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General => Off Topic => Topic started by: JMTRacing on June 13, 2017, 08:08:23 PM

Title: Why is there a lack of black people in motorsport?
Post by: JMTRacing on June 13, 2017, 08:08:23 PM
It's always been a question everytime I turn up at buckmore.
Title: Re: Why is there a lack of black people in motorsport?
Post by: Boerenlater on June 13, 2017, 08:15:38 PM
They are more interested in american football.
Title: Re: Why is there a lack of black people in motorsport?
Post by: TFC on June 13, 2017, 08:34:53 PM
Interesting question.. Not that I'm black but I have wondered this in the past..

Might not be the answer but definitely has to play a part. https://www.quora.com/What-is-the-percentage-of-black-people-in-the-world

I guess it's probably got something to do with cultural upbringing too.. Could also ask why there are so few from muslim, sikh, arab and other Indian cultures.
Title: Re: Why is there a lack of black people in motorsport?
Post by: tchemi on June 13, 2017, 09:07:38 PM
Quote from: TheFatController on June 13, 2017, 08:34:53 PM
Interesting question.. Not that I'm black but I have wondered this in the past..

Might not be the answer but definitely has to play a part. https://www.quora.com/What-is-the-percentage-of-black-people-in-the-world

I guess it's probably got something to do with cultural upbringing too.. Could also ask why there are so few from muslim, sikh, arab and other Indian cultures.

Mah... It depends !

Malaysia, Filipines, Indonesia really like motorsports. They have their own championships, for bikes or car, and these countries are mainly muslims.
In Vietnam or Thailand, they have their own 125cc championship you way not have heard about. And there are good pilot there. And... There is not much asian guys in WSBK, Moto GP, F1, iny car etc...  Those little 125cc bikes cost nothing, you could buy one each month with your salary. Those guys can barely buy a descent complete gear.

Motorsport cost a lot. It cost you a lot and it cost a lot to your country for structures, sustain, federations, marshals, security, medics, etc etc etc...

It's sad but, the poorest countries in the world are in Africa. How many track is there in black Africa ??
Title: Re: Why is there a lack of black people in motorsport?
Post by: poumpouny on June 14, 2017, 04:25:07 AM
tchemi is right, i m from madagascar, i own a bike but we have no track to ride.    OT: tchemi, sorry for yesterday, internet cut out, another african problem lol
Title: Re: Why is there a lack of black people in motorsport?
Post by: Hawk on June 14, 2017, 04:30:07 AM
I would say the reason we see very few black people in motorsport(Lewis Hamilton is the only Black guy(mixed race) I've see in motorsport) is simply because of cost and particularly culture and upbringing.
Motorsport just seems to be the furthest thing from their interest or plans to compete at all, and of those that are interested, like most of us, it would be impossible because of the expense to even consider taking up the sport, especially car racing...... So yeah I would say it's particularly down to the expense more than anything and that thought drives them into different less expensive sports to take up like football.

Hawk.
Title: Re: Why is there a lack of black people in motorsport?
Post by: grimm on June 14, 2017, 07:26:44 AM
I always credit the lack of "diversity" in motorsport by being the percentage of developed countries (very motorsport friendly) measured by majority race. Some of my favorite riders and drivers are not the average, quite a few really talented black riders in motorsport, Jason Britton (stunt rider) and James Stewart (motocross rider) both come to mind.

One of my old riding buddies was from a really rough part of Chicago, him and I couldn't be any more different from outward appearance, but we are like brothers. Motorsport evens the field and makes us all human at the end of it all, we are all taking a massive risk for a legendary thrill, once we pull on the leathers or the fire suit, don the gloves and helmet, and turn the key, it matters so much less what we look like. Just my thoughts on the whole thing... kinda got off topic a little there. Always fascinated by the human element of motorsport though.

Rickey Gadson is another black man with a high skill level on a bike too (and a supreme shit talker, some great footage of him back in the days before he was a pro sponsored rider)... if you haven't been to a drag strip down south in the USA on a weekend, you haven't seen how many black people are probably more into hot and fast bikes and cars than you can imagine. And those guys put down some serious money too, they aren't down there being foolish, they run some wicked organized events among themselves. Some tracks were trying to stop the betting because of the fights that would break out too. Wild times that'll likely never be repeated in a world like we have now.


I see far more diversity in motorsports at the grass roots level than I ever do in the pro ranks, and, like said, I figure it's just percentage of race in countries that nurture major motorsport discipline.