6 replies to this topic

[RedFever]

I was impressed to see how many people mentioned Stephan Bellof as one of the drivers in Don Caps thread.

I really liked Stephan myself, he was the kind of driver, style and all that I always respected. And you never hear anyone remembering that when Ayrton Senna was "impressing" everyone in Monaco by gaining 1 1/2 seconds per lap, that at the same time Stephan was actually catching Senna!!!

I only have followed Stephan's career in F1 and his results were very promising, considering he didn't have a top car. So, why did you like him so much?

[Ray Bell]

I would suggest that for some it's because if they admit him to their list of heroes they can pull Ayrton down a peg over that Monaco race. That helps them keep their personal hero ahead of Senna...
Just a thought. I'm starting a psycology class one day...

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Life and love are mixed with pain...

[Pascal]

One Saturday of 1984, I saw a worried Ken Tyrrell in the Monaco pits. He seemed to be looking for someone, and obviously he couldn't see the man crouching under an alignement of Tyrrell bodies, barely keeping his laughter in check. The young facetious man was Stefan Bellof, and I immediatly liked him...

The day that followed, I was working as a first-aid worker on the track, and that particular Grand-Prix left an unerasable mark in my memory. I remember Mansell's early, and short-lived, lead. I remember Prost's McLaren being affected by braking problems. I remember Ayrton Senna's admirable control of his Toleman in these incredible weather conditions. And of course I remember Stefan Bellof's Tyrrell coming back on the leaders as the conditions were worsening... His car was constantly going sideway under acceleration, and each lap I would wonder if I was to see this car again on the next. I'll never forget how much that young German impressed me that day.

While Senna lived long enough to fulfill most of the promises he showed that day, Bellof was not that lucky...

[Don Capps]

I think Pascal captures the aura of Bellof. He was out of the same mold as many of the others like Gilles, Moll, and Behra: braver than Dick Tracy and destined to live short lives...

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Yr fthfl & hmbl srvnt,

Don Capps

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

[Michael M]

Extremely fast and totally fearless ...
Nürburgring Nordschleife in 6.11.13 ...
One of the few taking Eau Rouge at full throttle, and the only one trying to overtake there ...
This was one step too far!

[Lutz]

Stefan Bellof was my childhood hero.
When he died I was 13 years old.
Why I liked him so much? He came from Giessen,Germany, he almost broke Regazzonis alltime Nürburgring record - in a Formula 2 car! His driving was spectacular, and he gave me an autograph once (which impressed me hugely). Finally his Monaco performance in 84 still convinces me that he belongs onto my list of greatest drivers.
Kind regards,
Lutz

[Duane]

Monaco, Estoril, Detroit (84 & 85) among other races, he was also WSC Champion in 84. He captured the style and passion of another era - I guess he was never detined to live long. He was #1 on Ferrari's wish list from the end of 84, after Senna opted for the greater team control he could have, and did have, at Lotus. Bellof in the 87 Ferrari, that would have been spectacular!