72 replies to this topic

[hittheapex]

Well is Indy 500 F1? because I see some posters mentioning drives from Indy 500

I should probably clear up this point. Even though I only mentioned F1 drives, drives of any category or era are welcome, this is a motorsport rather than an F1 specific forum after all. Even lawnmower or Reliant Robin racing.

Edited by hittheapex, 16 October 2014 - 03:03.

[911]

Vic Elford in the 1968 Targa Florio.  A badly fitted wheel nut meant the wheel almost came off on lap 1 of the 10 lap race, having stopped and tightened the nut himself he proceeded only for the same to happen again, this time causing a brush with a kerb and resulting in a puncture.  With the spectators lifting the car Elford changed the wheel for the space saver and limped back to the pits.  He was now 18 minutes down,  driving a further 6 of the remaining laps after a brief stint by Magioli, Elford broke the lap record with a time 45 seconds faster than his pole position time, took 1st position by lap 9 and went on to win by 42 seconds.

 

This result meant Porsche changed their policy of only featuring cars in their winning posters...

Check your PMs, DampMongoose.  It's about Vic Elford.

[Afterburner]

Even lawnmower or Reliant Robin racing.

Then in this case I nominate the absolute clinic put on by Spec Miata legends Cliff Brown and Danny Steyn during last year's 'Spec Miata bonus round' in the American Road Race of Champions at Road Atlanta. Wildcard entries for the race were available for a fee, and the grid was determined at random. These two were odds-on favourites, but ended up, by luck, gridded on the back row of a 40+ car field... and were running 1-2 by the end of lap two. Can't remember which it was who won; last I saw from turn 11 was the pair of them flying down the hill side-by-side into the final corner to take the chequered flag. I'll probably always remember them that way.

I also remember listening to a particularly fine country-fried rendition of the Floyd's 'Time' at the chalet that evening, complete with a fiddle solo. Good times.

[Atreiu]

Zanardi at Long Beach 1998.

[Collombin]

I don't see the need for that tone.

The lesson there is never to log in after getting back from the pub.

I stand by the nomination, but not the tone used. Sorry.

[hittheapex]

The lesson there is never to log in after getting back from the pub.

I stand by the nomination, but not the tone used. Sorry.

If you have the time E.B., it would be great to read the story of the racing dentist's exploits at the Nurburgring in 1958. There aren't many contirbutions on here from that era.

Edited by hittheapex, 16 October 2014 - 13:22.

[Disgrace]

Hill at Belgium '98. Qualified third, made a complete mess of the first start but took the lead upon the second start.

[Collombin]

I think others could tell the tale better than I, but on reflection I don't really think it fits into the context of this thread anyway - Brooks didn't really hit trouble, he just suddenly picked up his pace and produced a great comeback after dawdling a bit early on (a la Rindt Monaco 1970).

So my drunken post wasn't just rude, it was irrelevant too.

[hittheapex]

I think others could tell the tale better than I, but on reflection I don't really think it fits into the context of this thread anyway - Brooks didn't really hit trouble, he just suddenly picked up his pace and produced a great comeback after dawdling a bit early on (a la Rindt Monaco 1970).

So my drunken post wasn't just rude, it was irrelevant too.

Ah, no worries. Still, you've given me something to dig up when I have the time

Edited by hittheapex, 16 October 2014 - 13:37.

[DainBramaged]

Hill at Belgium '98. Qualified third, made a complete mess of the first start but took the lead upon the second start.

Is that the race where Ralf was closing Hill down at seconds per lap and Hill came on the radio to suggest that they might want to tell Ralf to stay behind and take the 1 - 2 because if the were allowed to race there may be an...erm..accident? I never quite figured out if that was Hill just trying to be sensible (and protect his win) or if it was a little threat. I mean it was raining wasn't it?

[Boxerevo]

Lewis Spa 2008.

 

Hero to Zero to Hero to Zero.

[OvDrone]

The lesson there is never to log in after getting back from the pub.

I stand by the nomination, but not the tone used. Sorry.

 

C'mon, all is well. No harm, no foul.

 

To be honest I don't know much about Brookes and the unsung heroes of the 50's, but I would love to hear more about it. Coincidentally, this article just popped up today: http://www.motorspor...tors-champions/

 

'Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium
June 1958
Tony Brooks on his way to victory aboard the Vanwall. In ’58 a constructor was only awarded points for its highest-placed car and at season’s close, only the best six results counted. Vanwall scored six victories throughout the year thanks to Brooks and Stirling Moss while second-placed Ferrari only managed two. Results – 1st: Vanwall, 2nd: Ferrari, 3rd: Cooper'

 

That being said, I can't for the life of me think of a hero-zero-hero scenario in Motorsport tonight. Damn it.

[Craven Morehead]

Danny Sulllivan survived this 360-degree spin (and unscheduled stop) to win the 1985 Indianapolis 500.

 

 

It was great to relive this moment. 

[Dolph]

The difference between a slow car and a fast car? I'm not saying JB is the best on the grid, but I think some people under-rate him. He did a good job in his first season at Williams scoring points (when they only went down to 6th) on a few occasions. He also came 3rd in the WDC behind the Ferrari's in 2004 and that was in a BAR. He put in some good drives for BAR/Honda between 2004-2006 and I'm sure he had some more decent drives after that, but the Honda was so crap no one noticed. I think he did have a bit of a playboy image and maybe didn't take his driving as seriously as he should have for a few years (maybe in his Benetton days), but he didn't suddenly find himself in a Brawn or a McLaren and suddenly figure out how to drive well. He aint the fastest, but he's a very decent peddler.

 

I'm not disagreeing with what you are saying but he did "suddenly find himself in a Brawn"

[hittheapex]

Is that the race where Ralf was closing Hill down at seconds per lap and Hill came on the radio to suggest that they might want to tell Ralf to stay behind and take the 1 - 2 because if the were allowed to race there may be an...erm..accident? I never quite figured out if that was Hill just trying to be sensible (and protect his win) or if it was a little threat. I mean it was raining wasn't it?

You are right. I can't find the thread but I think I remember somebody writing that Hill had a slow puncture towards the end of the race. That could be wrong, but there was enough carbonfibre sprayed around that day for sure. Hill built a 20-25 second cushion on Ralf quite quickly while Ralf was busy trying to clear his way to the front, then the gap came down sharply once he had clear air.

[JRodrigues]

Don't know how didn't anyone recalled this one:

 

1995 Japanese F1 GP. Alesi starting from 2nd place on the grid, alongside Schumacher, does an 'Alesi' and jumped the start. Came in for a 10-second time penalty, rejoining in 10th. As the race started on wet surface, everyone was on rainy tires. But Alesi took the chance and put slick tires, coming out of the pits in the last places. Trying to overtake Pedro Lamy, he spun on the finish straight. On lap 10, he was already second, chasing down Schumacher. He got to less than 2s from the lead, until the car did a 'Ferrari' and broke down at the 25th lap. Unforgettable.

 

[pathogen]

Prost (and Mansell) in Mexico GP in 1990. Alain comes from 13th to a espectacular win versus a  very high level and competitive grid.

[byrkus]

1977 24 Hours of Le Mans...

 

The favourite Porsche 936/77 broke down early in the race, so Jacky Ickx went into the sister car, which however also had its problems and was running last, or thereabout. After which the team (Jurgen Barth, Harley Haywood, and Ickx) drove 24 hour sprint race to take the lead again - and then almost went back to zero, when their car broke in final hour, when a cilinder failed. Mechanics removed the ignition and injection for that cilinder and sent it around for one last lap, as required by regulations, to win the race.

 

Probably the best ever drive at Le Mans - probably matched only by Pierre Levegh's unbelievable solo charge in 1952.

[SugarCritic]

Not sure if anyone's mentioned Schumi at Monaco 2006 yet, but I'd say that weekend really defined both the best AND worst of him.

[swintex]

I'm surprised nobody has mentioned Rodriguez at Brands Hatch in 1970.

 

Not quite hero (I think he was only 5th on the grid), but certainly zero after a telling off in the pit lane by the clerk of the course, and definitely hero after winning the race by 5 laps, about 6 and a half hours later.

[pathogen]

I'm surprised nobody has mentioned Rodriguez at Brands Hatch in 1970.

 

Not quite hero (I think he was only 5th on the grid), but certainly zero after a telling off in the pit lane by the clerk of the course, and definitely hero after winning the race by 5 laps, about 6 and a half hours later.

one of the best wet drive ever!

[hittheapex]

I'm surprised nobody has mentioned Rodriguez at Brands Hatch in 1970.

 

Not quite hero (I think he was only 5th on the grid), but certainly zero after a telling off in the pit lane by the clerk of the course, and definitely hero after winning the race by 5 laps, about 6 and a half hours later.

I have known of this drive, but didn't know that Pedro got himself in trouble with the clerk of the course. What happened?

[swintex]

I have known of this drive, but didn't know that Pedro got himself in trouble with the clerk of the course. What happened?

Failure to respect yellow flags after an early accident on the pit straight. I believe he claimed he didn't see them because of the weather.