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tony_Stewart#Death_o...
acer12 said:
Truckosaurus said:
As always, the Yanks always have to go a step further,,,,
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tony_Stewart#Death_o...
Thats a harsh statement.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tony_Stewart#Death_o...
I've been racing quite some years now and have experienced the worst just 3 weeks ago on Spa-Francorchamps.
In the long left hander (Bruxelles) I misjudged a situation and tapped the car in front of me. I thought he would slide in front of me without touching but we did. Just a minor touch, my indicator was broken and his car just got a bit unsettled.
He went wide in that corner but would have had the inside line for the next 2 corners, I would have never been able to pass him probably.
In the next corner, fast left downhill (Rivage), in the middle of the corner he steers right towards me, forcing me outside.
OK, he's not happy apparently.
Then I'm able to pass him immediately, but in the next corners the safety car lights are flashing so we should slow down....at that moment he decides to run into me.
After the restart, when we get back to the Bruxelles corner (where the contact took place), he then runs into me again forcing me wide...
Was my contact so severe that he needed to pay me back 3 times? Not in my opinion. If I hadn't responded to his move towards me into Rivage, me or we both would have crashed hard with speeds up to 130 kph....idiot.
After the race he denied everything and I needed to get out of his face because I was fuming.
Before circuit racing I've done rallycross, so I'm used to contact but this was just dangerous driving...
It can be seen in my race report from 3:47 onwards
https://youtu.be/Tzu0Odaqi1U
In the long left hander (Bruxelles) I misjudged a situation and tapped the car in front of me. I thought he would slide in front of me without touching but we did. Just a minor touch, my indicator was broken and his car just got a bit unsettled.
He went wide in that corner but would have had the inside line for the next 2 corners, I would have never been able to pass him probably.
In the next corner, fast left downhill (Rivage), in the middle of the corner he steers right towards me, forcing me outside.
OK, he's not happy apparently.
Then I'm able to pass him immediately, but in the next corners the safety car lights are flashing so we should slow down....at that moment he decides to run into me.
After the restart, when we get back to the Bruxelles corner (where the contact took place), he then runs into me again forcing me wide...
Was my contact so severe that he needed to pay me back 3 times? Not in my opinion. If I hadn't responded to his move towards me into Rivage, me or we both would have crashed hard with speeds up to 130 kph....idiot.
After the race he denied everything and I needed to get out of his face because I was fuming.
Before circuit racing I've done rallycross, so I'm used to contact but this was just dangerous driving...
It can be seen in my race report from 3:47 onwards
https://youtu.be/Tzu0Odaqi1U
Lady drivers...
Dr Jonathan Palmer in the BTCC at Snetterton in 1991. A clumsy attempt to overtake lady driver Nettan Lindgren ends with both of them in the kitty litter. JP sits in his M3 - even with a helmet on he looks sheepish - as Nettan marches over, pulls open his door, gives him her views in frank Swedish style before slamming the door closed and marching off. Much ironic applause from spectators.
In 1997 Nicholas Minassian racing F3 at Thruxton. After the checker he brake-tested a back marker (who baulked him during the race) to a halt, he then jumped out of his car and started to hurl handfuls of gravel at his opponent.
Maybe that's why we have tarmac run-offs these days....
Dr Jonathan Palmer in the BTCC at Snetterton in 1991. A clumsy attempt to overtake lady driver Nettan Lindgren ends with both of them in the kitty litter. JP sits in his M3 - even with a helmet on he looks sheepish - as Nettan marches over, pulls open his door, gives him her views in frank Swedish style before slamming the door closed and marching off. Much ironic applause from spectators.
In 1997 Nicholas Minassian racing F3 at Thruxton. After the checker he brake-tested a back marker (who baulked him during the race) to a halt, he then jumped out of his car and started to hurl handfuls of gravel at his opponent.
Maybe that's why we have tarmac run-offs these days....
Edited by moffspeed on Wednesday 28th July 10:47
Tim600 said:
I've been racing quite some years now and have experienced the worst just 3 weeks ago on Spa-Francorchamps.
In the long left hander (Bruxelles) I misjudged a situation and tapped the car in front of me. I thought he would slide in front of me without touching but we did. Just a minor touch, my indicator was broken and his car just got a bit unsettled.
He went wide in that corner but would have had the inside line for the next 2 corners, I would have never been able to pass him probably.
In the next corner, fast left downhill (Rivage), in the middle of the corner he steers right towards me, forcing me outside.
OK, he's not happy apparently.
Then I'm able to pass him immediately, but in the next corners the safety car lights are flashing so we should slow down....at that moment he decides to run into me.
After the restart, when we get back to the Bruxelles corner (where the contact took place), he then runs into me again forcing me wide...
Was my contact so severe that he needed to pay me back 3 times? Not in my opinion. If I hadn't responded to his move towards me into Rivage, me or we both would have crashed hard with speeds up to 130 kph....idiot.
After the race he denied everything and I needed to get out of his face because I was fuming.
Before circuit racing I've done rallycross, so I'm used to contact but this was just dangerous driving...
It can be seen in my race report from 3:47 onwards
https://youtu.be/Tzu0Odaqi1U
We will have to take your word for it, your youtube has a fair bit of editing going on In the long left hander (Bruxelles) I misjudged a situation and tapped the car in front of me. I thought he would slide in front of me without touching but we did. Just a minor touch, my indicator was broken and his car just got a bit unsettled.
He went wide in that corner but would have had the inside line for the next 2 corners, I would have never been able to pass him probably.
In the next corner, fast left downhill (Rivage), in the middle of the corner he steers right towards me, forcing me outside.
OK, he's not happy apparently.
Then I'm able to pass him immediately, but in the next corners the safety car lights are flashing so we should slow down....at that moment he decides to run into me.
After the restart, when we get back to the Bruxelles corner (where the contact took place), he then runs into me again forcing me wide...
Was my contact so severe that he needed to pay me back 3 times? Not in my opinion. If I hadn't responded to his move towards me into Rivage, me or we both would have crashed hard with speeds up to 130 kph....idiot.
After the race he denied everything and I needed to get out of his face because I was fuming.
Before circuit racing I've done rallycross, so I'm used to contact but this was just dangerous driving...
It can be seen in my race report from 3:47 onwards
https://youtu.be/Tzu0Odaqi1U
moffspeed said:
In 1997 Nicholas Minassian racing F3 at Thruxton. After the checker he brake-tested a back marker (who baulked him during the race) to a halt, he then jumped out of his car and started to hurl handfuls of gravel at his opponent.
Maybe that's why we have tarmac run-offs these days....
I've got that moment on one of the old Duke Video "Havoc" VHS tapes - Michael Bentwood was the backmarker I think.Maybe that's why we have tarmac run-offs these days....
Edited by moffspeed on Wednesday 28th July 10:47
Have seen my fair share of incidents when commentating especially in my short oval days - the worst one was probably at Birmingham Wheels a few years ago during a Banger racing head to head between two promotions. The meeting was running late and the Final for the Bangers had to start before the stadium curfew or it would be abandoned, but some of the "home" team cars were set to be locked out at the pit gate so the race could start in time. So the said drivers' mechanics tackled the pit gate marshal, forced the gate open and one of them went onto the track and SAT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE TRACK to stop the race starting, while the locked-out cars drove out to line up.
I switched off the PA system and let the race run with no commentary because I didn't trust myself not to say exactly what I thought of them.
Being a fan of all sorts of low end stuff like autograss ad short ovals, this is a common thing in my experience, very rarely gets silly, but now and then.
A bloke was hitting people in his car all day, got loaded up, decided to take his road car round the track, another lap and he would have got a full extinguisher through the window! He was also being chased down by three race cars, all hitting him, and the son of a gun was racing again a few years later, total and utter headcase, clearly mentally ill; should never be allowed a licence.
Seen some truly awful abuse aimed at wives, family at stock cars, really guys in circuit racing play at it quite honestly!!
A bloke was hitting people in his car all day, got loaded up, decided to take his road car round the track, another lap and he would have got a full extinguisher through the window! He was also being chased down by three race cars, all hitting him, and the son of a gun was racing again a few years later, total and utter headcase, clearly mentally ill; should never be allowed a licence.
Seen some truly awful abuse aimed at wives, family at stock cars, really guys in circuit racing play at it quite honestly!!
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