Manifold

I'm not suggesting that we shouldn't try to manage risk well, but I think this article on mountaineering parallels motorsport, and makes a strong case that the risk of motorsport is part of its appeal:

http://www.philipebert.info/resource..._published.pdf

When we talk about safety being a goal, I think we really mean good management of risk, so that the risk level isn't excessive, but not eliminated either. When the risk level is close to zero, we're bored - not fun. When the risk level is too high, we're genuinely scared - not fun. When the risk level is optimal, we have fun.

I sense that part of my satisfaction from driving on the track comes from the thought (mostly subconscious) that I voluntarily did something 'risky' enough to create a real potential for me to get hurt or die or mess up my car, but I managed to defy that risk.

A good scenario is to create a situation where the subjective perceived risk is higher than the objective actual risk (which means you kind of have to 'fool yourself').

cgfen

risk is the spice of a well-lived life

• 9800 skydives
• 1873 BASE jumps
• 34 years of mountaineering
• 45+ years of riding roady bikes (the most risky IMO)
• a bit of time doing track days, but not racing

Manifold

Well-lived life, and still alive to tell the tale!

Matt Romanowski

I'll have to read this article. My FIL is an internationally certified mountain guide for over 40 years. The parallels from guiding to car instructing are really interesting and similar. The biggest difference is how they evaluate risk and how it factors into all their decisions.

dgrobs

Yeah, not too shabby a life lived. Well done!!

stownsen914

It's a delicate balance as suggested. If we weren't drawn to the risk, we'd all be doing sims instead of driving on the track for real. Sure would be more convenient!

JTT

Yes, but then you could break a nail on the paddle shifter, or hurt your back getting into your rig. There is no such thing as zero risk. OP nailed it, safety is about managing risk, not eliminating it. There is definitely a satisfaction that comes with defying risk, and personal tolerance for risk is different. While cgfen may "seem" to be very risk tolerant, I'll bet dollars to donuts, he understands the risks well and works hard to manage them (eg. training, practicing, checking gear, packing chute, backup plans, etc).

MarcD147

it is not just risk and how you manage it but also how you perceive fear. I am going to watch Free Solo this weekend and was reading this article which talks about it:
http://nautil.us/issue/39/sport/the-...t-solo-climber

StoogeMoe

There is no risk. Life is too short. Just do it.

CosmosMpower

That guy's brain is wired differently than most people for sure.

stownsen914

Yep, for sure. I'll bet most people who partake in "risky" hobbies do so at least in part because they enjoy the thrill that comes with it. Managing the risk is what helps balance it with risk tolerance of the participants.

LuigiVampa

I take it you are a professional with multiple skydives in a single day? That is a pretty impressive track records!

I once jumped from a roof into my friends pool so we are both professionals.

On another note, I skimmed the article and it was fairly well done. I often tell my clients that if you want zero risk you get zero return. You want the smart and informed risk which you can tolerate. Everyone's risk level is not the same so different people make different decisions.

I have never once driven a car on track hoping that things will be OK through luck. Luck is the residue of design.

Fumes

Manifold

The paper goes further than that, and argues that the risk is part of the appeal - there can be too much risk, but there can also be too little.

stownsen914

If there weren't any perceived risk to driving on the track, it wouldn't be as thrilling/appealing. It's a matter of how much risk you like.