I don't know why I was thinking about this race last night but I had a thought regarding the danger level and possible bad publicity plus the possible need for others to go into harms way to save you. Mankinds history is dotted with undertakings of dangerous proportions both to better the human race and for personal reasons as well. Here are a few endeavors that come to mind. I'll bet at the time everyone said they were crazy.

Breaking the sound barrier
Going into space
Going to the moon
Private citizen going into space (X Prize)
Wright Brothers
NASCAR
The Race contestants (Giant Cats and Tri racing around the world)
Hydropheter
Fastnet
Around Alone aka Vende Globe

The list goes on.