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What's the most significant racing event you've seen with your own eyes?


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#51 Richard T

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Posted 25 November 2015 - 05:00

European GP 2007 - the infamous Massa-Alonso clash unfolded right in front of me.
Belgian GP 2009 - Fisichellas pole!

And sadly Allan Simonsens crash at LM24. However I was standing at the first chicane so I didn't see it.

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#52 tearitup

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Posted 25 November 2015 - 05:53

My first grand prix 95 belgian grand prix. What a battle. Schumacher starting from 17th i believe. Wet dry conditions. The screaming ferrari v12 in it's last year. Glorious sound.

Edited by tearitup, 25 November 2015 - 05:54.


#53 Currahee

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Posted 25 November 2015 - 07:25

Lotus53B, on 24 Nov 2015 - 22:42, said:

 

I was about 10m right of the Ferrari and McLaren, getting showered with rain and carbon fiber - no-one was hurt so I don't mind posting a crash image.

 

There was, but sadly no more, an image online that my father took at the BRDC race at Silverstone in 71, which had Graham Hill on a low loader, doing a lap of honor celebrating his last F1 victory - if I find that, I'll edit this post

 

I was further down the hill towards Eau Rouge.

 

I watched it and nudged my mate who was watching Hakkinen and Villenueve fight it out towards Eau Rouge.

 

He started taking pictures(I was too lazy to take a camera) and half the crowd were watching the crash and half looking towards Eau Rouge.

 

I was also at Magny Cours in 2007. Ernesto Viso's huge crash happened right in front of us although 2 pieces of track away.



#54 ed24f1

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Posted 25 November 2015 - 07:50

A few that come to mind;

 

- 2000 Oran Park V8 Supercars: Standing at the last corner (which is downhill from S/F) and seeing just the fireball rise from the grid without knowing what happened.

- 2008 Aus GP: Massa retiring with an engine failure in front of me - who could have known how important those points could have been.

- 2010 Homebush V8 Supercars: Sitting on far side of track and feeling the rain starting, and then watching all the cars go into the fence on slick tyres.

- 2012 Hungarian GP: Sitting at the last corner and watch Schumacher mess up his grid position and cause chaos. Here is my video of it:

 

And it's already been mentioned a few times, but being there for Simonsen's crash. I was at the entry of Tertre Rouge so didn't see it but was quite eerie to be only a few hundred metres from it.



#55 Tourgott

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Posted 25 November 2015 - 07:59



#56 kraduk

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Posted 25 November 2015 - 08:19

Not a race, but when red bull did their celebrations in MK after their wins in 2011, I got hit on the forehead by a rubber pellet, ejected from Vettels tyres whilst he was doing donuts about 5m in from of me. Much to the amusement of my 4 year old on my shoulders.

 

https://youtu.be/YASMHvddc_U?t=130



#57 yasushi888

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Posted 25 November 2015 - 08:32

Lotus53B, on 24 Nov 2015 - 22:42, said:

 

I was about 10m right of the Ferrari and McLaren, getting showered with rain and carbon fiber - no-one was hurt so I don't mind posting a crash image.

 

There was, but sadly no more, an image online that my father took at the BRDC race at Silverstone in 71, which had Graham Hill on a low loader, doing a lap of honor celebrating his last F1 victory - if I find that, I'll edit this post

 

I've always wanted to see the photo the guy in the green jacket got from this. Unusually not many pics seem to exist of the crash happening.



#58 JeePee

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Posted 25 November 2015 - 08:55

Vettel's 1st of many on a rain soaked Monza in 2008. That was a beautiful weekend to attend.



#59 RedBaron

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Posted 25 November 2015 - 09:21

Silverstone 98.

 

I was at Luffield at my very first race. Schumacher had been mind blowing on the wet track after the SC went in. But he was handed a 10 second stop go for passing before the restart. Then this happened on the last lap... brilliant.

 


Edited by RedBaron, 25 November 2015 - 09:28.


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#60 DampMongoose

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Posted 25 November 2015 - 09:33

Jaguars first Group C win at the Silverstone 1000km in '86, when everyone aquaplaned into the catch fencing at Woodcote in the '84 ETCC Tourist Trophy and I suppose when Matt Neal won the cash for beating the manufacturers at Donington. Insignificant to most I suppose...

#61 TheFish

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Posted 25 November 2015 - 10:04

Of the 5 races I've been to, nothing significant happened.

 

Spa 2011, Hamilton crashed into Kobayashi as Vettel eased to victory.

Australia 2012, Button won to make me dream of a title challenge  :well:

Britain 2012, Webber passed Alonso near the end to win

Hungary 2012, Hamilton won relatively easily against Raikkonen

Australia 2013, Raikkonen won in a confusing race.

 

I won a grand in holiday vouchers last September. Debated going to Abu Double with it... eventually chose 11 nights in Egypt with my girlfriend... I'm not sure I made the right decision 



#62 Lennat

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Posted 25 November 2015 - 10:08

Rubens's last win, Monza 2009. Not saying it's that significant, but I don't have anything more impressive to bring up.  :)



#63 Amin

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Posted 25 November 2015 - 10:15

Spa 2014, Rosberg clipping Hamilton.



#64 essjay

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Posted 25 November 2015 - 10:15

There are so many moments that spring to mind! Although I didn't actually see Zanardi's accident at Spa in 1993, I arrived and saw the aftermath just moments after if happened. http://www.allinspor...-of-motorsport/

 

I think one of the best moments for me personally was when our driver Matteo took the Intersteps Championship leader for 4th at Croft in 2012, I was so proud, I had tears in my eyes.  You would have thought he won the race, bless him  :p



#65 TennisUK

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Posted 25 November 2015 - 10:20

Silverstone 1990, Mansell 'retiring' for the first time.

Silverstone 91/92 Mansell mania

Donnington 1993 - Senna's win

Silverstone 1995 - Herbert's home win

Le Mans 2011 - closest finish

Spa 2014, Rosberg and Hamilton



#66 Youichi

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Posted 25 November 2015 - 10:25

LB, on 25 Nov 2015 - 02:03, said:

Keke's Silverstone 160MPH lap in 1985. Was insane at Woodcote!

 

It was pretty special from Club too :) He was visibly quicker than anyone else that day.

 

I saw Schumacher's first race at Spa '91, or to be more accurate I saw his warm-up lap, as I saw sat at the Bus stop, and in those days you couldn't see the grid from there, and he only went 100 yards.

 

I also saw a Ferrari 1-2 at Monza in '98, that was pretty special.

 

And Johnny Herbert winning the Formula-Ford festival, having been beached in the gravel trap in first session Friday morning, and starting the first heat race last.



#67 PhantomRaspberryBlower

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Posted 25 November 2015 - 11:42

I was at BH when Herbert had his F3000 crash - spectating at Druids when it all went quiet and you just waited for the PA to announce what had happened. I hoofed it across the way to see the aftermath for myself - when I returned back to Druids I simply reported to my Dad and those listening around us 'There are bits of cars everywhere'...



#68 Peat

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Posted 25 November 2015 - 12:06

I saw David Coulthard do this:


I saw Neil Horan do this:


I saw Tony Kanaan FINALLY do this:


And proudly, I saw Danny Watts take Lola's first British Formula Three win at Castle Combe in '04.

 
 


Edited by Peat, 25 November 2015 - 12:08.


#69 RedBaron

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Posted 25 November 2015 - 12:09

I saw the Piquet Jnr seal the first ever Formula E title. I wonder if 50 years if that'll be a pretty bad ass 'first' story.



#70 chunder27

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Posted 25 November 2015 - 12:26

I wouldnt worry

 

Piquet will still be touting himaself to anyone who will pay him, anywhere int he world

 

No doubt driving replica space shitles for a fiver on the moon.

 

One of the most desperate men I have ever come across in motorsport.



#71 RedBaron

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Posted 25 November 2015 - 12:32

chunder27, on 25 Nov 2015 - 12:26, said:

I wouldnt worry

 

Piquet will still be touting himaself to anyone who will pay him, anywhere int he world

 

No doubt driving replica space shitles for a fiver on the moon.

 

One of the most desperate men I have ever come across in motorsport.

 

 

Almost everyone not at the absolute top in motorsport is desperate.



#72 MaxCrazyEddieCayer

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Posted 25 November 2015 - 12:54

1995- first Grand Prix and first win for Alesi.
1999- the wall of champions year
2007- Lewis Hamilton first of many
2008- Robert Kubica first and only win.
2011- that race and that button win
2014- Daniel Ricciardo first ( of many I hope ) Win

#73 crespo

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Posted 25 November 2015 - 12:59

I was at Interlagos 07 (my only live race)... that was quite exciting.



#74 alfaberlina

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Posted 25 November 2015 - 13:10

JacnGille, on 25 Nov 2015 - 01:28, said:

Gilles Villeneuve's rain lap at Watkins Glen.

Terrific thread - enough to post after many years of following the forum

 

Was at Watkins Glen the following year (1980) to GV's extraordinary wet run -- the last USGP to be held there and saw an Alfa Romeo on pole for the first time since the early 1950s -- Giacomelli had a pretty good run until something broke, but Jonesy was a treat to watch fighting his way thru from 14th to the win

 

Since then many Canadian GP (including Alex Wurz entering Senna Corner upside down and the red flag with restart in 1998) and sundry sports car events, but hard to match the experience standing at the fence line in the wet grass at the top of the Glen esses



#75 RedBaron

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Posted 25 November 2015 - 13:27

MaxCrazyEddieCayer, on 25 Nov 2015 - 12:54, said:

1995- first Grand Prix and first win for Alesi.
1999- the wall of champions year
2007- Lewis Hamilton first of many
2008- Robert Kubica first and only win.
2011- that race and that button win
2014- Daniel Ricciardo first ( of many I hope ) Win

 

Where are you from?  :p



#76 Dan333SP

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Posted 25 November 2015 - 13:57

MaxCrazyEddieCayer, on 25 Nov 2015 - 12:54, said:

1995- first Grand Prix and first win for Alesi.
1999- the wall of champions year
2007- Lewis Hamilton first of many
2008- Robert Kubica first and only win.
2011- that race and that button win
2014- Daniel Ricciardo first ( of many I hope ) Win

 

That's true, I forgot that I saw DR get his first win too! Sorta, though. I had a flight out that night and I remember leaving the grandstand with something like 4 laps left to run, so I only saw him passing Rosberg on the big TV as I walked behind the hairpin grandstand at corner entry. Shame, because normally I'd fly out Monday and stay 3-4 hours after the race walking the circuit, but it didn't work out last year.



#77 Hamish Robson

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Posted 25 November 2015 - 13:57

Lets see.

 

2008 Monza for Vettel´s first win

1991/92 Mansell Mania at Silverstone, including THAT piggy-back ride

2001 (?) Bayliss/Edwards WSB final at Imola

1988 F3000 Brands Hatch, fortunately I didn´t see Herbert´s accident. But the only time I´ve experienced a racetrack go completely quiet.

Joey Dunlop´s last TT win (and several of his others)

The Hislop/Reynolds BSB coming-together at Rockingham. Steve H was never the same after that.

Dick Johnson all over the "Works" Eggenberger RS500s at the Silverstone Tourist Trophy



#78 uffen

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Posted 25 November 2015 - 14:10

To my earlier post (#35) I should add: Hamilton's first win (in Montreal); Kubica's only win (in Montreal); Kubica's accident in Montreal.

And for an overall number: I've seen 15 world champions win a race (some more than one).



#79 dierome1987

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Posted 25 November 2015 - 14:11

2003 US GP: Schumi winning the race and practically sealing the title, Justin Wilson's only F1 points and HHF's final podium finish.

2006 US GP: JPM's final F1 race.

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#80 EggAndHam

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Posted 25 November 2015 - 14:12

The 2004 "how slow can you go" quali session at Silverstone, which played a major part in changing from the one lap sessions to what we have now. That was such an odd session as MS was out first and ran wide, we all thought he's blown it. Then Barichello ran wide too. Others didn't hid it at all and drove up to the finish line and waited for the pit crew to wave them through once they were slowest.

 

The 2006 US GP. Ferrari finally clicked and made a fight of the 2006 season. And, of course, Montoya crashing in to Kimi at the start - that was the end of JPM in F1. 


Edited by EggAndHam, 25 November 2015 - 14:13.


#81 cas422

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Posted 25 November 2015 - 14:32

JacnGille, on 25 Nov 2015 - 01:28, said:

Gilles Villeneuve's rain lap at Watkins Glen.

I think that was 1979 … I was there too. Amazing display of car control up through the esses. It was my first year of college and I was there with my buddies … we slept in my VW van and we met and were entertained by none other than Rob Walker. We had no idea who he was at the time. Great weekend. 



#82 swintex

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Posted 25 November 2015 - 15:06

BOAC 1000km, Brands Hatch, 1970, Rodriguez



#83 muramasa

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Posted 25 November 2015 - 15:09

typhooned at Suzuka



#84 BT44/45

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Posted 25 November 2015 - 17:40

hunt winning zandvoort 1975. didn't have a clue who he was and how on earth did he beat lauda's ferrari anyway?! i was nine back then and became an instant fan.

saw bellof and ickx going through eau rouge and halfway up the raidillion. 1985.

 

but most significant ... may 8, 1982. zolder. i heard the announcer getting all excited and thought villeneuve got pole. i was standing above the ferrari pit and quickly realized that wasn't the case.



#85 PlatenGlass

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Posted 25 November 2015 - 17:44

I know this is a bit OT, but I was thinking based on the GPs I've attended which significant drivers who raced during my viewership period I've never seen. I first went to the European GP (Brands Hatch) when I was really young in 1983, and then went to Silverstone from 1993-1997 and 2000. Then a big gap before going to Singapore last year and Austin this year. So I missed both Montoya and Webber. Also Jacques Laffite failed to qualify in the 1983 GP, so I never saw him either. I could also count Alan Jones because he raced in some races during my F1 viewership and I never saw him live but he never really featured when I was watching. They're the only drivers with more than one win I think. Then you have Nannini, Kubica and Kovalainen on one win.

#86 Marklar

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Posted 25 November 2015 - 18:27

I see I forgot to mention a few races :lol:

#87 phrank

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Posted 25 November 2015 - 19:20

Saw Olivier Panis score his only Formula One race victory



#88 steferrari

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Posted 25 November 2015 - 19:25

Ferrari scoring a one-two in the 2008 Spanish GP.

It was my first live F1 GP ever and as a Ferrari fan it couldn't have been better.  :)

These are a couple of short videos that I recorded that day.

 

 



#89 HopkinsonF1

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Posted 25 November 2015 - 21:48

2010 Belgian Grand Prix: I was sat just up the hill from Pouhon to see Alonso's last self-inflicted retirement from a race. Looped the rear around after going wide over the curbs in the wet and span into the wall. 

 

Admittedly not the most exciting moment, but it was a good weekend for multiple champions looking like amateurs (Vettel managed to crash into Button and Liuzzi, and even though Hamilton won the race he managed to go off and hit the wall in the process). It was also Kubica's final podium, after a fantastic drive where he should have secured second if not for an uncharacteristic error in the pits.



#90 SpartanChas

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Posted 25 November 2015 - 22:03

Danny Ric's first GP in the HRT

Mark Webber's last win

I was at Silverstone for the Pirelli fiasco but didn't see any blow... just being devastated Lewis drove past with three tyres left.



#91 FNG

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Posted 25 November 2015 - 22:14

1995 Indy 500. Watched Villeneuve come back from two laps down to win it. We drove from Vancouver to Indianapolis in 58 hours straight ( almost 4,000 kms). and then straight back again after the race. Ridiculous road trip but good memories. We did it in an old 1981 BMW 528i. Surprised it made it.



#92 Denaris

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Posted 25 November 2015 - 22:55

With my own eyes? Well it has to be the epic drag race down the Uxbridge road by a 8v Mk2 Golf Gti and a Vauxhall Nova GSi about 15 years ago. It was like the fast and furious but on a much, much, much smaller scale...



#93 EightGear

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Posted 25 November 2015 - 23:06

Not many attendances, but I guess the Champcar race at Assen was somewhat significant because of the rarity of the series driving in Europe. And of course because of the fantastic (*ahem*) performance of the American national anthem.

#94 chunder27

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Posted 25 November 2015 - 23:36

Denaris, I can almost match that.

 

Being caught by the BMW Ring Taxi in the wet at the Ring, and watching in amazement as in the righthander before the Karussell he came across my nose and then drifted this M5 all the way round the bend.

 

With 4 passengers on board and himself.

 

Respect was due, my mate was pissing himself!



#95 LB

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Posted 26 November 2015 - 00:07

Kristian, on 25 Nov 2015 - 04:22, said:

 

Europe 1999 - Stewart's only win. Herbert's last win. Ford's last win in F1 (I just thought of that - am I correct?) 

 

 

Nope - Brazil 2003



#96 Raikkinen

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Posted 26 November 2015 - 00:32

This happened right under my eyes. 



#97 SPSouras

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Posted 26 November 2015 - 01:36

Was there for Brawn GP's debut 1-2.

 



#98 Hamandeggs

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Posted 26 November 2015 - 03:07

Downscaling a bit but my mate Barry rolling his VW green stoĉkcar called Kermit at Wimbledon.stadiūm



#99 Chick0

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Posted 26 November 2015 - 03:24

I saw Nelson Piquet jr do this (Singapore 2008)

 



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#100 lamo

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Posted 26 November 2015 - 03:47

I've not seen many historic F1 races

 

I've seen Ricciardo's 2nd win (Hungary 14).

Alonsos last pole position (Germany 12)

Vettel win race of champions (London 15)

 

Hamilton fan and I've seen him finish 9th-DNF-DNF-9th-3rd

Awful run ended in Hungary last year, his qualifying for those races was 14th-2nd-7th-12th-24th