Originally Posted by
jefnvk
Sure, but that is a different argument than what is being sold to the public must comply with series rules, and therefore limits manufacturer creativity, which is the argument the first couple posts made. Heck, one can't even race half the cars sold in the lowest barriers to entry form of racing in America, autocross, which is pretty much open to anyone with a drivers license and a car just this side of a POS.
Fair enough, that particular section you highlighted was off the mark a bit, but the post as a whole was not too far off I hope. The basic point being:
Automotive racing -> many regulating bodies -> many different rulesets -> manufacturers can pick and choose where to compete -> lots of technical innovation and designs -> lots of trickle down tech and adoption
Bicycle (road) racing -> one major regulating body -> one set of rules -> very limited choice for manufacturers -> severely ******* innovation -> less trickle down tech and acceptance
As for autocross, I taught my niece and nephew how to drive at autocross events in a POS automatic Toyota Corolla. Is great for teaching steering and throttle control as well as situational awareness. Which reminds me of the original Dodge Neon ACR. You can't get much more "Race on Sunday, Sell on Monday" for the masses than that. And that thing was a beast on the autocross course with a competent driver and tires. Or this one time a then-brand-new-model Honda Insight with slicks mopping up its class...SMH, I was ashamed.