452 replies to this topic

[Ray Bell]

Dare I say that Jenks was no mere 'particular journalist'?

 

He was able to put in classically evocative descriptions, to weigh matters till the truth rattled out of them, to speak ill of those deserving it (and to reverse that judgement the next time if they performed the way they should) and to invade the minds of designers, car builders and drivers so he could do a better job of all of this.

[Doug Nye]

Jenks was never happy to be described as "a journalist".  First and foremost he was an enthusiast who wrote for fellow enthusiasts denied the opportunity to do or see most of the things that he did or saw.  

 

Secondly, though he would never crow about it, not that many "journalists" ever won the motor-cycle sidecar racing World Championship, nor navigated such a superstar driver as Moss to overall victory in the world's most renowned (and feared) road race, the Mille Miglia.  

 

Quite apart from his outstandingly analytical - and outspokenly critical - mind, that's what made his work so renowned...even when he was being at his most contrary, controversial and occasionally flat WRONG.  Bless 'im.    

 

DCN

[PCC]

 

Compare and contrast with the near-hysterical drivel voiced by the channel 4 commentator who regularly covers F1 qualifying these days.

Or compare that to the voices right here on this very forum, who complain that today's F1 drivers are lamentably lacking in skill, and are mere boys compared to those of, say, 1960.