- 26 Feb 2003
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This article is a bit dated (about 2 weeks ago), but it's rather interesting and concerns the recent decision to allow Toyota to become the first foreign automaker to compete in NASCAR's top ranks.
"You've got Yao Ming in the NBA, and Hideo Nomo in baseball, which is fine. But leave ONE American pastime an American sport!" says Charles Walker, a columnist for the racing Web site Catchfence.com. "When you start including Toyota -- and now there are rumors of Nissan -- where do you stop?"
*sigh* Why is it Americans are such xenophobes, especially when it comes to cars and racing in general? As a member of SRO (the single largest streetracing site for car enthusiasts all over the world), I can attest that the lines are clearly drawn between the "ricer" import crowd (led by the Japanese) and the "American made=muscle car/Detroit ingenuity" domestic crowd with no love lost in-between.
Personally, I think "picking sides" is silly and akin to the console fanboys who only love one at the expense of the others (Sony rules, Nintendo sucks, etc. etc.). A true car enthusiast and purist should appreciate any well designed automobile regardless of it's national origin imho (note the emphasis on well designed 8-p).
The full story can be found here:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A40179-2003May10?language=printer
"You've got Yao Ming in the NBA, and Hideo Nomo in baseball, which is fine. But leave ONE American pastime an American sport!" says Charles Walker, a columnist for the racing Web site Catchfence.com. "When you start including Toyota -- and now there are rumors of Nissan -- where do you stop?"
*sigh* Why is it Americans are such xenophobes, especially when it comes to cars and racing in general? As a member of SRO (the single largest streetracing site for car enthusiasts all over the world), I can attest that the lines are clearly drawn between the "ricer" import crowd (led by the Japanese) and the "American made=muscle car/Detroit ingenuity" domestic crowd with no love lost in-between.
Personally, I think "picking sides" is silly and akin to the console fanboys who only love one at the expense of the others (Sony rules, Nintendo sucks, etc. etc.). A true car enthusiast and purist should appreciate any well designed automobile regardless of it's national origin imho (note the emphasis on well designed 8-p).
The full story can be found here:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A40179-2003May10?language=printer
