12 replies to this topic

[Dennis Hockenbury]

In reading through several threads, I have noted various negative comments and opinions regarding this event.

While I will be the among the first to agree that this race was not in the league of, let’s say, the 1957 German Grand Prix, I would advance the perspective that the Dallas GP certainly does not merit all of its negative reputation in F1 history.

O.K., I will even admit that having a F1 on a temporary circuit in Dallas on a scorching July day was not the brightest idea I have run across, I believe it fair to credit one Mr. B. Ecclestone with the date assignment of the race in the middle of the Texas summer. Yes, it was hot as blazes in Dallas, but nothing compared to the 1989 Phoenix event held in the month of June. Now that was hot.

Having attended the Dallas GP, it rates as an event that I am glad I attended (at least in retrospect). There were brilliant displays of driving by Keke Rosberg manhandling his Williams FW09 on a narrow track that claimed many other notable talents including Tambay, Prost, Lauda, and others. While not a Mansell fan, the guy did himself proud that Sunday leading the race when others could not keep their cars on the disintegrating track surface. Although slogged by Rosberg after the event for blocking, I never saw Mansell deliberately blocking and Rosberg seemed frustrated that he could not cleanly get past the Lotus on the narrow track where one dared not move off of the single racing groove onto the marbles that were inches thick.

I also enjoyed the unique paddock venue at this event which was just behind the circuit in a round arena with all teams working on their cars surrounded by elevated grandstands from which you see the cars, drivers, and mechanics up close and personal. I have not experienced such a vantage point at other events even with VIP pit passes.

And of course the drama with the drivers protesting starting the race, Senna being benched by Hawkridge, Mansell pushing his car over the line and collapsing from the heat.

Yes, the 1984 Dallas GP was not the event of the century, but I believe that it deserves far better treatment that it generally receives.

I would welcome the comments of my fellow TNF’ers.

[billthekat]

Since I didn't pay for my ticket -- which included a paddock pass, I have to say that it was a great value for the money on my part. However, the event itself seemed as if it more cursed than poorly run. It seemed about everything that could go wrong did, some were self-inflicted wounds and others sent down from on high by the racing gods to test folk's character.

As for Mansell, I am not sure where you were seated, but it did seem as if not a soul where I was sitting would have blinked had Keke punted Ol' Nyegel right over the barriers. Nyegel certainly was blocking Warwick. And then if he wasn't blocking Keke, I not sure what you would call it. When it was apparent that Keke got past and Ol' Nyegel did touch the barriers, much cheering in my section. However, Prost and Keke was a differernt story, Keke seemed to let Prost by fairly quickly -- and the McLaren just sailed off into the distance, as they say.... And then, there was Prost with a bent car! And they all just started banging into the walls after what seemed a miracle that anyone would be left after the first few laps. For whatever reason -- apparently I was surrounded Texan Finns -- Keke was the absolute favorite where I was sitting and Ol' Nyegel certainly was not.

It was hot and miserable and little shade, but I generally made the most of the weekend away from Fort Sill, which a free ticket did much to make it a better experience than had I paid for it.

The paddock in the arena was simply top notch.

I had planned to move around some, but the group I fell in with were so "into" the thing, it was easy to stay close by. Plus, they were properly prepared, which most really weren't, for the heat -- I don't think one of them had a shortsleeve shirt or shorts, but longsleeves and pants.

In some ways, I now regret not letting that be my final GP, wishing that I had not gone to the 2002 USGP at Indy, an experience which I think has put paid to my GP/F1 visits.

[Fiorentina 1]

Wasn't it the only race Pier-Carlo Ghinzani scored an F1 point? Well, for that fact alone it was a great race!

Warwick spins trying to pass Mansell for the lead. Rosberg kicks arse and wins! Arnoux also runs strong, and so does Elio. Ghinzani scores 2 well deserved points. Mansell faints trying to push his car accross the finish line. Seems like a good race to me......

[ensign14]

Yeah, it seemed to be one of the better street circuits with lots happennig. Peter Charles scoring a brace of points was one of the Great Unsung Moments. Also Corrado Fabi outqualifying Piquet was highly amusing.

Keke won the race for intelligence as much as anything else - he invested in a cooling system that meant he was chilled...Warwick lost it on marbles trying to take Mansell for the lead, because he was hurrying in the belief that the race would be stopped at any moment, given the break-up of the track surface.

[Mallory Dan]

I agree Dennis, and have never understoodd why the event was so maligned. If for no other reason than during that dull year of 1984, the Mclarens for once didn't dominate. Variety is the spice...

[cheesy poofs]

I watched it on teevee - still has it on tape BTW - and thought it was a wonderful race to watch. Even though the drivers were protesting not to race, they went ahead with the show and produced one of the most entertaining races of the 84 season.

Although, I don't think Martin Brundle has any good memories of this event...

[bigears]

I got the race highlights on a dvd and I find a little funny that there was four cars that lined up alongside a small straight.

I think it was Lauda, Prost, Alboreto and Surer's cars that was parked due to problems in their cars.

[cheesy poofs]

Originally posted by bigears
I got the race highlights on a dvd and I find a little funny that there was four cars that lined up alongside a small straight.

I think it was Lauda, Prost, Alboreto and Surer's cars that was parked due to problems in their cars.

Problem was that they smacked their cars agianst the wall.

[Burd]

Originally posted by cheesy poofs
I watched it on teevee - still has it on tape BTW - and thought it was a wonderful race to watch. Even though the drivers were protesting not to race, they went ahead with the show and produced one of the most entertaining races of the 84 season.

Although, I don't think Martin Brundle has any good memories of this event...

I've been looking for a copy of that race for years. Any chance I can convince you to send me one if appropriate reparations are made?;)

[cheesy poofs]

Originally posted by Burd


I've been looking for a copy of that race for years. Any chance I can convince you to send me one if appropriate reparations are made?;)

I don't mind at all getiting you a copy, but the only thing is that I have it recorded on Beta ( remember those... !!! ) and would need to transfer it to VHS.

I'll see what I can do for you. Keep in touch.

[Burd]

Originally posted by cheesy poofs


I don't mind at all getiting you a copy, but the only thing is that I have it recorded on Beta ( remember those... !!! ) and would need to transfer it to VHS.

I'll see what I can do for you. Keep in touch.

Beta! I don't think I've ever met anyone who actually owned one of those players ;)

[cheesy poofs]

Originally posted by Burd


Beta! I don't think I've ever met anyone who actually owned one of those players ;)

Well, now you do.

[TonyGreene]

I did not get to go to the Dallas GP myself, as I was only thirteen and just getting into F1. But a gentleman that I used to work with did in fact go and lent me the following pictures. Unfortunately, he soon left our shared place of work and I was never able to return the pics to him (sniffle). The Cheever autographs were obtained years later at IRL races at Texas World Speedway.