NationStates Jolt Archive

This thread is to discuss who is the best racing driver still around and racing today. S/he can be from any kind of motorsport, have statistics or explanations for your choice. The first ten will be put into a poll and voted on. So straight onto nominations.:p

I nominate Valentino Rossi. Rossi has participated on 139 races, in all the different classes of Motorbike racing, the 125, 250, 500cc and MotoGP. Out of those 139 he's stood on the podium 100 times. Of those, 67 were victories.

1997 125cc (Aprilia)
1999 250cc (Aprilia)
2001 500cc (Honda)
2002 MotoGP (Honda)
2003 MotoGP (Honda)
2004 MotoGP (Yamaha)


Above are Rossi's championship wins, six of them in all the different race classes. He was the last ever 500cc champion, when he switched to Yamaha in 2004, it was the equivalent of Schumacher switching to Jordan F1. His winning the title with Yamaha, and seemingly going to do it again this year, proves in my opinion that he is the best racer around today. He also has much more competition than Schumacher does, with Marco Melandri, Sete Gibernau, Nicky Hayden and Colin Edwards (among others) also being top class riders.


Dostanut Loj nominates:

Michelle Mouton:
She introduced women into the highly competitive realm of high end racing, she did it in that beast of an Audi Sport Quattro built for Group B, and she did it without killing herself in a motorsport category that was shut down and banned because of too many accidents resulting in death and destruction (AKA Safety Issues).

Ontop of that, she managed to keep competitive with the top guys in a car that had long since passed it's prime, espically when compared to the newer cars in the genre.


So who do you nominate and why?

Michelle Mouton (I mispelled that, I know).

Frankly, although she isn't as active anymore that I know of, she is one of the greatest still alive (All time, Henri Toivonen would have this spot). Shr introduced women into the highly competitive realm of high end racing, she did it in that beast of an Audi Sport Quattro built for Group B, and she did it without killing herself in a motorsport category that was shut down and banned because of too many accidents resulting in death and destruction (AKA Safety Issues).

Ontop of that, she managed to keep competitive with the top guys in a car that had long since passed it's prime, espically when compared to the newer cars in the genre.

I think the best driver has to be kimi he has always been on top form and ahead of everyone its just his mclaren that lets him down.
But i also believe that in around 2 years time either jenson button or alonso would be a close call. :D

*Ignores Prerequisets*(sp)

Bruce Maclaren(sp)

Dostanut, you spelt it right I think :p, and I'm not sure if she's still racing today. I meant racers that are still racing and competing.
Harlesburg..... never mind, but I'm not adding in Bruce McLaren.
King Burney, you'll need to elaborate as to why Kimi Raikkonen is the best driver around today, and I think you'll have a hard time considering he's not even the best F1 driver today.

Dick Trickle.


*snicker*

well if you have been watching f1 of late kimi has been ahead of the rst for ages its just the car that fails if the car would work he would be ahead of alonso in the championship.
Kimi would have taken the drivers championship 2 years ago if it wasnt again for the car.

I REST MY CASE!!!

Sanct, posting with a puppet are you?

Anyway...
I saw an international racing challange last year, forgot the name, that runs crossover rallies in Monte Carlo I believe. They run specific cars pir against eachother, and people compete for their country. I remember it specificly because Michelle Mouton runs it, and I remember, last year at least, that they said she did it as well as still competing. She doesn't compete in anything mor then local, or area races now though, but it's still competing.
Of course, you could mean competing for a world title, which effectivly cuts out most of the greatest drivers still alive and racing in any form simply because they are too old, or do not have the money to compete at such an expensive, and taxing level.

Sanct, posting with a puppet are you?
Not like its a secret puppet, check its post history, most of its posts are signed -Sanctaphrax-. Its the nation I sign into, so inevitably go into the forums with it. *shrugs*


As for Michelle Mouton, you're reffering to the RoC, or Race of Champions, and yes I think she did organise it, so I'll add her in :)

james hunt
stirling moss (althoguh i think he's long dead)

Aren't they both now 70+ and most certainly not racing to any level?

james hunt
stirling moss (althoguh i think he's long dead)
Hunt has been dead since 1993. And he wasnt even the best driver of his championship year
Moss is still alive, and is certainly a contender.

I would nominate Michael Schumacher (he has the best car for a reason), and Kimi Raikkonen...who, now, is the fastest driver in Formula One...making his teammate (Juan Pablo Montoya, touted as a future great) look like a bunny.

i would say Jim Clark amazingin F1, sports cars, F2 and touring cars...while all the time hating racing and choosing to take time off the go farming. Had he worked at F1 100% god knows what he could have done.

As Much As I Hate Saying This



















Jeff Gordon

Nadkor, does Stirling Moss actually race to any level? I wanted the best of this generation of racers, if he still races at all then I'll add him, but I fear he's way past driving, especially racing :p

i would say Jim Clark amazingin F1, sports cars, F2 and touring cars...while all the time hating racing and choosing to take time off the go farming. Had he worked at F1 100% god knows what he could have done.
...yea, but hes been dead since 1968.

And he didnt hate racing, he loved racing....he hated any semblence of celebrity that came with racing.

But he was quite possibly the greatest driver ever...he just isnt eligible, due to being dead for 37 years.

I'm going to puss out...

I don't think the greatness of a driver can be evaluated until after they retire or die, so I can't comment on who the best driver is (The best is determined by points at the end of every season for every catagory...)

Mostly because I haven't been up enough on what's goin' on to make an intellegent selection, so I thought I'd turn the tables :D

I wish IROC was like it was in it's first season, then we'd know...

Nadkor, does Stirling Moss actually race to any level? I wanted the best of this generation of racers, if he still races at all then I'll add him, but I fear he's way past driving, especially racing :p
I know that at least a few years ago he did exhbition racing in historical cars in places like the Goodwood Revival, and I think he would have been racing at the Goodwood hillclimb at the Festival of Speed this year if it hadnt been for an operation he had to have earlier in the year.

(The best is determined by points at the end of every season for every catagory...)
Nah its not....the champion is the the driver who got the best car, who was quicker than his teammate, and who had good reliability.

Sometimes thats the best driver in a season, sometimes it isnt.

For example, Kimi Raikkonen was undoubtedly the best driver at the German Grand Prix, yet he was classified last...because his car broke.

I know that at least a few years ago he did exhbition racing in historical cars in places like the Goodwood Revival, and I think he would have been racing at the Goodwood hillclimb at the Festival of Speed this year if it hadnt been for an operation he had to have earlier in the year.
If they can sit up, they still race. Viva vintage events!

I saw Hurley Haywood take a 914-6 from 10th to first (in a .10 finish) against Stingrays, Cobras, and a 911 in 10 laps at Laguna Seca during Porsche's 50th aniversary. And Phil Hill signed my program. I dig that cat.

And again, female car and racing fans are damn hot. You rock.

Nah its not....the champion is the the driver who got the best car, who was quicker than his teammate, and who had good reliability.

Sometimes thats the best driver in a season, sometimes it isnt.

For example, Kimi Raikkonen was undoubtedly the best driver at the German Grand Prix, yet he was classified last...because his car broke.
I know, I was wimping out...

If they can sit up, they still race. Viva vintage events!
Yea, theyre awesome. I especially love classic bike racing...the smoke on the start line when they head off and the smell of Castrol R. Awesome!

I saw Hurley Haywood take a 914-6 from 10th to first (in a .10 finish) against Stingrays, Cobras, and a 911 in 10 laps at Laguna Seca during Porsche's 50th aniversary. And Phil Hill signed my program. I dig that cat.
Cool, I once got Phil Read (8 times bike GP world champion) to sign my programme for the Ulster Grand Prix before he headed off on a classic race.

And again, female car and racing fans are damn hot. You rock.
Heh, thanks. :)

How did I know this thread was going to be between me, Cannot Think Of A Name and Nadkor? :p

How did I know this thread was going to be between me, Cannot Think Of A Name and Nadkor? :p
Well, if there's a thread about cars, bikes or racing, then I'll be there.

Kurt Busch

I'd say Gary Paffett. He's dominated every series he's been in (currently DTM), he's made the crossover from single-seaters to tin-tops effortlessly...and he's still only in his early twenties.

Fine Lindsey Lohan in Herbie!

I'd say Gary Paffett. He's dominated every series he's been in (currently DTM), he's made the crossover from single-seaters to tin-tops effortlessly...and he's still only in his early twenties.
Not even F1 midgrid standard.

Adam Carroll would be a better "youngster" to bet on, or Heikki Kovalainen

I'd say Gary Paffett. He's dominated every series he's been in (currently DTM), he's made the crossover from single-seaters to tin-tops effortlessly...and he's still only in his early twenties.
I will add Gary Paffett in there, even though as Nadkor said he's still far from Schumacher/Rossi material. He is a good driver, I'll agree with that.

Harlesburg, if you have nothing useful to contribute, then don't say anything.

Not even F1 midgrid standard.

Adam Carroll would be a better "youngster" to bet on, or Heikki Kovalainen

I was trying to avoid the obvious.

Then again, surprised no-one's nominated the best rally driver of recent years, Carlos Sainz...

Maybe I shouldn't have gone for Paffett after all...

Fernando Alonso! He's better than Schumacher (IMHO, but then again so's Raikkonen and it's rather difficult to say which out of Alonso and him are best), and he makes very few mistakes, especially this year.

Can't believe no ones mentioned Alain Prost though! :eek:

I need the Speed Channel and free access to AutoSport magazine again...I feel so out of the loop. The only thing I can follow with any regularity is NASCAR. While I have defended NASCAR in the past, it's far from my fav. Far. So, so very far.

There is a CART race right over the hill from me this weekend but I am too poor and my bus is too bad a shape to make it. And I have to save up to go to the Laguna Seca ALMS race to watch the second premiere of the new Porsche/Penske LMP....I can't even type that without grinning...

I'm just going to list some drivers I like who may not neccisarilly be the best, but I dig 'em-

Alan McNish-Porsche GT-1 driver and now Audi LMP. Cool guy.

Scott Pruett-In the final days of IMSA GTP he was unstoppable. Dig that cat. So do Australians for some reason...

Colin McCrae-Kinda posery, ain't it? Whatever, I dig balls out rally drivers and I like that car.

The Ironman-Now that I'm finished with college and my brother is stabalizing and my nephew is in school...gonna do the Class 11(?) Stock VW on the Baja 1000 where victory is just finishing. One of these years and soon.

Danica Patrick-I've been insisting for years now that given a fair chance women would be better then men. She's not going to prove that, it's not her job to prove women are better than men, she's going to prove that she's better than everyone else. Hopefully. I like having someone to root for in IRL, because sometimes thats the only race on.


So, now you see why I feel pretty disconnected as of late....

Ryan Newman, #12 Alltel/Mobil 1 Dodge Charger.

Even though Im a Ford person.

Alessandro Zanardi - Probably not really the "greatest", but certainly a class act!

Alessandro Zanardi - Probably not really the "greatest", but certainly a class act!
To go through what he did and still race, gotta give it up. (I didn't know he was back in a car until I did a google search after your post. What a guy...)

I was trying to avoid the obvious.

Then again, surprised no-one's nominated the best rally driver of recent years, Carlos Sainz...
You sure you don't mean Petter Solberg? You said recent years :p

If you're heading back to the '90s, then I reckon McCrae and Makkinen were both better than Sainz, but Carlos is still a great driver.

Maybe I shouldn't have gone for Paffett after all...
No, maybe not :p

Fernando Alonso! He's better than Schumacher (IMHO, but then again so's Raikkonen and it's rather difficult to say which out of Alonso and him are best), and he makes very few mistakes, especially this year.
I't just...I don't know...I tend to think that, while Alonso is udoubtedly hugely talented, Raikkonen is something very, very special...he almost won the 2003 WDC in the MP4-17D...a 2 year old car!

Can't believe no ones mentioned Alain Prost though! :eek:
Yea, but then again, apart from a recent demostration run with Mansell and (I think) Rosberg, he hasn't been racing.

Mika Hakkinen or Jean Alesi (just for his sheer car control) should also be contenders.

Danica Patrick-I've been insisting for years now that given a fair chance women would be better then men. She's not going to prove that, it's not her job to prove women are better than men, she's going to prove that she's better than everyone else. Hopefully. I like having someone to root for in IRL, because sometimes thats the only race on.

See, I'm of the opinion someone should prove themselves on ability, and not on how their body is made...and, personally, while I think Patrick could win in, say, IRL, I couldn't see her winning in F1....because, despite it being mostly a different type of racing, I think that F1 in general requires an incredible skill level to even get on a podium, and I just don't think that quite the same level is required in IRL.

See, I'm of the opinion someone should prove themselves on ability, and not on how their body is made...and, personally, while I think Patrick could win in, say, IRL, I couldn't see her winning in F1....because, despite it being mostly a different type of racing, I think that F1 in general requires an incredible skill level to even get on a podium, and I just don't think that quite the same level is required in IRL.
Well, yeah-that's why I added that whole last half of the post where I said it's just up to her to prove she's the best and politics of gender be damned. But racing is a patronage sport and drivers are selected as much on how they can sell Red Bull and Budwieser as anything else, and women aren't encouraged (That is changing.) Thing is, I want to see the best drivers on the field and we only get that when all comers have a chance.

And no way in heaven or hell would I ever suggest that an IRL driver would be qualified to test for F1, much less measure up. The only added a road course this year. I'll defend oval racing to out of hand detractors, but I'm realistic. It sits at the bottom of my favor above only drag racing (4 seconds is not a race, the trophies should go to the engine builder).

See, I'm of the opinion someone should prove themselves on ability, and not on how their body is made...and, personally, while I think Patrick could win in, say, IRL, I couldn't see her winning in F1....because, despite it being mostly a different type of racing, I think that F1 in general requires an incredible skill level to even get on a podium, and I just don't think that quite the same level is required in IRL.

That and Wheldon and Kanaan are better drivers.

She's probably equal third in IRL for ability, alongside Franchitti.

Isn't it obvious?

http://www.wingnuttoons.com/wakydast.jpg

Talking about "racing drivers", must be Schumacher!

Isn't it obvious?

http://www.wingnuttoons.com/wakydast.jpg

Alas, as he's no longer racing, he's disqualified. :p

Mind you, ol' Dick's probably used to that by now... :D

Harlesburg, if you have nothing useful to contribute, then don't say anything.
thats not nice Mclaren is great!

Greg Murphy
Possum Bourne-If he hadnt died.

So what did you want to say before?

This thread is to discuss who is the best racing driver still around and racing today.


Did you even get as far as reading the first line Harlesburg? Just in case, I put it up there.

This thread is to discuss who is the best racing driver still around and racing today.


Did you even get as far as reading the first line Harlesburg? Just in case, I put it up there.
Er i was rushing.

Ok ill stick with Murph!

Ron Fellows Corvette Has over a one year win Streak in ALMS
Greg Biffle Came outa Nowhere and is Third in Nascar points
Tony Stewert been on a tear Recently
Tom Kristenson(SP?)Won 5 out of 7 Lemans Titles

[QUOTE=L-rouge]Fernando Alonso! He's better than Schumacher (IMHO, but then again so's Raikkonen and it's rather difficult to say which out of Alonso and him are best), and he makes very few mistakes, especially this year.



Alonso is a flaming idiot; reference Monaco when he tried to pass in the tunnel.

How many consecutive championships does Michael Schumacher have to win in the world's most exclusive racing circuit to be considered the best driver? Anyone with half of a brain knows that the only reason he isn't kicking everyone's butt AGAIN this year is because of tyres. Bridgestone has been unable to come up with a solution that makes Ferrari competitive.

[QUOTE=L-rouge]Fernando Alonso! He's better than Schumacher (IMHO, but then again so's Raikkonen and it's rather difficult to say which out of Alonso and him are best), and he makes very few mistakes, especially this year.



Alonso is a flaming idiot; reference Monaco when he tried to pass in the tunnel.

How many consecutive championships does Michael Schumacher have to win in the world's most exclusive racing circuit to be considered the best driver? Anyone with half of a brain knows that the only reason he isn't kicking everyone's butt AGAIN this year is because of tyres. Bridgestone has been unable to come up with a solution that makes Ferrari competitive.

This guy is right...

Alonso is a flaming idiot; reference Monaco when he tried to pass in the tunnel.
That would be 2004, and it was entirely Ralf Schumachers fault. Alonso was lapping Ralf, and Ralf stuck to the line, forcing Alonso off onto the dirty road, where theres no grip, at 150mph and in the wall.

How many consecutive championships does Michael Schumacher have to win in the world's most exclusive racing circuit to be considered the best driver? Anyone with half of a brain knows that the only reason he isn't kicking everyone's butt AGAIN this year is because of tyres. Bridgestone has been unable to come up with a solution that makes Ferrari competitive.
And, by the same token, the only reason Schumacher has enjoyed any of his success is because he has an amazing team of aerodynamicists and engineers behind him.

Schumacher is a great driver, no doubt, but there have been other drivers of a similar ability while he has been racing....Mika Hakkinen in the past, Alonso and Raikkonen now. Schumacher has been incredibely lucky with the machinery he has, and 2000 was the only season where the championship was one by him with a car roughly equal to his opponent. 2003 is a similar one, but while Williams and Mclaren enjoyed periods of outright speed that year (Mclaren in a 2 year old car!), the Ferrari was consistently up there so overall it was the best car.

Stig Blomqist. This man is my Idol, Won the World Rally Championship in 1984.
Keeping a group b car on the Road is a miracle in itself
http://home.planet.nl/~koper193/quattro_rally2.jpg
The most under rated racing driver in the world, would be Markko Alen, This man is a great however never managed to get it together to win a title.
Tommi Makinen, To Dominate rallying for such a period is hard even in modern days.
Sebasitan Loeb, What is there to say he is a consistent man and not enough people to challenge him for victory.
Michele Mouton deservers a mention, she is one fast girl sadly she couldn’t bring it together for the 82 Session to take it together.

Lets face it, for a man to dominate even F1 for such a period is a miracle, Micheal Schumacher deserves a Mention.

I am a rally fan BTW :D

Sebasitan Loeb, What is there to say he is a consistent man and not enough people to challenge him for victory.

...

Lets face it, for a man to dominate even F1 for such a period is a miracle, Micheal Schumacher deserves a Mention.

You a fan of people who get the majority of their success because their car is superior in pretty much everyone way to everyone elses?

You a fan of people who get the majority of their success because their car is superior in pretty much everyone way to everyone elses?

Being completely Dominance in the WRC is extremely hard because of the Changes of Surface grip and the flowing of the roads, The Rate Loeb is dominating the WRC show's he Deserves anything he gets. If its all car Why hasn't his Team mates like Duval Sainz and Mcrae been able to replicate the Success? (well Sainz and Mcrae had reached there used by Date) But everyone believed that Duval would be the next loeb. Boy were they wrong.

MS, What is there to say other then, blame the other teams for not being able to build a car till this year to compete with Ferrari, i have never liked MS but he did deserve a mentioned however i think there have been better F1 Drivers like Mika Hackinen.

My WRC nominations:

Carlos Sainz (his win in Argentina last season put him at a new world record of 26 rally wins, beating Mcrae's 25)
Colin Mcrae (incredible all round driver)
Richard Burns (really underrated in my view, phenomenal driver)
Stig Blomqvist (Also a really good driver, if he's still racing)
Tommi Makkinen (four world championships with Mitsubishi before they went downhill. One of the worlds best)

My WRC nominations:

Carlos Sainz (his win in Argentina last season put him at a new world record of 26 rally wins, beating Mcrae's 25)
Colin Mcrae (incredible all round driver)
Richard Burns (really underrated in my view, phenomenal driver)
Stig Blomqvist (Also a really good driver, if he's still racing)
Tommi Makkinen (four world championships with Mitsubishi before they went downhill. One of the worlds best)

Stig still races in Rallies, he drives a 1600bhp RS200 up pikes peak every year.
Richard Burns is overrated imo, he was just in the right place at the right time all he was, was consistent he rarely won rallies, and when he did it was because of other drivers.

Being completely Dominance in the WRC is extremely hard because of the Changes of Surface grip and the flowing of the roads, The Rate Loeb is dominating the WRC show's he Deserves anything he gets. If its all car Why hasn't his Team mates like Duval Sainz and Mcrae been able to replicate the Success? (well Sainz and Mcrae had reached there used by Date) But everyone believed that Duval would be the next loeb. Boy were they wrong.
Solberg, I would say, is a driver of equal or more talent to Loeb, the Subaru just hasn't been up to it for a few years now.

And yes, McCrae and Sainz were both well past their best. Duval has been one spectacular failure, Loeb dominating over him is no big victory.

MS, What is there to say other then, blame the other teams for not being able to build a car till this year to compete with Ferrari, i have never liked MS but he did deserve a mentioned however i think there have been better F1 Drivers like Mika Hackinen.
Of course its the other teams fault that he dominated so much, but had MS has a teammate of unquestionable talent for those 5 years, then we would have known for sure...alas, it's always going to be a point for debate, but I don't think Schumacher deserves the praise he gets as the best ever....no doubt he's hugely talented, but for a few points during his career he hasnt even been the best driver that season.

Richard Burns is overrated imo, he was just in the right place at the right time all he was, was consistent he rarely won rallies, and when he did it was because of other drivers.
But he was consistent. At one point he was leading the championship, without winning a rally. He finished all but one or two rallies I think, he just didn't make mistakes. Sure he was slower than one or two others, but it payed off. Up until Wales, when he discovered a hemmorhage or something and had to retire when he blacked out between stages.

Solberg seems to be getting what is referred to the Subaru Flu. Everyone who has won a title in a Subaru has never been able to repeat it. Richard Burns, i think his overrated but he didn't win another drivers title. Colin Mcrae, deserved another title that man was fast and spend a lot less years in the WRC the Sainz so on average he has won more rallies per year then any other driver. However Loeb seems to be rewriting that. Now Solberg, he has a good car, a car able to win the title again, however he hasn't got it together.

I am a Markko Martin fan myself, I cried when he moved to Peugeot as he could be fighting for the title this year in that Focus.

But he was consistent. At one point he was leading the championship, without winning a rally. He finished all but one or two rallies I think, he just didn't make mistakes. Sure he was slower than one or two others, but it payed off. Up until Wales, when he discovered a hemmorhage or something and had to retire when he blacked out between stages.

That was 03, he passed out 1 week before Rally UK when he was with Markko Martin driving to London. But look at loeb in that aspect has won all but 2 rallies and even then his loss margin wasn't that big maybe a few places. In that aspect of consistent Loeb is showing how it’s done.

I am a Markko Martin fan myself, I cried when he moved to Peugeot as he could be fighting for the title this year in that Focus.
I know, same here. I supported Martin and Duval, then suddenly they both leave. The Focus was the best looking car as well :p
At the start of the last season the Focus was fastest, no competition. Suddenly the 307CC and new Citroen etc.... all came out and the Focus was last.