Today we presume it's hard to imagine for you going a day without sparing some thoughts to some form of motorized competition. But somewhere back in time - probably in your childhood years - the only event you connected with motorsport must have been sitting in the back seat of your father's car and wondering why he was so frantically overtaking all those other vehicles. So, to paraphrase the legendary Blackadder servant Baldrick, these must have been a definitive moment when you must have gone from the one state of affairs to the other state of affairs. What was it?
Was it the striking looks of one particular car
that did it? Did a charismatic driver first attract you? Or did some dramatic Grand Prix pull you over to the dangerous side of life?
For me personally, it was the combined effort of the Tyrrell P34 six-wheeler and Niki Lauda's fiery 'Ring accident that managed to spark an 8-year-old boy's interest in the sport.
Good or bad, 8W would like to publish your first motorsport memory. So please send us your brief recollection of the thing, man or event that turned you into a fan. We will publish your stories in three categories:
- This car made me want to be an F1 designer too!
- After that he became an instant hero to me
- I wish I'd been there! Or: my dad brought me along and I was hooked...
Please publish your entries in this thread or send them to 8w@racer.demon.nl. The deadline is June 30. Your stories will be published at the start of the 8W July game.
Cheers,
R.D
---------------------------------------------
Visit the Racer.Demon web site at www.racer.demon.nl
and play 8W, the Web's most fiendish F1 detective game!
---------------------------------------------
[This message has been edited by Racer.Demon (edited 05-23-2000).]
How you became a fan
Started by
Racer.Demon
, May 23 2000 07:13
37 replies to this topic
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#2
davidryman
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- 2 posts
- Joined: May 00
New Member
Posted 24 May 2000 - 08:13
My first memories of 'racing' are from family outings to Mallory Park, to watch Mike Hailwood battle against Giacomo Agostini's MV Agusta. Prior to that, from birth, I have had a fascination with the motor car. At the age of 4, I could recognise any road car in the UK. Must be genetic. If you have ever read Edgar Cayce, the first thing a child wants to become is what they have been in previous lives. My first desire was to be a race car driver, and not a train driver like everyone else. I just love bikes and cars, and F1 is the pinnacle of motor sport. I'm too young to remember Fangio, but I have a picure in my scrapbook of Jim Clark, I've owned a Lotus (Esprit), Senna was something else, Schumaker is in the same league, and although he is German, I think he is doing a grand job for the sport. My personal favoutite is Jon Alessi, because he can handle wet/dry/on the edge conditions.
I believe my fascination with motor sport is genetic!
I believe my fascination with motor sport is genetic!
#3
Keir
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- 5,241 posts
- Joined: February 00
Member
Posted 24 May 2000 - 18:10
Racer.Demon,
If you check the "Favorite Amon" thread on page four, you will see a post on 4/24 that does the trick.
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"I Was Born Ready"
If you check the "Favorite Amon" thread on page four, you will see a post on 4/24 that does the trick.
------------------
"I Was Born Ready"
#4
Huw Jenjin
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- 427 posts
- Joined: June 99
Member
Posted 24 May 2000 - 18:48
I watched racing cars from when I was able to look over the spectator fencing.
sitting on the Canvas seats at silverstone watching a team of Morris 1100s in a relay race caught my attention,but seeing the black and gold striped JPS Lotus 72 in motor Sport magazine was what glued me to F1.
sitting on the Canvas seats at silverstone watching a team of Morris 1100s in a relay race caught my attention,but seeing the black and gold striped JPS Lotus 72 in motor Sport magazine was what glued me to F1.
#5
Falcadore
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- 1,637 posts
- Joined: April 99
Member
Posted 24 May 2000 - 21:36
Most of my early life is a blank. I have memories of starting school, but beyond that only one memory on the young side of age 6.
And that was the final lap of the 1977 Bathurst 1000.
While the memory of the helicopter shot of Allan Moffat and COlin Bond barrelling down Conrod Straight the last time has been reinforced by subsequent re-screenings over the years it remains my formative memory.
When school started I used to take matchbox cars with the numbers of the top touring car drivers, written on the roof of cars I thought looked like the tin tops of the time, in crayon. And at Sunday school while other kids used the empty cigarette packets to make craft things I had Peter Brock in the Marlboro packet versus Allan Grice in the Craven Mild packet and Allan Moffat in the Camel packet and John Harvey in the Marlboro mild packet, racing across the floor.
Perhaps the real moment though was three years later when 8 year old Mark was watching, again, the Bathurst 1000, and Dick Johnson, like me a fellow Queenslander, seemed set even at such an early stage as 10% distance to be on his way to be the first Queenslander to win Bathurst when he struck the wall avioding a recovery truck and a huge rock on the road. Like thousands of viewers across the country I was enthralled by the drama, and forced my parents to donate to the telethon to get Johnson back into racing, after his entire life savings were left in a steaming wreck below the Reid Park gates.
From then on I was hooked on motor racing. My first Formula One Grand Prix, was Keke Rosberg winning the 1984 Dallas Grand Prix. For years I believed it was Detriot and wondered why the track layout looked different. Wtaching Keke manhandle that Williams-Honda grabbed my attention, and by 1986 I was watching every race.
In 1981 I was given as a present a book on the history of the Bathurst 1000, the landmark "Australia's Greatest Motor Race" by Bill Tuckey. Since that moment I've wanted to be a motorsports writer. In the following years I found myself envious of people like Tuckey, Murray Walker, Ray Berghouse etc who could earn a living by being able to portray their love of motorsport to other people, and I wanted to be one of them.
Since then I've been trying to absorb anything I can on Bathurst, Formula One, Touring Cars, and motor sport as a whole. Today I'm happiest crouching behind a camera lens at a dramatic corner, getting that quote from a driver, watching and being a part of the chaos in a press room at a major race meeting, and the sights, sounds, colours and drama of a race meeting unfolding around you. And the more I see, the more I want....
yours
Mark Alan Jones
---------------
"So all day long the noise of battle rolled. Among the mountians by the winter sea." Lord Alfred Tennyson
[This message has been edited by Falcadore (edited 05-24-2000).]
And that was the final lap of the 1977 Bathurst 1000.
While the memory of the helicopter shot of Allan Moffat and COlin Bond barrelling down Conrod Straight the last time has been reinforced by subsequent re-screenings over the years it remains my formative memory.
When school started I used to take matchbox cars with the numbers of the top touring car drivers, written on the roof of cars I thought looked like the tin tops of the time, in crayon. And at Sunday school while other kids used the empty cigarette packets to make craft things I had Peter Brock in the Marlboro packet versus Allan Grice in the Craven Mild packet and Allan Moffat in the Camel packet and John Harvey in the Marlboro mild packet, racing across the floor.
Perhaps the real moment though was three years later when 8 year old Mark was watching, again, the Bathurst 1000, and Dick Johnson, like me a fellow Queenslander, seemed set even at such an early stage as 10% distance to be on his way to be the first Queenslander to win Bathurst when he struck the wall avioding a recovery truck and a huge rock on the road. Like thousands of viewers across the country I was enthralled by the drama, and forced my parents to donate to the telethon to get Johnson back into racing, after his entire life savings were left in a steaming wreck below the Reid Park gates.
From then on I was hooked on motor racing. My first Formula One Grand Prix, was Keke Rosberg winning the 1984 Dallas Grand Prix. For years I believed it was Detriot and wondered why the track layout looked different. Wtaching Keke manhandle that Williams-Honda grabbed my attention, and by 1986 I was watching every race.
In 1981 I was given as a present a book on the history of the Bathurst 1000, the landmark "Australia's Greatest Motor Race" by Bill Tuckey. Since that moment I've wanted to be a motorsports writer. In the following years I found myself envious of people like Tuckey, Murray Walker, Ray Berghouse etc who could earn a living by being able to portray their love of motorsport to other people, and I wanted to be one of them.
Since then I've been trying to absorb anything I can on Bathurst, Formula One, Touring Cars, and motor sport as a whole. Today I'm happiest crouching behind a camera lens at a dramatic corner, getting that quote from a driver, watching and being a part of the chaos in a press room at a major race meeting, and the sights, sounds, colours and drama of a race meeting unfolding around you. And the more I see, the more I want....
yours
Mark Alan Jones
---------------
"So all day long the noise of battle rolled. Among the mountians by the winter sea." Lord Alfred Tennyson
[This message has been edited by Falcadore (edited 05-24-2000).]
#6
Dave Ware
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- 998 posts
- Joined: March 00
Member
Posted 25 May 2000 - 23:12
>>At the age of 4, I could recognise any road car in the UK.
Very interesting; I'm told that I did the same thing at about the same age, here in the U.S.
Dave
Very interesting; I'm told that I did the same thing at about the same age, here in the U.S.
Dave
#7
Jhope
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- 9,440 posts
- Joined: February 00
Member
Posted 26 May 2000 - 01:56
I was always around race cars.
when I was not even 1, my dad brought me to the Canadian GP in 1978. I don't remember a thing about it, but i know I was there through the pictures my father took. I remember being there in 1981, 1982 and 1983. But what made me obsessed with Formula One cars, was a special event that occured at the 1983 race. Back then, the paddock was located at the old rowing basin at the east end of the circuit. About a five minute walk from the old pits. My dad knew some Williams mechanic named Rob. He knew him back from the 1960's when they used to race old Austin Mini's around Snetterton. Anyways, because of Rob, my dad got a chance for me to sit in Jaques Laffite's Williams. I was 4 1/2 years old at the time. I was in Awe. The Minute I sat inside the cockpit, i was touching buttons left and right, playing with the wheel, and just doing things children would do. As I was ready to touch the button that fired the fire extinguisher, one of the mechanics removed the batterie just in time. My dad told me some years later that his heart was going to stop beating in a minute one he saw me doing that, and that Rob's face went totally white at the same time. Now that I'm able to think about my actions, I just imagine what that would ahve done for Williams that weekend! Looking back at it, I could have easily ruined Keke's weekend, but I guess my lucky touch ruined Jacques weekend. he had gearbox troubles.
if you want to hear about my bad touch, e-mail me and ask about it.
While I was there, I met some of my hero's at the time. Being little, i didn't know many drivers. That day I met the one's I knew and one's I didn't. Keke Rosberg was one, Jacques Laffite, Rene Arnoux, Patrick Tambay, Niki Lauda, Nigel Mansell and Ricardo Patrese were others.
Since then, I have been so personally involved with formula one, people question me about other activities that interest me. I just tell them to that nothing else in my life means more to me.
when I was not even 1, my dad brought me to the Canadian GP in 1978. I don't remember a thing about it, but i know I was there through the pictures my father took. I remember being there in 1981, 1982 and 1983. But what made me obsessed with Formula One cars, was a special event that occured at the 1983 race. Back then, the paddock was located at the old rowing basin at the east end of the circuit. About a five minute walk from the old pits. My dad knew some Williams mechanic named Rob. He knew him back from the 1960's when they used to race old Austin Mini's around Snetterton. Anyways, because of Rob, my dad got a chance for me to sit in Jaques Laffite's Williams. I was 4 1/2 years old at the time. I was in Awe. The Minute I sat inside the cockpit, i was touching buttons left and right, playing with the wheel, and just doing things children would do. As I was ready to touch the button that fired the fire extinguisher, one of the mechanics removed the batterie just in time. My dad told me some years later that his heart was going to stop beating in a minute one he saw me doing that, and that Rob's face went totally white at the same time. Now that I'm able to think about my actions, I just imagine what that would ahve done for Williams that weekend! Looking back at it, I could have easily ruined Keke's weekend, but I guess my lucky touch ruined Jacques weekend. he had gearbox troubles.
if you want to hear about my bad touch, e-mail me and ask about it.
While I was there, I met some of my hero's at the time. Being little, i didn't know many drivers. That day I met the one's I knew and one's I didn't. Keke Rosberg was one, Jacques Laffite, Rene Arnoux, Patrick Tambay, Niki Lauda, Nigel Mansell and Ricardo Patrese were others.
Since then, I have been so personally involved with formula one, people question me about other activities that interest me. I just tell them to that nothing else in my life means more to me.
#8
Alfisti
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- 41,383 posts
- Joined: December 99
Member
Posted 26 May 2000 - 07:31
HDT Bathurst dominance of 81 to 83 got me hooked. The passion dies a litle for a while but returned with a vengance once i got my own wheels 5 years ago.
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"Life will not break your heart, it'll crush it" - Henry Rollins.
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"Life will not break your heart, it'll crush it" - Henry Rollins.
#9
Racer.Demon
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- 1,722 posts
- Joined: November 99
Member
Posted 27 May 2000 - 01:44
David, Keir, Huw, Mark, Jhope, Alfisti: thanks for sharing your "formative moment" with us. Wonderful memories.
It goes to show that what leaves a big impression in our childhood days will remain with us for the rest of our lives...
Any more of you willing to dwell on their first motorsport experience?
Thanks,
R.D @ 8W
------------------
---------------------
Visit the Racer.Demon web site at www.racer.demon.nl
and play 8W, the Web's most fiendish F1 detective game!
---------------------
It goes to show that what leaves a big impression in our childhood days will remain with us for the rest of our lives...
Any more of you willing to dwell on their first motorsport experience?
Thanks,
R.D @ 8W
------------------
---------------------
Visit the Racer.Demon web site at www.racer.demon.nl
and play 8W, the Web's most fiendish F1 detective game!
---------------------
#10
Ray Bell
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- 81,466 posts
- Joined: December 99
Member
Posted 29 May 2000 - 07:17
After devouring every book on ships in the school library when I was 13, every book on trains when I was 13 and a half, every book on planes when I was 14, I then started on cars and haven't stopped since.
Westmead Speedway wasn't that far from home when I got a bicycle, so when my younger brothers were induced by the children of ex-neighbours who had relatives with the food concessions to start going, I followed. By the end of 1961 I was commuting by train to work daily and started reading car magazines in the train. Fellow travellers would talk about racing at Warwick Farm, so it was only a matter of getting to the next September that I planned the first trip to Warwick Farm.
Unfortunately I missed that meeting, but not the October 14 one, and none after that. In June of 1963 I got my drivers' licence and some of the freedoms associated with that (my parents were a little restricitve), and so by September I was at Oran Park and October at Bathurst. 1964 saw me start travelling to interstate meeetings for the Tasman Cup series (Sandown and Lakeside), and henceforth I did an awful lot of miles to see the events that caught my fancy (which was most of them), in that period through to about 1968 about 32 race meetings a year.
In the middle of 1965, having been a member of the AARC for a year or so - along with my friend, Bob Levett - Geoff Sykes discussed with us how we might like to be officials at the Farm. To be honest, I don't know if he brought up the subject or we did, but anyway, we were at the July meeting that year, which became the August meeting after an overnight deluge - Bob racing around the pits with hurry up messages for competitors and I was there directing traffic in the marshalling area.
The next meeting we achieved the highest level of motor racing satisfaction, being appointed to wave flags at Point M, in the middle of the fast ess bend between the Northern Crossing and the Causeway. For five years we delighted in this until there was a rationalisation of flag points and we moved along.
In 1966 I co-wrote (with Bob) a letter to Racing Car News that turned heads for its candour. Subsequently, editor Max Stahl and I frequently discussed me writing a column from the spectator's point of view, but it never came to fruition. Graham Howard, however, recommended that Autosportsman give me a story or two to write, and then after I had done a bio on Niel Allen for them Max came back to me and had me start writing the odd personality story.
In June, 1972, I dropped in to Max's home with my newborn son to show off... he said to me that I should come and work for him as Assistant Editor and a week later I was...
I guess that gives the beginning of each step I've taken along the way... except for 1996 seeing me take over the production and editorship (with Max in the background) of the National Historic Racing Newsletter. I enjoy that a great deal, despite its frustrations...
------------------
Life and love are mixed with pain...
Westmead Speedway wasn't that far from home when I got a bicycle, so when my younger brothers were induced by the children of ex-neighbours who had relatives with the food concessions to start going, I followed. By the end of 1961 I was commuting by train to work daily and started reading car magazines in the train. Fellow travellers would talk about racing at Warwick Farm, so it was only a matter of getting to the next September that I planned the first trip to Warwick Farm.
Unfortunately I missed that meeting, but not the October 14 one, and none after that. In June of 1963 I got my drivers' licence and some of the freedoms associated with that (my parents were a little restricitve), and so by September I was at Oran Park and October at Bathurst. 1964 saw me start travelling to interstate meeetings for the Tasman Cup series (Sandown and Lakeside), and henceforth I did an awful lot of miles to see the events that caught my fancy (which was most of them), in that period through to about 1968 about 32 race meetings a year.
In the middle of 1965, having been a member of the AARC for a year or so - along with my friend, Bob Levett - Geoff Sykes discussed with us how we might like to be officials at the Farm. To be honest, I don't know if he brought up the subject or we did, but anyway, we were at the July meeting that year, which became the August meeting after an overnight deluge - Bob racing around the pits with hurry up messages for competitors and I was there directing traffic in the marshalling area.
The next meeting we achieved the highest level of motor racing satisfaction, being appointed to wave flags at Point M, in the middle of the fast ess bend between the Northern Crossing and the Causeway. For five years we delighted in this until there was a rationalisation of flag points and we moved along.
In 1966 I co-wrote (with Bob) a letter to Racing Car News that turned heads for its candour. Subsequently, editor Max Stahl and I frequently discussed me writing a column from the spectator's point of view, but it never came to fruition. Graham Howard, however, recommended that Autosportsman give me a story or two to write, and then after I had done a bio on Niel Allen for them Max came back to me and had me start writing the odd personality story.
In June, 1972, I dropped in to Max's home with my newborn son to show off... he said to me that I should come and work for him as Assistant Editor and a week later I was...
I guess that gives the beginning of each step I've taken along the way... except for 1996 seeing me take over the production and editorship (with Max in the background) of the National Historic Racing Newsletter. I enjoy that a great deal, despite its frustrations...
------------------
Life and love are mixed with pain...
#11
Darren
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- 593 posts
- Joined: April 00
Member
Posted 29 May 2000 - 08:40
All my parents' fault, as usual. At six months of age, touring around Tasmania in the vintage car, kicking it out of gear in nasty corners. Spent most of my childhood maintaining the car in various ways (amazing how strong you get trying to find TDC when you're turning the engine over on a crank). Attended lots of Maldon Hillclimb, Templestowe Hillclimb, Geelong Sprints and other historic racing events. Highly addictive, that Castrol R. Went to Monza with my family in 1981, lonely Alfa supporters in a Renault stand opposite the tifosi. Witnessed first-hand exactly how scary a Brabham BMW at full boost was. Other confirming experiences include being attendant/gopher for an Alfa Monza for a day - a remarkably untemperamental car, one person could push start it in about 50 metres. And after you've had that magic Alfa 8 fire up in your left ear, you're pretty much hooked. Hanging around at the first Adelaide Grand Prix in the historic garage was pretty amazing - the Mercedes mechanic who was looking after the 300 SLR Fangio was driving started it up, a pure scream that rent the air and our ear drums. And then, having an Alfa F1 car in a trailer in your driveway for a weekend probably means your sporting preferences are set fairly early on.
#12
Ray Bell
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- 81,466 posts
- Joined: December 99
Member
Posted 29 May 2000 - 17:18
Your're related to Murray, right?
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Life and love are mixed with pain...
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Life and love are mixed with pain...
#13
Alfisti
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- 41,383 posts
- Joined: December 99
Member
Posted 29 May 2000 - 18:38
Darren,
"A remakably untemperamental car"
Wanna tip? It wasn't an Alfa then.
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"Life will not break your heart, it'll crush it" - Henry Rollins.
"A remakably untemperamental car"
Wanna tip? It wasn't an Alfa then.
------------------
"Life will not break your heart, it'll crush it" - Henry Rollins.
#14
Uncle Davy
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- 6,010 posts
- Joined: August 99
Member
Posted 30 May 2000 - 03:52
1961, Jack Brabham in the Cooper at Indianapolis. I was five years old...
#15
Darren
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- 593 posts
- Joined: April 00
Member
Posted 30 May 2000 - 06:23
Ray - no. I'm certain that I can connect you to me in less than six degrees, but Murray is not one of them. Alfisti - ok, so this makes me sound like a wanker of the first order, but this particular Monza was a sweet car. It was owned by a guy called Peter Giddings, and we looked after it in Australia. My father did laps of the car park at Alfa Romeo Australia (Matraville ring any bells?) in it. He said it was incredible - huge amount of torque, really flexible. And it just went. You pushed, it started, it went.
#16
Don Capps
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- 5,933 posts
- Joined: May 99
Member
Posted 30 May 2000 - 10:24
I cannot remember not being interested in racing cars, aircraft, and those sorts of things. I am told that my first race was at the Lakewood Speedway in Atlanta in about 1949 or 1950 when I was two or three. However, after I sat in a Maserati 250F at Torino in 1955, it was all over... This was it for me!
I still dauble in military history (working on a massive project right now as the result of a request) and aircraft (also doing a personal project on US military & naval aircraft designations and serial suited to my way of processing data...), plus my continuing work here at Atlas and 8W.
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Yr fthfl & hmbl srvnt,
Don Capps
Semper Gumbi: If this was easy, we’d have the solution already…
[This message has been edited by Don Capps (edited 05-30-2000).]
I still dauble in military history (working on a massive project right now as the result of a request) and aircraft (also doing a personal project on US military & naval aircraft designations and serial suited to my way of processing data...), plus my continuing work here at Atlas and 8W.
------------------
Yr fthfl & hmbl srvnt,
Don Capps
Semper Gumbi: If this was easy, we’d have the solution already…
[This message has been edited by Don Capps (edited 05-30-2000).]
#17
Huw Jenjin
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- 427 posts
- Joined: June 99
Member
Posted 30 May 2000 - 18:44
You are talking about Murray Rainey right?
He was involved in my formative years. That Alfa used to go shooting past us at hillclimbs, and when the driver got out he was the same size as me as a seven year old.
Which brings me to another train of thought. handicapped drivers ( No not Minardi pilots).
Archie scott brown, and David Goode were particularly heroic. Any other memories?
He was involved in my formative years. That Alfa used to go shooting past us at hillclimbs, and when the driver got out he was the same size as me as a seven year old.
Which brings me to another train of thought. handicapped drivers ( No not Minardi pilots).
Archie scott brown, and David Goode were particularly heroic. Any other memories?
#18
Ray Bell
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- 81,466 posts
- Joined: December 99
Member
Posted 30 May 2000 - 21:36
Huw - sorry to lead you up the garden path.. we knew what I was talking about, Barry would have too, Murray Wright was the man at MW Motors, the Melbourne franchisee for Alfa in the sixties and seventies... He used to work for Lance Lowe, swept floors for him I think, but came up in the world. Entered cars at Bathurst, all that.
But I didn't know Peter Giddings had a Monza, I knew he had the 1936 GP car out here last year.
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Life and love are mixed with pain...
But I didn't know Peter Giddings had a Monza, I knew he had the 1936 GP car out here last year.
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Life and love are mixed with pain...
#19
Alfisti
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- 41,383 posts
- Joined: December 99
Member
Posted 30 May 2000 - 21:58
Darren.. from what i have discovered they all seem to want to go... and the torque uis amazing... but sometimes uo around the 7000Rpm mark... on the street cars! Only thing is..... some days they want to go and other they want to go faster.. funny little cars.
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"Life will not break your heart, it'll crush it" - Henry Rollins.
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"Life will not break your heart, it'll crush it" - Henry Rollins.
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#20
Darren
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- 593 posts
- Joined: April 00
Member
Posted 31 May 2000 - 09:41
Weird coincidence, that surname. We are not related to Murray at all, but he forms a sort of parallel path. My father worked his way up through Clemens Sporting Cars selling Ferraris Alfas and Jaguars. He did know Murray Rainey as well though. Chances are, if it's old and Alfa, he'll have had something to do with it. If it's old and European, he'll know someone who had something to do with it. Did you ever have anything to do with Jim Smith, Ray?
#21
Dave Ware
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- 998 posts
- Joined: March 00
Member
Posted 31 May 2000 - 20:47
I figure I was born with it, the passion. I have vague memories of watching Indy type races on TV, and even of of a Can-Am (or USSRC) in the sixties. There was a go-kart track near our house that I wanted to go to; they closed down before I got big enough.
Got distracted with other childhood and adolescent things until the Fall of 1971. I would have been 13. I had ridden my bike to the local drug store and had purchased whatever candy or whatever I had gone there for. Rather than leave immediately, I was just standing near the door, next to the magazine rack, letting my mind wander. My eyes fell upon the September issue of Road and Track. The cover depicted the Le Mans-winning 917 or Marko and van Lennep. It hit me like a lighting bolt. I bought the magazine (a bit expensive for me, at 75 cents) and devoured every racing article - reports on the Monaco Grand Prix (A steeplechase for Stewart), Holland (You're Pedro Rodiguez, you're leading the race, and - Jacky Ickx is this far behind you), Le Mans (It's a cruel race), an interview with Ronnie Peterson and an article on Denny Hulme (She'll be Right.) That's what got me on track. Haven't stopped since, and I doubt that a day has gone by that I haven't thought about racing.
Dave
Got distracted with other childhood and adolescent things until the Fall of 1971. I would have been 13. I had ridden my bike to the local drug store and had purchased whatever candy or whatever I had gone there for. Rather than leave immediately, I was just standing near the door, next to the magazine rack, letting my mind wander. My eyes fell upon the September issue of Road and Track. The cover depicted the Le Mans-winning 917 or Marko and van Lennep. It hit me like a lighting bolt. I bought the magazine (a bit expensive for me, at 75 cents) and devoured every racing article - reports on the Monaco Grand Prix (A steeplechase for Stewart), Holland (You're Pedro Rodiguez, you're leading the race, and - Jacky Ickx is this far behind you), Le Mans (It's a cruel race), an interview with Ronnie Peterson and an article on Denny Hulme (She'll be Right.) That's what got me on track. Haven't stopped since, and I doubt that a day has gone by that I haven't thought about racing.
Dave
#22
Ray Bell
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- 81,466 posts
- Joined: December 99
Member
Posted 01 June 2000 - 05:50
I would say I spoke to Jim once or twice in the Rover 3500 days, that would be all.
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Life and love are mixed with pain...
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Life and love are mixed with pain...
#23
Caíco Caralho
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- 67 posts
- Joined: June 00
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Posted 07 June 2000 - 08:02
As a Brazilian, it's obvious that the first impulse to became a F-1 fan was a Brazilian driver achieving good results. In this case (and that time), Nelson Piquet was him, and I started following F-1 in 1983, watching his interesting battle for the title against Alain Prost. My first memory about F-1 (event that I remember I saw live or few moments after it happens) is Gilles Villeneuve's fatal accident in 82 (I wasn't 6 years old yet). Unfortunately I don't remember anything more about that season, which was certainly amazing. But I could see special moments, unforgetable races that occurred between 83 and 88, when finished the competitive era in my opinion. Senna's performances in Monaco'84 and Suzuka'88, Piquet's overtaking Senna in Hungary'86 (the most beautiful manoeuvre I've ever seen), the battle for the title in Australia'86, Mansell pushing his Lotus in Dallas'84... good times. I always admired the black-and-gold Lotus, in my opinion the most beautiful livery of a F-1 car. And I miss some other teams with nice cars: Brabham, Renault, the first Benetton, Williams (Rothmans)... I wished I was born early, to follow F-1 in the 60's and 70's, when it was really competitive... Now F-1 is a piece of crap, without overtakes and races being decided at pitstops... But hope never dies, and we continue following, by inertia or a love which is difficult to explain...
#24
Huw Jenjin
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Posted 08 June 2000 - 13:26
Its difficult to explain that isn't it? We by-pass everything to make sure we sit in front of the TV before the start of each GP.The commentator has already told us that it is virtually impossible to overtake at this circuit, yet nothing will budge us from our seat until the last interview is finished. Sick people. There is much I loathe about present day GP racing, particularly the lack of sliding and overtaking. Most of all that they do not interview the mechanic who got the fuel in quickest, the guy who really made the difference that won the race.
How many GPs has this mechanic won? How much is he paid?
Now that Nigel Stepney is injured, did Ferrari get phone calls from desparate fledgeling mechanics desparate for stardom?
Adrian Newey and Rory Byrne are the most successful Grandprix winners, and see to it which team of mechanics gets the opportunity to decide the race.
At Monaco Schukinen in a great Neweymobile couldn't get past a bus driver in a Daimler, but the mechanics can leap frog him through the field. It is about as entertaining as a game of chess in a Tyre shop, but we dull nutcases glue ourselves to the screen to watch it.
How many GPs has this mechanic won? How much is he paid?
Now that Nigel Stepney is injured, did Ferrari get phone calls from desparate fledgeling mechanics desparate for stardom?
Adrian Newey and Rory Byrne are the most successful Grandprix winners, and see to it which team of mechanics gets the opportunity to decide the race.
At Monaco Schukinen in a great Neweymobile couldn't get past a bus driver in a Daimler, but the mechanics can leap frog him through the field. It is about as entertaining as a game of chess in a Tyre shop, but we dull nutcases glue ourselves to the screen to watch it.
#25
Ray Bell
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Posted 08 June 2000 - 21:03
Don't worry, big one, it all comes right when Schukinen comes into sight with a front wheel in the air and some justice can be seen.
But what a pathetic situation, the McLarens, both capable of fastest lap, stuck for half the race and more behind cars not on the pace.... The yellow cars would have got a blue flag from me, don't you worry! Waved, at that!
But you have to watch every moment, otherwise you miss gems like that flash of a scene where we saw the carpark behind the St Devote fence.
But what a pathetic situation, the McLarens, both capable of fastest lap, stuck for half the race and more behind cars not on the pace.... The yellow cars would have got a blue flag from me, don't you worry! Waved, at that!
But you have to watch every moment, otherwise you miss gems like that flash of a scene where we saw the carpark behind the St Devote fence.
#26
Huw Jenjin
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Posted 19 June 2000 - 13:11
it all happened again in Canada, after twenty minutes of watching cars completetly unable to pass, i was saying to myself "F---, Ive been conned again into watching this gormless procession, where no one can, or dare overtake."
Then the rain comes down, and a car which pits to get no wheels finishes second. We get some absolutely terrifying shots of Villeneuve's magical car control, and watch Verstappen show what it could be like, with great courage and determination. I imagine that The Red Baron could easily have held his own with true competition, but it would have been nice to have the opportunity of watching him do it. How long does this farcicle aerodynamic led formula have to go on? We saw glimpses of what real racing we could watch from Canada. I so wish these drivers were able to show their true metal. I'll still watch the next one though.
Then the rain comes down, and a car which pits to get no wheels finishes second. We get some absolutely terrifying shots of Villeneuve's magical car control, and watch Verstappen show what it could be like, with great courage and determination. I imagine that The Red Baron could easily have held his own with true competition, but it would have been nice to have the opportunity of watching him do it. How long does this farcicle aerodynamic led formula have to go on? We saw glimpses of what real racing we could watch from Canada. I so wish these drivers were able to show their true metal. I'll still watch the next one though.
#27
Wolf
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Posted 22 June 2000 - 00:03
The first thing about GP racing I remember is my father saying:' You shall probably be next von Tripps'. I was five and have just wrecked his WV 1302S Beetle (a beauty with 52 BHP). But I fell in love with GP cars even before I knew anything about racing. My first darling was Lotus 79 model, followed by Lotus 72 (unfortunately, also a model). But my passion for Lotus 49 in english racing green (you guessed 1/72 scale model) which I was occasionaly allowed to look at, but never to lay my fingers upon (since I had a reputation of car-wrecker, as if I was to blame I had too short legs, but that beetle was first and last car I ever wrecked or even damaged past scratcing a bit of paint) lingers to the present day.
To wonderful world of nine-tenths motoring I was introduced even before I could properly speak english -by pictures in 'All but my life' by Stirling Moss and 'Cruel Sport' by Robert Daley. This can be very well seen from my modified signature.
To wonderful world of nine-tenths motoring I was introduced even before I could properly speak english -by pictures in 'All but my life' by Stirling Moss and 'Cruel Sport' by Robert Daley. This can be very well seen from my modified signature.
#28
Wolf
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Posted 22 June 2000 - 00:16
Originally posted by Ray Bell
Don't worry, big one, it all comes right when Schukinen comes into sight with a front wheel in the air and some justice can be seen.
But what a pathetic situation, the McLarens, both capable of fastest lap, stuck for half the race and more behind cars not on the pace.... The yellow cars would have got a blue flag from me, don't you worry! Waved, at that!
But you have to watch every moment, otherwise you miss gems like that flash of a scene where we saw the carpark behind the St Devote fence.
I hope not to offend anyone but blue-flagging would do no good to anyone. What would happen in Monaco or Ring in '61? As I understand Moss' Lotus was 20mph slower than Ferraris (and probably most cars on the track as well) and yet managed to win. I guess Nuvolari wouldn't have been admitted to '35 Ring with that Alfa.
I could get radical and say getting rid of rear wings should do the trick (slip-streaming and stuff), but first it has to be decided - is it the man or machine that matters in this sport.
Since Monaco '61 is mentioned (and I remember seeing it also mentioned in Hakkinen vs. Fangio thread), I read somewhere that Moss averaged 0.4sec over his pole position time during entire 100 lap race.
#29
Ray Bell
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Posted 22 June 2000 - 00:57
Unlike Moss, Tazio spent most of that race behind the German cars.
#30
Wolf
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Posted 22 June 2000 - 01:08
Point taken. But only due to horrific pit-stop (as if he had Ferrari mechanics of today). Of course, it can be argued if that delay made him drive the way he did, if he wouldn't have motored in alltogether another fashion when faced only with his opponents.
By the way is it true that he won motocycle GP in Monza with both legs broken? I daren't believe it. Wouldn't surprise me, though. After all, he is supposed to have driven some distance at Mille Miglia during night with lights turned off (supposedly only to irritate Varzi) !!!
By the way is it true that he won motocycle GP in Monza with both legs broken? I daren't believe it. Wouldn't surprise me, though. After all, he is supposed to have driven some distance at Mille Miglia during night with lights turned off (supposedly only to irritate Varzi) !!!
#31
Huw Jenjin
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Posted 22 June 2000 - 11:15
Wolf, removing all the wings would be the single most effective thing anybody could do to F1 to turn it into a proper race series. But they have a little blind spot when it comes to mobile advertising hoardings.
#32
GaryG
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Posted 22 June 2000 - 15:20
I was 11 years old and it was 1961. I was in the local pharmacy with my father and I saw a copy of Road & Track on the magazine rack. I was smitten on the spot. I begged my father to buy it for me and was I completely hooked. I remember there were three F1 articles in that issue written by Henry Manney. I think it really helped that an American, Phil Hill, was challenging for the WDC. He probably was my first hero.
#33
Ray Bell
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Posted 22 June 2000 - 22:55
I certainly have read that Tazio had a motorcycle race with two broken legs, whether or not he won I don't know. He did drive a significant distance with his lights off in the Mille Miglia, but not to irritate Varzi, to delude him into thinking he had no opposition... he had started behind Varzi (they went off at intervals, so you could arrive at the finish behind your opponent and still beat him) and had only to follow him in to beat him. If Varzi's car was faster than Nuvolari's, he could perhaps have outstripped him to the finish... but he would only stretch things to do that if he knew Nuvolari was there. No lights made all the difference.
The best story, I think, is the one of his critical physical condition in his final Mille Miglia, pressing on driving on a fruit box (so it's said) after his seat broke, coaxing the car to the finish as his lung cancer was saying "You're going to die!" to him.
The best story, I think, is the one of his critical physical condition in his final Mille Miglia, pressing on driving on a fruit box (so it's said) after his seat broke, coaxing the car to the finish as his lung cancer was saying "You're going to die!" to him.
#34
Wolf
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Posted 22 June 2000 - 23:16
Mille Miglia seems to have always exacted a heavy toll on drivers and machinery. I have heard of Fangio driving with broken link rod and Moss colliding with an army truck full of live ammo- can't imagine what went through Jenkins' mind in those moments (I guess that Moss was pretty busy at the time).
But only to think to board such car at that age and in that condition is well beyond comprehension. It couldn't have been courage, although it must have helped, that made him do it.
But only to think to board such car at that age and in that condition is well beyond comprehension. It couldn't have been courage, although it must have helped, that made him do it.
#35
Ray Bell
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Posted 22 June 2000 - 23:28
Well, I would have love to have been there and love to have done it, and not really thought about the danger. Not to me, anyway, but most never do... or do they?
Yes, Fangio came home with a tie rod or something tied up with wire, I think that was in a Lancia or an Alfa, but Moss and the army truck had their collision during the pre-race preparations for the win in 1955.
As for Jenks' thoughts on the issue, look for a March, 1955, issue of Motor Sport, wherein he apparently reports on some of these pre-race happenings including this accident.
Yes, Fangio came home with a tie rod or something tied up with wire, I think that was in a Lancia or an Alfa, but Moss and the army truck had their collision during the pre-race preparations for the win in 1955.
As for Jenks' thoughts on the issue, look for a March, 1955, issue of Motor Sport, wherein he apparently reports on some of these pre-race happenings including this accident.
#36
Wolf
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Posted 22 June 2000 - 23:56
Alas, I cannot (isn't to be found around my parts). But still am glad to know that some magazines still appreciate the days of yore. Where I come from, and You being a journalist might take notice of that, most Motor Sport journalists endavour to praise modern GP drivers, occasionaly take a bash with heathen oldtimers (philippics how Fangio couldn't have won '57 Ring today and similar stuff) and seriously debate which track has the 'most beatiful front straight'. Yet they have managed, knowing some of them I can verify the rumours, to be more corrupt than our politicians- when asppraising new cars the most important criterion is how well they have been fed by local importers.
#37
Ray Bell
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Posted 23 June 2000 - 02:37
I'd be interested to know which ones you know, Wolf, please email me.
#38
Marco94
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Posted 23 June 2000 - 07:33
My very first memory of Formula One was my father telling me he would go to Zandvoort. That was 1975. James Hunt had won and naturally for a 4 year old, Hunt is then your favorite driver and Zandvoort is the only place where the Grand Prix is driven. Then one year later Lauda crashes. I see this on television and ask my father if it is James Hunt. "No," he says, "It's Niki Lauda." I am sorry to report my answer was "Ohh, then it's OK."
The one occasion that really started everything going, was the South African GP of 1983. I had been hearing some things about this new TTE turbo engine for McLaren, and descided to watch the final race of 1983 to see what it was all about.
The race was broadcasted live (or at least the final part) and was commentated by Jan Lammers, in my opinion one of the greatest lost talents of F1. At first there was the usual fuss about the championship, but towards the end of the race, Lauda started making good progress. Very good progress actually and Lammers went almost wild. His enthausiasm somehow rubbed of on me and it stuck forever. I was horrified when Lauda's engine stopped, as was Lauda himself if I remember well. It's the only time I can remember him being really pissed off after retirement.
Of course the net year was even better. Total domination in 1984. A beautifull car, top class drivers, top class designer (that got me wanting to work in F1) and a hotly contested WDC. Funny really, that McLaren has been practically the only team for the past 15 years that was able to absolutly dominate _and_ provide an exciting WDC.
Marco.
The one occasion that really started everything going, was the South African GP of 1983. I had been hearing some things about this new TTE turbo engine for McLaren, and descided to watch the final race of 1983 to see what it was all about.
The race was broadcasted live (or at least the final part) and was commentated by Jan Lammers, in my opinion one of the greatest lost talents of F1. At first there was the usual fuss about the championship, but towards the end of the race, Lauda started making good progress. Very good progress actually and Lammers went almost wild. His enthausiasm somehow rubbed of on me and it stuck forever. I was horrified when Lauda's engine stopped, as was Lauda himself if I remember well. It's the only time I can remember him being really pissed off after retirement.
Of course the net year was even better. Total domination in 1984. A beautifull car, top class drivers, top class designer (that got me wanting to work in F1) and a hotly contested WDC. Funny really, that McLaren has been practically the only team for the past 15 years that was able to absolutly dominate _and_ provide an exciting WDC.
Marco.
