Letter to the Webmaster, Motorsport Magazine Online:

Thank you for a fantastic and informative web page. Due to the clarity of your layout and your impeccable knowledge of the auto racing industry, I was able to learn a tremendous amount about racing, racers, and the activity in general. My colleagues and I consider you a reliable reference, and I am sure you are revered amongst your peers.

I hate driving. I am terrible at it. I tend to daydream when I am behind the wheel and as you may know, that is not a good thing. I have even fallen asleep during a quick five-minute drive, bored to sleep by the monotony of the gliding automobile and the scenery flashing by. I would hope to quit driving entirely, were it not so convenient.

Others, however, are drawn to it. You are no stranger to this concept. People drive cars and trucks professionally, and are exceptional drivers to the larger percentile of average drivers like me. Deservingly, these drivers acquire fame and fortune from their skill, making the auto racing industry a prominent fixture atop the world of entertainment. These men and women possess an unbelievable talent for driving automobiles, but for obvious reasons, they are not athletes.

Sport: an activity involving physical exertion and skill, governed by rules or customs and often undertaken competitively.

While auto racing requires awareness and demands concentration, the only human physical energy being exerted occurs when the driver steers the wheel (always to the left), and controls the foot pedals. Sure, there is the busy pit crew, always an important part of the racing team itself, but these men are not considered athletes even amongst the members of your community. Being a talented driver depends more on mental facets, such as dealing with tender situations at extreme speeds while taking precautionary measures to avoid a collision.

This is a race, a competition - not a sport. For a competition to be classified as a sport, it must bear athletes, as opposed to people that display a talent for driving well.

Athlete: a person possessing the natural or acquired traits necessary for physical exercise or sports.

I have a simple request. I request that you officially change the name of your publication. I offer the likes of ‘Motor Men and Women Magazine,’ or something along the lines of ‘Motor Lifestyle.’ Anything will be fine other than the current nomenclature, ‘Motorsport,’ as you cannot be an affiliate of official athletes. I understand this to be a daunting preposition, so I’ll let you sleep on it.

There is understanding on my part that auto racing has a prestigious amount of history and fan base. Do not consider this as an attempt on my behalf to discount the activity or to terminate it completely. The first Indy 500 was held in 1911, a long time ago by historical means. I ask not to banish auto racing, but merely to amend a naming convention.

Suppose your faithful race-crazed readers become sidetracked with the name change and have trouble finding your publication. I have pondered such a scenario, so precautionary measures have already been taken. Which name you choose to replace that of the current is not of my concern, but I propose a suffix entitled, ‘-formerly known as Motorsport Magazine.’ This way, your loyal fans can find you with ease and your name will no longer be incomprehensible to athletes everywhere. You see, your name is a mockery in the face of all true athletes.

Again, my compliments on a wonderful web site.

Sincerely,
Tim McAvoy, Chaser Magazine