644 replies to this topic

[Simon Arron]

Here we go again. A fresh season is only three weeks away (or possibly five, if Bahrain continues to melt), so here are a few fragments from the early stages of the ongoing Barcelona test. Customary warning to David McKinney: shots of Jules Goux, Bremgarten, Mercedes-Benz W125s and their ilk are unlikely to feature here...


Michael Schumacher prepares for his 327th F1 season. Note that the aerodynamic properties of Barcelona's main grandstand are similar to those of last year's Merc.


Heikki Kovalainen on a kerb.


Heikki Kovalainen on a health kick.


Last year's champ in this year's model.


Rubens Barrichello in the Williams FW33, which has still to be properly decorated.


Jérôme d'Ambrosio - possibly the first F1 driver whose name features two accents and one apostrophe.


Fernando Alonso and the world's tallest data aerial.


Jenson Button, a sprinkling of punters and a few trees.


Last year's HRT has the attributes of an Escort Mk2, but none of the speed...


...so it's probably best to leave it in the garage, Narain.

[Giraffe]

Virgin Racing have just offered 4 people a garage tour on Twitter if you happen to be there. Meet at 10am by the circuit shop behind the main grandstand.

[Phil Rainford]

Good to see you are up and running Simon


PAR

[Ross Stonefeld]

Heikki Kovalainen on a health kick.

If he's going to stuff a lolly up his nose it's a wonder he ever finds an apex.

[Barry Boor]

If that's last year's HRT, what did they run last year?

[Ross Stonefeld]

In testing? Nothing. First laps were Bahrain practice.

[NPP]

Thank you Simon, I am already looking forward to your pictures and especially the captions!

[Hamish Robson]

Nice to see you back Simon , making me look forward to the new season (wherever it may start) even more!

[Giraffe]

Nice to see you back Simon , making me look forward to the new season (wherever it may start) even more!

[cyrilmac]

Happy New Year Simon , good to see you back !
First silly question of the year : Is there a separate championship for " How much can I put on/at the front of an eff wun car ?"

[Lee Nicolle]

Here we go again. A fresh season is only three weeks away (or possibly five, if Bahrain continues to melt), so here are a few fragments from the early stages of the ongoing Barcelona test. Customary warning to David McKinney: shots of Jules Goux, Bremgarten, Mercedes-Benz W125s and their ilk are unlikely to feature here...


Michael Schumacher prepares for his 327th F1 season. Note that the aerodynamic properties of Barcelona's main grandstand are similar to those of last year's Merc.


Heikki Kovalainen on a kerb.


Heikki Kovalainen on a health kick.


Last year's champ in this year's model.


Rubens Barrichello in the Williams FW33, which has still to be properly decorated.


Jérôme d'Ambrosio - possibly the first F1 driver whose name features two accents and one apostrophe.


Fernando Alonso and the world's tallest data aerial.


Jenson Button, a sprinkling of punters and a few trees.


Last year's HRT has the attributes of an Escort Mk2, but none of the speed...


...so it's probably best to leave it in the garage, Narain.

Those tyres almost look treaded?

[Barry Boor]

Ah, I see now - this IS last year's HRT. I thought their new car was running but apparently not.

Silly me!

[Ross Stonefeld]

Those tyres almost look treaded?

It's been damp and they've been out on intermediates.

[Simon Arron]

And a few more...


Jaime Alguersuari prepares for another year of qualifying about 14th.


Sauber is the German word for "clean". So far, the C30 is largely uncontaminated by sponsors.


Schumacher is the German word for "cobbler". Insert your own "old cobblers" joke here...




Fact: racing circuits look much better without advertising hoardings in the background.


And finally, for Ross's benefit, proof that Heikki can hit an apex.

[IanRobinson]

Is it just me or does everyone else agree since the aero rule changes a year ago the back wings look ridiculously narrow and out of proportion?

Shot on the pics (and captions) Simon - brightened up Monday.

[Mallory Dan]

Never mind about this SA, what about Joe Applegarth against Warren Booth at Longrudge 1977??

[Simon Arron]

Never mind about this SA, what about Joe Applegarth against Warren Booth at Longrudge, 1977?

At the risk of hijacking my own thread for Dan's benefit...


Joe Applegarth, Paul Gardner and Warren Booth at Longridge circa 1977.

[Mallory Dan]

Much better, Simon, no danger of getting those 3 mixed up, even if they were painted the same colour...

[philhitchings]

This is one of my favourite threads of the year. Welcome back Simon

[vashlin]

This is one of my favourite threads of the year. Welcome back Simon

What he said.

[Simon Arron]

Thanks to all for the kind words. I won't be flying to Bahrain to study an empty circuit (although the race's cancellation is unlikely to make much difference to crowd numbers), but normal service should resume in Melbourne. Here, in the meantime, is a picture of a driver looking forward to the season ahead...

[David McKinney]

No, just doing his Prince Charles imitation

[Giraffe]

Thanks to all for the kind words. I won't be flying to Bahrain to study an empty circuit (although the race's cancellation is unlikely to make much difference to crowd numbers),

In my 25 years experience of Bahrain (& it's neighbouring Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia, these days just across the causeway), the kids love their cars but not motor sport as we know it & prefer to do it for themselves on the street (often to catastrophic effect on a Thursday night in Bahrain).
You are better off moving on to somewhere where you are more appreciated Simon.

Edited by Giraffe, 22 February 2011 - 07:48.

[philhitchings]

Thanks to all for the kind words. I won't be flying to Bahrain to study an empty circuit (although the race's cancellation is unlikely to make much difference to crowd numbers), but normal service should resume in Melbourne. Here, in the meantime, is a picture of a driver looking forward to the season ahead...

No, just doing his Prince Charles imitation

as in?

Eeerrrmm! I'm delighted abight it.

[David Lawson]

I won't be flying to Bahrain to study an empty circuit (although the race's cancellation is unlikely to make much difference to crowd numbers),

My first thought when Bahrain was cancelled was that they wouldn't have the problem of ticket refunds.

David

[Simon Arron]

A friend who attended a stand-alone GP2 event in Bahrain counted 352 spectators... The grand prix attracts a few more than that, but it remains a slightly bizarre place to watch racing cars. There are grandstands along the main straight, to the outside of Turns One, Two and Three and just behind the paddock (above the support race pits), but for most of the lap there are no spectator facilities at all. The first time I wandered to the far side of the circuit to take photographs, it felt as though I might as well be on the moon. Here are two samples from 2009, starring Sébastien Bourdais and Felipe Massa.

[Simon Arron]

Also, it doesn't help that Sunday is a normal working day in the Middle East. The Bahrain Grand Prix timetable equates to hosting the British Grand Prix at Silverstone on a Monday.

[Ross Stonefeld]

Ive always liked the radome in the back of your first pic. Moon Base Alpha does sum it up nicely.

Though if people hadn't been there in person you'd be forgiven for thinking that was a matte painted background. Lights, camera, grand prix!

[Phil Rainford]

Without doubt coming under the banner of " and stuff " some shots from Belle Vue this afternoon

It is 35 years+ since Mr Arron and I spent many a Saturday night at the White City Stadium in Manchester ( now a Retail Park )........ however the smell of fried onions and Bovril combined with the sound of a Formula One Stock Car helped convince me that I had never really been away
























PAR

[elansprint72]

I think they are kidding themselves with those "wings" on the roof.

I used to go to Belle-Vue on a Saturday back in the early 60s (the old track, not the dog track); speedway most weeks, stock cars on other weeks.

Grab a bag of chips and onto the 95 bus home to watch Emma Peel...

[elansprint72]

I think they are kidding themselves with those "wings" on the roof.

I used to go to Belle-Vue on a Saturday back in the early 60s (the old track, not the dog track); speedway most weeks, stock cars on other weeks.

Grab a bag of chips and onto the 95 bus home to watch Emma Peel...

[Gary C]

Pardon?

[PMac]

Fabulous shots, Phil.

I can sense the purists twitching uncomfortably in front of their monitors, but for me this was my introduction to competitive motorsport. Sunday afternoons at Foxhall became Sundays at Snetterton became day trips to Brands Hatch became Grands Prix at Silverstone became my first job in journalism at Motoring News.

A whiff of Castrol R in the nostrils still takes me back to Barry Lee, George Polley, Duffy Collard and all the wonderful sights, sounds and, of course, smells of Foxhall Stadium.

[MoMurray]

Fabulous shots, Phil.

I can sense the purists twitching uncomfortably in front of their monitors, but for me this was my introduction to competitive motorsport. Sunday afternoons at Foxhall became Sundays at Snetterton became day trips to Brands Hatch became Grands Prix at Silverstone became my first job in journalism at Motoring News.

A whiff of Castrol R in the nostrils still takes me back to Barry Lee, George Polley, Duffy Collard and all the wonderful sights, sounds and, of course, smells of Foxhall Stadium.

There is at least one Fomula One, Indycar, Sportscar star who got his start in such humble surroundings - a FFFestival winner to boot! Any guesses?

Edited by MoMurray, 21 March 2011 - 15:44.

[alansart]

There is at least one Fomula One, Indycar, Sportscar star who got his start in such humble surroundings - a FFFestival winner to boot! Any guesses?

Didn't Derek Warwick started off in Stadium Racing?

[Tony Matthews]

There is at least one Fomula One, Indycar, Sportscar star who got his start in such humble surroundings - a FFFestival winner to boot! Any guesses?

Mark Blundell? My first thought was Derek Warwick, but I don't think he quite fits - no Indy?

[Julian Roberts]

Derek Daly ?

[Giraffe]

Derek Daly ?

Indeed; heard from Derek 2 hours ago!

[2F-001]

Derek Warwick, certainly had a background in the stadiums.

Edited by 2F-001, 21 March 2011 - 16:36.

[Julian Roberts]

Derek Warwick, certainly had a background in the stadiums.

He did. He was originally a World Superstox Champion; early 70's I think.

[MoMurray]

He did. He was originally a World Superstox Champion; early 70's I think.

Derek Daly is who I was thinking of (Indycar and Festival would distinguish him from Warwick) but there may be more.

[Ross Stonefeld]

Wouldn't the wings work better if they were mounted at an angle to the inside of the corner?

[Julian Roberts]

Grab a bag of chips and onto the 95 bus home to watch Emma Peel...




I missed this earlier, but it is possibly the most evocative post I have read on TNF for quite some time !

[Simon Arron]

"What's that noise?"


"Excellent. It sounds as though we're supporting the Tasman Revival series agaiin..."










From the top, James Davison (Lola T332), Bryan Sala (Matich A50), Chris Lambden (McRae GM1), Greg Thornton (Chevron B24) and Ray Mills in the Sana that was once the property (in Formula Atlantic trim) of legendary Aintree FF2000 lap record holder David Winstanley...

[Lee Nicolle]

I think they are kidding themselves with those "wings" on the roof.

I used to go to Belle-Vue on a Saturday back in the early 60s (the old track, not the dog track); speedway most weeks, stock cars on other weeks.

Grab a bag of chips and onto the 95 bus home to watch Emma Peel...

The first one with the Sprintcar type wing does work, plenty of downforce and drag!
Those other ones may give a bit of side bite but no down force and lots of drag. Plus raising the roll centre!

[Lee Nicolle]

"What's that noise?"


"Excellent. It sounds as though we're supporting the Tasman Revival series agaiin..."










From the top, James Davison (Lola T332), Bryan Sala (Matich A50), Chris Lambden (McRae GM1), Greg Thornton (Chevron B24) and Ray Mills in the Sana that was once the property (in Formula Atlantic trim) of legendary Aintree FF2000 lap record holder David Winstanley...

Isnt it nice to see racing cars that look like racing cars instead of a mad boffins nightmare.

[Mallory Dan]

Wasn't that Sana made into the Barton JTB3?

[Simon Arron]

Don't think any of these will be made into the Barton JTB4...

Newey kid on the block: Sebastian Vettel's Red Bull RB7.


Fernando Alonso in the Ferrari F150 - first of this season's cars to be launched...


...and something that still isn't quite finished.


Zest for the new season overwhelms Sébastien Buemi.


Something that would be about 0.4s faster if only Robert Kubica were fit.


HRT technical director Geoff Willis contemplates a few finishing touches.


Pastor Maldonado prepares to become Venezuela's first F1 representative since the summer of '84.


Narain Karthikeyan wonders whether his car might be ready in time for Silverstone.

[Option1]

Lovely to have you back in the saddle Simon!

Neil

[Phil Rainford]

"What's that noise?"

From the top, James Davison (Lola T332), Bryan Sala (Matich A50), Chris Lambden (McRae GM1), Greg Thornton (Chevron B24) and Ray Mills in the Sana that was once the property (in Formula Atlantic trim) of legendary Aintree FF2000 lap record holder David Winstanley...

Now that is something you don't see everyday a picture of Lewis Hamilton and a reference to David Winstanley in the same post

Good to see the season is finally underway Simon....could you let HRT know that is the case when you are next passing their pit garage !!

PAR