No matter what kind of motorsport you love, nothing gets you more excited than seeing your favourite driver pass the finish line. You love everything about the sport, and you probably even have a favourite team and driver that you always cheer on. Still, you might be shocked to know that some people actually debate about the legitimacy of motorsports!

That’s right! Some people believe that motorsports like racing aren’t sports at all! This debate is one that’s been quietly going on for seemingly forever, with both sides defending their opinions passionately.

In this article, we’re going to end that debate once and for all. We’re here to tell you that car racing is indeed a real sport just like any other, and we’re going to show you why!

Let’s get started.

What Defines A Sport?

Firstly, let’s address this issue by looking at the definition of the word ‘sport’. Whether you’re searching online or looking through dictionaries, you’ll find that there are plenty of slightly different definitions for sport. Yet, all of those definitions have a few critical elements in common.

Firstly, a sport always involves some form of competition. Whether it's car racing or football, you’re still engaged in a fierce rivalry with other people to see who can be the best. That competition can take place between individuals or teams.

Secondly, the necessity of skill also defines a sport. No matter who you are or what sport you’re participating in, you’ll have to take some time to pick up the necessary skills to enjoy the game. Each time you participate in that sport, your skills will also improve gradually.

Lastly, we have a debatable aspect of the definition. Many older definitions say that it must be physically and mentally demanding for an activity to be considered a sport. If you think about how esports has reached the mainstream these days, perhaps not all sports need to be physically demanding.

Does Car Racing Fit The Definition Of A Sport?

So, having considered all of the aspects that define a sport, does car racing qualify? Yes, it does! When it comes to car racing, you’re always in competition with other drivers, even if they’re not physically racing next to you on the track. For instance, in a rally race, you’re still competing with other drivers based on the time they took to complete the course.

Besides, car racing certainly requires a very high degree of skill. Not only does it need plenty of training and experience to operate your vehicle skillfully, but the same is also true for navigating your route.

And lastly, what about the physical and mental aspects? Do they also require peak conditioning when it comes to operating a race car? Yes, of course! The truth is that race car drivers have to be highly-conditioned athletes to do their job successfully.

Bottom Line

Considering all of the factors mentioned above, it’s clear that car racing is indeed a real sport. Now, let’s shift our focus towards the sportsmen and women that compete in car racing to understand the physical and mental demands placed on them to win in motorsports!

Are Race Car Drivers Real Athletes?

Within the debate about car racing’s legitimacy as a sport, there exists a secondary discussion. Here, the main question is: “Are race car drivers real athletes?”.

The answer is a simple and crystal clear YES, and here are a few reasons why:

Race Car Drivers Must Have Strength and Stamina

Operating a high-speed vehicle during a race takes a physical toll on the human body. Without the proper physical strength, a race car driver would get exhausted far too quickly when wrestling their steering wheel around the race track.

On top of that, when race car drivers get to high speeds, their bodies are continually being pulled by gravitational forces that tire out every single muscle of their body.

So, for them to be able to last long enough, they’ll require superior levels of stamina that most regular people do not have.

That’s why race car drivers don’t just spend their time on the track. Plenty of hours are also spent in the gym to develop the strength and stamina that they need when they’re in the seat of their cars.

Race Car Drivers Must Be Mentally Sharp at All Times

Aside from athletic physical capabilities, race car drivers also require exceptional mental conditioning as well. That can be divided into two areas: mindset and cognitive abilities.

Like other athletes, race car drivers must have mental qualities like persistence and focus. With that, they’ll be able to train hard and continually improve over time to perform at their best on race day.

But their mental conditioning doesn’t just stop there. Drivers must also train their cognitive abilities, or in other words, to sharpen their senses and ability to think quickly.

When racing at high speeds, race car drivers must be able to spot opportunities and dangers while making split-second decisions. Unlike many other sports, a race car driver who fails to do that could end up in a car crash with life-threatening injuries.

An Injury Can Be Devastating To A Driver’s Racing Career

Even though a race car driver competes in a car seat behind the wheel, they must still be in good physical condition to do so. So, a driver who suffers a bodily injury like a broken bone will have to wait on the sidelines until they’re fully healed. A racecar driver can’t compete if they’re hurt, which can mean trouble for their career if the injury is severe enough.

Race Car Drivers Must Train and Practice Relentlessly Every Day

Finally, race car drivers are like other athletes in having to train every day. A driver can’t just jump into their car after a long break and expect to win first place with ease. 

Instead, they need to stay on top of their game with continuous training and constant improvement. Early mornings and late nights are not unusual to a professional race car driver, just the same as athletes from any other kind of sport.

To stay up-to-date with motorsports in Malaysia and beyond, be sure to check out TOC Automotive College, the best automotive college in Malaysia!