Comfirmation that we were all BS'ed by MS possible return, etc.

That is rather bizarre. I was watching the news conference live on the internet and the doc did make it sound like one more accident and MS will be a vegtable for life.

Personally I think MS used the injury as an excuse to retreat "gracefully" after he probably realized what a hopeless dog the F60 is and that his testing times probably didn't set any timetables on fire.

Still I do think he is gambling a lot by continuing to race, but it is his life.

 

If the cars used on the show generate les than 2 Gs of cornering capability, then it is still eminently possible that MS can drive these, but not drive F1 due to the severe loads on the neck,...

 

+1

 

+1

But I think the races at ROC include a lot of jostling around, assuming they still use the bridge/jump configuration. Could still be as risky or more than high Gs to a fragile neck.

 

You make it sound like MS is at risk of dropping dead at any moment from the slightest possible g loading. Obviously that isn't true. The fact that he might compete in the race of champs has absolutely no bearing on his ability to race in F1. A race of champs car will pull no more than 1.5g, an F1 car will pull over 4g - they are worlds apart... I wouldn't read more into this.

 

more like 1g. the cars themselves, with the right tires, might be capable of more, but not as they race them in ROC.

 

The doc's recommendation and MS' decision were not based on the g loads of a F1 car but on the fact that he would break his weakened Atlas bone if he had another accident.

The F1 test simply showed him, that because of the pain experienced under G loads, things haven't healed completely. Then the battery of tests showed that the Atlas would break in a collision on ANY kind of vehicle.

 

It was all about comfort. After my pushbike accident I have to wear a HANS style device to ride my road bike (Monster). If Schui wants to drive an F1 Ferrari around at 1/4 of its potential for some fun and exposure, then good on him. F1 is the pinicle of the sport and the pilots must be at 100 %.

 

Nice catch. That whole episode smelled funny to me, right from the start. Sure fired up the fanboys, though, didn't it?

Jack.

 

I think you guys are over reacting. The way the suggestions are made as if, he ever gets back behind a wheel, he'll be vegetable for life. Thats obviously not the case. Racing in the ROC and driving an F1 car for 50-60 laps are two totally different situations. One is for fun, one is serious.

 

There is a small difference between driving an F1 car and the cars in the RoC..

But what do you expect about MS not returning?

He has too much to lose.

 

Ignoring the sustained G-loads, what are the top speeds associated with ROC? Nothing compared to an F1 car. There is almost nothing you could do at ROC to compare to a violent crash at full tilt in an F1 car.

 

Your right Brian, some in here will get on Mikes case whenever they get the chance. Its the same ones all the time. Its too bad they never really got to enjoy Mike for those 13 plus years that he performed miracles in an F1 car. I just cant imagine having gone through those F1 years without Mike. I feel sorry for those that watched with disdain for him and not having enjoyed it the way most of us did. They were great years and if he came back he would still kick ass and I think thats what bothers these people the most. The fact that he could make a comeback and boot their beloved spoiled brat around eats them up every day. So putting him down and concocting stories makes them feel better.

 

The ROC day is just a fun day out with the boys and in no way comes close to and F1 race. Anyone making that comparison really is not in touch with reality.

 

I would think driving in this race of champions is safer than driving on the street. If MS was really that bad then he shouldn't be putting his butt in anything faster than a Segway.

and we all know that not the case either.

 

+1

 

Agreed - it's not about the conditions under 'normal' racing, it's about the condition of his neck to tolerate the immense loads incurred by an accident.

He might be able to get away participating in the Race of Champions without a sore neck (unlike F1), but it's a big risk if he has any shunts. Fingers crossed that he avoids any collisions of any kind.

Still... he's a race car driver. That's what he does. He wasn't going to be content on the sidelines for very long.

All the best,
Andrew.

 

I doubt very much that he'd be participating in what is no more than a fun event if there was any possibility of killing or seriously injuring himself. There is obviously a chance that he'll have an accident and I suspect he knows that it wouldn't be putting his life at risk if it did happen.

 

+1

Even if he does have an accident, he is going to hit those moveable, plastic barriers that absorb all of the impact. Hitting one of those is just like being slowed down quickly. I don't see this as any indication MS lied or BS'd everyone. Come on, its the ROC....what's the top speed 45-50???

Mark

 

+1

 

Yeah, those safer barriers worked great. As proven with Earnhart, who died instantly from a broken Atlas in that relative slow speed shunt.

Nott.

If somebody really likes MS, then they should wish that he never ever sits in any kind of racecar or motorcycle. Those were the doc's words btw.

I seriously doubt that:
People warned him time and again when it became clear from his many falls off the motorbikes that this wasn't meant for him. Yet he continued on until he had his accident which brought him within a fraction (quite litterally) of death.

 

Andreas, the ROC sets up a temporary course. The barriers are literally laid on the ground and get knocked all over the place. They are plastice pieces that connect like a set of legos. They are like an indoor go-cart track set up. It's not a "safer barrier" as you see on a Nascar track.

Mark

 

Edit: I found an image. See how it just moves when impacted.

Mark
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