[Hoffenheimer]

I don't see how you can just dismiss dhh's story and then come up with a drab story of a workaholic chasing ambition as a "far better example". I have way more empathy for the 'first world rich boy' than your friend. I can't even tell if he actually exists -- it reads like an 8th grade book report. If you are going to be that dismissive, at least learn how to tell a story.

If he went to experience it, got caught up in winning and didn't enjoy any of it then perhaps he would have some sort of point.

How do you know he didn't get into racing for the experience of it? Seems like that's what his whole point is -- he got 2nd at Le Man's ('rich boy' or not, still a good thing), but instead of enjoying such an achievement, he's caught up in the fact that he didn't win.