296 replies to this topic

[Simon Arron]

I know I retired this concept at the end of last season, and have a bit of explaining to do, but fate has decreed that I will attend a few grands prix this season so I might as well reprise the customary nonsense...


"Welcome back my friends to the show that never grapefruit Monopoly cucumber Piper at the Gates of Dawn yogurt gaslight coat-hanger radiator Sunbeam Rapier pomegranate electric toaster Eskimo very nice motorway etc etc"


McLaren is talking to a new engine supplier for 2014.


Larry Perkins finds something that handles better than a BRM P201.


Williams showcases the sport's new, greener look.


Vorsprung durch Picnic.


Ferrari merchandising stand? Check. McLaren? Check. Red Bull? Check. Peter Brock? Check...


Charles Pic wonders how much it would cost to buy back his Marussia seat.

[john winfield]

Simon, what a pleasant surprise! Thanks for the photos, and I hope you have time for a few more.

[arttidesco]

Great to have you back for a few races at least

[GD66]

...and...we're OFF ! Welcome back, Simon.

Should be just as much cannon fodder this year....

[Redneb]

Yay.

[Phil Rainford]

Umm ....what did you tell " Motor Spot " You were popping out for a sandwich?

Mind you their loss is our gain

PAR

[Simon Arron]

Specks in the city.


Slow McLaren.


Fast McLaren.


Just fast.


From Marussia with love. Ignore the lap times: Jules Bianchi looks fantastic out on the circuit.


Alexandre Prémat: still a bit rubbish.


Lust in translation.

Edited by Simon Arron, 16 March 2013 - 05:13.

[philhitchings]

Excellent The thread that just keeps giving.

[Odseybod]

Great to have you back, even temporarily, Simon. Hope you didn't get too waterlogged today.

[bradbury west]

[
Fast McLaren.

Right place for an old "digger" though
Roger Lund

[Simon Arron]

Sadly, this lot didn't get to race today following qualifying's abandonment.


How long will it take before Pastor Maldonado becomes rattled by one of these?




Crap Mercedes.


Surprisingly good Mercedes.


Alfa in need of repairs shock...


Rare shot of Esteban Gutierrez's Sauber with nose attached.

[Catalina Park]

That reminds me, I realised earlier this week that it is 30 years since the last time I was at a Grand Prix in Melbourne.

[Vitesse2]

"So, Kimi, how do you feel after your win?"

"Ecstatic." [looooooooong pause] "Can't you tell from the look on my face?"

[ChrisRiv]

Think the crap Mercedes might be a bit less crap if they removed the 5 prong radio aerial from the roof......! Fab pics, fab captions as always and a great surprise, thanks Mr A........

[ensign14]

Bianchi was indeed a bit of a star on the quiet today. Got the sort of margins over the Caterhams that the Caterhams used to have over the Marussias.

Incidentally, is Mutti Krause related to Rudi? (Or even Billy?)

[kayemod]

Incidentally, is Mutti Krause related to Rudi? (Or even Billy?)

Mutti? If they're all German, with that name, she'll be their mum.

On the BBC broadcast, anyone else think that Suzi Perry was a bit of a disaster? I never thought I'd be able to understand David Coulthard rather better than the person he was working alongside. When Suzi got the job, I thought she was a bizarre choice over Lee McKenzie on broadcasting ability alone, but maybe other factors were involved.

[scheivlak]

On the BBC broadcast, anyone else think that Suzi Perry was a bit of a disaster?

Not me.
And I like her voice far more than David's - quite a good pundit/commentator but his voice tends to go a bit whiny every few sentences.

[Simon Arron]

A final sprinkling from Oz...

Or not, as the case may be.


"Hamster artichoke sugar cane fishpaste Ford Corsair 2000E parachute payment kaleidoscope sausage sandwich very nice victory marmalade haddock etc etc."




Staying at home, basically, although I suppose it might have something to do with Holdens.


As, indeed, has this.




Melbourne does passable Silverstone impression.


Max Chilton does passable Jan de Rooy impression.


"If I make a crap start it reduces the chances of hitting anybody important..."


Jenson fails to spot a stalker.




Mercedes told Lewis to pull his finger out, but unfortunately it was trapped in his visor.


Frank Lyons tackles the headline event.


Yet another new one-make formula.

[mouserat159]

Hello Simon
Thank you for your great photos you have posted. I was pleasantly surprised to see you back on the forums.

Kind regards

Mouserat 159

[philhitchings]

cheers again Simon. Are you popping along to KL on your way back??

[Simon Arron]

Are you popping along to KL on your way back??

I feel it would be rude to fly over it... I'm doing the first two races, a few in Europe and then a couple of late flyaways (most likely Singapore and Suzuka). I'll probably attend at least eight events, but my exact programme has still to be finalised.

[Alfie]

Why is current F1 stuff on the Nostalgia forum?

[Vitesse2]

Why is current F1 stuff on the Nostalgia forum?

For the same reason as we sometimes do planes.

Because we can.

Plus the pictures come from a very distinguished writer, who very kindly gives of his time to share them - and his undoubted wit. It also gives those of us who wish to comment on current Eff One a place to do it without being bothered by the fanboiz from RC.

(It probably gives Mrs Arron the chance to find out where her husband is as well!)

[Stephen W]

Why is current F1 stuff on the Nostalgia forum?

You don't have to open the thread if you don't want to. There are a lot of threads I don't open because the subject matter is of no interest. Have a nice day.

[philhitchings]

Alfie, I think the purpose is to show nostalgia in the making. Have a look at the previous years' threads; you'll get a better picture from those I think.

[SJ Lambert]

A final sprinkling from Oz...



Frank Lyons tackles the headline event

He gets my vote!

It was an absolute joy to see Frank running the beautiful Lola after the previous weekend's troubles. I presume he did an engine change during the week as it looked a lot like he'd dropped at least one big end cap at Phillip Island. Hat's off to him for doing whatever it took (and for wowing us with the 717!)

[ensign14]

Why is current F1 stuff on the Nostalgia forum?

It's really to look at it from an historical perspective, a bit like Motor Sport does. Not quite the rough and tumble RC approach.

[David Lawson]

"Hamster artichoke sugar cane fishpaste Ford Corsair 2000E parachute payment kaleidoscope sausage sandwich very nice victory marmalade haddock etc etc."

Actually I thought Kimi was positively garrulous and articulate for once at the post race interview with Brundle.

David

[garyfrogeye]

Think the crap Mercedes might be a bit less crap if they removed the 5 prong radio aerial from the roof......! Fab pics, fab captions as always and a great surprise, thanks Mr A........

I think you'll find that it's a hat.

[Simon Arron]

Why is current F1 stuff on the Nostalgia forum?

Vitesse2 and Ensign14 have provided eloquent explanations, but it would be courteous to add one from the culprit.

This series began in 2009, as a toe-in-the-water exercise, and was passably well received. It was originally suffixed 'history in the making', a tag I forgot to add this time. As others have mentioned, it's basically an opportunity to discuss contemporary F1 for those who wish to do so within the confines of TNF, where you are less likely to encounter the kind of rabid, tit-for-tat exchanges that have been known to infiltrate RC. The thread was provisionally canned at the of 2012, because I was stepping away from F1 to focus on other areas of the sport, but things have since altered slightly and I remain more involved than anticipated (although this year I won't be attending all the races).

I accept that I'm fortunate to have the privilege of access and, from my perspective, this is a chance to provide a second-hand glimpse of life beyond F1's electronic portals, lest friends, acquaintances or anybody else should be interested.

Here endeth the explanation.

[cpbell]

Great to see this thread returning! Also nice to see the vanity panels for the noses being used by most teams - an acknowledgement at last that the aesthetics of contemporary F1 cars are awful?

[elansprint72]

Regarding the bicycle: clearly Williams did not read/understand the UCI regulations.

Regarding the "Bugatti", what kind of blacksmith made the rabbit-fencing grille attachment?

Some very well-seen photos in this mix and the words are up to the usual standard too!

Oulton Masters, here we come...

[Vitesse2]

Regarding the "Bugatti", what kind of blacksmith made the rabbit-fencing grille attachment?

Pretty much a standard fitment in the 20s and 30s to protect the radiator from flying stones. Especially in Oz, where I don't think there were any fully sealed surface road circuits used until 1939. Even Bathurst first opened as rolled gravel.

[arttidesco]

Why is current F1 stuff on the Nostalgia forum?

To enjoy Mr Arrons commentary and view of history in the making is reason enough for the likes of me, the absence of RC banter and bickering is a bonus

Edited by arttidesco, 18 March 2013 - 22:35.

[scags]

Glad to see this back- I've always enjoyed it.

[Thundersports]

Just like to add to the above; fantastic to have this back! Going to miss Simon's reviews in Motoring news though but as a Motor Sport subscriber I can continue to enjoy his writing. Can we have more 80s early 90s articles in Motor Sport? As the readership must be getting to the point where no one remembers the pre 1960s?

[David McKinney]

Can we have more 80s early 90s articles in Motor Sport? As the readership must be getting to the point where no one remembers the pre 1960s?

Historical articles should be educational rather than nostalgia trips. Pre-1960s articles are not necessarily written for people who remember those times (though many of us do), but to tell younger readers what those times were like. Which is not to say there shouldn't be a nod to more recent periods

[Dipster]

Vitesse2 and Ensign14 have provided eloquent explanations, but it would be courteous to add one from the culprit.

This series began in 2009, as a toe-in-the-water exercise, and was passably well received. It was originally suffixed 'history in the making', a tag I forgot to add this time. As others have mentioned, it's basically an opportunity to discuss contemporary F1 for those who wish to do so within the confines of TNF, where you are less likely to encounter the kind of rabid, tit-for-tat exchanges that have been known to infiltrate RC. The thread was provisionally canned at the of 2012, because I was stepping away from F1 to focus on other areas of the sport, but things have since altered slightly and I remain more involved than anticipated (although this year I won't be attending all the races).

I accept that I'm fortunate to have the privilege of access and, from my perspective, this is a chance to provide a second-hand glimpse of life beyond F1's electronic portals, lest friends, acquaintances or anybody else should be interested.

Here endeth the explanation.

For my part I am very happy to see this thread.

Without it I would probably not see much of modern F1 cars. I find today's F1 scene not to my taste (it is much too commercial and some of the drivers do sometimes seem to be prima donnas). I do not subscribe to any mags covering moderns (road or track) at all either. Perhaps I am in a mental time warp as far as racing goes. If I am I am happy there and it perhaps explains why I like TNF so much.

So this thread is useful to me and I enjoy the witty captions too. Long may it continue, if possible.

Edited for typos.

Edited by Dipster, 19 March 2013 - 06:43.

[Ray Bell]

Originally posted by Vitesse2
Pretty much a standard fitment in the 20s and 30s to protect the radiator from flying stones. Especially in Oz, where I don't think there were any fully sealed surface road circuits used until 1939. Even Bathurst first opened as rolled gravel.

Correct to a point...

As far as the Australian Grand Prix is concerned, the first fully-sealed circuit was Lobethal on the opening days of 1939. But prior to that there were places these and similar cars raced like Maroubra and Aspendale which were fully sealed (admittedly, Aspendale lost its concrete and reverted to gravel), I'm not sure if Albany was too.

These cars did continue racing post-war, of course. Some of the airfield circuits were notoriously radiator-unfriendly, like Mooliabeenie and Leyburn. One car, after qualifying on the second row of the grid for the AGP at Leyburn, didn't run in deference to the damage that would be done to the bodywork.

[Vitesse2]

Correct to a point...

As far as the Australian Grand Prix is concerned, the first fully-sealed circuit was Lobethal on the opening days of 1939. But prior to that there were places these and similar cars raced like Maroubra and Aspendale which were fully sealed (admittedly, Aspendale lost its concrete and reverted to gravel), I'm not sure if Albany was too.

I did specify "road circuits", Ray. I wasn't sure about Albany either.

[Stephen W]

Just watched the BBC's highlights show again, well the first few minutes, and it was nice to see that there were at least five clips from Oulton Park included. Is this another case of the BBC rewriting history?

[Alfie]

Vitesse2 and Ensign14 have provided eloquent explanations, but it would be courteous to add one from the culprit.

This series began in 2009, as a toe-in-the-water exercise, and was passably well received. It was originally suffixed 'history in the making', a tag I forgot to add this time. As others have mentioned, it's basically an opportunity to discuss contemporary F1 for those who wish to do so within the confines of TNF, where you are less likely to encounter the kind of rabid, tit-for-tat exchanges that have been known to infiltrate RC. The thread was provisionally canned at the of 2012, because I was stepping away from F1 to focus on other areas of the sport, but things have since altered slightly and I remain more involved than anticipated (although this year I won't be attending all the races).

I accept that I'm fortunate to have the privilege of access and, from my perspective, this is a chance to provide a second-hand glimpse of life beyond F1's electronic portals, lest friends, acquaintances or anybody else should be interested.

Here endeth the explanation.

Simon,

I appreciate your comments and offer my thanks. And also my apologies for the challenge.

But I do find it increasingly irritating that we accept the blurring of lines for reasons that are sometimes argued from a very individual standpoint.

I fully accept the argument regarding aircraft, because it invariably discusses bygone examples - rarely seeing the A400 on here.

I also have no issues with the quality of the photos. I think they're wonderful examples of the genre.

I will now wander off muttering into my beard.

[Lee Nicolle]

Pretty much a standard fitment in the 20s and 30s to protect the radiator from flying stones. Especially in Oz, where I don't think there were any fully sealed surface road circuits used until 1939. Even Bathurst first opened as rolled gravel.

I can attest to the fact that there is still plenty of stones around on road race circuits. My last couple of years racing I holed 5 radiators in 5 meetings.On 3 different circuits. That with 1/2" mesh screen in front of it.
Luckily no real problems, just a fine spray of coolant at race end. And I always carried a spare radiator.
Luckily I had sponsors for both radiator repairs and coolant.
Many of the Supercar teams use Stop Leak of some sort in their radiators which makes sense in a longer race.

[elansprint72]

Pretty much a standard fitment in the 20s and 30s to protect the radiator from flying stones. Especially in Oz, where I don't think there were any fully sealed surface road circuits used until 1939. Even Bathurst first opened as rolled gravel.

Ummm... sad act that I am, one of my specialities, in a former life, was machine-welded mesh guards; what you see here was not even dreamed of back in those days. The cheapo electro-mesh pattern you see here is from the late 40s/early50s; prior to that the job would have been much neater, the mesh having been hand-welded and then brazed into to the outer frame, rather than wrapped around; unless a blacksmith/farmer did it.

[layabout]

I can attest to the fact that there is still plenty of stones around on road race circuits. My last couple of years racing I holed 5 radiators in 5 meetings.On 3 different circuits. That with 1/2" mesh screen in front of it.
Luckily no real problems, just a fine spray of coolant at race end. And I always carried a spare radiator.
Luckily I had sponsors for both radiator repairs and coolant.
Many of the Supercar teams use Stop Leak of some sort in their radiators which makes sense in a longer race.

I was enjoying Simon's Arron bit of whimsy that started this thread & I guess protection against road rocks might make an interesting thread on it's own, but it seems like this thread has digressed into something much different from how it began. I'm not sure what to do, but perhaps Simon could be enticed into posting some more photos to get us back on track...

[Simon Arron]

Seconds out, race two...


Sauber tried a Bugatti-style stone guard in the first practice session, but discarded it for the second.


"Dishwasher parsnip soup tarantula Darkness on the Edge of Town raspberry Mivvi hairdryer test match Hillman Avenger Tiger cornucopia salad dressing aardvark wombat etc etc."


Max power.


Crown Jules.


Scot of the harsh antics.

[alansart]

raspberry Mivvi

...probably need one in that heat

Scot of the harsh antics.

...caption of the year so far - Brilliant

[Simon Arron]

Nico Hülkenberg: forest gumption.


Ten-pointed star (at this stage of the campaign).


Dallara share price set to rise as GP2 Series commences.


Purple reign: Sam Bird leads Tom Dillmann and Jolyon Palmer in aforementioned GP2 contest.


Locking wheel nut.


Car that works (at least over one lap).


Car that doesn't seem to work at all.


Man with camera wanders to Turn Two to watch GT race ripe with Ferraris, Lamborghinis, Porsches and suchlike, but arrives to discover he's misread the timetable...

[garyfrogeye]

Fantastic captions.

[mouserat159]

Would you love to by a fly on the wall in the RedBull's garage tonight !!!

Many thanks Simon for your fabulous photos, Have you got a photo of Mitch Evans? Being in Australia we unforantly only get 1/2 hour pre race show then the race and podium.

Which brings me to another question for people abroad, I would be interested to know how much TV time did you get in Europe of the Austrailan GP? We had three days of TV coverage

Regards

Mouserat 159