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Tracks features informally named after drivers


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#1 Graham Clayton

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Posted 16 November 2012 - 04:39

The original Turn 1 press box at the Darlington Raceway was nicknamed "Balmer's Box" after Earl Balmer nearly hit it after riding the guardrail from a collision with Richard Petty during the 1966 Southern 500. The journalists moved to a safer location shortly afterwards.

Have there been other structures or parts of circuits that have been unofficially named after drivers?

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#2 ExFlagMan

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Posted 16 November 2012 - 07:54

Weaver's Trench at Silverstone.

#3 Terry Walker

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Posted 16 November 2012 - 07:59

Forrest's Elbow at Bathurst, often wrongly called Forest Elbow. No doubt Ray Bell will know this better than me, since it's his neighbourhood, but I think the Forrest was Jack Forrest, who crashed there.

#4 SEdward

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Posted 16 November 2012 - 08:03

I think that the scene of Lauda's accident at the Ring has been unofficially named as the Lauda Kink or Lauda Kurve.

And then, of course, there all those straights and corners at Brands Hatch that were renamed after drivers many years ago. Appelations that, in my mind, remain totally unofficial and downright heretical!

Edward

#5 Elwing

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Posted 16 November 2012 - 09:44

I think that the scene of Lauda's accident at the Ring has been unofficially named as the Lauda Kink or Lauda Kurve.

And then, of course, there all those straights and corners at Brands Hatch that were renamed after drivers many years ago. Appelations that, in my mind, remain totally unofficial and downright heretical!

Edward

Also known with good German humor as the Grillstrecke. (barbeque place)


#6 AAGR

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Posted 16 November 2012 - 09:47

Not forgetting 'Mikkola's bend' in a forestry special stge in North Yorkshire where Hannu Mikkola crashed a Ford Escort on an event ....

AAGR


#7 swintex

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Posted 16 November 2012 - 09:58

Weaver's Trench at Silverstone.

I seem to remember "Herbert's Trench" on the exit of the then new Luffield, '91?


#8 ensign14

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Posted 16 November 2012 - 09:59

Gambon Corner at Dunsfold...

#9 Arjan de Roos

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Posted 16 November 2012 - 11:11

The right hand side of Zandvoort's pit straight was named "The Pironi Line" as Didi passed close to the guard rail during the 82 GP several times. To escape the influence of the sea wind.

#10 ExFlagMan

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Posted 16 November 2012 - 17:23

Not forgetting 'Mikkola's bend' in a forestry special stge in North Yorkshire where Hannu Mikkola crashed a Ford Escort on an event ....

AAGR

Probably more than one such named corner in the British forests :rotfl:

Edited by ExFlagMan, 16 November 2012 - 17:23.


#11 scheivlak

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Posted 16 November 2012 - 17:34

The Massa kerb at Buddh :D

#12 RonPohl

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Posted 16 November 2012 - 17:37

A turn at the original Laguna Seca ( before it was " modernized " ) was dubbed "Leslie's leap" after Ed Leslie went flying off the cliff there (uninjured I believe)

#13 RS2000

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Posted 16 November 2012 - 21:03

Probably more than one such named corner in the British forests :rotfl:


Only one "Mikkola's Bend" - in Dalby Forest (and very recently discussed on BritishRallyForum). Sadly also where an Icelandic driver later lost his life and where a memorial is now situated. Rumoured to be used next week on the "Roger Albert Clark" Rally.


#14 Garagiste

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Posted 17 November 2012 - 00:15

Piquet corner in Singapore is probably the most infamous.