8 replies to this topic

[Don Capps]

Our Scribe & Moderator present one of his infrequent reports to the Assembled Masses:

I am currently working on a few projects which are leading me to think that I should get a clone to do my day job!

First, there is the Williams job for 8W that is proceeding slowly, but well. I am having an entertaining time sorting out the 1972 thru 1976 period. I started on this period, decided to do the 'easy' part first -- before 1973 and since 1977 -- and return to this exciting adventure. Wow, I was interested to find I don't even agree with myself in many places!!! But, after the Maserati 250F piece, ANYTHING is easier! I will eventually sort this out and send it on Felix & Matt for their comments. I am sure they will roll on the floor laughing & giggling after reading some of it...

Second, the saga of the 1961 season will be a staple in the Rear View Mirror column for a few (dozen) weeks. It will actually get to 1961 in the third installment! I had toyed around with this as a subject for some time. Indeed, one project -- make that Project -- I have kicked around for some time now (years) was a look at the twiddler formula from start to finish. To my surprise, I am having much more fun with this than I imagined. I was surprised how much stuff I had collected on this season! Tons! And I fully intend to report on every damn F1 race from that season!!!

Third, I am looking at a major revision on my story on the 1933 Tripoli race in hope of getting it in print somewhere (Ray?) to salve my irritation concerning the article in MotorSport.

Also, I am digging out books that were put off to the side in the many shuffles I have had lately in moving about (since the Summer of 1996, five major moves....). That is fuelling some ideas for things to do. I am looking at expanding the Case History sorts of articles like the one I did on the Lancia D.50 for 8W. Some candidates there are the Talbots during the Lago era, the Lotus 18 through 24 series, continuing my work on the 1930's cars -- especially the Maseratis.

Finally, I would all of you for making this such a neat place to hang out. My thanks for tolerating me. I often wonder if anyone bothers to read my RVM columns. I realize that most of the "younger" set could care less and have no interest in my ramblings -- or my "dribbling" as a reader called a column recently. However, even though I get mail from folks concerning every column, it is often with some sense of 'what the hell' that I do each column. I hope that I scratch some itch or perk up some interest when I fire one off to Bira. I am certainly not the writer I would like to be. I have a considerable way to go before I can be a 'Writer' in my opinion. However, I have fun doing it and as long as Paul, Bira, and y'all tolerate me, I will continue to kill electrons.

See you!


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Yr fthfl & hmbl srvnt,

Don Capps

Semper Gumbi: If this was easy, we’d have the solution already…

[Fast One]

Don--

If you tell them the Tripoli article is about vans or SUV's, maybe Road and Track will publish it...

[Ray Bell]

Don't tell me R&T has deteriorated that much? I was counting on them...
I'll talk to MRA, they would probably carry it here, but you want a world stage, don't you?
If you re-wrote it the right way you could send it to Motor Sport.... have to be nice and diplomatic... head it up: "The Things People Say" and put a "WB" at the end... better still, leave it as it is and send it to WB instead.

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Life and love are mixed with pain...

[Dennis David]

... he'll put the WB at the end.

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Regards,

Dennis David
Grand Prix History

Life is racing, the rest is waiting

[Don Capps]

It is a never-ending source of amazement to me how certain minds come up with the same crazy thoughts... Yes, I have seriously considered making a few changes to the article and sending it snail mail to WB for his eyes. Whereupon he will add WB at the end...

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Yr fthfl & hmbl srvnt,

Don Capps

Semper Gumbi: If this was easy, we’d have the solution already…

[Ray Bell]

So how downhill has R&T gone? Surely they still carry their Salon series and old time good stories - and have P. Hill in the background?

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Life and love are mixed with pain...

[This message has been edited by Ray Bell (edited 04-26-2000).]

[Fast One]

The writing is still fine, and yes, Phil Hill is still there, and is basically why I still subscribe, but the emphasis has changed as the baby boomers have aged. It is much more family performance car oriented, and they actually talk about vans and SUV's, which I think is grounds for death by firing squad. TVR's renaissance has gone unnoticed, racing in strictly a back-page thing, and the road tests gloss over every flaw...can't upset the advertisers, can we? I get it more out of tradition, like Motorsport, than for what it has become. It has acquired middle-aged spread.

[This message has been edited by Fast One (edited 04-26-2000).]

[Don Capps]

When my subscription to R&T expires in July, I will sever a 30++ year relationship as a subscriber and a 40+++ year relationship as a reader. When it arrive now, I glance at it, see what Phil Hill has in the issue and stack it in the closet. Even the salon articles are a shadow of their former selves it seems. Life will go on. I ditched Autosport after about 30+++ years as a steady subscriber and a number years (15 or so easily) as an off & on subscriber and reader prior to that. MotorSport is looking to join the queue....

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Yr fthfl & hmbl srvnt,

Don Capps

Semper Gumbi: If this was easy, we’d have the solution already…

[Pete Stanley]

Hey Don, I just read the second installment. Great stuff, thanks for taking the time. I never cease to marvel at what the drivers once dealt with as far as working conditions and equipment go. Specifically, I'm thinking of your account of Phil Hill's off. Do hazard and skill go hand in hand? If so, my generation is sorely missing out. Most won't know it, but I do.

Thanks to Karl, too, for your enlightening contributions to the Atlas main page. Maybe I'll get up earlier and prepare my toast and eggs before the beginning of the next grand prix, instead of twenty laps in. There might be something to your "chess match" after all is said and done.