36 replies to this topic

[Phil Rainford]

Can anyone remember a Formula One car or for that matter any racing cars taking to the streets of Manchester before?

http://www.vodafone....vip-carrunfo-im

PAR

[alansart]

Sauber BMW turned out at the Trafford Centre a few years ago.

[Simon Arron]

Can anyone remember any racing cars taking to the streets of Manchester before?

I remember racing you around the streets of Manchester circa 1979, but that was a Renault 5TL against a Mini...

Wasn't there an A1 GP street parade circa 2006?

[alansart]

Wasn't there an A1 GP street parade circa 2006?

Yes I think there was.

[Amphicar]

I remember racing you around the streets of Manchester circa 1979, but that was a Renault 5TL against a Mini...

Wasn't there an A1 GP street parade circa 2006?

There is a clip of it here: I must say it is rather underwhelming. Can only hope that Jenson is allowed to put on more of a show.

[Paul Hurdsfield]

Yes there was, I was there
Not what you see parked outside the Arndale everyday.


Albert Square.


Deansgate.


And very impressive it was too

[Phil Rainford]

I recall the Sauber team at the Trafford Centre ......but I have no memory of the A1GP Event

I have only lived here for 50 years


PAR

[Paul Hurdsfield]

I must say it is rather underwhelming.

And how fast do you think they should go with the crowd so close?
The drivers were under strict instructions to go quite slow on the bends/corners
But at the start of the straights they would stop, bounce the engines off the rev limiters and drop their clutch.
When your six feet away and surounded by high buildings, it's impressive.
And I've attended over 35 GPs plus LeMans a few times, not just demos.

[Phil Rainford]

I remember racing you around the streets of Manchester circa 1979, but that was a Renault 5TL against a Mini...

British Touring Cars at their best !!


PAR

[Pink Snail]

Someone get in touch with Alan Gow quick!!! What a great idea for the advent of NGTC cars and having a street race . Birmingham manged it , Manchester could probably do it ;) , Bristol?? , Cardiff?? , Sheffield?? , the draw of a crowd to town centres once a year on a rota would be interesting ;) . With more cars coming into BTCC soon Skoda & MG to join Audi, Proton, VW, Vauxhall Insignia, Toyota, Seat, Chevrolet, Honda, BMW and the rest, it will have a lot more appeal in the near future .
With the expected mass turn off as far as F1 is concerned , the BTCC can always chance the extra punters turning up to this type of meeting . I for one would be there . Back on thread, the limitations of running the cars in a city centre must dampen the genuine feel but the proximity of buildings and the noise of the cars will no doubt make the experience a good one for those folk who may only ever get to see the `spectacle` once in their lives ;)

[Sharman]

British Touring Cars at their best !!


PAR

The best part was playing tick in cars David Eva Peter Schaeffer and myself, round Deansgate, Princess St and Oxford Road.

[Doug Nye]

I am under the impression that Manchester centre has just experienced quite enough spectacle, thank you...

DCN

[Paul Hurdsfield]

I am under the impression that Manchester centre has just experienced quite enough spectacle, thank you...

DCN

You aint seen nuttin' yet

[Paul Hurdsfield]

The best part was playing tick in cars David Eva Peter Schaeffer and myself, round Deansgate, Princess St and Oxford Road.

David Eva, now there's a name I remember from a long time ago ;)

Edited by Paul Hurdsfield, 16 August 2011 - 06:56.

[Simon Arron]

On a more formal basis, there were also proposals to stage an Indycar race on a temporary circuit (no, not Deansgate) in Manchester. MN ran quite a big story at the time and the MEN joined in, too: http://menmedia.co.u...city_talks.html

[john ruston]

What sort of answer is that to DCN's point?

Better get the place sorted first.

[Rob29]

What sort of answer is that to DCN's point?

Better get the place sorted first.

Not sure what the point was-if it refers to recent looting I supose this applies anywhere-should they cancel the Olympics?
BTCC in the city centre sounds like a good idea-I reckon I would be there-wheras I would not bother with any of the present circuits.

Edited by Rob29, 16 August 2011 - 07:46.

[Sharman]

David Eva, now there's a name I remember from a long time ago ;)

Now deceased these 30 years or more, needed heart lung transplant but no donor found.

[ExFlagMan]

Slicks on Tram-lines might make it interesting!

[Phil Rainford]

I am under the impression that Manchester centre has just experienced quite enough spectacle, thank you...

DCN

Let's hope it will not experience anything like it again.

Catching up on my unread copies of " Motor Sport " when I came across this quote from Nigel Roebuck


" Protests and rioting in Bahrain: was this really a country where a Grand Prix should be held in 2011? " Ummmm.....


PAR

[Paul Hurdsfield]

Now deceased these 30 years or more, needed heart lung transplant but no donor found.

Thats very sad, I seem to recall his wife/partner having a child in the late60s/early 70s
So the child would have only been about 10 when David died.

[Paul Hurdsfield]

What sort of answer is that to DCN's point?

Better get the place sorted first.

Maybe you didnt notice this
The riots were a minor blip (although not good for the victims of looting) and a lot less severe than London experienced.
Manchester is a fantastic City and quite capable of putting on a major event, remember 2002 and the Commonwealth games?
Maybe I'm a bit biased, I've lived here for almost 62 years.

Edited by Paul Hurdsfield, 16 August 2011 - 17:33.

[Amphicar]

Slicks on Tram-lines might make it interesting!

This is the route for JB's demo in the McLaren:

http://www.vodafone....ip_live_map.pdf

Fortunately, well away from the Metrolink tram route:

http://www.projectma.....entre map.pdf

[Phil Rainford]

That is a fair blast down Deansgate...........mind you if Jenson's luck is anything like mine when I drive through the City Centre all the lights will be on red



PAR

[Sharman]

Thats very sad, I seem to recall his wife/partner having a child in the late60s/early 70s
So the child would have only been about 10 when David died.

Had two children I think, was a very close friend of mine, he was a groomsman at my wedding, I eventually went to live overseas and only saw him once or twice after his accident

[Bauble]

I would have thought that 'racing away from Manchester' might be more appropriate.

[Alan Cox]

I would have thought that 'racing away from Manchester' might be more appropriate.

Strange, but the same feeling I have with regard to London.

[Sharman]

Slicks on Tram-lines might make it interesting!

Beaded edge IN tramlines even more interesting

[MartLgn]

I would have thought that 'racing away from Manchester' might be more appropriate.

For the benefit of the Northern contributors to this topic would you care to elaborate on why that might be more appropriate?

[elansprint72]

There was a Greater Manchester Grand Prix race (which I was involved in for several years). Push-bikes not boring F1 though.

I saw a Yardley BRM on a perfume display in Boots on Market Street once.

[D-Type]

Was that before Bernie copyrighted the term "Grand Prix" - or tried to? Or was it only "Formula 1" that he annexed?

Edited by D-Type, 18 August 2011 - 21:03.

[Rob29]

Was that before Bernie copyrighted the term "Grand Prix" - or tried to? Or was it only "Formula 1" that he annexed?

Certainly have been 'Grand Prix' for bikes(both motor & pedal power)boats power & sail) planes & athletes.'Fomula Ones for bikes,boats & planes I seem to remember,also hair restorer.

[Bauble]

For the benefit of the Northern contributors to this topic would you care to elaborate on why that might be more appropriate?

I could explain, however, I doubt 'Northern' contributors would appreciate or, indeed, understand the reasons. I should point out that I did go to Manchester ...... once.

[Pink Snail]

I could explain, however, I doubt 'Northern' contributors would appreciate or, indeed, understand the reasons. I should point out that I did go to Manchester ...... once.

Careful there Bauble my friend ...you may be mistaken for a bone fida Manchester United fan!! Despite classing myself as `Northern`, after recent events albeit brief, I understand the `away` bit of your comment . There would always be the positive advantage of a race around Manchester, although the M60 outer ring road could never be used....always a hold up somewhere!

[Sharman]

I could explain, however, I doubt 'Northern' contributors would appreciate or, indeed, understand the reasons. I should point out that I did go to Manchester ...... once.

I assume we ran you out of town as an effete southerner and you have never dared to return.

Edited by Sharman, 19 August 2011 - 21:07.

[MartLgn]

I shall definitely be going to watch this, the sound of a 750bhp V8 should bounce nicely off the buildings along Deansgate. I am a fan of JB but part of me wishes it was Lewis doing this event, I'm sure he'd make much better use of the 'turning area' (doughnut circle) than Jensen will but I'm sure it will be a great way to spend the bank holiday.

Forum members may not be aware that Deansgate has been the venue for competitive motorsport for many years, I remember a particularly close contest twixt the lights between a BMW M3 and Honda Civic type R in the wee hours of Sunday a few years back!

[Sharman]

I shall definitely be going to watch this, the sound of a 750bhp V8 should bounce nicely off the buildings along Deansgate. I am a fan of JB but part of me wishes it was Lewis doing this event, I'm sure he'd make much better use of the 'turning area' (doughnut circle) than Jensen will but I'm sure it will be a great way to spend the bank holiday.

Forum members may not be aware that Deansgate has been the venue for competitive motorsport for many years, I remember a particularly close contest twixt the lights between a BMW M3 and Honda Civic type R in the wee hours of Sunday a few years back!

Long before M3s were thought of, and at a time Honda didn't make anything we had heard of, the evening rush hour along Deansgate was highly competitive. I once got a lift with St John Goddard (ex Manchester prop forward when Manchester Football Club was a Rugby Uniopn side to be reckoned with) in his Aston International. In a drag rac with something or other, the lights at the Markey Street end changed to green as we approached. I usually alighted there to join the old man for the trip home to Wilmslow. He just stuck one huge hand under my backside and pitched me (I weighed about 14/15 stone in those days) straight over the side into the road. His maniacal laugh demonstrated the Doppler Effect as he continued the dice in the direction of the Bury New Road.

Edited by Sharman, 20 August 2011 - 12:40.