[AndyScouchek]

Why was it unnecessary? I personally think it's great that there are drivers who do it for the love of the sport, put driving above everything, above the money, the race wins, the girls...people that are so taken over by the sport that they will do all sorts of events just to get that rush.

Exactly. The opposing view is a modern one born solely of an excessive respect for the notion that the driver is a commodity rather than a sportsman.