210 replies to this topic

[opplock]

I can't contribute anything about AJ but thought it worth pointing out that the "uncompetitive" McLaren M10B was quite successful in F5000 during 1971. Good enough to win 6 out of 7 rounds of the Tasman Cup (Graham McRae, Frank Matich and Neil Allen), 5 rounds of the North American championship (David Hobbs) and three rounds of the European championship (McRae). 

[Collombin]

His oval qualifying results were not similar. Foyt won 22 poles from 1974 through 1976

Did the new rules reducing boost levels help him (versus the Offy guys) as much as is sometimes claimed, or is that overstated?

[B Squared]

 His other victory in 1978 came at Texas World Speedway. TWS should be familiar because it was used for several top speed record runs, including Mark Donohue's closed course WR in a 917-30. It was a terrifyingly fast oval.

Mark set the record at Talladega, not Texas World:

 

[Jim Thurman]

Did the new rules reducing boost levels help him (versus the Offy guys) as much as is sometimes claimed, or is that overstated?

I'll let someone who is more tech savvy weigh in. Weren't the boost levels put into place after the disastrous 1973 '500' for 1974? The first year for the "Foyt" engine, 1972, he qualified a bit more poorly (like 5-8), but he also only made 5 starts. That continued in 1973, though Foyt did have 1 pole and a second starting position.

[Jim Thurman]

I can't contribute anything about AJ but thought it worth pointing out that the "uncompetitive" McLaren M10B was quite successful in F5000 during 1971. Good enough to win 6 out of 7 rounds of the Tasman Cup (Graham McRae, Frank Matich and Neil Allen), 5 rounds of the North American championship (David Hobbs) and three rounds of the European championship (McRae). 

Yes, but were all those victories - or any of them - with the same chassis that Foyt had for the Questor GP?

[opplock]

Yes, but were all those victories - or any of them - with the same chassis that Foyt had for the Questor GP?

 

No but JYS recorded a time of 1m 45.718 in the "uncompetitive" M10B compared to Hobb's 1m 45.331 in the car that won 5 rounds of the 1971 SCCA L&M series and overall championship. 

 

Or did the Agapiou brothers manage to switch chassis? 

[Doug Nye]

Coo - 207 posts to establish that the answer to this thread title's question is 'NO'.

 

DCN

[Lee Nicolle]

Bloody amazing how this thread had gone on. Get a life people!!

[Roger Clark]

I don't think there was ever any doubt about the answer to the question in the thread title; I don't think there has been a single post suggesting otherwise.  There have, however, been a lot of interesting points and debate about aspects of Foyt's career.  Perhaps the thread title should be changed - would that make some people feel better about it?

[Tim Murray]

Perhaps the thread title should be changed - would that make some people feel better about it?

Now changed to something possibly more appropriate; chip in if you still don’t like it.

[Roger Clark]

I would prefer something like: A J Foyt - a great driver getting due credit for his performances on road courses.