This is going to come out in a story in Motor Racing Australia in a few weeks... from an interview with Ken Smith...
It's about his first season in F5000... you blokes know that one, the formula with the thundering great horsepower makers in the back of rudimentary chassis that knew no balance, don't you? And it's about a race at Surfers Paradise, fifth round of the 1975 Tasman Cup series.
Ken was following Amon, who was on the tail of race and series leader Warwick Brown. He was wondering why Chris kept going wider and wider through some of the sweeping bends at Surfers. It made no sense to him until he finally twigged.
Amon was planning, and actively working towards a late-race passing move...
It never happened, Brown had a flat tyre and ruined his diff, Amon also retired, but the strategy is very interesting.
It really should be in Keir's thread...
Chris Amon and the long term plan...
Started by
Ray Bell
, Jul 01 2005 20:59
15 replies to this topic
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#2
rosemeyer
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Posted 01 July 2005 - 22:51
Thank you for bringing this up and I think Keir will jump on this one. 
#3
Keir
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Posted 05 July 2005 - 15:58
The Talon that Chris drove that season was not very well prepared and yet he managed to win at Teratonga in it !!
I think the whole "long range plan" was just Chris enjoying what he did best !!
FORZA AMON
I think the whole "long range plan" was just Chris enjoying what he did best !!
FORZA AMON
#4
Ray Bell
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Posted 05 July 2005 - 21:25
Keir... your man was working on a strategy to put him into the lead at the end of the race...
He was gradually sweeping the circuit, getting the marbles off that wide line he planned to take when he was ready to make that banzai run on young Warwick. Lap after lap, just going wider and wider.
He was gradually sweeping the circuit, getting the marbles off that wide line he planned to take when he was ready to make that banzai run on young Warwick. Lap after lap, just going wider and wider.
#5
275 GTB-4
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Posted 06 July 2005 - 02:43
Could Amon also have been conditioning the leader to fade right to defend the corner?
Chris could then swoop under Brown and take the lead?
Chris could then swoop under Brown and take the lead?
#6
Ray Bell
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Posted 06 July 2005 - 04:07
Read about it in the next Motor Racing Australia...
I don't know exactly what was said, or which corner it was, or even if it was only one... but I suspect it was Firestone Corner (behind the pits) or maybe the corner onto the straight, or even maybe the corner leading to Lukey Hill. Or maybe all three.
I don't know exactly what was said, or which corner it was, or even if it was only one... but I suspect it was Firestone Corner (behind the pits) or maybe the corner onto the straight, or even maybe the corner leading to Lukey Hill. Or maybe all three.
#7
Keir
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Posted 06 July 2005 - 16:31
This might be a question for Chris himself ??
#8
Ray Bell
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Posted 06 July 2005 - 20:51
As long as you haven't lost his e.mail address, of course...
#9
Keir
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Posted 07 July 2005 - 18:23
Chris replied that Ken told it like it was !
The Talon was a pretty good handling car, but lacked a strong engine ! (typical Amon situation),
so Chris just widended the groove at the only place he could pull off the pass. Chris also added that a similar situation arose in '68 when trying to pass Jim Clark.
FORZA AMON
The Talon was a pretty good handling car, but lacked a strong engine ! (typical Amon situation),
so Chris just widended the groove at the only place he could pull off the pass. Chris also added that a similar situation arose in '68 when trying to pass Jim Clark.
FORZA AMON
#10
Ray Bell
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Posted 07 July 2005 - 23:04
So which corners were involved, Keir? Or was it the one corner both years?
#11
Keir
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Posted 13 July 2005 - 21:03
I believe it was the last sweeper before the finish line.
#12
Ray Bell
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Posted 14 July 2005 - 11:17
That's the corner onto the straight, and I can see that as a real possibility...
But I'd have thought it more likely one of the corners before that. Anyway, we'll see when the magazine comes out.
But I'd have thought it more likely one of the corners before that. Anyway, we'll see when the magazine comes out.
#13
Ray Bell
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Posted 16 August 2005 - 23:31
The description in the story is 'one of the big sweepers over the back section.' Not very helpful, but the most likely candidate is Firestone Corner, the sole fast left-hander on the circuit...
#14
Keir
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Posted 17 August 2005 - 17:21
Thanks Ray !!!
Any scans ??
Any scans ??
#15
Ray Bell
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Posted 17 August 2005 - 21:14
No scans, sorry... but it was a little different to what I first thought too...
Not Brown, but John Walker was leading the race... and Kenny says that when the time arrived, Chris just went 'whoosh' round the outside of him.
Not Brown, but John Walker was leading the race... and Kenny says that when the time arrived, Chris just went 'whoosh' round the outside of him.
#16
Keir
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Posted 18 August 2005 - 14:14
Sounds like a good move by a good driver !!
