83 replies to this topic

[Imperial]

This is something I've pondered for a while.

As arguably the largest racing forum, in the English language at least, and given how race drivers are generally also race fans, it stands to reason there must be at least a few who check-in here from time to time.

I'll set the ball rolling and suggest that Martin Brundle surely at least used to be a lurker, because sometime after James Allen was canned Brundle said in an interview that Allen's tv career was effectively destroyed by opinion on the internet and he was quite surprised by the vitriol. I always took that opinion as being expressed on this forum, and with ITV having been unlikely to have been printing copies for the team to read I can only assume he was reading stuff for himself.

[Collombin]

Certainly Vic Elford, Brian Redman, Tommy Byrne are or have been members. Dan Gurney too I think.

[Risil]

given how race drivers are generally also race fans

 

Er, are they?

[MargaretM37]

Certainly Vic Elford, Brian Redman, Tommy Byrne are or have been members. Dan Gurney too I think.

A genuine question- how do you know? Did they post under their own names or "out" themselves, or did others know who they were?

[Collombin]

They didn't try to hide who they were, and their contributions made it pretty clear that they were for real.

[balmybaldwin]

Er, are they?

 

It would stand to reason... why else would they dream of being the next senna in the current World Champion's case?

 

I doubt many of the current f1 drivers hang around here (who would want to read the stuff written on here if it was about them?), but I bet a few future ones and past ones are on here at least occasionally.

[Risil]

Occasionally in the Nostalgia Forum a thread about a driver or book etc has received posts from the driver themselves -- either directly or through another member posting on their behalf.

 

They wouldn't come to RC and reveal their own identities though, that would be a nutty thing to do.

[Marklar]

Nico Rosberg told once that his father would read all the stuff what is written about him on the internet and would tell him then what people don't like about him. Maybe Keke is among us 

[Graveltrappen]

I know that brundle checks in on the race threads for ideas what to talk about during commentary.

Of course they check in and see what the 'opinions' are. Curiosity and all that

[Hati]

Maybe Keke is among us 

 

And not hiding himself very well?

http://forums.autosp...88686-ruusperi/

[Afterburner]

I'm not sure this is such a great idea for a thread... I think if an active driver wanted to know they were among us, they'd probably tell us--i.e. they want to be anonymous, and if they figured out that we were onto them they might decide they don't want to contribute anymore.

Just my two cents. The other side of the coin is that this won't matter and they'll be laughing their bucket-seats off watching us speculate about it.

[Imperial]

I doubt many of the current f1 drivers hang around here (who would want to read the stuff written on here if it was about them?), but I bet a few future ones and past ones are on here at least occasionally.

I would take it as a certainty that Senna at his peak would have pored over this stuff, given that he used to have press clippings prepped for him to read and would go hunting down any journo who critiqued him.

So on that basis, given how flaky at least a third of the F1 grid is, I bet a few of them at least read stuff.

[Imperial]

I'm not sure this is such a great idea for a thread... I think if an active driver wanted to know they were among us, they'd probably tell us--i.e. they want to be anonymous, and if they figured out that we were onto them they might decide they don't want to contribute anymore.

Just my two cents. The other side of the coin is that this won't matter and they'll be laughing their bucket-seats off watching us speculate about it.

Maybe a revised suggestion is tell us that you suspect, with evidence, that a certain driver is present as a registered member, but without naming the forum member.

You're making me feel guilty now!

Edit: To add, this is just meant as a bit of fun/interest. Hmmm...please don't compromise anyone if you're suspected evidence leads to identifying/misidentifying some by their forum name.

I do, to an extent, believe that at least current drivers are in the public arena, so that's my reasoning as to why this thread is legit!

Edited by Imperial, 18 April 2016 - 22:28.

[chr1s]

If that is Keke I wish he would tell us which driver Frank Williams tried to trade him for half way through the 82' season?

[Risil]

I'm giving a preemptive warning that this thread is not the place for discussing or speculating about the identities of forum members.

 

If you think a public figure from the racing bubble is reading our threads, by all means talk about that.

 

But don't discuss the forum's membership.

[Sheldon835]

I know that brundle checks in on the race threads for ideas what to talk about during commentary.

Of course they check in and see what the 'opinions' are. Curiosity and all that

I think Croft needs that more than Brundle.

 

He might actually have a clue if he did check in. If you are reading this Mr Croft, seriously you have to do better. Much much better...

 

Oh and please stop shouting. We can hear you.

Edited by Sheldon835, 18 April 2016 - 22:52.

[New Britain]

And not hiding himself very well?

http://forums.autosp...88686-ruusperi/

 

That user states that his/her favourite driver is Valtteri Bottas....

[RPM40]

I do wonder how often the drivers and teams read these forums and what they think of the nonsense they see (with a more inside perspective).

[InSearchOfThe]

I got my balls busted last year for referring that the McLaren drivers were complaining too much about he Mp4/30. I always suspected it could be Button or someone close to him. The poster took great offense imo. He did make my ignore list so it was a win- win.

 

Why would a driver reveal themselves? Why not put some of the theories to rest with solid, true insider info and shut us racing nerds up anonymously? This way they could continue the truth hidden behind a false cover. Perfect, no?

[Zmeej]

Risil

 

They wouldn't come to RC and reveal their own identities though, that would be a nutty thing to do.

 

Apart from that...

 

in line with your appropriately chastening note to forumers,

can say that one member of this BB who "outed himself" as a racing driver is a formerly active phenomenon known as "Buford."

 

His posts are now all in various sections of the BB's archive, but well worth a read.

 

There are at least two others who did likewise, but in deference to whether they want anyone to be reminded that they did, will hold my counsel.

Edited by Zmeej, 19 April 2016 - 00:24.

[Archer]

It has to be fun to enter in a forum and see a lot of people post about topics the users only know the half of the half if so. While a real racing driver would know the truth, maybe if a real racing driver would say the truth about some topic nobody in the forum would believe him. Because the truth can be so twisted or so simple that would not seem plausible.

[discover23]

I always had the feeling that Ron or someone close to him - perhaps more than one person - are or were active members of this forum.

[Dan333SP]

I'm 99.9% sure I remember Sean Edwards, Le Mans class winner and Porsche factory driver, posting here years ago before his career took off and before his really tragic death during a track day .

 

I also know Tommy Milner used to post at a forum for a sim racing game called Sports Car GT back when he and I were in middle school (we are the same age), I remember he went by TurboTom and one day outed himself as the son of the guy who ran the PTG BMWs the game tried to simulate. Now, of course, he's a Corvette factory driver and quite successful. 

[MattPete]

The late Chuck Jones, former owner of Ensign, used to post on the AOL forum in the late-90s.  He sent me a signed poster of Clay Regazzoni for guessing his identity.

[RPM40]

I got my balls busted last year for referring that the McLaren drivers were complaining too much about he Mp4/30. I always suspected it could be Button or someone close to him. The poster took great offense imo. He did make my ignore list so it was a win- win.

 

Why would a driver reveal themselves? Why not put some of the theories to rest with solid, true insider info and shut us racing nerds up anonymously? This way they could continue the truth hidden behind a false cover. Perfect, no?

 

Most racing discussion goes on, on Facebook and Twitter. Two places I never venture. You do see the teams arguing with idiotic Facebook posters sometimes. Look at Mercedes this past week dealing with the tin foil hat Hamilton fans.

[teejay]

I always had the feeling that Ron or someone close to him - perhaps more than one person - are or were active members of this forum.

 

 

I would bet everything that Ron does not entertain online forums. 

[evo]

I reckon they probably used to contribute or lurk, but that was when they had to go and find out information/gossip/discussions about themselves, like other celebs do.

Now with social media I believe the information would largely come to them instead.

[Jimisgod]

And not hiding himself very well?

http://forums.autosp...88686-ruusperi/

 

• Favorite Driver/Team
  Valtteri Bottas

OUCH

[Vitesse2]

Certainly Vic Elford, Brian Redman, Tommy Byrne are or have been members. Dan Gurney too I think.

Not Dan, although his son Justin shared several messages from him. There have been lots more in TNF, including a number of drivers active in Historics at the highest level. Some under their real names, some under pseudonyms.

 

Plus, of course, some very distinguished scribblers.

[messy]

I think it's good that 'real' drivers might post anonymously and not draw attention to themselves, because they probably have quite a strong insight into things for one, but also because if they came out and said who they were, people would treat them differently as a poster. Who wants that? Most of them are going to be motorsport fans like all of us, who just want to talk about Audi's WEC exclusion, or whether Valtteri Bottas is living up to his initial hype etc, not answer thousands of questions about what it's like to race against [insert name here], what happened in a certain race or so on. Posting anonymously is the beauty of a forum like this. 

[Scotracer]

I am secretly Pastor Maldonado and I am very hurt by some of the comments on this board. 

[LuckyStrike1]

I am secretely Jacques Villeneuve and you should all shut up. 

[Pete_f1]

Its amazing who you will find on internet forums. I expect many a driver has shifted through these posts.

The editor of a large magazine has posted a few times in The Nostalgia Forum here.

[myattitude]

I'ma Marizio Arrivabene very very 'andsome and I make-a the red look like a fashionisto.

 

 

P.S leave Kimi alone.

[HaydenFan]

I would bet everything that Ron does not entertain online forums. 

 

 I would bet everything Ron does not entertain anything. 

 

Don't forget about Ross

[BRG]

I am secretly Pastor Maldonado 

How did you find out that you were Pastor?  And did it come as a dreadful shock?

[kevinracefan]

Delana told me to stay stealthy..

[milestone 11]

Risil
 

 
Apart from that...
 
in line with your appropriately chastening note to forumers,
can say that one member of this BB who "outed himself" as a racing driver is a formerly active phenomenon known as "Buford."
 
His posts are now all in various sections of the BB's archive, but well worth a read.
 
There are at least two others who did likewise, but in deference to whether they want anyone to be reminded that they did, will hold my counsel.

Yes,and Buford was savaged by the likes of fines to the extent that he, (Buford), no longer posts.
Incidentally, a motor cycle forum that I frequent has a considerable number of racers who post under their real names. The same can be said of the motor cycle section of TNF.

[milestone 11]

Most racing discussion goes on, on Facebook and Twitter. Two places I never venture. You do see the teams arguing with idiotic Facebook posters sometimes. Look at Mercedes this past week dealing with the tin foil hat Hamilton fans.

How do you know?

[Spillage]

On Sunday night Paul Tracy accurately predicted that Simon Pagenaud's non-penalty at Long Beach would cause considerable consternation in internet forums. So maybe PT is among us?

 

In all seriousness, though, I'd be more surprised if broadcasters didn't read the forums from time to time. Since quite a lot of broadcasters are ex-drivers, it stands to reason that some big names occaisonally read the forum. It's not much of a stretch to imagine Mark Hughes pointing Martin Brundle in our direction, for example.

[HaydenFan]

On Sunday night Paul Tracy accurately predicted that Simon Pagenaud's non-penalty at Long Beach would cause considerable consternation in internet forums. So maybe PT is among us?

 

In all seriousness, though, I'd be more surprised if broadcasters didn't read the forums from time to time. Since quite a lot of broadcasters are ex-drivers, it stands to reason that some big names occaisonally read the forum. It's not much of a stretch to imagine Mark Hughes pointing Martin Brundle in our direction, for example.

 

PT's mother posted on a site I once frequented. 

[Redzone]

Me.

 

 

[DrProzac]

And not hiding himself very well?

Favorite Driver/Team: Valtteri Bottas 

Edited by DrProzac, 19 April 2016 - 17:26.

[Hati]

That user states that his/her favourite driver is Valtteri Bottas....

 

Well, some people are harder to their sons than others.

 

(About the nick, since Rosberg is Swedish name (meaning rosemountain or rosehill, I think) and most Finns don't speak Swedish well it was/is common to call Keke as Ruusperi in Finland because Finns like to 'finlandize' names or words that don't 'fit in mouth'.)

[DrProzac]

I'm 99.9% sure I remember Sean Edwards, Le Mans class winner and Porsche factory driver, posting here years ago before his career took off and before his really tragic death during a track day .

True, I also recall he was a member.

[Redzone]

There was no doubt that on a couple of other forums, there were American current and former race drivers who were clearly posting some years ago.  

 

A number of years ago, Jim Hall and Dan Gurney seemed to be posting here and on a couple of other forums, but I never verified it.

 

Now with Twitter, Facebook and all the rest,  having become what they are today, I am not certain that any of the big names would be doing much in the way of posting on any forum, but are confining themselves to those media.

 

 

 

 

Besides why would someone like Lewis (acting incognito) post something on this forum, for example, about an accident or an explanation for whatever, and then have 50 or more professional rocking chair operators, scream at him about his post  and what an idiot he is, how wrong, yadadyadada  ?????????????????

[superden]

I wouldn't make the automatic assumption that all racers are racing fans. There are quite a lot of drivers in F1 alone who have little or no idea of the sport before they came along. I'd offer Nico Hulkenberg as a prime example, after picking the number 27 for his time in F1, he had no idea of the historical significance of it and that is, relatively, recent F1 history. I doubt some of the younger ones would even know any of the less recent champion drivers and would certainly struggle to identify the likes of Gilles Villeneuve, Ronnie Peterson or Dan Gurney, as examples. In fact, the lack of interest on the part of some of the younger drivers in the history of the sport they are involved in is quite shocking at times.

 

As for racing drivers on here, there are, or have been quite a lot over the years. Especially in the Nostalgia Forum.

[JHSingo]

Well, now that you mention it, I have something I need to tell you all...







 

 

 

I briefly raced go-karts many years ago. Does that count?

Edited by JHSingo, 19 April 2016 - 17:57.

[Izzyeviel]

It'll do I suppose. 

Well, now that you mention it, I have something I need to tell you all...

I briefly raced go-karts many years ago. Does that count?

[A3]

 I would bet everything Ron does not entertain anything. 

 

Don't forget about Ross

 

Oh the good old days. 

 

 

 

Race 2 I was okay, I got a bunch of guys in turn 1. At the start of lap 2, approaching turn 1 at 140mph I confused my foot work (I left foot brake some corners, right foot the other). At any rate I put the clutch in instead of applying the brakes and I went flying off the road at like a 45 degree angle at full bore into a turnip field. I practically made it to the highway that parallel's the circuit. Based on my digital display, I spent a minimum of 34seconds traversing the turnip field. I was so far out I couldnt see the track anymore and had to look around for fans and marshall posts. The clerk of the course said I was one of the farthest explorers ever into the turn 1 field ;)

 

http://forums.autosp...ross-race-info/

Edited by A3, 19 April 2016 - 18:58.