62 replies to this topic

[Parkesi]

This month issue is about the "Green Hell"/Nürburgring - what a sexy topic!

But on the first page of the article (Ringmasters/page 70) they managed to print a beautiful old picture of the famous "Brünnchen" section mirror-inverted     

Motor Sport magazine - is it as good as it could be?

[Sterzo]

There was nothing wrong with Jackie Stewart calling the 'Ring  "The Green Hell" once all those years ago. But journalists repeating the term over and over again is puke-worthy. It's a fantastic, wonderful place. A shame to see Motor Sport, such a fine magazine, descending to that.

[D-Type]

Do you think the picture was mirrored due to incompetence or was it a deliberate move for artistic effect?
Either way, it should never have been allowed to happen.

[john aston]

Lists are ghastly wastes of space . They are better as an internet topic to discuss , if that is your thing . It isn't mine, as such lists are subjective and attempts at objectivity , as we have seen on here , produce even dafter results. Thy are literally a waste of space, and this one seems to be written by somebody with only a passing acquaintance with good English . It is dire .

 

How I miss the splendid long form 'Lunch With' pieces  from Simon Taylor , and the wonderful  reports by Simon Arron of club racing , bangers and other roads less travelled . 

 

There is still some good stuff, so I still subscribe , and I enjoy the bike stuff from Matt Oxley , despite having zero interest in bike racing and some beardy chap - what's his name now ?  - often has interesting insights into motor sport history . 

 

But the mag doesn't know what it is for. On its 90s relaunch it was very firmly focussed on historic racing . motor sport history but also covered not just  F 1 but other stuff too. Now we get often impenetrable F1 analysis, a bit of WEC and sod all else apart from guff about E racing etc. 

[davidbuckden]

Since doing some editing for the magazine archive's digitisation project, and thus having read an awful lot of the awful writing in the Boddy & Jenks era, I value the current quality, especially for the contributions by Mark Hughes, Andrew Frankel and Doug Nye.  I have, however, noticed an increasing number of typos not being caught, and wonder if they're bothering with any structured, human eyeball-driven copy editing.  And I think John's right about wastes of space - just 'filler' really, like 'the lists,' Good Month, Bad Month, and Johnny Herbert - nice bloke, but offers no particular insight in my view.  That was indeed something we got when Simon Taylor was contributing.

 

On balance, still something enjoyable, but it could be better. I think this may be due to the publishers concentrating effort and resources on Motor Sport's internet presence - a good website which I look at two or three times a week.

[blackmme]

This in the Digital edition tickled me last week…..

 

Heck of a scoop or it might highlight a couple of David’s points above. 

 

 

Regards Mike

Edited by blackmme, 07 August 2023 - 08:24.

[Bloggsworth]

Since doing some editing for the magazine archive's digitisation project, and thus having read an awful lot of the awful writing in the Boddy & Jenks era, I value the current quality, especially for the contributions by Mark Hughes, Andrew Frankel and Doug Nye.  I have, however, noticed an increasing number of typos not being caught, and wonder if they're bothering with any structured, human eyeball-driven copy editing.  And I think John's right about wastes of space - just 'filler' really, like 'the lists,' Good Month, Bad Month, and Johnny Herbert - nice bloke, but offers no particular insight in my view.  That was indeed something we got when Simon Taylor was contributing.

 

On balance, still something enjoyable, but it could be better. I think this may be due to the publishers concentrating effort and resources on Motor Sport's internet presence - a good website which I look at two or three times a week.

Clearly not using Grammarly...

[flatlandsman]

I think these days it pretty tough to make a print magazine on such a small, minority subject,  the bonus for this nonpublic is the advertising can raise a lot of money so they can bankroll it more than most, and let's be honest, a lot of people in this field do HAVE a lot of money and dont mind making it obvious, so that helps.

 

I can't help thinking were it not for that it would have gone the way of just about every other decent car magazine, it is no shock that those that remain and are still here are in niche areas that have monied people in them in the background industry such as historic motorsport, classics, high end cars etc. 

[john aston]

Well. Octane isn't fishing in quite the same pond , but it tends to have a hell of a lot more  to read . As for Johnny Herbert, he is to the written word what Kimi Raikkonen is to oratory. I once reviewed a book of his where even 'Benetton' was spelled incorrectly ..  

 

Frankel's stuff is edited down versions of what you can read elsewhere, and is literally a waste of space, and the market analysis is done far better in Octane and CSC . But the biggest problem is length of articles  - far too many are tiresome,  bite size factoids - MS was traditionally the place for grown up, long form articles . Or does TLDR  apply to the written word now , not just web  material ?    

[PCC]

Lists are ghastly wastes of space . They are better as an internet topic to discuss , if that is your thing . It isn't mine, as such lists are subjective and attempts at objectivity , as we have seen on here , produce even dafter results. Thy are literally a waste of space, and this one seems to be written by somebody with only a passing acquaintance with good English. 

I once saw a list I really enjoyed, in the '90s – in, of all places, Motor Sport. It looked at F1 decade by decade, and gave brief profiles of the most memorable, exciting drivers of their eras. Who weren't necessarily the most successful, of course, although the most successful were there too.

 

It did not attempt to compare drivers across eras, or even within eras. it didn't rank them at all. It simply celebrated, in chronological order, the unforgettable drivers who made each decade what it was. A thoroughly enjoyable read.

[sabrejet]

Magazines that continually do lists are plainly short of anything original. The disappointing thing about Motor Sport is that I remember how good it was. So it can't be that long ago!

[jtremlett]

Well. Octane isn't fishing in quite the same pond , but it tends to have a hell of a lot more  to read . As for Johnny Herbert, he is to the written word what Kimi Raikkonen is to oratory. I once reviewed a book of his where even 'Benetton' was spelled incorrectly ..  

 

Frankel's stuff is edited down versions of what you can read elsewhere, and is literally a waste of space, and the market analysis is done far better in Octane and CSC . But the biggest problem is length of articles  - far too many are tiresome,  bite size factoids - MS was traditionally the place for grown up, long form articles . Or does TLDR  apply to the written word now , not just web  material ?    

To be fair to Johnny Herbert, I don't think anyone would expect him to be his own editor and proof reader, so probably a bit unreasonable to lay that one on him.

 

Whilst it certainly isn't for everyone, I do applaud The Road Rat for committing to "grown up, long form articles".  In fact, the funny thing is that, with the exception of the latest issue, which is largely a pictorial celebration of Le Mans, I'm not sure I would have bought any of the issues had I first perused them in a newsagents (which isn't possible since it is only available direct).  Yet, I find I read a greater proportion of it than any other magazine and, given each issue is around 250 pages, that's a fair bit of reading, especially given they tend to use quite a small font size.  I guess the point I'm making is that decent writing and sufficient space can make for absorbing articles about such as the history of Saab or US drag racing.  Neither of which are topics I would have sought out reading material on.

[sabrejet]

Whilst it certainly isn't for everyone, I do applaud The Road Rat for committing to "grown up, long form articles".  In fact, the funny thing is that, with the exception of the latest issue, which is largely a pictorial celebration of Le Mans, I'm not sure I would have bought any of the issues had I first perused them in a newsagents (which isn't possible since it is only available direct).  Yet, I find I read a greater proportion of it than any other magazine and, given each issue is around 250 pages, that's a fair bit of reading, especially given they tend to use quite a small font size.  I guess the point I'm making is that decent writing and sufficient space can make for absorbing articles about such as the history of Saab or US drag racing.  Neither of which are topics I would have sought out reading material on.

 

I used to subscribe to The Road Rat but found that there was more and more white space and fluff with each issue. It did have the odd very well-written piece, but there's only so much arty photography of a dustbin you can take.

[FastReader]

One of the reasons I stopped buying Motor Sport was their penchant for lists which always strike me as journalistic laziness / space fillers.

[jtremlett]

I used to subscribe to The Road Rat but found that there was more and more white space and fluff with each issue. It did have the odd very well-written piece, but there's only so much arty photography of a dustbin you can take.

Without wishing to go to far off topic, I know what you mean.  It is quite pretentious and I doubt I will still be subscribing in ten years time.  That is why I said it isn't for everyone.  But there are some things it gets right and one of those is generally allowing enough text to give some depth to the topics the articles cover.  

 

On the subject of Motor Sport, I am no longer a subscriber, although in part that is because I am no longer interested in what is still called Grand Prix racing but isn't what I think Grand Prix racing was and should be.  Although I was annoyed by, in my view, too many pages taken up by things better omitted, I thought Damien Smith did a good job as editor and that, by and large, the issues from his stint in the editor's chair are superior to both what came before and what followed.  

[john aston]

To be fair to Johnny Herbert, I don't think anyone would expect him to be his own editor and proof reader, so probably a bit unreasonable to lay that one on him.

 

Whilst it certainly isn't for everyone, I do applaud The Road Rat for committing to "grown up, long form articles".  In fact, the funny thing is that, with the exception of the latest issue, which is largely a pictorial celebration of Le Mans, I'm not sure I would have bought any of the issues had I first perused them in a newsagents (which isn't possible since it is only available direct).  Yet, I find I read a greater proportion of it than any other magazine and, given each issue is around 250 pages, that's a fair bit of reading, especially given they tend to use quite a small font size.  I guess the point I'm making is that decent writing and sufficient space can make for absorbing articles about such as the history of Saab or US drag racing.  Neither of which are topics I would have sought out reading material on.

 I will quote some more  examples of sloppiness -'Tyrell ' , 'Ronnie Petersen '  and - hilariously - a Ferrari team manager called 'Puccini '. All should be picked up by a proof reader but the buck stops with the author . But even a proff reeder wouldn't necessarily have noticed the absurd claim that Enzo Ferrari was present at Monaco in 1987 - for the F3 race ... 

 

I like Johnny Herbert a lot - he was a likeable, tough and talented driver . But informed   commentary is not his thing I fear .  

Edited by john aston, 09 August 2023 - 06:21.

[flatlandsman]

Lol proff reader!

[Derwent Motorsport]

There days the term "editor" is a misnomer.  For some of the smaller magazines published by the big publishing groups, the editor writes most of the content rather than checking and editing the work of staff or contributors. Even with Motor Sport everyone is an editor.  

Edited by Derwent Motorsport, 09 August 2023 - 14:10.

[LittleChris]

Even with Motor Sport everyone is an editor.  

 

Back to WB's early days then 

[amerikalei]

Agree that the "Lunch With..." articles were excellent.  I lucked into a free box of older Motor Sport a few years back, and those articles were great because they generally didn't have an expiration date, so to speak.  They offered new perspectives on old events, from significant participants. 

 

Race reports, with all the TV and internet options, aren't what they once were.  Although Mark Hughes seems to do them better than most.

 

Road tests are ok, but with so much convergence in terms of efficient, comfortable cars (or enormous trucks and SUVs, even by Lambo and Ferrari...), I'm always shocked by how much I enjoy seeing an old Road and Track which might have a properly sized Honda Civic (compared to the present day Accord, which had become huge by comparison) and a Fiat X/19 in the same edition. 

 

It also seems that the technical features that were a staple of some of the better old automotive enthusiast publications, with section drawings or cutaways, are significantly missing.

 

These days it seems like lifestyle articles and pretty photos prevail.  Not just Motor Sport, but across the board. 

 

Automibilsport seems like one positive evolution in the magazine format, but it is very much aligned with the TNF subset of readers.

[DSmith]

Oof, this thread makes for tough reading.

 

Just a note from me from an independent perspective. I'm not a Motor Sport employee and haven't been since 2016. But I have been a consultant to the magazine and freelance contributor for the past few years, working closely with the editor and the (small) team every week on every issue. To be clear, I am not commenting here on behalf of Motor Sport.

 

From my perspective as someone who works on the title (and still cares deeply about it), your comments are duly noted, especially on proof reading errors. With respect, I don't agree with all of your criticism on here and I don't really want to start defending each point, because it is not my place to do so. But I can assure you some of the comments will be ringing in my ears as I read through pages today!

 

One note. It often seems there is a high amount of disdain for Motor Sport on here, as it is today, which has always been a struggle for me to understand. I think it's worth pointing out there are real people producing it, which means we have flaws and make mistakes. The magazine has been a genuine indie title since it was sold by Haymarket in 2007. The team that produces it is smaller than ever now – you might be surprised by how small – and I can assure you it is still an 'analogue' process of coming up with the content, commissioning it, writing it, subbing it on page, proof reading it... A lot of care, love and attention does go into producing the magazine every month – so some things haven't changed – and it really is so tough these days to work in the realm of print (still my first love), as I know you all appreciate.

 

I'm really sorry to read so many of you are so dismissive of the content. But thanks for offering some feedback. It's a shame so few take the time to engage directly with the magazine - because every email is read (by an actual human being!). Feel free to write to Motor Sport at editorial@motorsportmagazine.com

 

I know you all care, as I do. Thanks for continuing to do so.

 

Cheers,

Damien

[Parkesi]

Posted 08 July 2016 - 09:46

Dear Damien, Thank you for your kind reply. We care as you surely do. That is why the THF folks are so critical.

My personal hiccups used to be NOT the content but the constant trouble with the distribution.

And the "we don`t care" approach of Haymarket Publishing.

But basically it already started in the last century (!) with endless complains, first directed to dear Simon Taylor.

Over the years at least three (German) friends skipped their subscription due to this never-ending postal story.

But nothing ever improved - that is why I sometimes buy Motor Sport via ebay.com. The private sellers 

make sure that the magazine arrives asap - isn`t that absurd?? Cheees, Andreas 

 

Finally below my remarks from 2016...

  

"My remarks below regarding the quality of distribution/delivery are still valid. MotorSport very kindly offered to cancel 

my subscription! Isn`t this absurd? This is no way to handle an excellent product and it is no way to treat a

longtime subscriber. Please gurus Nye, Roebuck, Taylor, Smith and all TAKE NOTE!

It is your hard work which is not promoted and sold in a professional way."

 

 

 

[john aston]

Damien - I hope you can take the criticism as reflective of the affection and loyalty many old farts like me still have for the magazine. 

 

If I were to highlight two points to improve the mag -

 

-its USP was always long form, erudite and opinionated  text, accompanied by  'proper ' interviews , not simple Q and As 

 

- to avoid becoming another F1 fanzine by also featuring articles about the sort of motorsport many of us attend . Historic and national racing, drag racing and speed events  .Simon A did this so well . 

 

As for contacting the magazine - fine , but it'd help if the magazine was courteous enough to reply . In recent years I've written twice -once to congratulate Joe Dunn on his editorial about holding Grands Prix in dodgy regimes . the other time to submit an article on the story behind the Valliant Porsche 934 recreation . And this was after ringing the office and being invited to submit it. But not a damn word in reply ...it cuts both ways . 

 

Thanks for risking your head by bobbing up from behind the parapet   

Edited by john aston, 10 August 2023 - 10:28.

[flatlandsman]

As someone who has contributed in the past to national motoring magazines, I can confirm how much of an analogue process it is and was! Reading out meeting reports on a bank holiday to a sub in a car on the way somewhere else, coming up with stories on slow news days etc etc!

 

The issue with magazines now is the cost/content/sales ratio.

 

Most decent magazines cost over a fiver to buy. Mainly because far fewer people read them and the costs have increased, and the amount of loyal readers needs to be squeezed more and more to make ends meet.  When you sometimes consider the amount of reading material they are really not good value (in my personal eyes), this is an obvious choice and an obvious decision based on costs and advertising.

 

But for me buying magazines became something I do not do many years ago as the value compared to the actual content became so obviously way out of line for me.

 

They rely on habit, as many things do, and once you knock the habit it, sadly, is very rare you miss it! It really is not that addictive I am afraid!

 

There is a reason why some women's magazines are cheap, because they sell by the bucketload (or did), Motorsport does not hence it has to cost more and be full of adverts to make ends meet, and therefore contain less content and more fluff.

 

It is also led by publishers and design who in my experience are not journalists with a passion for the content, more a passion for circulation, numbers, profit and making themselves look good in shows and awards!  This is a necessary evil but has led to the gradual demise of magazines.

 

Would you be interested to know that perhaps the worst looking and roughest magazine in the UK is actually the one read by the most affluent readers?  Private Eye?  

Edited by flatlandsman, 10 August 2023 - 10:29.

[Sterzo]

For what it's worth, I think there are two possible ways to evaluate a magazine. One is by how much you find to enjoy and appreciate in it, and the other is by how much you can find to criticise. I favour the first, and think Motor Sport is a great magazine.

[Derwent Motorsport]

My father read Motor Sport so I started off cutting the photos out the middle and putting them in a scrap book.  I've read it ever since except for in the "red" period.  It's still a great read. I've actually stopped a number of subscriptions in recent years due to the poor value for money in terms of content and the poor quality of journalism.   Motor Sport is still good in both those areas.  One of the magazines I stopped, after many years, was MG Enthusiast.  £5,50 and it took me as long as a coffee to read it. No real content, lots of press releases and pages full of photos. No news of events either. I can't see it lasting. 

[flatlandsman]

Sorry to say that was the last MS I bought took all of half an hour to read, some might like it and enjoy it, but for that money i expect a little more reading, I could buy about 20 second hand books for that!

 

I know times change,m but this is why I do not buy magazines anymore, CCC used to take me hours to read back in the day as did Autosport MN, etc etc. 

[Dick Dastardly]

I'm living in dreamland here but 1 of my earliest race meetings attended was the Croft International 1970, which featured the 1 litre F3 Shell / MotorSport Championship....I was hooked on those cars, and enjoyed seeing photos and race reports after that day. I don't know what MotorSport did in the way of sponsorship.....other than perhaps press coverage.....but I'd really like to see a F3 1 litre retrospective from them. Does MotorSport have archived reports, photos etc or have they all gone? 

As an aside, I know AutoTradition / Racing Spirit feature the 1 litre category but that's usually a list of events, who won what etc rather than details about the leading drivers, teams, cars etc.  

[Bloggsworth]

I'm living in dreamland here but 1 of my earliest race meetings attended was the Croft International 1970, which featured the 1 litre F3 Shell / MotorSport Championship....I was hooked on those cars, and enjoyed seeing photos and race reports after that day. I don't know what MotorSport did in the way of sponsorship.....other than perhaps press coverage.....but I'd really like to see a F3 1 litre retrospective from them. Does MotorSport have archived reports, photos etc or have they all gone? 

As an aside, I know AutoTradition / Racing Spirit feature the 1 litre category but that's usually a list of events, who won what etc rather than details about the leading drivers, teams, cars etc.  

Ah! The Cosworth MAE screamer, what an engine.

[Sterzo]

If you find a dastardly way to transport yourself back to the 1 litre screamers, let me know and I'll join you.

[LittleChris]

Me too . 

[john aston]

I'm living in dreamland here but 1 of my earliest race meetings attended was the Croft International 1970, which featured the 1 litre F3 Shell / MotorSport Championship....I was hooked on those cars, and enjoyed seeing photos and race reports after that day. I don't know what MotorSport did in the way of sponsorship.....other than perhaps press coverage.....but I'd really like to see a F3 1 litre retrospective from them. Does MotorSport have archived reports, photos etc or have they all gone? 

As an aside, I know AutoTradition / Racing Spirit feature the 1 litre category but that's usually a list of events, who won what etc rather than details about the leading drivers, teams, cars etc.  

My first visit to Croft and my debut as a marshal . 66 F3 cars entered , two heats and a final and if memory serves, Carlos Pace won against a field of future stars. Now one's only chance to see modern F3 is to sell a kidney to pay for a ticket to the Grand Prix. I was at Croft yesterday, in fact , no MAEs but plenty of Lotus Cortinas ..     

Edited by john aston, 13 August 2023 - 06:01.

[GazChed]

The Formula Three screamers will be at Croft for the HSCC's annual visit over the weekend of the 2nd and 3rd September.

[F1matt]

My father read Motor Sport so I started off cutting the photos out the middle and putting them in a scrap book.  I've read it ever since except for in the "red" period.  It's still a great read. I've actually stopped a number of subscriptions in recent years due to the poor value for money in terms of content and the poor quality of journalism.   Motor Sport is still good in both those areas.  One of the magazines I stopped, after many years, was MG Enthusiast.  £5,50 and it took me as long as a coffee to read it. No real content, lots of press releases and pages full of photos. No news of events either. I can't see it lasting. 

 

you must have had a very understanding father, I dread to think of the consequences of cutting pictures out of motorsport back in the day! 

[pete53]

I'm living in dreamland here but 1 of my earliest race meetings attended was the Croft International 1970, which featured the 1 litre F3 Shell / MotorSport Championship....I was hooked on those cars, and enjoyed seeing photos and race reports after that day. I don't know what MotorSport did in the way of sponsorship.....other than perhaps press coverage.....but I'd really like to see a F3 1 litre retrospective from them. Does MotorSport have archived reports, photos etc or have they all gone? 

As an aside, I know AutoTradition / Racing Spirit feature the 1 litre category but that's usually a list of events, who won what etc rather than details about the leading drivers, teams, cars etc.  

Here is some footage of that meeting on 11 July 1970.

 

https://www.yfanefa.com/record/26420

[Dick Dastardly]

Here is some footage of that meeting on 11 July 1970.

 

https://www.yfanefa.com/record/26420

Brilliant, many thanks

[Salsin]

I've mentioned this before but I think it is worth repeating.

Assuming you are not interested in keeping all your magazines and are prepared to read "on-screen" rather than the traditional printed page, I thoroughly recommend a subscription to "Readly" (£10 per month).

For this I can read (on my iPhone, my laptop or my desktop) the weeklies -Autocar, Autosport, Motorsport News and Auto Express plus the monthlies Motor Sport, Classic Cars, Car, Evo, Octane, What Car, C&SC plus numerous others devoted to specific makes or types of vehicle.

I can also, if I choose, read hundreds of magazines on many other subjects. If one were multi-lingual, the list would run into thousands - and all for £10 per month.

Initially, I must admit that I did not like reading on-screen as much as the printed page but I soon got over that, given the cost-saving. It also overcomes any problems (also mentioned above) re distribution and receiving (or not receiving) your copy through the letterbox. Whether we like it or not, the world is (has) gone digital.  

Several organisations, charities etc. that I support have either gone totally digital with their regular magazines or at least offer it as an option - even the National Trust is trying out different forms of digital magazine to see which appeals to its members. Many of us who grew up with paper magazines may be reluctant to change but I have and I'm 78. We are all mortal and as we fall off the perch, our place is taken by a younger generation which just accepts digital as the norm. 

[Roger Clark]

Does a Readly subscription give access to the Motor Sport and Autocar archives?  They are more important to me than current editions.

[john aston]

Readly may be fine and good , but a platforms  like it will only accelerate  the decline of the monthly magazine. How can it a magazine be sustainable if it can be read with scores of others for £ peanuts ? And as I pay my 5 or 6 quid  a month for the real thing  , nothing personal and all that , but why should  I pay for your cheap read ? 

[RacingCompagniet]

Personally I "boycott" Readly since I really want printed magazines to survive for a long as possible.

[flatlandsman]

If you really think printed magazines will survive I think you might be in cloud cuckoo land quite honestly!

 

I will confess I do too, I used to read quite a few, CCC mainly and a few others a few bikes ones.  But the costs are dear now, some magazines are getting close to 7 quid a month, that is preposterous in my view when you consider the actual reading material included.  I understand why people like them, why you fans buy them and want them to continue, and if you are prepared to put up with all this they will continue to be available but the numbers do not usually look too good. 

[Sterzo]

Motor Sport hasn't been a proper magazine since produced by letter-press, with the pictures in a centre section, every article "continued on page 397" in minuscule type, and correspondents denouncing everything as "Bunk."

[Allan Lupton]

Motor Sport hasn't been a proper magazine since produced by letter-press, with the pictures in a centre section, every article "continued on page 397" in minuscule type, and correspondents denouncing everything as "Bunk."

but with great foresight I had them bound so they became a useful work of reference - and enjoyable reading about past times when they were current.

1950-91 since you ask. . .

[sabrejet]

Oh the irony! Some of these posts are nigh-on unreadable but seem to be lamenting the passing of decent journalism.

[68targa]

I have recently passed on 60 years worth of MS. I have enjoyed them all especially the 1960s & 70s but space and the thought of moving them when I get too decrepit made the decision easy. I also have a set of the DVDs they produced which take up considerably less space !  What passed for a good read in 1960 may not today - times change and the style of writing and the presentation are of today's values. If MS can interest and educate younger readers in the sport then it is worthwhile. I still subscribe but won't keep them.

[Sterzo]

but with great foresight I had them bound so they became a useful work of reference - and enjoyable reading about past times when they were current.

1950-91 since you ask. . .

Ditto - but bound vols 1950 to 1979 for me. And I've read every issue since, just no space to keep that many. I love 'em.

[john winfield]

Motor Sport hasn't been a proper magazine since produced by letter-press, with the pictures in a centre section, every article "continued on page 397" in minuscule type, and correspondents denouncing everything as "Bunk."

 

You'll be telling me next that the current editor thinks seat belts are a good idea.  I hope everyone has signed up for the Motoring Defence League.

[john aston]

If you really think printed magazines will survive I think you might be in cloud cuckoo land quite honestly!

 

I will confess I do too, I used to read quite a few, CCC mainly and a few others a few bikes ones.  But the costs are dear now, some magazines are getting close to 7 quid a month, that is preposterous in my view when you consider the actual reading material included.  I understand why people like them, why you fans buy them and want them to continue, and if you are prepared to put up with all this they will continue to be available but the numbers do not usually look too good. 

The current  equivalent price of a 1967 Motor Sport is about £2. 50 . The actual price is about double that  - but it could be worse, as petrol has more than quadrupled in real terms .  And the other bonus is that in 2023 I don't have to endure the Wartime Diaries of a RFC Officer , which, if memory serves , ran for several decades . 

Edited by john aston, 22 August 2023 - 17:36.

[davidbuckden]

Back in 2016/17 I and several others spent many hours correcting the OCR-derived texts to establish the Motor Sport magazine digital archive. Access to the archive is now included when you subscribe on line to Motor Sport.

 

Whilst the physical magazine is perhaps best for leisure reading, the archive files are an excellent format if you're researching topics, with the search functionality being especially useful.

 

The other big advantage is that your loft floor need no longer be liable to collapse, finally fed up with supporting the weight of several decades of back numbers!

[Richard Jenkins]

What passed for a good read in 1960 may not today - times change and the style of writing and the presentation are of today's values. If MS can interest and educate younger readers in the sport then it is worthwhile.

This is the crucial bit. If the magazine - any magazine, in fact, is to survive, it needs to try and attract new blood. It might not quite have the balance quite right for the older readers, but it has to do something.