Saru-kun says 'Irrashaii': Why I like racing and racing cars

I love racing. I love race cars.

Really, I do. As much as I don't write a lot or talk alot about this, racing technology, cars and automotive racing has a place in my heart.

The spartan functionality, directly a result of the form over function appeals to me. No nonsense, no assisted braking, no traction control, no driver aids. Just the plain basics.

Fastidious attention to detail, both in the engineering phase as well as the final execution of the design. The wonders of rubber technology that allows a 1100kg GT500 NSX to rail Sepang's Turn 5 at constant speeds of over 100 km/h. Imagine that, just 4 patches of rubber with a total area amounting to roughly an A4 sized paper holding up to 3 tonnes of lateral force.

Graceful patterns and bodylines, interspersed and accented by forms required by the demands of racing. Beautiful colour, tasteful placement of sponsors' names and logos. Well balanced, pleasing to the eye. Not all of them manage to achieve it, but Raybrig seems to have hit the jackpot with this catchy scheme.

As has RE Amemiya with their 2003 car...

Obviously, there's the driving sensation to consider as well. Dog engagement gearboxes, sequential shifting. Stiff and easily modulated brake pedal. A steering wheel which tells you what the fronts are doing. A positive clunk with every ratio selected giving marvelous marvelous marvelous feedback. Road cars from the late 90's to present day is just so... too cosseted, too refined, too soft, lacking all forms of enjoyable tactile feedback.

Unmuffled roar of exhausts and induction noises add in to the feast for the senses. Very little would come close to a 3 rotor screaming at 9000 rpm rev limit married to the high pitched whine of straight cut gears to the appreciative ear.