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Your Motorsport Beckett List


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#1 Amphicar

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Posted 29 June 2014 - 17:03

(with apologies to August)

I was thinking of contributing to the motorsport bucket list thread but the races I really want to see all happened in the past. That made me think of the early 90s Sci-Fi series "Quantum Leap". If you remember, it starred Scott Bakula as "scientist Sam Beckett" (hence the thread title). The show was based on the (ludicrous) idea that it would be possible to travel back in time within your own lifetime.

So...on that basis, which races in your own lifetime would you really like to have seen? To get things started, here's my list:

1965 Indy 500 - to see Graham Hill's unexpected win (bit of a cheat as I did see the race - but via satellite in a Manchester cinema)

1967 Targa Florio - to see the Chaparral 2F, perhaps the most unsuitable car ever to race on the Piccolo Madonie circuit

1967 Indy 500 - to see Parnelli Jones almost win in the STP-Paxton turbo car

1967 Belgian Grand Prix - to see Dan Gurney take the beautiful Eagle-Weslake's sole championship GP win

1967 US Grand Prix - to see Jim Clark give the BRM H16 engine its one and only race win

1968 Targa Florio - to see Vic Elford's amazing come back drive to victory

1970 Can-Am series - to see, well, where to start: the Chaparral 2J sucker car, the AVS Shadow, the Porsche 917K (all three driven by Vic Elford) and of course Tony Dean's giant-killing win in the Porsche 908

oh and I should have added Eugenio Renna's 1976 win in the penultimate Targa Florio - now why would that be?

Edited by Amphicar, 29 June 2014 - 17:33.


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#2 Rob G

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Posted 29 June 2014 - 18:47

Great thread! Since most people will probably focus on the F1 era, I'll start by going waaaay back in time:

 

1906 French Grand Prix - The first grand prix.

 

1911 Indy 500 - The first 500.

 

1921 French Grand Prix - The first triumph for an American car and an American driver in a big international event.

 

1933 Monaco Grand Prix - The epic battle between Nuvolari and Varzi.

 

1935 German Grand Prix - Nuvolari's unbelievable victory over the Silver Arrows on their home turf.

 

1937 Avusrennen - The Silver Arrows flashing around the high banks, with average lap speeds of over 170 mph.



#3 Maustinsj

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Posted 29 June 2014 - 18:50

RobG - you are 105?

#4 Andrew Hope

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Posted 29 June 2014 - 18:53

I wish I was around to here all the races that happened before the races that happen now. I hear the old races are much better.



#5 Richard T

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Posted 29 June 2014 - 18:56

I wish I was around to here all the races that happened before the races that happen now. I hear the old races are much better.


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#6 Rob G

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Posted 29 June 2014 - 19:35

RobG - you are 105?

 

No.  :lol:  Racing history fascinates me, especially the era between the two world wars, and I would love to experience what it was like back then. Just as long as my time machine doesn't get stolen or break down and leave me stranded to suffer through the Great Depression or World War II...


Edited by Rob G, 29 June 2014 - 19:38.


#7 P0inters

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Posted 29 June 2014 - 20:01

No.  :lol:  Racing history fascinates me, especially the era between the two world wars, and I would love to experience what it was like back then. Just as long as my time machine doesn't get stolen or break down and leave me stranded to suffer through the Great Depression or World War II...

What he meant was that the OP says what races in your lifetime would you like to go to.  :kiss:



#8 scheivlak

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Posted 29 June 2014 - 22:00

(with apologies to August)


1965 Indy 500 - to see Graham Hill's unexpected win (bit of a cheat as I did see the race - but via satellite in a Manchester cinema)
 

Especially in 1965  :D



#9 scheivlak

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Posted 29 June 2014 - 22:02

1967 US Grand Prix - to see Jim Clark give the BRM H16 engine its one and only race win
 

Ah here also - especially in 1967!


Edited by scheivlak, 29 June 2014 - 22:02.


#10 red stick

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Posted 29 June 2014 - 22:20

Jim Clark won Indy in 1965. Hill won in 1966. Either would be worth the trip back.  ;)

#11 Collombin

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Posted 29 June 2014 - 22:46

I'm not sure the '65 race was all that interesting to be honest, the charge of Masten Gregory and the greatest ever class of rookies notwithstanding.

Agreed on 1966 though, but too young to be able to go there. **** time machine IMO.

#12 Option1

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Posted 29 June 2014 - 23:08

What he meant was that the OP says what races in your lifetime would you like to go to.  :kiss:

That would mean that most of the RC would be going back to see races that happened way back in like 1999 or 2005.*  ;)

 

Neil

 

I actually don't think that's true now days.  Once upon a time this place was rife with pubescent 14 year olds, but I suspect the average age of posters is much higher now.**

 

**  Even if the average intellect isn't...



#13 Longtimefan

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Posted 29 June 2014 - 23:43

Just off the top of my head.

 

Hockenheim April 7th 1968, to tell Jimmy he has to go home on urgent business and must miss the race

Monza Sept 5th 1970, to sabotage Jochen's car so he can't use it.

Zandvoort July 29, 1973, to help David Purley.

Watkins Glen Oct 6th 1973, to push Francois down the stairs so he can't race until 1974



#14 SR388

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Posted 30 June 2014 - 00:03

2008 Brazilian GP. Want to see Lewis take the WDC

2012 long beach GP- Sato comes good.

2013 fall martinsville NASCAR truck race- first win for a black NASCAR driver in my lifetime.

2014 Bahrain GP. Lewis at his best.

Edited by SR388, 30 June 2014 - 00:04.


#15 Tsarwash

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Posted 30 June 2014 - 00:06

Watching Mansell's first F1 win at Brands Hatch in '85 must have something special.

#16 Rob G

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Posted 30 June 2014 - 01:22

What he meant was that the OP says what races in your lifetime would you like to go to.  :kiss:

 

Oh crap, sorry, I completely missed that.  :blush:  Well, in my defense, I never watched "Quantum Leap".



#17 Atreiu

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Posted 30 June 2014 - 01:32

Hum...

MotoGP Phillip Island 2012, Mugello 2009, Valencia 2006, Estoril 2006 and Assen 2006.
F1 Austin 2012, Silverstone 2008, Suzuka 2005, Adelaide 1993 and Jerez 1986.

#18 Afterburner

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Posted 30 June 2014 - 05:07

My favourite episode of Quantum Leap was 'The Boogieman'. Had me on the edge of my seat all the way through (and was my introduction to the underrated and lovely (imo) Valerie Mahaffey). Perhaps it wasn't the best idea to see it for the first time past midnight on a windy evening. :lol:

But, to business: it's hard for me to really think being there live and knowing the result beforehand would enhance the experience, unless you wanted to get a firsthand view of drivers in their best moments. So that would mean my picks are probably more geared to sentimental reasons than races which were actually good. As such:

Germany 2013
Valencia 2012
Abu Dhabi 2010
Brasil 2008
Silverstone 2008
Brasil 2006
China 2006
Suzuka 2003
Indy 2003

Those are the notable races I've seen since I've been watching that I think would've been cool to see in person. In truth, my list could probably go on for much longer given some more thought, but the touchscreen on my smartphone has exceeded my patience levels. Don't know why I bother to write such long posts with it. :p

#19 404KF2

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Posted 30 June 2014 - 05:17

Jerez 1997 would have been good.

 

Le Mans 1966, 1970.

 

But I did get to see Pedro Rodriguez win Spa 1000 km in 1970 so I shouldn't complain.



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#20 PayasYouRace

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Posted 30 June 2014 - 07:24

F1 wise:

 

I'd love to see any of Mansell's Silverstone triumphs, but 1987 and 1992 in particular.

Japan 1996 to see Damon win the championship.

Spa 2000 to sit at Les Combes.

Monaco 2003 and Brazil 2004 for some Montoya wins.

French GP 1990, with Capelli nearly winning in the Leyton House.

Germany 2011 was an epic lead battle I'd love to see live.

I'd have to be at Monza 1988.

Phoenix 1990 for Alesi/Senna too.

Hungary 1997. Can you tell I like seeing underdogs do well?

 

Outside F1:

 

Indycar Nazareth 1993 to see Nigel become champion.

Indycar Laguna Seca 1996.

CART Portland 1997.

Le Mans 1988, 1990 or 2003 to see either Jag or Bentley win.

 

That's a short list off the top of my head.

 

Also, I was at Jerez 1997, but I'd go back and watch from the grandstand at Dry Sack.


Edited by PayasYouRace, 01 July 2014 - 21:20.


#21 Maustinsj

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Posted 30 June 2014 - 12:22

Oh crap, sorry, I completely missed that.  :blush:  Well, in my defense, I never watched "Quantum Leap".

 

Probably a good thing   ;)



#22 BRG

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Posted 01 July 2014 - 19:19

Just off the top of my head.

 

Hockenheim April 7th 1968, to tell Jimmy he has to go home on urgent business and must miss the race

Monza Sept 5th 1970, to sabotage Jochen's car so he can't use it.

Zandvoort July 29, 1973, to help David Purley.

Watkins Glen Oct 6th 1973, to push Francois down the stairs so he can't race until 1974

No, no, no!  As a result of your temporal meddling, in the new timeline that was created, Tony Blair became Pope, George W Bush won the Nascar Sprint Cup and Michael Jackson took over running Ferrari from Silvio Berlusconi.  But Chris Amon still never won a GP


Edited by BRG, 01 July 2014 - 19:20.


#23 4MEN

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Posted 01 July 2014 - 19:59

Add on to my list.

 

1. See Ecclestone out of F1.

2. See Ecclestone in jail.



#24 Marc Sproule

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Posted 02 July 2014 - 03:37

as some of you know, i got to document a fair bit of gilles' atlantic career and a few of his f1 races.

 

on my list would be to have seen ALL of gilles' races, from day one. snowmobiles, ff, etc.

 

at zolder i would have stood in front of his car in the pits, taking pics, just long enough to delay him a few seconds.

 

my gilles set on flickr.....

 

https://www.flickr.c...57624008130538/


Edited by Marc Sproule, 02 July 2014 - 03:39.


#25 Dan333SP

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Posted 02 July 2014 - 03:40

Le Mans in '99. I attended Sebring and Petit LM that year, but I did not make it to Europe. That era had all the big factories out to play, the cars were absolutely gorgeous (the Toyota, the Audi Coupe, the ferrari long tail...), they all sounded different and were LOUD unlike the diesels, and the race itself was interesting for many reasons. I can't imagine seeing one of those Mercs take flight, but it must have been so exciting to watch a lone Toyota chad in down the BMW before a tire blowout in the last hour. I'd love to have been there.

#26 Jim Thurman

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Posted 03 July 2014 - 17:53

I wish I was around to here all the races that happened before the races that happen now. I hear the old races are much better.

 

I was told the same thing when I was a kid and it's pretty likely the guys that told me were told the same by even older guys...

 

...and they were all completely right.



#27 Longtimefan

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Posted 03 July 2014 - 19:49

No, no, no!  As a result of your temporal meddling, in the new timeline that was created, Tony Blair became Pope, George W Bush won the Nascar Sprint Cup and Michael Jackson took over running Ferrari from Silvio Berlusconi.  But Chris Amon still never won a GP

 

hahaha awesome :rotfl:



#28 scheivlak

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Posted 03 July 2014 - 21:11

Jerez 1997 would have been good.

 

Le Mans 1966, 1970.

 

But I did get to see Pedro Rodriguez win Spa 1000 km in 1970 so I shouldn't complain.

Errr... he didn't    :D

 

http://www.wsrp.cz/wsc1970.html#6  



#29 chunder27

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Posted 03 July 2014 - 22:10

So many events I missed due to youth or age!

 

Monte Carlo Rally 1986

Any of the great Group C short races.

any 1985 or 6 F1 qually session.

PIkes Peak 1988

Dave Thorpe winning the 500 motocross British GPO from last in about 87.

Mark Loram winning the speedway title.

Group C at the Nurburgring or pretty much anything there, RS500's, older DTM etc.

 

So many more