1965 replies to this topic

[Beri]

It has been 255 days since the lights went out and away we went at Bahrain. And now it is 97 days to come until those same lights will go out at the same Bahrain track. Only this time on a saturday. So without any further ado.. lights out and away we go with the annual Countdown Thread!

Yes it is finally here! The macdaddy of threads we all eagerly await every year. The one thread that unites us all and the one thread that no Moderator, Admin or Forum Host has ever had to "clean up". The one thread that unites the ordinary race fan with the seasoned one and even with the race fan who is a walking and typing encyclopedia.
It is bit earlier than normal, but hey.. I couldn't wait any longer! And I'm occupied the rest of the day, that played in account too to start this thread earlier than normal 🤭

After a jam packed 2023 season, full of action in various racing categories, we all are likely to have been inspired to dig into the (in)famous racing numbers of days gone by and eagerly want to share this with us all.

There are no rules on which racing category can enter. Bikes, cars, boats, planes.. as long as there is a racing number on it and the object in the picture has raced, it is fine! But do bear in mind that a (small) epigraph on the picture is hugely appreciated. 

Having said this last sentence, there is only rule that I would like to instate, which is one I think everyone can agree upon;
We all do, at times, "borrow" pictures or texts from certain websites. Websites that are run people who likely will have spend a tonne of time in their research. Just be so kind to link them in your post. Not only will they get the praise they deserve, but also it will offer them an increase in visits to their websites and also offer us all a possibility to visit said website to roam around and learn/read more stories.

So lets wrap this up and lets kick off! As there have 255 days passed by and 97 days are still to go, I'll do a double post in this opening post. And what better way to start than doing a double Porsche post?

In 1956, Olof "Grus Olle" Persson (the person standing on the right on the picture) decided to join the Mille Miglia with his stunning maroon red Porsche 356. Bearing chassis number 56063, the 1.5 litre 356 finished 1st in his class and 18th overall with Persson driving and the co driver being Gunnar Blomqvist.

After Persson did a couple of races with it, it was sold and was nearly 50 years lost. The car then re-surfaced after nearly 50 years in 2018 and recieved a complete restoration. And ever since, one can see it in awe at various concourses as well as classic rallies and the modern Mille Miglia.





Classic driver.com did a great article on this car


As for the #97 entry, Ive picked this beautiful Porsche 911 Carrera RS of Larry Perkins, Gordon Spice and John Rulon-Miller at the 1978 24hrs of Le Mans. The car was entered by Charles Ivey Racing, finished 2nd in its class and was 14th overall.

[Ivanhoe]

Thanks for opening the thread Beri. Another challenge lies ahead of us after last years countdown threads which already featured so many great pics of fantastic cars at great venues. I’ll kick off with Dan Gurney, who leads Allen Grant (#96) and Bob Bondurant (#99), all three driving an AC Cobra (or a Shelby Cobra for our American members) in a special 1 hour GT race at the 1963 LA Times GP at Riverside.

picture from http://www.autoextre...-bondurant.html

[milestone 11]

I intended asking today what the start number was. Thanks Beri, I have been looking forward to this thread for many months, so disillusioned have I become with F1. Thankfully there are many other series to get involved with. See you guys on the ice though it may not be today

[Grippy]

One of my favourite threads.

 

Porsche 911s always  seem timeless,

 

I wanted to post this image from Flickr but the format is wrong

https://www.flickr.c...57650198567367/

He has various albums of historic meets

https://www.flickr.c...157663591728445

 

I found another photo

 

 

Theodore Goneos- 1968 Porsche 911.

 

from https://sportscardig...-report-photos/

 

 

[Sterzo]

Thought of posting a picture of a flat track in the desert, but as I don't live in Abu Dhabi I decided to find one from the local circuit - Brands Hatch. I have to say the pic makes it look steeper than it is, but it genuinely is hilly and your stomach stays high when you dive down Paddock, and your posterior gets compressed as you rise towards Druids. This photo is from Motorsport Vision's website; they own several circuits, and if you're in the UK but used to watching only F1 on TV, do go and watch live - there's nothing like it, whatever the formula, and it won't cost much. This is a late sixties Formula Ford, in a recent historic race. Don't see enough overtaking? Have a look at the picture.

 

 

The Merlyn was produced by a small Colchester firm. There were many competing makes, and as well as trying for a technical advantage, it helped to have a talented young driver in one of yours. One of the first of a flood of Brazilians to invade Britain was Emerson Fittipaldi, who would fling his FF Merlyn into Druids on the karting line - late entry and a quick twitch into the corner. Later on, Jody Scheckter dominated British FF in a Merlyn, with a wilder style than Fittipaldi. Emerson soon smoothed his style; Jody didn't.

[OvDrone]

Best thread of the year returns! And started by Beri, yet again, you legend   

So damn looking forward to diving into all your passion and knowledge of what you will all share here in the next 3 months, ladies and gentlemen. It makes the offseason truly special.

Shame that F1 didn't end 3 days earlier somehow 'cause I had some cool posts lined up from #100 onwards but alas, here we go.

As in the previous years, my topic will be everything from the year 2000 onwards only. My posts will focus on all other series except F1 and the majority is my own memories, plus some good ol' fun digging through the archives as well as some new facts I learned through just cruising on a warm up lap around the web. 

Here we go:

My first entry is right at the beginning limit of my topic's era: the year 2000 and in CART, when it still was arguably better than Indy.



This is future CART Champion, Cristiano da Matta's first win in the series at Chicago Motor Speedway in his #97 PPI Motorsports Toyota. This oval is NOT to be confused with the much better Chicagoland, which I think would be a worthy oval on our current calendar.

In 2001 he would go on to win multiple races and after that, the overall Championship in 2002. F1 with Toyota will follow suit in 2003. A great open-wheel Champ of the early 00s.

Edited by OvDrone, 26 November 2023 - 17:13.

[Ivanhoe]

What a picture to kick off the thread Ov 

[DeKnyff]

I don't want to spoil the party, but aren't we on day 98? Multiples of seven on Sundays, IIRC.

[Frood]

 

This is an IMSA GTU-class Nissan 240SX (or S13 Silvia, if you want to be JDM about this) built by Bob Leitzinger. The Leitzinger 240SX competed in IMSA from 1989 to the demise of the GTU class at the end of 1994, during which it picked up 26 wins, mainly in the hands of David Loring and Bob's son, Butch. Nissan also won the constructor's championship from 1991 to 1994.

 

It was a tube-frame silhouette racer, sharing very little with the 240SX road car other than the roof and the tail lights. The engine wasn't a 240SX engine either; it was actually a fettled Nissan VG30 3-litre SOHC V6 producing around 340hp; turbocharged versions of this engine were also in the Nissan prototypes around the same time, such as the NPT-90/ZX-Turbo.

 

This photograph is actually from an IMSA/JGTC crossover event at Fuji in 1993. The car was piloted in this race by Frank Honsowetz, a man more famous for his engineering exploits; he also later headed up Nissan's engine program in the IRL under the Infiniti branding. Honsowetz started and finished the race 13th, with team-mate and team boss Bob Leitzinger finishing 11th. Masahiko Kageyama follows Honsowetz in his race-winning Nissan Skyline GT-R.

[milestone 11]

I don't want to spoil the party, but aren't we on day 98? Multiples of seven on Sundays, IIRC.

Next year is a leap year so this finishes on a Saturday  

[milestone 11]

One of my favourite threads.

 

Porsche 911s always  seem timeless,

 

I wanted to post this image from Flickr but the format is wrong

https://www.flickr.c...57650198567367/

He has various albums of historic meets

https://www.flickr.c...157663591728445

 

I found another photo

 

 

 

Theodore Goneos- 1968 Porsche 911.

 

from https://sportscardig...-report-photos/

Do it using a screen shot using the snipping tool  Grippy. Shift and Windows key together, hold and tap s

Edited by milestone 11, 26 November 2023 - 18:13.

[Ivanhoe]

I don't want to spoil the party, but aren't we on day 98? Multiples of seven on Sundays, IIRC.

You’re absolutely right DeKnyff, it’s 98 days till lights out. I will stick to the same theme, here’s Ed Leslie navigating his Cobra through Corkscrew at Laguna Seca in 1964. Note the 904 in background.

[Ivanhoe]

Next year is a leap year so this finishes on a Saturday  

That’s next level mathmetics m11 

[milestone 11]

So two days of 97?

 

Edit, hence the double wink.

Edited by milestone 11, 26 November 2023 - 18:17.

[DeKnyff]

 

The McLaren M8F entered by Commander Racing and driven Danny Hopkins at an unidentified Can-Am event in 1973.

 

Hopkins drove all the 1973 season bar Edmonton, his best result being a 6th at Mid-Ohio.

[Ivanhoe]

First day and we already have pictures from the Mille Miglia, CART, Can Am, SCCA, IMSA and historic events. Well done  

[Beri]

I don't want to spoil the party, but aren't we on day 98? Multiples of seven on Sundays, IIRC.

Had it not been that the first Grand Prix will be on a Saturday, you would be absolutely right. But as said, the season kicks off on a Saturday due to the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. Better known as the Ramadan. That's why the Bahrain Grand Prix as well as the Saudi Arabian Grands Prix will be held on a Saturday. Albeit being said that the Ramadan starts in March 10th. So I'm as confused as anyone why this was used as an excuse to hold the Bahrain Grand Prix on a saturday. But I did my calculations three times and even got an external source. But it really is 97 days



And if I miscalculated.. then we need to go into the minus numbers. Only a bigger challenge for us all!

[Ivanhoe]

Ah well, at least it gave me the opportunity to post an extra picture.

[milestone 11]

Manfred Schiek spins the Abarth Simca 1300 GT Bialbero during the 1965 Nurburgring 1000kms. The car finished 20th overall and 2nd in class.

photo. Motorsport images.

 

[Ivanhoe]

Great picture, hard to see which car is spinning, my first thought was it was the Ferrari! My mind wasn’t quick enough to realize they run the ring clockwise 

[milestone 11]

Great picture, hard to see which car is spinning, my first thought was it was the Ferrari! My mind wasn’t quick enough to realize they run the ring clockwise 

Front wheel gives it away, just. I didn't know though without checking details.

Edited by milestone 11, 26 November 2023 - 19:50.

[milestone 11]

Maxime Martin, Harry Tincknell and Alex Lynn take GTE Pro honours in the Aston Martin Vantage at Le Mans 2020

 

Edited by milestone 11, 26 November 2023 - 20:04.

[red stick]

NASCAR joins the field.

Kurt Busch letting Jimmy Spencer know he appreciates him, Brickyard 400, 2002.

 

 

Not much to root for here.    

[Grippy]

Do it using a screen shot using the snipping tool  Grippy. Shift and Windows key together, hold and tap s

Thanks,

I thought about that but didn't want to post to a hosting site as it's not my image, possibly i'm erring too much on the side of caution, but just trying to be polite to the original photographer.

[Anderis]

It's incredible that we're starting this at just 97. I remember the days when it took a while to get to two-digit numbers from three-digit numbers

[Beri]

Thanks,

I thought about that but didn't want to post to a hosting site as it's not my image, possibly i'm erring too much on the side of caution, but just trying to be polite to the original photographer.

 

Totally understandable and also hence my part in the OT that I hope people can appreciate and oblige to. Because of all the reasons given:

 

Having said this last sentence, there is only rule that I would like to instate, which is one I think everyone can agree upon;

We all do, at times, "borrow" pictures or texts from certain websites. Websites that are run people who likely will have spend a tonne of time in their research. Just be so kind to link them in your post. Not only will they get the praise they deserve, but also it will offer them an increase in visits to their websites and also offer us all a possibility to visit said website to roam around and learn/read more stories.

[milestone 11]

Thanks,

I thought about that but didn't want to post to a hosting site as it's not my image, possibly i'm erring too much on the side of caution, but just trying to be polite to the original photographer.

I think it's fine if you credit them where appropriate. 

[milestone 11]

 

 

 

Totally understandable and also hence my part in the OT that I hope people can appreciate and oblige to. Because of all the reasons given:

 

Incredibly, on two or three occasions earlier when clicking on photos to check source, that source was Autosport Forums Countdown Thread from various years.

[Beri]

Incredibly, on two or three occasions earlier when clicking on photos to check source, that source was Autosport Forums Countdown Thread from various years.

 

Dont tell me that you posted it in earlier years  ?

[ensign14]

A wreath for a winner...

 

 

(from the 2017 Silverstone Classic)

[krapmeister]

Looking forward to seeing SVG running Stateside next year.

Edit: Urgh... can't edit this on my phone so pic shows up. Will need to do this via my laptop later.

 

Edit 2: Ok now sorted - really struggle with posting images via my phone for some reason... 

Edited by krapmeister, 27 November 2023 - 13:17.

[milestone 11]

Dont tell me that you posted it in earlier years  ?

No, well, in this case yes but could be any one of us. Here's an example clicking on "Visit" takes you here Countdown to Australia, no, Bahrain

 

[milestone 11]

A wreath for a winner...

 

 

(from the 2017 Silverstone Classic)

Mk1 Cortina

[milestone 11]

NASCAR joins the field.

Kurt Busch letting Jimmy Spencer know he appreciates him, Brickyard 400, 2002.

 

 

Not much to root for here.    

What is it with these guys, didn't someone get killed recently doing precisely this?

[OvDrone]

What is it with these guys, didn't someone get killed recently doing precisely this?

Maybe you are referring to that tragic moment nearly ten years ago when Tony Stewart hit Kevin Ward Jr in that Sprint Car incident. Yeah, real bad.

Kurt Busch did officially retire this year, as a well loved veteran, yet most of his career he was an angry psycho. 

Enjoy this hour+ (!!!) compilation of his most famous tirades. Including Red's post at exactly at the 8:18 mark.

[Beri]

Pictured is a Delahaye 135CS, driven by Harrie van den Anker at the 2023 Mille Miglia. 

 

 

The car was bought new by the racing weds Laury and Lucy Schell, parents of later Formula One driver Harry Schell, in 1936. 1936 being the same year where Delahaye stopped its racing efforts as factory team due to financial difficulties. The Schells became, due to this and the fact that they owned 3 135's at that time, the de facto factory team for the Delahaye brand and continued entering the Delahaye brand into hillclimbs, the 24hrs of Le Mans and various Paris to *insert any name* rallies. In 1939 the car was sold to Eugène Chaboud who then raced the last year before WW2 ended the cars career as a racecar.

Nowadays it is owned by Harrie van den Anker. A well known BMW Z8 collector and BMW enthousiast from The Netherlands.

 

I can sum up a lot of other facts on this car and its previous owners, but that has been quite well documented already. 

[BoDarvelle]

 

1990 Corvette Challenge showroom stock racecar.

[red stick]

Not going to repeat last year's entries the rest of this season, but Unsers at Pikes Peak deserve a mention. 

 

Upper, Al Unser in the 1965 open wheel winning entry.  Note the intricate spectator protection scheme.  Lower, Bobby Unser winning the sports car class in 1964 in a Lotus 23B.

 

 

[DeKnyff]

 

Jacky Ickx flies past the stricken Camaro of Roberto Quintanilla and José Martínez at the 12 hours of Sebring in 1972.

 

Ickx and and Andretti would be the winners of the race. It was the last time Sebring was a round of the World Championship of Makes for many years.

 

Notice the politically incorrect (for our times) MG ad: Safety fast!

[ensign14]

 

Obscuriana.  Clue: was in the Prototyp Museum in Hamburg.

[Ivanhoe]

There seems to be some confusion about where we are with the numbers (I think we're at 96) so I give you numbers 96, 97 and 98. Doesn't need much more information I think. Picture borrowed from https://supercarnost...0-chassis-p1011

[DeKnyff]

There seems to be some confusion about where we are with the numbers (I think we're at 96) so I give you numbers 96, 97 and 98.

 

 

I'd say we are at 97. This week should be 97 (Monday) to 91 (Sunday). 

[Alan Lewis]

I'd say we are at 97. This week should be 97 (Monday) to 91 (Sunday).

I think the confusion has arisen because the 2024 Bahrain Grand Prix is scheduled for Saturday 2nd March, not Sunday 3rd.

So if that is Day Zero (which I think is how these threads have always done it down the years) then today is Day 96.

[BRG]

I have not been around for most of this year, but I thought I would return for this thread, the most prestigious of the year!

 

If there is now a consensus that it is Day 96 today, then here is my offering...

 

 

A suitable daft image to start my ball rolling.  A racing Citroen 2CV.   The intrepid pilot is one Chris Hall driving for the Pork Pies team at Oulton PArk in 2017.

 

But just in case it is actually Day 97 after all, here is car 97 currently competing as I type this on the Roger Albert Clark Rally in deepest Kielder forest.  

 

 

John Brazier/Damian Bird, currently lying 79th overall.

[Ivanhoe]

Good to have you back here BRG 

[milestone 11]

Welcome back BRG. Good to see you.

[OvDrone]

To honor the new Moto'24 thread here for next year, here's Supercross 250 East Champ from last year - Hunter Lawrence - on his #96 HRC Honda winning at Tampa with that incredible last lap battle and last corner overtake for the win.



Cannot wait for Supercross to start in the first week of January!

[DeKnyff]

I think the confusion has arisen because the 2024 Bahrain Grand Prix is scheduled for Saturday 2nd March, not Sunday 3rd.

So if that is Day Zero (which I think is how these threads have always done it down the years) then today is Day 96.

Yep, I’ll have to admit my mistake. The season starts on Saturday, not Sunday and therefore we are on day 96 (and the multiples of seven are on Saturdays).

[red stick]

So, Beri can count better than . . .

[DeKnyff]

 

Jacques Saileron in his Mors Z before the start of the tragic Paris-Madrid race of 1903.

 

When the race was stopped at Bordeaux, Saileron was third behind Fernand Gabriel (also driving a Mors) and Louis Renault, 33 minutes behind the leader.

 

EDIT: car is a Mors, not a More

Edited by DeKnyff, 27 November 2023 - 18:21.