23 replies to this topic

[mariner]

The ACM website still seems to say the Historic race is going ahead this weekend.

 

I don't want to get into big COVID discussion but is this true? - I sort of assumed that France being under full lockdown it would be cancelled.

 

Also just in case people don't know the Donington Historic races on May  1st/2nd are now closed to spectators following a ruling on April 6th by the UK government on no sporting event spectators. 

 

MSV will refund any tickets already purchased apparently.

 

lClassic car meets are not affected by the ruling so you can still  go to those if you wish.

[Graham Gauld]

This is absolutely correct as I am heading there on Thursday however even though I live an hour and a half away in France the rigmarole is quite daunting. I have to have had a Covid test certificate within 72 hours of arriving in Monaco which I am getting tomorrow morning but am still working out my return from Monaco on Sunday to where I live and even went to the local police station to ask for advice. Thankfully I have my attestation form to get into Monaco and out again. If you look up on the Club web site and call up the Entry lists for each of the races you will see that relatively few brave souls are coming from the UK but there is a strong entry from France and Germany with a number of cars that appear relatively new to the Monaco historics. It also lists that Rene Arnoux, Jean Alesi and Alex Caffi are due to race Ferrari's, Alesi and Arnoux in 312B3's and Caffi in a 312.

The single race for sports cars - remember the 1952 Monaco Grand Prix was for sports cars - has I think its best entry ever with four Maserati A6GCS's three Maserati 300S's, Albert Otten's rare 1955 Kieft sports car, Veritas, OSCA, Lotus 10.

There are apparently live TV programmes on Saturday and Sunday but no specific reference to the UK save a reference to broadcastnow.co.uk trying to secure the rights to show. Check the site for updates.

[Skid the Squirrell]

We have to remember that the Covid restrictions do not apply to most of the competitors.  As Elite Athletes, it is much easier for them to move around, taking their "sporting equipment" and "coaching staff" with them.  

[BRG]

Not sure historic racing drivers can really be classed as Elite Athletes!   That would equate with Molesey Town FC claiming that status to tour Europe.  Maybe they could join the new Super League? 

[mariner]

Without being too Covid obsessed I rather agree with BRG. I have two acquaintances in racing, one WEC technician and one an Historic owner/driver. The WEC guy went recently to UAE and Dubai and had to stay for 14 days locked up in a Heathrow hotel because Dubai is "red" country. Tough but it’s his job and to keep it he has to travel and put up with a hotel quarantine.

 

The other guy was off last year to i think Portimao for an Historic race.

 

It turns out he could do that because of a chain of logic like this. 

 

F1 is an elite sport so drivers and all essential personnel are "elite" and can travel. 

 

MSUK have got race mechanics agreed as "elite support staff".

 

The recognised international motor racing body is of course the FIA. As they run Historics as well as F1 then it makes Historics "elite" so they to can travel outside the UK !!

 

To be fair Historic racers have to follow the quarantine rules on their return so they are not risking anybody but I don't think it was really what the government thought about when it was persuaded to allow Elite athletes to carry on foreign training etc for the Olympics!

Edited by mariner, 20 April 2021 - 14:59.

[sabrejet]

Much as I love my historics, this is a disgrace. One year on and it seems we have learnt very little.

[Cirrus]

Not sure historic racing drivers can really be classed as Elite Athletes!   That would equate with Molesey Town FC claiming that status to tour Europe.  Maybe they could join the new Super League? 

 

Somebody recently suggested that all historic drivers should have their waist measurements checked. If it was over 34" then they weren't an elite athlete...

Edited by Cirrus, 20 April 2021 - 16:27.

[Bloggsworth]

Somebody recently suggested that all historic drivers should have their waist measurements checked. If it was over 34" then they weren't an elite athlete...

Tell that to those that throw darts...

 

And if you'd like to tell Joe Launchbury and Kyle Sinckler, I'll hold your jacket for you.

Edited by Bloggsworth, 20 April 2021 - 16:39.

[Nigel Beresford]

Elite Sportsperson / Ancillary Sportsperson Exemption Letter pursuant to Health Protection (Coronavirus, International Travel) (England) Regulations 2020

 

This is what I have, as does everyone in Formula E who travels from the UK. It is provided by Motorsport UK, formerly the RACMSA (I think). I am issued with one for each event. There used to be non-specific letters but now they are tied to specific events. 

 

It allows me to leave the country and when I get back it permits me to go to a place of work associated with racing, so for example if I was in an F1 team I could go to the factory or wind tunnel but not to Sainsburys.

 

I still have to self isolate at home if I am not going to a racing place of work, and I have to do the 2 and 8 day tests upon return. I have no idea about Historics racers (since for the drivers themselves it is probably not their livelihood) but for Motorsports professionals it has allowed us to continue our professions. I am a Team Manager and former race engineer, not a driver, but it is a team sport., so anyone getting sniffy about so called athletes doesn't really understand - it doesn't mention the word 'Athlete' anywhere in the letter. I for one am pleased and proud that, for once, the government has recognised  the importance of the UK racing industry - none  of my French, American or Spanish colleagues have enjoyed similar support from their governments.

 

I have to do a PCR test within 48 hours prior to arriving in the destination country. Then I have to do one on the day of arrival and self isolate until I receive the result. I then have to do one after 2 days, and another two days after that (if the meeting is long enough) or else a test which produces a "Fit to Fly" certificate to allow me to fly home. So on average I am doing a PCR test every three days or so, and I am only in the company of people in the same "bubble" at the track and while travelling.

  

And yes, Monaco historics is definitely going ahead. For Formula E they have slightly reshaped Ste. Devote (made it more of a sweeper)  and the tunnel exit chicane, so i expect the Historics will be the same. 

Edited by Nigel Beresford, 20 April 2021 - 18:34.

[ensign14]

To be fair Historic racers have to follow the quarantine rules on their return so they are not risking anybody but I don't think it was really what the government thought about when it was persuaded to allow Elite athletes to carry on foreign training etc for the Olympics!

There is a positive psychological effect in allowing sport to continue.  Otherwise it would be an even more drab existence than it has been under lockdown.

 

Of course that presupposes you don't end up watching a 4-0 home defeat to Derby County as a result.

[Red Socks]

If you look at the entries :-

 

https://acm.mc/en/ed.../event/engages/

 

you will see that the view on this forum is pretty much shared by the competitors , and the entry list includes those who haven't bothered to formally cancel because even if they did they would not get their money back.

 

Shame on all parties.

 

Just one death as a consequence of this event will be unforgiveable.

[Mallory Dan]

If you look at the entries :-

https://acm.mc/en/ed.../event/engages/

you will see that the view on this forum is pretty much shared by the competitors , and the entry list includes those who haven't bothered to formally cancel because even if they did they would not get their money back.

Shame on all parties.

Just one death as a consequence of this event will be unforgiveable.

More chance of dying in getting there and back than by Covid. And far more chance of being injured or worse while driving racing cars than Covid. Its utterly barking mad that racing is permitted while spectating is not. We can't allow ourselves to be ruled by the risk averse forever. Life has to get back to how it used to be. "Its only a Bad Flu"...

[Gary C]

I saw Jean Alesi went well in qually yesterday in the Ferrari, Rene Arnoux not so much.

[P.Dron]

Werner's penalty seemed unfair to me. It looked as if the Ferrari lost momentum for some reason. The Lotus struck it very hard and Werner would not have done that intentionally.

[Gabrci]

I don't know what happened there but up to that point it was sheer, raw awesomeness, I absolutely loved it. 

[Gary C]

I'm thinking Alesi may have missed a gear....shame, it was a good race.

[Gary C]

....would anyone know if people like Alesi and Werner would have been paid to drive this weekend? I'm hoping that Jean, particularly, would have done it for the love of it.

[Macca]

Bad day for the ex-professionals.....Alesi, Werner’s penalty, Ferte clipping the barrier at the chicane, and Arnoux in qually (though it was strange the wheel came straight off the Ferrari with no visible bits attached - wonder if it was loose?)

Paul M

[davidbuckden]

Apologies if this has been posted already, but coverage here.

[Myhinpaa]

Bad day for the ex-professionals.....Alesi, Werner’s penalty, Ferte clipping the barrier at the chicane, and Arnoux in qually (though it was strange the wheel came straight off the Ferrari with no visible bits attached - wonder if it was loose?)

Paul M

 

Footage of the crash here. The upright seems to break on impact and then remained attached to the wheel, or vice versa....

 

 

 

Stills from this footage : https://youtu.be/jlRjy018tr0

 

Luckily it all seems repairable, but having the magnesium upright and wheels remade will cost a few bob too.

[Myhinpaa]

I'm thinking Alesi may have missed a gear....shame, it was a good race.

 

There are suggestions of that in the comments under this article too : https://www.planetf1...onaco-gp-crash/

 

Seems certain suggested rumours, raised in this thread about the Werner's Lotus have been put to bed...

[john ruston]

Some of last weeks drivers are performing at Donington this weekend along with their backup teams.
Seems all in order with two tests, so I have been told!

[Lee Nicolle]

There are suggestions of that in the comments under this article too : https://www.planetf1...onaco-gp-crash/

 

Seems certain suggested rumours, raised in this thread about the Werner's Lotus have been put to bed...

Having watched a good percentage of what is on You Tube Werner defenitly hit the Ferrari, but it was not intentional. 

Alesi balked, probably missed a gear. 

A pity as it was a very good race up until then.

I have watched more F1 today then the last several years.

Cars that have character and make real  noise. While some are a bit weird they are not they modern mad boffins nightmares trying to be a Prius!

[Myhinpaa]

Lots of amazing footage on ACM Media's YouTube channel : https://youtu.be/MRhV0cJF7SE