14 replies to this topic

[Joey Jordan]

For my cultural anthropology class my teacher assigned me to write an ethnography on an American sub culture.  Which basically means I need to study a group of people.  I couldnt think of a better group of people than racers.  SInce I've been racing for only a couple of years now I would appreciate some input from some of you with much more experince in the culture that is racers.

 

Some of the questions that need to be answered:

What regalia or costumes or clothing do they wear and how does it
compare or contrast with the general population?

 

 What makes the group understudy unique--in other words what
makes them a group, a clan, a family.

 

Describe the food and drink involved with the group. How does it
reflect or relate to the make-up of the group--what role does food and drink
play? Are there “food rituals’?

 

Did you note any mating rituals or courtship within the group? How
so? What are the rituals or acts that you would associate with
mating/dating/courtship/hooking up in the group?

 

What can you see and say about status and role? Are there leaders,
followers, status, egalitarianism, --gender within this topic? How did/do the
“leaders” gain or come to power?  What
are the manifestations of status and role?

 

Give examples of non-verbal communication that you may have noted in the
group.

 

That is just some of the things to respond to but anything will help.  Any sort of ritual that we do or how we interact.  Love to hear some great input!

 

Thanks- Joey

 

 

 

[Tyler Dahl]

I wear a helmet and boxers when going thru the paddock.

We race girl cars.

PBR and anything that you can cook medium rare. Hard liquor if you only have alittle bit of time before the race.

We bump draft but I don't think anyone has successfully knocked up another car.

Our leader goes by JD the 2nd, then theres MC, AC, DS, KW and maybe some KY. As far as groups we have the East Street, OPM, ADVANCED-Auto, RM, Oregon boys, Texans, etc.

We have the line up hand gesture and the your number 1!!

If you need any more help let me know.

[makus0025]

http://1.bp.blogspot...s400/poster.jpg

 

What regalia or costumes or clothing do they wear and how does it
compare or contrast with the general population?

 

I spend all my money on racing so the only new clothing I have since i started 3 years ago is the free t-shirts I get at races

[Alberto]

For my cultural anthropology class my teacher assigned me to write an ethnography on an American sub culture.  Which basically means I need to study a group of people.  I couldnt think of a better group of people than racers.  SInce I've been racing for only a couple of years now I would appreciate some input from some of you with much more experince in the culture that is racers.

 

Some of the questions that need to be answered:

What regalia or costumes or clothing do they wear and how does it
compare or contrast with the general population?

Race suits of varying styles, colors and expense. 

Helmets.

Funny hats.

I hear some people wear red under garments under their race suits - b/c red is faster

 

 What makes the group understudy unique--in other words what
makes them a group, a clan, a family.

The mutual desire for the drug called racing.  Adrenaline.  The thrill of victory.  The desire for a chance at victory and the progression and learning to achieve it.

 

Describe the food and drink involved with the group. How does it
reflect or relate to the make-up of the group--what role does food and drink
play? Are there “food rituals’?

Casa Ramos at Willows, CA

Communal beers after the race day.  It's like communion wine or something.

 

Did you note any mating rituals or courtship within the group? How
so? What are the rituals or acts that you would associate with
mating/dating/courtship/hooking up in the group?

Besides the aforementioned bump drafting w/ cars bumping uglies, I haven't noticed anyone trying to bump w/o body parts.  Minor exception for those that bring women to the event or female drivers.  Chicks in race suits are hot.

 

What can you see and say about status and role? Are there leaders,
followers, status, egalitarianism, --gender within this topic? How did/do the
“leaders” gain or come to power?  What
are the manifestations of status and role?

Only leaders I can think of are the Race Directors, flaggers etc.  Beyond that, it's a cock fight waiting to happen.  Everyone is friendly in the pits and willing to help each other on track and off but we all want to win.

 

Give examples of non-verbal communication that you may have noted in the
group.

1 fingered salutes and open hand waves

The occasional grunting and grumbling

That is just some of the things to respond to but anything will help.  Any sort of ritual that we do or how we interact.  Love to hear some great input!

 

Thanks- Joey

 

Biggest ritual is as a driver enters the car before a session.  Process of getting in, tightening belts, turning on stuff, thinking about the race or session.  Concentration.  Thought.  Strategy.  Where's my pass going to be?  Who's around me?  What are their weaknesses?  Which turn can I challenge them?

 

Once you get in the car, it's the most peaceful yet intense mental and physical experience.  Total concentration.  Nothing but the moment in your surroundings.  Almost like sex but less moaning and screaming.   Attack the track.  Attack your competitors.  Try and improve your position and get closer to the win.  Size up your opponent.  Find a weakness.  Make a pass.  Yes.  The thrill.  The adrenaline.  More.  onto the next victim.  It ends too soon. 

[Joey Jordan]

Thanks for your incite guys. It's very helpful and it was very halarious!

[LarryKing]

I've met a fairly diverse demographic in racing although most club racers tend to be professionally employed; physicians, attorneys, a lobbyist, a lot of engineer types, marketers, etc. The common denominator is a love of cars and competition. Also, if your grade is based in part on spelling and grammar, which it should be, I'm reasonably certain you meant "insight" and "hilarious"

[Bench Racer]

what makes them a group, a clan, a family. = willingness as competitors to support/encorage each other


mating/dating/courtship/hooking up in the group? = team racing


How did/do the “leaders” gain or come to power? = always at the pointy end

[wheel]

There are also hook-ups that cross cultural boundaries, as in racers with corner workers, etc.  However, there is no known case of anyone hooking up with a steward.

 

wheel

[Blake Thompson]

SUCKERS.  You did his or her homework for him or her. 

[Blake Thompson]

I've met a fairly diverse demographic in racing although most club racers tend to be professionally employed; physicians, attorneys, a lobbyist, a lot of engineer types, marketers, etc. The common denominator is a love of cars and competition. Also, if your grade is based in part on spelling and grammar, which it should be, I'm reasonably certain you meant "insight" and "hilarious"

 

It read better the other way.  Uppity researcher.

[Joey Jordan]

I've met a fairly diverse demographic in racing although most club racers tend to be professionally employed; physicians, attorneys, a lobbyist, a lot of engineer types, marketers, etc. The common denominator is a love of cars and competition. Also, if your grade is based in part on spelling and grammar, which it should be, I'm reasonably certain you meant "insight" and "hilarious"

Yea that was the main theme of my essay.  Great diversity in people who all share a common goal.  And for the spellng I hope he doesnt grade harshly cause I suk at spelling.

[Rob Burgoon]

Moose, you left out "and access to a big pile of money"

[Fetusdoc]

I am not a competitive racer as those who have responded to your request.

Someday I may be there, but for now I just run in the HPDE (high performance driving education) programs that help train drivers to someday join the racing core.

Reading the comment lines it is clear that competition changes the focus and goal of the driving experience. They drive to win, something that can only be experienced by those who paid their dues, put in the time and proved they had the skills necessary to succeed. Perhaps they are the pedators that move on to the level of head to head competition driven to suceed and win. But I think we all started from the same place. The pure joy of driving fast, the partnership between the car and the driver, the never ending desire to perfect technique, drive the perfect line, conquer each corner one at a time and then the small secrets we all learn to gain a bit of time on each lap once we understand the personality of each track. It is kind of a love affair early on, a sensory experience, pushing the limits slowly one step at a time, moving past safe and relishing the results. The joy of an almost perfect lap all coming together. I think this is where we all started from and that is why we all share a common heritage that generates respect, collegiality and the "race" culture that encourages the interaction at all levels of the sport and encourages drivers/racers to share information, experience and lessons learned across the hiarachy of newbie's like me to the "hardened" professionals where it is "game on". Perhaps they promote the success of us newbies so that they have fresh meat for the future?

[LarryKing]

And for the spellng I hope he doesnt grade harshly cause I suk at spelling.

 

A professor once told me, "Not everyone will be an artist, but anyone can be a craftsman."

 

Be a craftsman.

[Fetusdoc]

So who is the artist and who is the craftsman?

Think that both live within those who drive to reach perfection and win, and those who drive for the pure joy of the experience and yet strive toward the perfect lap (hopefully in multiple succession).