67 replies to this topic

[Don Capps]

Gee, I turn around and all these new faces show up!

Time to update the Roll Book.

Don Capps -- Host of this Forum and author of the Rear View Mirror column (with turned two years old today). My major focus is on turning the 'numbers' and 'statistics' into stories. Hopelessly addicted to Maserati and Alfa Romeo racing cars, the Chaparral, big-banger sports cars, and American single-seater racing. If pressed, will admit to thinking that Bernd Rosemeyer, Stirling Moss, Dan Gurney, Mario Andretti, Phil Hill, Curtis Turner, Alberto Ascari, Juan Fangio, Jochen Rindt, John Surtees, Jim Clark, David Pearson, Keke Rosberg, and Gilles Villeneuve are the sorts of folks I consider Racers. Also a devoted Harry Schell, Masten Gregory, Bruce McLaren, Jack Brabham, Tiny Lund, Jean Behra, Junior Johnson, and Carel de Beaufort fan.

I am interested in hearing from our many new members and having The Usual Suspects introduce themselves to those just joining us.

[Gil Bouffard]

Gil Bouffard-- Raconteur, Bon Vivant and all around man about town. Veritable pain in the tookus*. Journalist/Historian. Old enough to have seen Juan Manuel Fangio, Carroll Shelby, Masten Gregory, Jimmy Clark, Bruce McLaren, Innes Ireland, Richie Ginther, both Rodriguez brothers, Phil Hill, Stirling Moss and von Trips race in person. While not on active military duty anymore, still active. Worked with EFDA, Jimmy Santos, the late Harald Ertl, Roberto Moreno and Scott Pruett. Wrote marketing/TV side column for RACETIME Magazine (now out of business. probably because of my writing.)

Currently researching the life and times of the Family Schell and a couple of articles on old California sports car races. And marketing consulting for race teams and drivers.

* Tookus, yiddish (IIRC) meaning Butt.

[Chris Bloom]

Chris Bloom--- Been following F1 since France 1981 (when I was eleven). Managed to see all but two (Italy 88, Hungary 90) Grand Prix since then.

I am interested in all periods of motorsport history, particulary fond of pre-war stuff and (due to the simulation "Grand Prix legends") 1967.

I am currently attempting to recreate the Westmead circuit for Grand Prix legends which is near where I live in Durban, South Africa. Researching for this project led me into this forum, which I was unaware existed.

Favourite drivers (since 1981) in no particular order: Alan Jones, Gilles Villenueve, Keke Rosberg, Nigel Mansell, Damon Hill.

Chris

[Hans Etzrodt]

First of all, may I ask EVERYONE to please update their "Profiles" because part of the information there has been wiped out by Atlas F1 during their last update. This does not apply for those who have done so already.

Leif Snellman brought me here. Thanks again, Leif. This is a place where I hang out nowadays, twice a day. In my former days, I used to hang out in the pubs. I was born ten days after Dick Seaman won the German Grand Prix, however not at the Nürburgring but in a Berlin hospital. That makes me one of the dinosaurs in the Nostalgia Forum.

I saw my first race 1951 at the Nürburgring when Ascari defeated Fangio. My late father brought us teenage boys in a 1947 black VW and I watched as Pietsch spun his Alfetta through the air out of the Nordkurve. I thought he was dead but he survived after only minor bloodletting. The incredible engine roar, the excitement, the sweet smell of burned ether and castor oil proved irresistible. I was addicted ever since, admittedly only as a spectator. It became very exciting for me when Mercedes started to go grand prix racing in 1954. Pictures of Moss and Fangio adorned my wall. Fangio was like a god to me; still is. He was so far above everybody else. Moss came closest. I also went to Monte Carlo to see the 1963 Monaco GP. I visited annually races at Kyalami while I lived in South Africa and Road America at Elkhard Lake while I lived in Chicago. I remember the continuous bloodletting in the 50’s, Ascari, Le Mans, Castellotti, de Portago, Musso and when Collins got killed, I felt devastated. Then Jean Behra, Harry Shell and von Trips got killed also, after which I ignored racing till 1963. Thereafter I must have had a better handle on myself but the killing went on and on until Jackie Stewart started the ball rolling and racing became much safer after he initiated his safety campaign.

Because not much detail was published about the grand prix races before 1950, I early on saved books I got as presents and even bought some used prewar stuff when I could afford it in the early fifties. Not until 1983, I started seriously to collect books, enabling me to study this subject. Over the years, I have accumulated three bookcases, now again overflowing. As I compared the various accounts of the same races, I encountered quite a bit of controversy. Sometimes I thought I was reading about two different races, which was supposed to be the same. I thought it might have been theoretically possible that some authors could have written their stories while they had breakfast in the kitchen or possibly traveling in the subway. I just could not figure out how some guys wrote the rubbish they did. Old, contemporary magazines and newspapers are the real sources, I found out too late. As the Internet grows, we hopefully get easier access to the various libraries. Anyway, untangling the contradictions in GP racing history’s early years (1895-1949), a very time-consuming job, has now become my hobby, as tedious and frustrating it is at times. I spend most time collecting and correcting data about Grands Prix & Mountain Climbs.

[moody]

..Hi Moody here
..fell in love with Grand Prix racing in May 1962 at the age of 9.
..through my life I have had many interests, Football
Tennis
Squash
Rigby..Eleanor
I mean Rugby (still can't type)
Ten Pin Bowling
various women
movies
Running
...through it all there has been this perennial love of motor racing... I run 20 to 30 miles a week keeping fit for my young son Alex now 2 and a half...and a newcomer due in September (unexpectedly).
..I live in North Devon and am moving to Brynna in mid Glamorgan next month.
..I am a factory worker (electronics) at present,.
..my favourite drivers have been. G.Hill, Clark, Gurney, Rindt, Stewart, Peterson, Senna and David Coulthard.

..I love the togetherness of the forum, to be with people who love motor racing as I do.
...I love Star Trek (Next Generation), Laurel and Hardy, KFC and Beverley ( my lovely wife).

..I love reading the knowledge that comes through this forum it is just wonderful, and so many nice people too.
..also love The Beatles, and Dan Fogelberg.
...um... fancy the knickers off Emma Bunton. oh and the girlie who interviews the superbikers in the pits on the tele...oops!

I love this forum...thankyou all
Randall Owen

[Schummy]

My name isn't Michael Schumacher, by the way ;)

I began to watch F1 when one Sunday on 1969 (when I was 11) I had to get my bath and I suddenly see in TV the grid preparing to race the Spanish GP in Montjuich. I kept glued to the screen the whole race (what had a lot of changing circumstances), and I learned the names of Jackie Stewart (my first idol), Chris Amon, Bruce McLaren, G. Hill, Rindt (another favourite), etc. From that moment I became a F1 addict, and motorsport addict in general (what a great races in sport-prototipes those years!). I bought every week spanish magazine "Autopista" and read every single word in it (even the classifieds! ), just as I do nowadays with "Autosport" and AtlasF1, by the way ;)

Better I stop now, because my curriculum vitae is lame comparing to the other people in this forum! Just I love to read histories about our beloved sport here...

[Stefan Ornerdal]

Stefan Örnerdal --- I visit the Nostalgia Forum 2-3 times daily and I am amazed about how much people here know about racing history.
Born 1953, married and have two girls, 14 and 9 years old. Live outside Norrkoping, south of Stockholm and not far from Mantorp Park circuit.
My family has always been into motorsport, old dad racing mc:s in the 30s, 2 bigbrothers was local rally-heroes in the late 60s. My nephew raced Renault Clio in the 90's which gave me the opportunity to visit Nogaro in France.
Me racing? No, just a couple of laps now and then when the swedish Alfa Romeo OC have their meetings.
Much in involved in speedway (motorcycles, north european and Australian style). Was secretary of our local club "Vargarna" ("Wolf") from the middle of the 70s to 1991. Now I am webmaster of Vargarnas homepage.
I also have two website's, F2 Register and Le Mans Register with stats. http://user.tninet.s...1w/F2_Index.htm

Favourite drivers is Stirling Moss, Jim Clark, Ronnie Peterson, Joachim Winkelhock, Michael Schumacher and many, many more.

Glad to be here at the TNF - I was thinking I was the only one in the world who was interested in results from obscure race meetings in Scotland, Sicily, Japan or whatever. Feel like I am home at last!

Randall, the girl who does the interviews on Sky is Suzy Perry, she has a homepage! Unfortunately I have lost the address...

[Keir]

Motor racing fan since the early sixties.

Started the "famous Amon" thread, aka "THE" thread.

Track & Field coach, Fence sales

Ex-racer (Formula Vee)

Hobbies: motor racing history, young women, rock and roll, motorcycles and fast cars, fast women, loose women, available women!

[Criceto]

Criceto, better known as Tim.

Born 1967, England, into a family for whom no vehicle has ever surpassed the four-and-a-half Bentley. Suckered into a life of motor racing fanaticism by a Grandfather who discovered that an old edition of Motor Sport would silence me in my cot faster than any rattle or toy.

Attended my first motor race at Castle Combe in 1968. I don't remember it....

Apparently there were Cobras and Ferrari 250LMs there.

Nowadays I am working for Volvo to pay the rent, and in my other waking hours, determinedly trying to do a "Sheldon & Rabagliati" on all 3 & 4-wheel races at Brooklands. (All help gratefully received.)

Will spend most weekends at trackside around Britain, with occasional forays into the continent, and sporadic dalliances with piston-engined fighting aircraft.

With Summer plumage of blue blazer, straw panama hat and Bentley Drivers Club tie, the Tim can be identified by its distinctive call of "Ooo, a Bentley...!"

[Wolf]

I'm Wolf... Ouch- that seems to be all.;) I hang around quite a lot, but am mere enthusiast in quest for knowledge and other peoples memeories. And this is right place for that. Born in '71, Croat, unemployed (although I consider myself person of many talents and even more vices, I manage to survive). Engineering degree pending sometime this year. :yawn: And has been for quite a while...;) Resident 'leach' of TNF signing out.

[Gra]

I'm Gra.

I'm from British Columbia. I started attending road races with the family at a very young age (maybe 4?) at Westwood. The "home of mountain high racing" was in operation from the late 50's to the mid 80's. Saw sports cars, Trans-Am cars and the likes of Gilles Villeneuve, Keke Rosberg, Bobby Rahal and Michael Andretti racing in the annual Player's Pacific Formula Atlantic Championship race.

I have followed Formula 1 since 1974 at age 13 and have attended live GP's in Montreal, Long Beach, Monaco and Barcelona. I plan to go to the USGP in Indianapolis this year.

I also attend the Molson Indy CART race in Vancouver every year and have attended CART races in Miami, Portland and Long Beach.

I have read quite extensively about automotive racing history but I fear the knowledge of some on this board will put mine to shame. Always wanting to learn more!

[Felix Muelas]

Originally posted by Hans Etzrodt
...and I watched as Pietsch spun his Alfetta through the air out of the Nordkurve. I thought he was dead but he survived after only minor bloodletting.

You mean this?


My respects, gentlemen
Felix Muelas

[jarama]

Originally posted by Schummy
My name isn't Michael Schumacher, by the way ;)

I bought every week spanish magazine "Autopista" and read every single word in it (even the classifieds! )

Where are you from, Schummy?

[tombe]

Tom Berge
Norwegian, born '51.
Followed motor racing since 60-61.
Special interests: F1 WDC (only been to 6,5 GPs) and norwegian rallies.
Never been behind the wheel in any competition, but co-drove on a handful of norwegian rallies in the late 80's.
Been clerk of the course on several rallies staged by my home club.
Lives 60 kms. north of Oslo.
Works at Oslo Airport Gardermoen.

[pancho]

frequent visitor for the last few weeks.
Based Wakes Colne, Essex UK. Born September 1st 1962. Weened on Formula 5000 at Mallory Park in 1970. Jimmy Clark and AJ Foyt favourite drivers.
Animator by profession. Ex-motorsport journalist and voiceover artist for Gary C (Ha!) Ex-Kart racer, Ex-directory, Ex-files (this could go on forever). Anyway, love this forum, enjoy sharing info. with like-minded enthusiasts, and learning more from people who really know their stuff.

Respect to all.

[Ali_G]

Niall - Hi all. Long time poster in every other forum. Short time here.

I have been posting a bit here so I may aswell intorduce myself.

College Student From Cork Ireland.

Niall

[Gary Grant]

Looking back at my profile shows that I post here a lot more often than I think so...

Gary Grant-----work in Manchester, England; come from Kinellar, Aberdeenshire, Scotland. I'm a baby compared to many here - I am only 24 (today in fact!), but I have a very keen interest in motorsports history - particularly F1 of the 60s and 70s. My favourite drivers were/are Clark, Stewart, Cevert and Coulthard (didn't need to say which country I was from did I? ) and I am in fact currently designing a tribute website to Francois Cevert (http://www.geocities..._cevert_tribute - you'll neede to cut and paste the link to your browser for it to work), despite the fact that he died a few years b4 I was born!
I come here largely to learn, but with my growing motorsports library I've found myself occasionally able to answer the (odd) query. I aim to add to that library quite quickly and thus be able to take a more active role in what is, IMO, a great forum.
Regards,
Gary

[prettyface]

Greetings all. My name is Manuel, I'm spanish and living in Venezuela. Age 30, systems analyst. Started following F1 in 1985 when I used to root for Prost, but then became a fan of the sport itself rather than any particular driver or team; a trend I still follow today. I lean toward the vintage in everything from cars to buildings to music. I like different permutations of the words "fast", "beautiful", "cars" and "women", and also consider that the highest manifestation of the written english language is Peter Egan's column on Road & Track. My idea of an orgy is the Goodwood festival of speed. My view on religion: Heaven is a place where you drive Miuras and Countaches, race against Nuvolari and jam with Hendrix. Hell is Monza with chicanes and Brooklands fragmented.

The game Grand Prix Legends awakened a growing interest in the history of the sport, a condition I expect to worsen with the recent discovery of this forum. I' m curious about old circuits, racecars, teams and drivers but I guess my favourite is Stirling Moss. I'm in awe of all of you who have or had physical access to motor history and are or were involved in it in any way. You don' t know how lucky you are and I, in a healthy way, envy the whole lot of you.

[Barry Boor]

Wow, Manuel, I wish I had that sort of command over a language that was not my own!

Come to that, I wish I could speak English that well!

Welcome to all newcomers - glad to have you here.

[Darren Galpin]

Hi - I'm the maintainer of www.silhouet.com/motorsport, and sometime poster to this forum, which I have been visiting for about a year now. My parents are to blame for my interest in motorsport, and an introduction to Mosaic in my first year at university got me interested in building my own webpage. Then someone suggested that we ought to build a track database, and I volunteered. Look what happened afterwards! I wouldn't say that I have any particular favourites, but any motor-racing appeals, in particular the motor-racing around the period of WW2. Occasionally I get around to writing the odd article - see the first issue of Atlas F1, or www.8w.forix.com (the specials section).

[boost]

Been a Lurker in this forum.
Amazed at the wealth of knowledge and first hand accounts
that are offered here. Some of the stories being told here really make me envious of those days, and im greatfull that i have found this forum.
My fav parts are when sombody poses a question and is answered
within days, somtimes hours!

[Spot]

Real name Alan.

I've been a keen fan since 1980, although I was a partial fan before then.

English, born 1957. Have been a fan (although not fanatical) about Alan Jones, Keke Rosberg, Gilles Villeneuve, Jacques Villeneuve Jr, Juan Pablo Montoya.

Have been posting since October last year.

[Hans Etzrodt]

Originally posted by Felix Muelas
......................You mean this?

Thanks for the picture, Felix.
On lap 12, while trying to outbrake Gigi Villoresi at the end of the back straight, Paul Pietsch had too much speed for the Nordkurve and the Alfetta spun backwards across the small grass strip over the embankment down to the little road some six meters below. The people in the nearby main grandstand screamed as the Alfa disappeared over the embankment, not knowing what happened and fearing the worst. Pietsch was lucky. During his brief flight he had remained in the car and upon touchdown had bitten his lip, also banging his legs against the dash. He eventually appeared with some Alfa people from behind the embankment and bushes limping slowly back to the pits to the applause of the crowd.

After the race was over, I jumped over the fence in front of the main grandstand and ran towards the scene, not knowing what to expect. I remember that I beat my older brother in that 100 yard or so dash to the site of the accident and seeing the Afa resting near the tiny road with the front and tail pushed in, just minor damage.

Back at the finish amongst the hundreds of people not much could be seen of the cars, Ascari’s Ferrari had been covered up with a large tarpaulin or was it Fangio's Alfetta, I forgot.

[Marco94]

Marco Rooney -- Soon to graduate student in vehicle dynamics. Serious F1 interest since the 1983 South African GP. Big Lauda fan. Then Prost. Hated the Prost/Senna thing to the bone, but now understand it had to be. Senna took over *very* briefly in 1994. Rather like Hakkinen, Button and Montoya these days. Hope to work in that silly world of F1 in the future.

Love the history of the sport, but try not to get to carried away. There are only 24 hours in a day. Hope to become a expert about the races on the Solitude near Stuttgart eventually. Got to know TNF via Red27. I'll see if he can introduce himself as well. Posting occasionally, with a tedency to make "jokes." Still trying to build a website about the Solitude races. I also visit the 10-10ths forum from time to time.

[Kpy]

OK, here's me.

Born England 1942. Currently resident (permanently I hope) 30miles north of Rouen, France.

Professionally:
Qualified lawyer 1968
Sometime marketing executive, wine merchant. Now teacher of English to European businessmen.

Mad about motor racing since first visiting Brands Hatch 1954.
Present at every British GP 1962-87 bar '70 when best pal invited me to wedding - since divorced, should have gone to see Rindt win -, since when organisers' cynical attitude to spectators has driven me to TV. Still visit Le Mans every year (pre-qualifying too). Have driven all over Europe to watch the great cars and drivers on most of the great circuits and stand at some points during practice where no marshal or photographer with any imagination would dream of standing nowadays. Happy memories prevent me from ever going to the current tracks at Zeltweg or Nurburgring. In fact I did make the effort to go to the first GP at the new 'ring in '94 - got there Sat morning for practice and was so horrified by what I saw that I drove home that night and watched the race on TV in UK.
Raced a historic saloon in mid '80s with moderate success, but rising costs put paid to that.
Too many wonderful races witnessed to mention here, but maybe the greatest I was there to see was Pedro Rodriguez' amazing drive in the '70 BOAC 1000kms at Brands - from last after being black flagged very early in the race to first by five laps. I watched the race with Piers Courage's brother and remember his horror when Piers spun the Alfa 33-3 the length of the pits straight, touching the pit apron in the process; that brought the anguish of those close to guys racing at the top level in those dangerous days home to me. Sadly Piers had not much more than two months more to live.
These days I'm still pursuing my interest of more than 30 years in tracking the sites of old circuits, particularly, but not exclusively, the pre-war road circuits. Founder member of Les Amis des Circuits d'Antan - Anyone interested please get in touch with me, Roger Clark or Barry Boor. Recently discovered Vintage and Veteran activities alive and well and living at Montlhéry. Next event there at time of writing is June 23/24, GP de l'Age d'Or.
It's always a pleasure to read you fellow-members posts.

Salut

Christopher Laws

[Big Jim]

I was looking through Time magazine and came across an article about Jim Clark and his debut win in the Lotus 49. I've been hooked ever since.

I attended the USGP at Watkins Glen in '72 and '76-'80. I have many a fond memory of weekends at 'The Glen', it will always be one of my favorite places.

I'm also a big sports car racing fan, John Wyer and his GT40's being my favorites.

[quintin cloud]

Private Cloud Reporting for roll call Sir

I run the Forumula 1 homepage of GP results and history webpage, I've been hocked to F1 cars when I show Mansell and Piquet at Kyalami in '87 for tyre testing, Been to the '92 GP and all tyre and winter testings at Kyalami since 1990 Any help on F1 results is always welcome

[bobbo]

Bobbo here, present and ready.

Real name is Bob Abel, got Bobbo as a nickname while in VISTA.
DOB: Nov 3, 1948
Divorced (Yes, racing was part of the problem)
(Temporarily) unemployed Social Worker, Occasional carpenter, photographer.
Hobbies: Racing, fishing, photography, fishing, rebuilding "My Old (D**N) House, TNF, fishing . . .
Currently living in (near) Dover DE, USA.

Saw 1st race on TV, Wide World of Sports on Indy in 1962. My uncle told me about some dumb car with the motor in the back. Shortly after, I "discovered" Road & Track & F1 & I've been an addict since then. What's that, @ 39 years??

First live GP at the Glen in 1965, went with my dad, cut school. WE thought it was an educational trip; school authorities didn't. Saw the F1 at the Glen every year , 1965 to 1978. Went to other racing, 6Hrs at the Glen, TONS of hill climbs, occasional NASCAR:blush: USAC/CART:blush: with my dad (Lucky kid that I was!). Lots of SCCA stuff, including Can-Am & Trans-Am.

Favorite perod: 1956 to @ 1970, especially like the more obscure cars (Heck-BMW, Gilby, F2 "specials) that ran at the Ring, cooper variants, etc.) Valiant efforts (Aston MArtin, Scarab, EAGLE!!!!!! Vanwall, Shadow, etc) and so on.

Favorite Drivers: Dan Gurney, Masten Gregory, "Uncle Shelby", Jimmy Clark (Met him once at Watkins Glen 1965. What a GENTLEMAN!) Roy Salvadori, John Surtees (Now THERE is an underappreciated driver!!) and anyone else who tickles my fancy at the time.

Favorite track(s): Watkins Glen (The old course), Spa (Always wished I could have seen Dan's win there . . .) Pocono (no accounting for taste!), Monza.

Time to cool my jets, let someone else write!!

Anyone intersted in talking, my e-mail is

greebo52@juno.com

Peace to All and THANK YOU, DON CAPPS!

Bobbo

[Ray Bell]

FJ it is around here, thank you!

He was one of my favourites in those days of our dreams, when the teens slipped into twenties and the races were on in February... The Tasman Cup, what an era!

Still, I always held that the circuits were crucial, and they probably hold more interest with me than with most others. I embarked on a pursuit, to see the circuits of Australia, present and past. Along the way I've met people who raced there, wrankled kids and wives as I've explained which straight we were on, who raced here and when.

Just when my interests changed to the point that I was wanting to know more about what happened before my birth (1946) than after, I don't know. But it inevitably happened. With a commencement (apart from circuits, of course - always wanted to know about the older ones of them) when the first All-Historic race meeting in Australia was held at Amaroo Park in 1976.

I was writing full time then, and captivated by seeing so many Specials at once. Hang these factory cars, now I had cars to go with the circuits, makeshift and interesting just like the roads and airstrips, they captivated me.

That I have recently spent a little time with the sole survivor of the 1928 Australian GP, and have in my possession photos of the Rex Law Regal when it was being built in 1933, or talk regularly to the likes of Clem Dwyer and Allan Tomlinson make my days.

Or at least what's left of my days after this forum absorbs so much of them....

The joy of hearing an old man's heart leap when you talk to him about his association with racing sixty years ago is enough to drive me on. How they love to know that we're interested in what they did for kicks!

My personal achievement of being the only person to have seen all the circuits on which the AGP has been run may not mean much to many. But we all have different values, don't we?

I just hope that those who read the stories I write for magazines like Motor Racing Australia are enthused to follow like courses....

In the meantime, I'll keep on remembering the great races, the great drivers, the great moments that existed before touring cars strangled the open wheelers out of Australian racing....

and the Tasman Cup died.

[luisfelipetrigo]

I am 49 (dec 10 1951).
Born in Mexico City from Mexican father and Catalonian mother.
Lived in Mexico City all of my life except for a 13 years period in Saint Louis, Missouri, USA.
I enjoy photography and cycling. I compete (better said ... participate) in triathlons and did the New York City marathon last year (Chicago is for this year;))

Attended several Grand Prix races in Mexico City, in the sixties saw:

• Jim Clark win first 'official' Mexico GP
  
• Pedro Rodriguez score his first champioship point
  
• First ever Honda win (engine & chasis in those days)
  
• Jackie Stewart run into a dog

Also attended the Italian GP in 1972. In this race Emerson Fittipaldi secured the championship after JStewart had an accident in the first lap. I remember being very much impressed by Peter Revson.

Additionally I attended all kinds of races in Mexico main cities throughout several years,
went to Daytona, Florida, USA for the famous 24 hours (only to find out that that year they only ran for 6 hours ),
went to Riverside, California, USA for a CanAm race (won by Mark Donahue in the beautifull Porsche 917-30, saw for first time Jody Scheckter, and also first ever IROC).

While in Saint Louis I was part of the Timing & Scoring crew and also attended all kinds of races. I love to do 'lap charts' ... and am pretty good at it.

I watch as much races as I can on TV, I read as many F1 magazines and F1 books I can get my hands on.

My most recent event was the 2001 oppening CART race in Monterrey, Mexico. Mario Andretti and Emerson Fittipaldi where there!

[Barry Boor]

No clever nicknames; although I have often been known as Bruce! (Monty Python fans will know why.)
Born, Feb 1948, East London (England not South Africa.) True Cockney though now living in north west Wales on the island of Anglesey. Qualified teacher (Craft and Technology as well as computers.) Married to Heather - two grown-up children plus 3 steps.

Saw my first race at Goodwood in 1957 (see Stuart Lewis-Evans thread) - hooked immediately and irrevocably.

Collected model cars from then on - moved on to Scalextric in 1960.
Now make whole series of slot-race cars 'in house'. (For those as sad as me, see www.bboor.freeserve.co.uk )

Fortunate to be cousin to Peter Connew, hence became involved with F1 project in 1971-2, initially making a model to 'sell' the team to sponsors, then moving on to make all fibreglass body parts for car. Once the car ran, I became a mechanic until the F1 effort fizzled out in October 1972.

Now back in teaching in Caernarfon; still making slot-racers, and am utterly addicted to TNF. What a wonderful source of knowledge and information.

Thanks to kpy and Roger Clark, I am a founder member of Les Amis des Circuits d'Antan as mentioned earlier by kpy and am looking forward to trip to France in 5 weeks.

I wouldn't miss a Grand Prix, even now, but modern F1 does not hold the same buzz for me as it once did.

Greatest driver: Jim Clark; but my own personal (and ONLY) hero in racing is Dan Gurney.

[Gary C]

Gary C here, been fixed on F1 since about 1975. I'm an unashamed Lotus 72 fan. Currently run www.yesterdaysracers.com and also www.superchargedcollection.com. I work in television, in 97 & 98 did slomo replays for Bernies' F1 Digital Service. Favourite tracks (in no particluar order): Interlagos, Spa, Suzuka. Fave drivers:Graham Hill, Jin Clark, Fangio (of course), Emerson and Ronnie (The Man). Hopefully later in the year my Formula Ford will be ready to run. I'm constantly amazed at the depth of knowledge on display in TNF. Keep it up lads!

[404KF2]

Say, they're doing this in Readers' Comments too... so excuse me for the redundancy.

I've just been on a voluntary holiday from Atlas for 8 months.

B. 1960, Canadian.

First race: 1000 km de Spa-Francorchamps, 1970 (I still have the race program!)

Last F1 race: Grand Prix du Canada, 1998

Well-developed fondness (illness?) for worm-drive Peugeots, especially the fastest one - guess what it is - Ray, don't you tell them now!

Ahh yes, Westwood in Coquitlam British Columbia - Mountain High Racing - Gilles et. al... then the stupid Social Credit (?!) government sold that Crown land to developers who put chicken-coop monster houses on it. The story of our lives in BC, where there is no decent circuit racing any more.

Former participant in local rallies and slalom (auto-X)

Future (2003) owner of Mercedes-Benz C 240, my first German car. I knew I'd be converted someday.

[Graham Clayton]

Graham Clayton, born Dec 1964.
My dad did some bike "scrambles" racing
in the 50's, as well as attending speedway
meetings here in Sydney.

My first motorsport experience was going
along with my slightly older cousin to the
now defunct Liverpool Speedway circa
1972/73, when aged 8 or 9. I remember
sitting behind the safety fence ducking
to avoid the dirt and rocks thrown up
by the cars.
Have had an interest in speedway since
then, especially when said cousin owned
and raced a car from the late 80's up to
the mid 90's. I attended further meetings
at Liverpool and Parramatta City Raceway


I then moved across into circuit racing,
and rallying. As well as watching races,
I became fascinated by the circuits,
cars and drivers as well as the actual
races.

I have watched all forms of motorsport
on TV (except V8 supercars - yuk!!!)
NASCAR, rallying, bikes, trucks, off-road,
touring cars, sports-cars.


I have walked the Adelaide GP course,
as well as visiting the remnants of the
Longford course in Tasmania, along with
the locations of defunct tracks here in
Sydney.

Between 1993 and 1995 I attended the
Australian round of the World Rally
Championship as a spectator.

I have now been bitten by the history
bug. I am researching the history of the
defunct Windsor speedway in Sydney,
as well documenting the introduction
of stock-car racing to Australian
speedway in 1954-55.

Outside of motorsport, my main hobbies
are listening to all sorts of music, chess,
reading, railways, cars in general, as
well as a general interest in history.

My favourite GP car is a 1924 Type 35
Bugatti, while I love any circuit that
does not have "mickey-mouse" chicanes!

My favourite drivers are those who were
prepared all sorts of different cars, as opposed
to the "specialists" of today.

[borsari]

Mark Valsi
Born december 1944
Howland High School, Warren Ohio Class of 1962
Bowling Green State Univ. Class of 1966-1/2
Move to So. California in 1967
Taught at the same Jr. High since 1967

All time Favorite teams: Ohio State Football
AAR F/1 Team
Ferrari
All time Favorite Drivers: DAN GURNEY
Gilles

All time Motorsports Hero: GIULIO BORSARI Ferrari Head mechanic for many years

First Race: 1964 USGP at the Glen

Races seen: all the Long Beach GP's, plus Zandvoort, the Old Ring, Clermant Ferrarnt (sp), Old Austria GP, Phoenix (worst GP experience of my life) Mexico City

Racers met, talked to or autographs from: Phil Hill, Dan G. Moss, Fangio, Gilles, Innes Ireland, Graham Hill, Denny Hulme, Bonnier, Clark, and some others who I can't recall now, lots of them. Living in Long Beach had some great advantages.

Best race ever seen in person: 1967 Rex Mays 300, Dan vs. B. Unser.

Countries visited: more than 80

Top motorsports moment: having a glass of wine with Enzo Ferrari inside his house at Fiorano, what a eminence.

Presnet activities: woodworking, racketball, biking, golf, surfing the web for F/1 news.

Favorite present driver: Jarno Trulli (Abruzzese, just like me)in F/1, and Alex Gurney in f/3.

Love the Nostalgia forum, but that makes sense for a guy in his late 50's. Found out about it from Barry Boor.

Adios amigos
Valsi

[Briancecil]

This is my first contribution to the Forum. I've been reading a lot of Atlas F1 since June of last year, when I first got my hands on an Internet-connected computer. This site, and this Forum, are my favorites of the many sites and forums I keep up with.

I was born in Arizona, U.S.A., in November, 1947, and have lived in the Los Angeles area since 1955, with a brief hiatus of Air Force duty in Germany in the early 1970's. I'm a Federal civil servant, soon to retire.

I've been interested in motor racing since 1962, concentrating chiefly on Grand Prix, Sports Car, and USAC/CART racing over the years, with minor side-glances at NASCAR and motorcycle road racing. The first race I went to was the Riverside Grand Prix, in October, 1963. That track brought together all the major stars and cars I'd been reading about: Jim Clark, Graham Hill, Jim Hall, Dan Gurney, Roger Penske, the factory Cobras, the Ferraris, Corvettes. All of them, right in front of me, close enough to touch! No barriers between the people, the cars, and their drivers. What a thought. I saw a young West Coast driver named Dave MacDonald man-handle a King Cobra and win by a lap over the second-place driver, Roger Penske in the Zerex Special. McDonald power-slid that car over the entire race distance. The only time he was straight was in transitioning from one slide to another. I spent years power-sliding performance cars just from having been so deeply imprinted there at Riverside. It was one of the most significant days of my life.

Another significant day came about seven months later, when I saw MacDonald loose a slide in the fourth turn at Indianapolis at the end of the second lap, spin, get T-boned by Eddie Sachs, and die with Sachs in a conflagration.

Terror and grief lurk just boyond the corners of this sport. I learned that quickly. I still keep on learning. It happens.

I've gone to many Grand Prix, Can-Am, Trans-Am, Indianapolis, and Champ car races. I've got many, many books. I've got virtually complete collections of Road and Track, Car and Driver, and Sports Car Graphic magazines. I've got cabinets full of racing videos. I've got more racing art than I can remember. I'm cursed with a good memory, too.

I've got a good wife who's developed an abiding interest in motor racing in the seven years we've been married, and whose opinions I respect. She saw Aryton Senna, her personal racing hero, die live on television some months after we were married, and she still remained devoted to the sport. I've got a son who turned four just a few days ago, who shakes his index finger at me and lectures me, "No more racing." I must certainly educate him in the finer things of life. That's what fathers do best.

[Ray Bell]

Briancecil... just for people born since the sound barrier was broken, I have this advice... (I note that you weren't only born a year after me - well, 17 months - but you first saw a race a year after me...)... Oh, and welcome to the ranks of contributors, stay a while, please....

The kid might or might not take it all on board... my son is a perfect example of one who failed to follow in father's footsteps, he lives and works in the Indianapolis area, could get a free ticket to the race, and stays at home...

borsari... you're retiring young, aren't you...

[Bjorn]

Born in Akureyri, Iceland in september 1979. Nothing interesting happened until 1997 when the Icelandic national TV bought the rights to show F1 in Iceland. The first race shown was the Monaco GP of that year, and I've been hooked ever since.

Very early I became extremely interested in F1 history, and my general F1 knowledge has increased immensely since I started lurking around on this board. The Nostalgia Forum is probably the part of the AtlasF1 bb I read the most without writing so much. After all, I am still some 44 years behind (my accumulated knowledge hardly stretches over more than 6 years), but I'm slowly getting there

[Pete Stanley]

Peter E. Stanley, born 8 Aug 1979, Reading, PA, home of Penske's domestic operations.

My family watched the Indy 500 each year, but I wasn't hooked until I was 13. That's when I realized I could find out when other races were on and watch them, too!

My first live race was a night of activity at Clyde Martin Memorial Speedway, a nice 1/8 mile dirt oval in SE Pennsylvania, in May 1994. Half-midgets. First big-time race was CART at Nazareth in May 1996.

I have a thirst for knowledge about the history of the sport, obviously. I regard the drivers of the past as a different breed than the current ones. (Though I do happen to believe Robby Gordon is a throwback to the past, what with his predaliction for racing in all manner of vehicles.) My tendancy is to refrain from comment on this BB, because, like Bjorn below me, I don't know nuthin.

[Pete Stanley]

And I can't spell.

[FLB]

François-Luc Beaudoin, born 10/04/1974 in Montréal. I've been in love with cars since I can remember. I started following F1 when I started reading. At 7, I read the newspaper everyday looking for F1 news. I went to the Canadian Grand-Prix for the first time in 1983.

My great love is racing history, in every form, though my specialties are F1 and the Indy 500. I have a pretty good memory, but being only 27, I'm mostly familiar with the 1980's and early 1990's. However, I'm fascinated by the 1966-1985 3-liter formula and the 1968-71 period for sportscars. I'm also beginning to develop a taste for the 1930's.

I especially like the "behind the scenes" aspect of history. Long after the fact, certain elements can come out because those who had interests to protect are no longer involved and can be more openly frank. History can help bring many points of view together for a more complete picture. Racing, like life in general, is never as simple as it might seem

[Schummy]

jarama: I'm from Spain and I live in Sevilla. If my nick was "jerez" it could fit nicely I saw every GP in jerez, but it's the only F1 circuit I have been at.

[condor]

My first love was horses till my dad bought me a motorbike at 17, then it was bikes and horses. Used to go and watch the bike races at Donnington. Drag racing at Santa Pod. Then got a trials bike and spent most of my spare time scrambling - till I got a car.
Now my interests are in motorsport, F1 is my favorite but also very keen on CART, Nascar, rallying, enduro, trials etc, etc.
Haven't been to a GP but have been to Silverstone many times to watch other racing events. Am intending to go to Rockingham quite frequently once it opens.
Only interest greater than motorsport is wine and spirits, especially Champagne. Enjoy drinking, smoking and fishing.

[Gianni B]

I'm Gianni aka John. I'm 36 and I live in Seattle. I've been interested in Italian cars especially Alfa Romeos since I can't remember (I have 2 currently). I used to attend a lot of the sports car races at the local track (SIR), but now with 2 little kids I usually only make the annual historic races. Used to go to the rallies in the area too including the Olympus WRC events in the 80's.

I began following F1 in 1982. Since the black day in 1994, I've found that I'm more interested in F1 history than current events (even though I still watch the current races on TV). I've been reading the Atlas F1 site since it began but only recently registered. This forum is a great source of information.

Cheers,
Gianni

[jarama]

Schummy,

BTW, I'm from Barcelona, and my nick is "jarama", when "Montjuïc" or "Catalunya" would fit better.

[Racer.Demon]

Regrettably I am missing out on actively participating in TNF these last few weeks (and probably months) but I am still a frequent lurker - and enjoying every bit of it.

If only work would slow down a bit... I used to do all my posting in the boss's time!

Briefly: Dutch, 32 years old, boyish Dutch GP paddock hack between 1976-1985. Never visited a GP since. Interest in motorsport history has learnt me to put modern GP racing into its right perspective

These past few months my 2.5-year-old kid has pushed me into becoming a mildly serious follower of two-wheeled racing! Here's an example of the son influencing the father...

One of my new-found hobbies is going on pilgrimages to the classic European GP tracks, from the 'Ring to Rouen, from Brooklands to Spa. On my way to the Champagne next week, with a visit to Reims on the agenda.

[Barry Boor]

Racer - you'll love Reims, I'm sure. So much atmosphere because it's all still there. Even the field poor Musso crashed into.

[Ray Bell]

Why haven't you invited the poor sod on the trip to Dieppe?

Seems he'd bring a different view and new angles to the conversation that weekend if you gave him the chance...

[Roger Clark]

Originally posted by Ray Bell
Why haven't you invited the poor sod on the trip to Dieppe?

Seems he'd bring a different view and new angles to the conversation that weekend if you gave him the chance...

Everybody is invited! Just email me, Barry boor or kpy.

[Kpy]

Originally posted by Ray Bell
Why haven't you invited the poor sod on the trip to Dieppe?

Which poor sod, Ray?

If you mean Barry he's coming, but he's promised not to try and walk the 48 or so miles...

All poor sods are invited - details from Roger Clark, Barry Boor or me - just e-mail. Dates are May 26/29, circuits are Dieppe GP ('07/13), Dieppe '30s, Amiens GP '12 and Rouen if time permits.