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Racing 'prima donnas'


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#1 Quixotic

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Posted 04 August 2010 - 00:32

G'Day all,

We have all seen throughout the decades, drivers who think that they are better than everyone else, and that the rules that apply to everyone else, do not in fact apply to them.

We have also seen some drivers who were difficult to deal with and whose tantrums have kept us all amused over the years. Additionally we have also seen team mates who were so toxic to each other, (mostly ego driven), that they spent more time trying to "Do Over" their team mate to the detriment of the Driver's Championship.

Does anyone have any stories of such people? I'd love to hear more. If you are worried about mentioning names, please use veiled speech in your decriptions of them.

This need not be confined to F1. I am even keen to hear about Primadonnas in humble club racing as well.



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#2 johnny yuma

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Posted 04 August 2010 - 01:04

Yeah I'm one of them.Probably just as well I've never been in a Race Team.I particularly feel above everyone else on the public roads...you know "I'm surrounded by idiots who can't even get out of their own way". Infringments only matter if you get caught.
Breaking traction is fun and part of the learning process.If you are "speeding" on a deserted country road and you are not detected,are you still speeding ?These are matters of great social and political import !

#3 Quixotic

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Posted 04 August 2010 - 04:19

When I was racing classic Motorcycles in the very early 90s, (1969 Yamaha 125cc GP Bike) I went to a party in Campbelltown NSW. There I was introduced to a young bloke who, I was informed, was a bit of a Gun bike racer. He was introduced to me by the hostess because she knew I raced bikes as well and thought we would have something to speak about.

I shook this young gentleman's hand and said G'Day. He introduced himself to me in this Fashion. My name is XXXXXXXXXXX. but then, If you race bikes you will already know who I am. Yes I did know who he was, but after that concieted introduction, I was buggered if I was ever going to let him know that I recognised him for who he was. I pleaded ignorance to who he was. This annoyed him greatly. At this stage he was only racing 250cc production bikes, albeit quite well at National Level. On finding out that I raced Post Classic 125cc GP Bikes he immediately asked me why I bothered with such a "Pissant" class of racing, and "Didn't I have the Balls" to race in a more modern class, or was I afraid that I was not good enough. I actually knew without him telling me that I was not good enough!

At that, I told him that my view of his personal qualities and worth were widely different than his own, (please pick you own expletives to insert here). I think the kindest word I used was to call him a Wanker......

This was a young man who believed his own publicity.

Roll forward the clock a few years, I am now racing 125cc GP Bikes at National Level, (but getting my arse kicked by the fast guys). The young man made his way to all the way to race bikes in the World Championships, (until the team folded), when he came back to here and picked up a prized Factory Superbike seat.

Yes the bugger was bloody good. Very bloody good. I'll admit that it irked me that this bloke was so super talented, but had zero humility and people skills. I ran into him at the South Australian Round of the Aussie Championshipson his first season back here. He tells me, (I am surprised that he even remembered me), that he is glad to see I finally got some balls about myself. I could not bring myself to answer him, (lest I call him names again). I actually think that he really thought he was being nice to me...Grrrrr.

He has since gone on to achieve big things in the US, racing over there. The bugger is still bloody good, but from what I hear, he still believes in his own divinity.

Good luck to him. I guess when God gave him the huge amounts of ability that he so obviously possesses, he balanced that by taking away his ability to treat people nicely. Everyone who was not actually out there on the track beating him were considered to be a much lower form of life to be walked over and ridiculed. This apparently included, team mates, (according to at least one that I know personally), team managers, and especially the public who kept adoring him.

Am I just jealous? Possibily, at least about his ability and achievements as a racer. But as a person, no I am not jealous of him. All the fast teams wanted to have him, but none of the team members liked working with him.

Candidate for Primadonna....... I think so. But that is just my view.









#4 Barry Boor

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Posted 04 August 2010 - 06:59

No names, but are the initials M.M relevant here? :)

#5 Roger Clark

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Posted 04 August 2010 - 07:33

No names, but are the initials M.M relevant here? :)

Michael May?

#6 simon drabble

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Posted 04 August 2010 - 08:06

Yeah I'm one of them.Probably just as well I've never been in a Race Team.I particularly feel above everyone else on the public roads...you know "I'm surrounded by idiots who can't even get out of their own way". Infringments only matter if you get caught.
Breaking traction is fun and part of the learning process.If you are "speeding" on a deserted country road and you are not detected,are you still speeding ?These are matters of great social and political import !


Do me a favour and let me know what part of the country you drive at break neck speeds on public roads.... I will then do my utmost to ensure I stay well away!

#7 Alexey Rogachev

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Posted 04 August 2010 - 08:16

No names, but are the initials M.M relevant here? :)

M. S. maybe – especially taking into consideration the recent event in Hungary? :)


#8 kayemod

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Posted 04 August 2010 - 09:20

M. S. maybe – especially taking into consideration the recent event in Hungary? :)


And R.S.

#9 Eric Dunsdon

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Posted 04 August 2010 - 11:36

Michael May?


Marilyn Monroe?. :stoned:

#10 Tony Matthews

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Posted 04 August 2010 - 11:46

Millie Metre?

#11 David Shaw

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Posted 04 August 2010 - 12:08

Do me a favour and let me know what part of the country you drive at break neck speeds on public roads.... I will then do my utmost to ensure I stay well away!


I think you missed the whole inference of the quotation marks in "speeding". There is in Victoria, I am unsure about the rest of Australia as it sometimes seems like 9 different countries, a law where you can be booked for being 3 kph over the speed limit. In imperial terms, in a 110 kph zone that would mean travelling at 70.21mph in a 68.35mph zone. VERY restrictive.

Aside from that, I don't agree that raw speed in itself is a great menace. Inappropriate speed most certainly is.

#12 johnny yuma

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Posted 04 August 2010 - 12:14

Do me a favour and let me know what part of the country you drive at break neck speeds on public roads.... I will then do my utmost to ensure I stay well away!

Much appreciated Simon.My plan for world domination already taking shape.....

#13 johnny yuma

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Posted 04 August 2010 - 12:23

Suppose it would be unkind to mention Cassius "rhyming slang" Clay from NZ--OK I won't. But anyone who races cars with excess zeal ON AND OFF THE TRACK is indulging in a little mental illness,no ?

#14 Bill Becketts

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Posted 04 August 2010 - 21:05

Always one to exploit a Car advantage....practical jokes a favourite.....questioning the sexuality of better opponents....giving unwanted opinions about a driver's wife.....easy to pressure into a mistake.......never happy on a street circuit......

I wish I could remember his name :cool:


#15 Ray Bell

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Posted 04 August 2010 - 21:43

Let me guess...

Did he make one of those pressure mistakes around half distance of the Monaco GP in 1981?

Then there was Bap Romano, of course.

#16 Thundersports

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Posted 04 August 2010 - 23:25

Oh and the British F1 world champion with a Brummie accent and a 70s porno tache.........

#17 simon drabble

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Posted 05 August 2010 - 07:31

if self promotion is a pre requisite then surely the biggest must be the world's fastest dyslexic -JYS, a man who was admittedly a great driver and has spent the last 40 years making sure we dont forget (whilst ensuring every possible earning opportunity is exploited!)

#18 kayemod

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Posted 05 August 2010 - 09:43

if self promotion is a pre requisite then surely the biggest must be the world's fastest dyslexic -JYS, a man who was admittedly a great driver and has spent the last 40 years making sure we dont forget (whilst ensuring every possible earning opportunity is exploited!)


Can't disagree with any of that, but I don't think it makes him a prima donna. In my days at Specialised Mouldings I was just a shy young guy in overalls who usually handled seat fittings for drivers, many of them F1 'names', and some of them were so far up their own arses that it wasn't true. Of the ones I remember, Jackie Stewart was the nicest by far with Denny Hulme second. Jackie was a true gentleman and charm personified, the second time he came for a fitting he remembered my name, even though he's experienced two GPs and a couple of weeks of world travel in between, he even poured me a cup of tea and offered me one of his biscuits, to Eric Broadley's evident displeasure, we were in their factory and Lola had paid for them.

#19 Tony Matthews

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Posted 05 August 2010 - 10:02

... to Eric Broadley's evident displeasure, we were in their factory and Lola had paid for them.

:lol: Must have tasted even better, then!

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#20 Quixotic

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Posted 05 August 2010 - 10:25

No names, but are the initials M.M relevant here? :)



Barry. What a perceptive gentleman you are............

I will not admit to more though. I am sure you have worked it out.

#21 aditya-now

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Posted 05 August 2010 - 10:53

Oh and the British F1 world champion with a Brummie accent and a 70s porno tache.........

:rotfl:

Don't be so harsh!

I do like the fact the our Nige so theatrically collapsed in any given situation and had to be supported/carried away!


#22 Bloggsworth

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Posted 05 August 2010 - 11:47

:rotfl:

Don't be so harsh!

I do like the fact the our Nige so theatrically collapsed in any given situation and had to be supported/carried away!


I believe that was driven by the feeling that nobody appreciated him, particularly Peter Warr and, of course, Frank Williams, who in his usual fashion got rid of him as soon as he won the WDC and asked for a pay rise...

#23 scheivlak

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Posted 05 August 2010 - 11:54

Oh and the British F1 world champion with a Brummie accent and a 70s porno tache.........

From an interview with Jo Ramirez:

"Mansell was a character and he was a racer - we don't have people like that anymore. Although mind you, I hated working with him!"

With Mansell? Why?

"Oh, god... he was undescribable. Patrick Head told me when Nigel signed with our team, 'I'm not going to tell you anything about Nigel because if I do, you wouldn't believe it. You have to see it to believe it.' And three races down the road he said to me, 'well?' and I replied: 'God have mercy on my soul.'"

But why?

"He was just... unreal. I'll give you an example from just the end of his stay: I organised a courtesy car for him, from Mercedes Benz. A brand new car that would wait for him in a small airport near Imola, when he arrives there. So I ask him, did you get your car, everything alright? He burst out! 'Did you know I had to sign for it? Do you know what it is to arrive at the airport with your own aircraft and see all the Tifosi around? Do you know what that means?' I replied, 'no, honestly I don't. I don't have my own plane and I am not a famous personality. But I've worked with a few who are and they haven't had any problems signing for a car they just received.'

"He went on and on: 'this is ridiculous! I shouldn't be expected to do this!' and I just walked off. I told Ron (Dennis), 'I can't take this anymore' - McLaren has always been a family and even if you think on the outside that we're a cold organisation, on the inside there has always been a close bond between us all - 'and I don't think there's any room for his ego here.' Sadly and happily there was no room for his size either and so he left the team."

http://atlasf1.autos...view/goren.html

Edited by scheivlak, 05 August 2010 - 11:54.


#24 Doug Nye

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Posted 05 August 2010 - 22:23

Winding further back, Toulo de Graffenried once told me about Nino Farina, waiting for a flight home to Italy from London Heathrow, in the days when the departure terminal was still a row of canvas marquees. Farina had just got back there from Silverstone or Goodwood or somewhere, when Toulo spotted him - standing in the middle of the marquee still resplendent in his racing overalls, with gabardine macintosh thrown over his shoulders and crash helmet under his arm. He was striking the perfect pose - "Io - Il grande Farina!".

But when he saw Toulo his proud demeanour relaxed, he grimaced and told the Swiss Baron "Eh Toulo, I'm not feeling good. Indigestion. You don't have any tablets or something I could take, do you?". And Toulo did have something in his bag - some Alka Seltzer tablets. So he handed Farina one of them and was about to say, "Get some water and dissolve it in the glass", when Farina just popped the tablet direct into his mouth. Almost instantly his eyes began to bulge and he coughed and spluttered as the Alka Seltzer bubbled-up. "And there I was", recalled de Graff, "...in company with The Great Farina - in his racing overalls and holding his crash helmet, and literally foaming at the mouth"...

Now there was a Prima Donna - on a bad day.

DCN

Edited by Doug Nye, 05 August 2010 - 22:25.


#25 brucemoxon

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Posted 05 August 2010 - 23:12

When I was racing classic Motorcycles in the very early 90s, (1969 Yamaha 125cc GP Bike) I went to a party in Campbelltown NSW. There I was introduced to a young bloke who, I was informed, was a bit of a Gun bike racer. He was introduced to me by the hostess because she knew I raced bikes as well and thought we would have something to speak about.

I shook this young gentleman's hand and said G'Day. He introduced himself to me in this Fashion. My name is XXXXXXXXXXX. but then, If you race bikes you will already know who I am. Yes I did know who he was, but after that concieted introduction, I was buggered if I was ever going to let him know that I recognised him for who he was. I pleaded ignorance to who he was. This annoyed him greatly. At this stage he was only racing 250cc production bikes, albeit quite well at National Level. On finding out that I raced Post Classic 125cc GP Bikes he immediately asked me why I bothered with such a "Pissant" class of racing, and "Didn't I have the Balls" to race in a more modern class, or was I afraid that I was not good enough. I actually knew without him telling me that I was not good enough!

At that, I told him that my view of his personal qualities and worth were widely different than his own, (please pick you own expletives to insert here). I think the kindest word I used was to call him a Wanker......

This was a young man who believed his own publicity.

Roll forward the clock a few years, I am now racing 125cc GP Bikes at National Level, (but getting my arse kicked by the fast guys). The young man made his way to all the way to race bikes in the World Championships, (until the team folded), when he came back to here and picked up a prized Factory Superbike seat.

Yes the bugger was bloody good. Very bloody good. I'll admit that it irked me that this bloke was so super talented, but had zero humility and people skills. I ran into him at the South Australian Round of the Aussie Championshipson his first season back here. He tells me, (I am surprised that he even remembered me), that he is glad to see I finally got some balls about myself. I could not bring myself to answer him, (lest I call him names again). I actually think that he really thought he was being nice to me...Grrrrr.

He has since gone on to achieve big things in the US, racing over there. The bugger is still bloody good, but from what I hear, he still believes in his own divinity.

Good luck to him. I guess when God gave him the huge amounts of ability that he so obviously possesses, he balanced that by taking away his ability to treat people nicely. Everyone who was not actually out there on the track beating him were considered to be a much lower form of life to be walked over and ridiculed. This apparently included, team mates, (according to at least one that I know personally), team managers, and especially the public who kept adoring him.

Am I just jealous? Possibily, at least about his ability and achievements as a racer. But as a person, no I am not jealous of him. All the fast teams wanted to have him, but none of the team members liked working with him.

Candidate for Primadonna....... I think so. But that is just my view.


No argument here. I do some business with the fellow (through an equally toxic intermediary). Eurgh. "Bend over, please."

His arrogance extends to business dealing.




Bruce Moxon


#26 Quixotic

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Posted 06 August 2010 - 02:53

No argument here. I do some business with the fellow (through an equally toxic intermediary). Eurgh. "Bend over, please."

His arrogance extends to business dealing.




Bruce Moxon



I feel for you Bruce. I have not spoken to him since 1995 or 1996. A situation that I am happy to be in. since I have now retired to Car racing, I think it unlikely that I will have occasion to speak to him again. I do not even go to watch the bikes any more. Funny that, especially after racing Motorcycles and Sidecars for over 18 years.

A good thing I think.

#27 Quixotic

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Posted 08 August 2010 - 10:51

Even at the most humblest of race meetings you get to meet Prima Donnas. You know the guys. The ones who act as though they are F1 drivers, when there are only racing Formula Vee.

At one of my first race meetings in cars, one of these gentlemen must have noticed my bewildered uncomprehending looks, so he took pity on me. He told me that I should try to follow him around to get some tips on lines and breaking points. I was actually quite grateful of the offer, so I stifled my usual direct responce to people when they are being overwealming condesending to me, (usually swearing is involved).

Just before we got into our cars he told me not to be embarrassed if I could not hang on to him for more than a corner or two, but he'd pick me up again when he lapped me. Out we went for Qualifying. We only managed to do two laps as someone had dropped oil on the circuit.

So prior to the race he gave me the benefit of more of his wisdom. Watch my mirrors, look out for the fast guys, (including him), when they come up to lap me, and stick to my lines. Again he told me not to be emarrassed about being too slow. His advice was fair I thought.

He was gridded in about position 8 or so, and i was way, way back, (where I no doubt belonged), back in 22nd or 23rd. When the race started I got a fantastic start, (sheer luck I guess), and found myself right behind him. I remember thinking that I do not deserve to be up that far, so I thought that I would tuck in behind him and try to hang on as long as I could. Well I found, much to my surprise, that he was actually holding me up through the middle and end part of the corners, although I had difficulty in staying in his slipstream as I would lose whatever momentum that I had built up due to his indifferent corner exit speed.

So, on lap two this gentleman finally notices me in his mirrors and tries to lose me. He gets very ragged so I back off a little bit. I try to have a go coming out of Mallala's Northern hairpin only to find him lifting right off of the throttle, forcing me to jump onto the brakes to avoid a collision. I was getting a bit grumpy. I ultimately get past him by outbreaking him into the southern hairpin only to find him hitting me a few times with his nose under brakes to remind me that he was there. I then cleared off and finished the race about four seconds in front of him.

At the completion of the race he tells me that I am dangerous, and that he was going slow only to show me around, (in a race.....Sure!). And this is how I thank him for his help... He also tells me that his car was off song, and that he is not feeling the best....his tyres were past their best, Blah, Blah, Blah..... Excuses.

He even went to the Clerk of the course to complain about my driving. He had no joy there though. The clerk of the course had received some complaints from the flag marshals about unsafe driving during the race, but it was not me....... Guess who?

So after all of the histronics, the wailing, the protesting, the excuses, and the plain dirty driving, what position do you think we were racing for? First...No. A spot on the Podium perhaps???? No. Not even Top Ten.

This was the Battle for 13th and 14th place of a club Formula Vee race.

Edited by Quixotic, 09 August 2010 - 00:33.


#28 larryd

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Posted 08 August 2010 - 21:38

Barry. What a perceptive gentleman you are............

I will not admit to more though. I am sure you have worked it out.


I'm only a bog Irishman, so what would I know?

Are we talking Mat here ? ?

 ;)


#29 ghinzani

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Posted 08 August 2010 - 21:52

I'm only a bog Irishman, so what would I know?

Are we talking Mat here ? ?

;)


Listen M'laddy we are trying to not mention the name I think, thats the game being played. Bet the whole Speis thing forks him right off tho.

#30 Barry Boor

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Posted 08 August 2010 - 22:40

:)

#31 philippe7

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Posted 08 August 2010 - 22:54

I hadn't made the link at the time, but it says a lot about his character that when he left his team half way through his one and only season in the 500cc World Championship, he was replaced by an notoriously bad tempered young american brat - but whose well known difficult character must still have been considered by his employers as an improvement on his predecessor !

#32 Quixotic

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Posted 09 August 2010 - 00:38

I hadn't made the link at the time, but it says a lot about his character that when he left his team half way through his one and only season in the 500cc World Championship, he was replaced by an notoriously bad tempered young american brat - but whose well known difficult character must still have been considered by his employers as an improvement on his predecessor !


Ahhhh his replacement...... his last name started with a K, didn't it? his reputation was worse that M.M's I believe...... But I do not know the gentleman concerned, so I can only surmise.


#33 philippe7

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Posted 09 August 2010 - 07:13

Ahhhh his replacement...... his last name started with a K, didn't it? his reputation was worse that M.M's I believe...... But I do not know the gentleman concerned, so I can only surmise.


Neither do I of course, so it's only lighthearted libel based on hearsay from my part but I just thought it made a funny sequel to your story  ;)

In fact I double checked what I had stated from memory, and to be fair MM did not leave his team half way through the season, and in fact he scored his best finish of the year (6th) in the last Grand Prix of 1993. Mr K came in as a third rider , and promptly scored a win and two 4th in three races

#34 Chezrome

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Posted 09 August 2010 - 07:24

if self promotion is a pre requisite then surely the biggest must be the world's fastest dyslexic -JYS, a man who was admittedly a great driver and has spent the last 40 years making sure we dont forget (whilst ensuring every possible earning opportunity is exploited!)


I met JYS on an airport two or three years ago, and I didn't want to bother him, and HE struck up a conversation with me because he saw I recognised him and was too shy to talk to him. He started to talk about the oddity of tax-free shops at airports. Only then, after I asked him what he thought about the championship he started talking about F1. And he didn't use the word: 'I' once... Actually, when Stewart is not asked spefically during interviews about the relationship between the current F1 and his days, he never talks about it.

Tell me, which F1 driver, current or ex, who has done so much for the sport, and is still enthousiastic about it?

Jacky is a great ambassador for the sport. That you declare his presence out of perceived egoistical reasons says more about you than about Jacky Stewart.




#35 kayemod

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Posted 09 August 2010 - 08:42

Jacky is a great ambassador for the sport. That you declare his presence out of perceived egoistical reasons says more about you than about Jacky Stewart.


That's unfair on Simon, I agree with every word he said, and I agree with every word you said as well. I met Jackie several times back in the 70s, being involved in making a seat for him, I've handled his bottom, which is more than anyone else on here can claim, unless of course Helen Stewart is a lurker or closet member. JYS struck me as a thoroughly good bloke, who has never lost sight of his humble beginnings. Egotistical and tirelessly self-promoting he may be, but he has his feet more firmly on the ground than most others who reached his level in the sport. Jackie is OK. I can't speak for Simon of course, but unless any TNF can provide evidence to the contrary, he's almost certainly OK as well.

#36 dmj

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Posted 09 August 2010 - 12:19

I used to mention here my dislike for driver who used each opportunity they could to earn some extra cash due to fact they were famous racing drivers (Moss and JYS spring to mind) but, frankly, it was really stupid way of thinking. Why they shouldn't? It doesn't make them any lesser drivers or persons - they are professionals and are still living from their racing exploits.

#37 Chezrome

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Posted 09 August 2010 - 12:30

I used to mention here my dislike for driver who used each opportunity they could to earn some extra cash due to fact they were famous racing drivers (Moss and JYS spring to mind) but, frankly, it was really stupid way of thinking. Why they shouldn't? It doesn't make them any lesser drivers or persons - they are professionals and are still living from their racing exploits.


:up:

#38 kayemod

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Posted 09 August 2010 - 13:03

I used to mention here my dislike for driver who used each opportunity they could to earn some extra cash due to fact they were famous racing drivers (Moss and JYS spring to mind) but, frankly, it was really stupid way of thinking. Why they shouldn't? It doesn't make them any lesser drivers or persons - they are professionals and are still living from their racing exploits.


Very true, and as long as they behave themselves and do it all with a little charm and humanity, it's all to the good. Sir Stirling has probably done more good for the sport's public image than anyone else alive, how many other sportsmen are still recognised everywhere they go, almost fifty years after they retired? If they can earn money while doing good for the sport, that's fine, at least it stops all that money getting into the hands of footballers. It's worth mentioning that in the past, many quite egotistical drivers, Graham Hill is the best example I can think of, did a great deal of very worthwhile charity work, as did Jim Clark and Jackie Stewart in the same era. I think did Ayrton Senna did much the same rather more recently, in his home country of Brazil.


#39 dmj

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Posted 09 August 2010 - 13:55

There is a lot of charity work from other drivers as well, including even Mr. Schumacher (much publicised 10 million euro donation for tsunami victims is just a part of it). But my favorite quote about charity donations comes from BCE. When asked why he doesn't make his (apparently huge) charity donations more viewable to public eyes, Bernie apparently said: "No way, it wouldn't suit my image!" :rotfl:

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#40 Jagjon

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Posted 09 August 2010 - 21:07

Very true, and as long as they behave themselves and do it all with a little charm and humanity, it's all to the good. Sir Stirling has probably done more good for the sport's public image than anyone else alive, how many other sportsmen are still recognised everywhere they go, almost fifty years after they retired? If they can earn money while doing good for the sport, that's fine, at least it stops all that money getting into the hands of footballers. It's worth mentioning that in the past, many quite egotistical drivers, Graham Hill is the best example I can think of, did a great deal of very worthwhile charity work, as did Jim Clark and Jackie Stewart in the same era. I think did Ayrton Senna did much the same rather more recently, in his home country of Brazil.

In the Castrol library film " Mountain Legend" about the Targa Florio of 1965, Graham Hill is interviewed about racing in the TF, and I found his answer quite interesting.
He answered to the effect that perhaps it was a good idea to come to the Targa to compete because it put things in some perspective and made you realise that you might not be quite as good as you think you are!
More the comments of a modest man than a prima donna, although at other times one hears of his demanding and exacting ways on car preparation.
Perhaps it is because many of us here are just the enthusiast and they are guys being serious about doing their professional job, the view points can hardly be the same.
If Graham Hill had ego, perhaps he'd earned the right to it.

#41 kayemod

kayemod
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  • Joined: August 05

Posted 09 August 2010 - 21:54

I only met Graham Hill once, and we never really made contact, I think I was passing tools or something to the people who were actually doing the work, but he was certainly a 'character', he seemed quite mad, even a bit scary to me. By repute, he could be very difficult indeed, a prima-donna to deal with at some times, utterly charming at others, but I'm inclined to believe that at that level, almost all drivers are like that. They can all be ego maniacs on occasion, it's just part of their make-up. If you read Andrew Ferguson's Lotus, the Indianapolis Years, even mild mannered Jim Clark could be quite hard to handle at times, even by Chapman himself.