18 replies to this topic

[WonderWoman61]

As a result of Ricky Collard recently being confirmed as continuing with Speedworks in this year's British Touring Car Championship despite having originally intended to retire at the end of the 2022 season.

[Jim Thurman]

Mike Mosley retired from racing after winning the 1975 USAC Championship "Tony Bettenhausen 200" at Milwaukee. There were still 3 more races on the schedule. He returned when the next season opened in March 1976.

 

There have been U.S. sprint car racers that retired and returned within months, or less.

[Collombin]

Brian Redman's career as a car salesman in South Africa wasn't up for any long service awards.

[WonderWoman61]

Felipe Massa originally retired from F1 at the end of 2016, only to return in 2017 after Nico Rosberg retired and was replaced at Mercedes by Valtteri Bottas, leaving Williams with a lack of viable options to partner Lance Stroll.

[airbox]

Mark Donahue had less than a year between the end of 1973 and return with Penske

[opplock]

Does Nigel Mansell's hissy fit at the 1990 British GP count?  

[Parkesi]

He did it twice: Monza 1992...

[LittleChris]

Senna ( Da Silva as was then ) between the end of his 1981 FF1600 and start of his 1982 FF2000 seasons

[WonderWoman61]

Senna ( Da Silva as was then ) between the end of his 1981 FF1600 and start of his 1982 FF2000 seasons

Also Ayrton Senna wasn't going to race for McLaren in 1993 then he did on a race-by-race basis and eventually the full season.

[chr1s]

Carlos Reutemann, retired at the end of 1981 only to re appear at South Africa in 1982,  then re retired after the next race in Brazil.

[Vitesse2]

Tazio Nuvolari, about three days: https://forums.autos...8/#entry7807287

[opplock]

He did it twice: Monza 1992...

 

I forgot about that. I'd stopped taking any notice of his utterances by that time.

[Sterzo]

Senna ( Da Silva as was then ) between the end of his 1981 FF1600 and start of his 1982 FF2000 seasons

Now I seem to recall that he was reported as having given up due to lack of funding - he missed the FF Festival - but he said afterwards he'd been misunderstood. He'd simply returned to Brazil to raise sponsorship, not to retire. This is touched on obliquely (but not directly confirmed) in this interview with Dennis Rushen:

https://www.motorspo...a-formula-ford/

[B Squared]

Mark Donahue had less than a year between the end of 1973 and return with Penske

Donohue

[Jim Thurman]

Tazio Nuvolari, about three days: https://forums.autos...8/#entry7807287

While I can't specifically name someone (perhaps Michael Ferner can), I still think there were some U.S. sprint car racers who might have managed 48 hours or less in "retirement."

 

Bob Hogle had multiple short retirements. Hard to fault sprint car racers of the non-roll cage era for their numerable - and often short-lived - retirements.

 

Not nearly as brief, but Johnny Mantz also had a retirement of under six months, as I recall.

[WonderWoman61]

Does Nigel Mansell's hissy fit at the 1990 British GP count?

Yes

[WonderWoman61]

Shane van Gisbergen from V8 Supercars.
https://www.autospor...101944/5101944/

[Lee Nicolle]

Shane van Gisbergen from V8 Supercars.
https://www.autospor...101944/5101944/

Shane was no fool,, he had a contract with Stones and they sold to Betty Klimenko. He wanted no part with the Benzes and was proven correct. Lucky he got a ride with Tekno which proved to be a lot better.

In this sort of circumstance no driver should be held to a contract.

With all the b/s from Stupidcars with the new cars dont be too surprised to see Shane [and others] disapear again. Shane had voiced this even last year.

Edited by Lee Nicolle, 06 April 2023 - 05:11.

[Lee Nicolle]

This sort of thing with Shane has been done by others at many levels of motorsport. Circumstances change and people want out. Or the politics change and makes the racing no fun.

any more. In these circumstances with the Confederation against motorsport I quit a couple of times during the 90s for a few months. IF I could have sold the car I would have been finished. Though when I did quit in 2000 because of politics I was out for over 10 years of any CAMS motorsport and then came back to doing sprints and hillclimbs. Again spoilt by scrutineers waffling about having the boot key in the boot, fire extinguisher location and exhaust pipe exits and oh your driving suit is out of date,,, BUT not for the above. 

I had intended to run the classic meeting at Mallala on Anzac weekend but health  as well as motivation got me yet again.

And I am one of hundreds who quit because of all the b/s