Is it harder for older veterans to stay competitive now?

[LM1]

With how aggressive today's cars needs to be driven, does it seems like its harder for the older veterans (Owens, Bloomquist, Moyer, D. Erb, McCreadie) to be competitive now than it used to be for older drivers to compete at a high level when the cars didn't require the driver to be up on the wheel almost all of the time? I raced LM's about 20 years ago so have no experience with the newer cars but seems like today's cars favor the younger drivers. Some drivers like McDowell still have a lot of success these days without driving the car as hard, so I suspect there isn't just one right answer to this.

[billetbirdcage]

With how aggressive today's cars needs to be driven, does it seems like its harder for the older veterans (Owens, Bloomquist, Moyer, D. Erb, McCreadie) to be competitive now than it used to be for older drivers to compete at a high level when the cars didn't require the driver to be up on the wheel almost all of the time? I raced LM's about 20 years ago so have no experience with the newer cars but seems like today's cars favor the younger drivers. Some drivers like McDowell still have a lot of success these days without driving the car as hard, so I suspect there isn't just one right answer to this.

I can tell you the cars today have so much grip and power, that your reaction time plays a big role and we all know that dwindles as you get older and a bunch of other things like eye sight, stamina, and healing from simple bruises so the older you get the less risks you will take in the car as far as being aggressive or shooting for that open gap.

[Tyy7777]

With how aggressive today's cars needs to be driven, does it seems like its harder for the older veterans (Owens, Bloomquist, Moyer, D. Erb, McCreadie) to be competitive now than it used to be for older drivers to compete at a high level when the cars didn't require the driver to be up on the wheel almost all of the time? I raced LM's about 20 years ago so have no experience with the newer cars but seems like today's cars favor the younger drivers. Some drivers like McDowell still have a lot of success these days without driving the car as hard, so I suspect there isn't just one right answer to this.

I think its just that the young guys have been really good. I don't think there's anything thats caused it although the access to various forms of media probably help. In the case of McDowell I'd say chassis choice has a part to play. The Team Zero's are designed to be driven a bit different.

[Henry Every]

Formats also play into it. Use to be that most big events were 100 laps, so you could play it cool for a while, save your stuff then pour it on at the end. Now we switched from racing to sprinting and youth will most likely always dominate a sprint over a race. Plus the cars are more technical and costly to keep at the peak performance level and is my understanding don't respond well to smoother driving styles but fit better with sling it-stab style of mania. Do they put on a good show? Yes, but more so if the track conditions are optimum, rough makes them a bit worrisome IMHO. Nowadays they seem more like a sprint car and prone to random roll overs and biking. Not my cup of tea, but this is what the powers that ought not be have allowed to happen.

[MasterSbilt_Racer]

I think its just that the young guys have been really good. I don't think there's anything thats caused it although the access to various forms of media probably help. In the case of McDowell I'd say chassis choice has a part to play. The Team Zero's are designed to be driven a bit different.

The odds of what type of skills are needed to win a particular race has definitely changed as the cars have become more aero dependent and better set up.