Auto Racing: Making Connections

26th February 2007

Auto Racing: Making Connections

posted in Commentary, Formula One, NASCAR |

One of my favorite TV shows of years past (I ain’t sayin’ how past) was Connections.

It was a serial documentary produced by the BBC, aired by PBS and was based on a book of the same name authored by James Burke.

Connections was focused primarily on series of “serendipitous” events that led scientific discoverers or inventors to the development of major ideas or machines that have had a great impact on modern life.

The best example I can give is via this short video where Burke makes a direct scientific connection between ancient Arab square sailed ships and the detonation of the atomic bomb at Hiroshima in 1945. Also, see if you can answer this question as posed in the sidebar of that page: How was Napoleon important to the development of the modern computer? (And no, Waterloo and Microsoft isn’t the correct answer. But I bet many thought so.)

Puzzled yet?

If not, try these connections of my own making on for size as they relate to auto racing and leads to a current news event. Note these aren’t in chronological order but by similarity of subject matter.

Lee Petty & Juan Manuel Fangio. Ayrton Senna & Dale Earnhardt. Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters (DTM) & Stock Car Racing. Bernie Ecclestone & Big Bill France. FIA & NASCAR. And finally, the world-wide 10,000lb gorilla called Formula One & the American 10,000lb gorilla called NASCAR.

Give up yet? As Burke’s connections do, they all seem to be

This entry was posted on Monday, February 26th, 2007 at 9:39 pm and is filed under Commentary, Formula One, NASCAR. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

1 On February 28th, 2007, Luke said:#

Here’s the connection to the modern computer.

Dependants of Napoleon fathered an Austrian named Hitler, who had a secret love child that was rushed off to the U.S. This child went by the name of William, whom later went by Bill.

There you have it. LOL

Damn I hate microsloth.

If you don’t, here’s some fuel to the fire. Their Chief Exec (Steve Ballmer) wants to (in a nut shell) try and kill Linux, BSD, etc.
Steve Ballmer Runs his mouth

If that doesn’t tick you off, I recommend therapy.

posted on February 28th, 2007 at 1:35 am

2 On February 28th, 2007, Stephen said:#

I used to love that show. I miss it terribly.

posted on February 28th, 2007 at 2:08 am

3 On February 28th, 2007, Marc said:#

That ain’t all they are trying to kill Luke.

MicroCrap is “expanding into the Medical Search and Warship Operating System markets.”

As a former Sailor I sends my condolences to the once proud Naval Service of the United Kingdom.

“Windows for Warships” is the most frightening thing since the Bismark. That’s not to say “Windows for Warships” won’t suffer the same fate as the Bismark, it will, but you have to ask just what to hell are the British thinking.

posted on February 28th, 2007 at 8:51 am

Full Throttle