105 replies to this topic

[engin]

scheckter is not the most popular person in ferrari thats for sure but man he is still the last driver who managed to take the title for ferrari since 20 years.

lots of people still believe that gilles was the true champion that year and he was really the true champion he might have defied team orders and overtook jody and the title would have been his but ever honourable guy he didnt he had given his words .

but that shouldnt really make us decreasing the value of jody as a racer he did admit that gilles is the fastest driver on earth and he knows that gilles was faster than him but there were occasions were he managed to beat gilles fair and square in monaco for example he pushed gilles out of pole and won the race in commanding style beside this he was better than gilles in collecting the points which favoured him in monza and made ferrai's decision that he should take the title .

after all these years i can say that there is akind of satisfaction in jody that he is still the last driver to win the title for the most popular team in the history of the f1 lots of great drivers just couldnt win the title

prost , mansell , shumi , alboreto ( i dont think he was better but he was in the title fight ) and eddie irvine .

even if shumi or rubenz managed to win the title next year still jody will be remembered as the driver who hold the title for ferrari for more than 20 years .

some times it is just down to the luck many times ferrari were in the thick of the title fight but they just missed it i would say this bring jody to ferrari and give him any role to the prancing horse and i think really that the ferrari's luck will change to the best.

jody shcekter is south african .

he won 10 gps and took the world title for ferrari in 1979.

in 1973 he caused a huge pile up in the british gp and the funny thing is that john surtees wanted him dead or alive because three of surtees cars crashed due to jody's mistake .

he retired from gp in 1980 while driving for ferrari .

thanx.

[Uncle Davy]

Last I heard (and this was some time ago...these facts may no longer be operative, as they say) Jody was living in or near Atlanta, GA, USA, and owned a business there. The funny thing is, apparently no-one is/was aware that they had a WDC in their midst, and he was happy with the anonimity (speaks volumes about American awareness of F1, doesn't it?).
Now that his son is in racing, I don't know if Jody is still so low profile or is even still in the US. Can anyone update this info?

[This message has been edited by Uncle Davy (edited 11-13-1999).]

[Don Capps]

Davy & Engin,

Jody is now in the UK. He sold the controlling interest in FATS (Fire Arms Training Systems), pocket the money and can now afford a nice lifestyle.

In my day job, I used to be a project director for small arms simulators and so got to see Jody quite often when he lived in the Atlanta (Smyrna & Norcross) area.

As I got to know him, the more I like him. He is quite a person. When he left Ferrari, he didn't take much with him. He built up FATS on a shoestring and deserves all that he now has - he earned it.

Don't forget that he was also a very accomplished Porsche 917 Turbo Panzer driver. And awfully good fun to watch while doing it. A time or two he made my hair stand on end with what he could do.

When he came to Ferrari, it was to win the championship and so he did. They, the team, had their act together in large part due to the leadership of Scheckter and the relationship twix the teammates who genuinely got along together. I often think this was Villeneuve's undoing since this relationship was the exception rather than the rule. Pironi simply was not Scheckter.

Oh, and Scheckter did a great and under-rated job with Tyrrell in 1974. It was a team devastated by the loss of Cevert and the retirement of Stewart. Yet, he hang in their until late in the series...


------------------
Yr fthfl & hmbl srvnt,

Don Capps

[Lutz]

I read an add in "Autosport" of a company that promotes young racing drivers, and Jody Scheckter's name appeared in the add. There is a Toby Scheckter who does racing around, I think he is Jody's son.


[This message has been edited by Lutz (edited 11-15-1999).]

[Don Capps]

Correct on young racer Toby being Jody's son.

------------------
Yr fthfl & hmbl srvnt,

Don Capps

[Rich]

Don, perhaps you can clear this up for me. I know that one of the Schekter youngsters is deaf - is it Toby? I would also like to know how this affects him as a racer. For example, if he ever got to F1 level, how would he communicate with the pits? How does he 'listen' to the engine? Is it through the vibrations in the seat, or must he use a rev-counter? Any info gladly appreciated.

[Pete Stanley]

Rich, the man you're thinking of is Jaki Scheckter. (Not sure if it is pronounced with English or Afrikaans "J" sound) He's pretty fast, too! He's Ian Scheckter's son, which would make him Jody's nephew. He won the Skip Barber pro series title a few years back here in the States. He did a few Indy Lights races the following year, but I haven't heard much from him since.

[This message has been edited by Pete Stanley (edited 11-16-1999).]

[This message has been edited by Pete Stanley (edited 11-18-1999).]

[Don Capps]

Thanks, Pete! Anything you hear about Jaki please pass it along.

There was a small story somewhere, in either On Track, Racer, Autoweek, something like that, about Jaki. I was impressed. And, as Pete says, he was pretty quick to boot...

------------------
Yr fthfl & hmbl srvnt,

Don Capps

[FlagMan]

Jaki is to test an F3000 for Nordic racing later this month.

Both of Jodies soms have been competing in UK/Europe for the last couple of years.

Toby had a fairly torrid time in his first season of British F3 this year - seemed to get involved in everybody elses incidents - dad was not too pleased!.

Thomas won the EFDA ( Vauxhall/Opel Lotus ) championship this year and also had a good first outing in an end of season meeting in the Nissan Open series (2 pole positions and a 1st and 2nd in the races).

Jody has made several apprances on British TV over tha last few weeks - I'm glad to say he has lost none of his ability to cut through bullshit!

[Don Capps]

Thanks for the info!

Somehow I managed to forget about Thomas even though I caught a mention in an issue of Autosport that I picked up about one his races.

Another Senior Moment...

------------------
Yr fthfl & hmbl srvnt,

Don Capps

[arttidesco]

Uploaded with ImageShack.us

Ferrari 312 T5, Brands Hatch 12 07 80, Q23 F10 (+ 3 laps !), with owners permission.

Hard to believe it was 30 years ago, poor Jody defended his WDC with a DNQ, four retirements, and one 5th place from 14 races, a real animus horribilis.

Today Jody is a successful organic farmer and his son Thomas is entered for his 9th Indy 500 in the #23 MonaVie, Dreyer Reinbold Racing, Dallara Honda at the end of the month.

http://www.life.com/image/88707450

[Giraffe]

Jody at the Donington celebration of 3-litre Formula 1 in May 1991 where he demonstrated both Ferrari & Wolf. Pictured with Bette Hill & JP Jarier.


By giraffe138 at 2010-05-18

By giraffe138 at 2010-05-18

By giraffe138 at 2010-05-18

By giraffe138 at 2010-05-18

[Rob]

Jody drove past me in the Silverstone paddock at one of the Coys festivals. That's my tenuous link to the great man

Edited by Rob, 18 May 2010 - 14:07.

[David M. Kane]

There is a podcast with Jody done fairly recently on the Motor Sport site.

[Marc Sproule]

Here are two of him at Long Beach. I have more that I will be adding at a later date.

http://www.flickr.co...@N03/4344783153

http://www.flickr.co...@N03/4289981854

This is what I have in my F1 set at the moment.....

http://www.flickr.co...57623186790747/

This is my complete photoset....

http://www.flickr.co...os/46681980@N03

[arttidesco]

Fab pics Girrafe & Marc :-)

[hansfohr]

This is my humble 'Fletcher' contribution, still working with a very basic camera....

Jody in the Zandvoort pits, leaning over the extraordinary Tyrrell P34 (1976)


Jody having a chat with Mario in the Zandvoort pitlane (1977)

Edited by hansfohr, 19 May 2010 - 15:19.

[arttidesco]

Any chance you could re-link the pic of Jody and the Tyrell Hansfohr ?

I remember watching Jody wheeling it round the Nurburgring in 1976 what a sight :-)

Unfortunately I was still some years from owning a camera :-)

[hansfohr]

Any chance you could re-link the pic of Jody and the Tyrell Hansfohr ?

I remember watching Jody wheeling it round the Nurburgring in 1976 what a sight :-)

Unfortunately I was still some years from owning a camera :-)

There he is again artidesco!

EDIT: and this is the P34 Jody and Patrick (pictured) used to drive. Those were the days of diversity!

Edited by hansfohr, 19 May 2010 - 15:28.

[arttidesco]

Thanks Hans the following year the 3/4 went completely of the rails with a wider track spoiling the whole 'keep the wheels behind the front bodywork' idea.

[Wirra]

Here are a few photos from his Championship year. Apologies for some of the quality but they have been stuck in an album for 30 years and I risk damage if I try to remove them.

Monaco - IIRC Depailler last race before his accident (sking-bike?), all very fortunate for Jody!


Dijon - The legendary Villeneuve/Arnoux race


Zandvoort - I don't recall the name of this part of the circuit but I remember how it demonstrated most dramatically 'ground-effect' design.

Edited by Wirra, 19 May 2010 - 22:23.

[LittleChris]

Zandvoort - I don't recall the name of this part of the circuit but I remember how it demonstrated most dramatically 'ground-effect' design.

Possibly Schievlak . Nice pics by the way

[hansfohr]

Possibly Schievlak . Nice pics by the way

It's definitely Scheivlak, my fav spot during quali in the good old days!

Edited by hansfohr, 20 May 2010 - 06:00.

[hansfohr]

Thanks Hans the following year the 3/4 went completely of the rails with a wider track spoiling the whole 'keep the wheels behind the front bodywork' idea.

Yeah, after the unexpected success in 1976 it went all down the drain, even with such great and spectacular drivers like Ronnie and Patrick.

This is how you should exit the Casino at Monaco!

Copyright: Nínó Karotta (Közlöny) http://karotta.blog.hu

Edited by hansfohr, 20 May 2010 - 09:42.

[stevewf1]

And that isn't Jody Scheckter...

I vaguely remember an article in a U.S. magazine about 1973 or so which (indirectly) compared Scheckter's corning technique to another driver, Mark Donohue in a particular corner. Donohue had the classic smooth entry/exit style while Scheckter was ragged as hell - and slightly quicker as I recall.

Edited by stevewf1, 20 May 2010 - 06:56.

[Twin Window]

And the copyright belongs to...? Not you, I imagine.

Do NOT post images without crediting the source or photographer - I really shouldn't have to be repeating myself on this.

[hansfohr]

And the copyright belongs to...? Not you, I imagine.

Do NOT post images without crediting the source or photographer - I really shouldn't have to be repeating myself on this.

Sorry, I edited my post.

For your info: the images in post #17 and #19 are mine.

Edited by hansfohr, 20 May 2010 - 09:44.

[Manfred Cubenoggin]

stevewf1:

Yes, I distinctly recall that magazine article. It was in Car and Driver. It was from a FA(F5000)event at Road America if I'm remembering correctly. Mark was aboard a Lola and Jody a Trojan. Might have that wrong re Jody.

Schecter was fractionally faster than Donohue and, as you note, ragged. The piece featured two photos of each driver exiting a particular corner. Mark? Right on the money, smooth as glass. Jody? Tail out, wisps of smoke coming off the rear tires.

iirc, the article mentioned that Jody's philosophy was to take a corner at what he judged maximum speed right off the bat. If it turned out to be too fast with a lurid slide or spin, why, then, he'd just back it down a tad. This is perhaps why he was so immediately competitve at circuits he never drove before.

[arttidesco]

Some links to pics of Jody in the Trojan sorry none of them are mine :-


http://forums.autosp...a...t&p=3069982

Jody Scheckter at Monterey 06 05 1973.


http://www.myf5000.com/files/car_0.jpg

Jody Scheckter coming out of the corkscrew 06 05 1973


http://www.a2zracer....y-JodyF5000.jpg

Jody at Mid Ohio 03 06 73


http://www.oldracing...trojan/t101.htm

Jody at unknown venue 1973 on this page any body got any ideas where this might be ?


http://forums.autosp...howtopic=105175

More pit pics of Jody and the Trojan here :-)

[hansfohr]

Some links to pics of Jody in the Trojan sorry none of them are mine :-

http://www.oldracing...trojan/t101.htm

Jody at unknown venue 1973 on this page any body got any ideas where this might be ?

Only in the UK he ran the Trojan with number #2: probably at Brands Hatch (17.03) but dead sure at Mallory Park (01.04). I would say it's Brands.

Edited by hansfohr, 20 May 2010 - 14:21.

[PCC]

I still think that the Colmar copyright signage is over the top and distracting.

There is a simple solution - take your own photographs, and mark and post them in any way you choose. But there's no need to criticize others for doing their best to protect their own property.

[arttidesco]

Only in the UK he ran the Trojan with number #2: probably at Brands Hatch (17.03) but dead sure at Mallory Park (01.04). I would say it's Brands.

Looks a bit flat for Brands Hatch Hans that circuit is built on in and around a valley, so it might be Mallory Park which has some what gentler gradients I have only been to Mallory a couple of times so I couldn't say which corner it might be :-)

Anybody want to raise us on either BH or MP ?

[Formula Once]

Back on topic; Scheckter was, I think, a far better driver than he is sometimes credited for. His first F1-races with McLaren were VERY impressive (he could/should have won Ricard in 1973) and for quite a while was as close to winning the 1974 world title (having joined Tyrrell) as Lauda, Regazzoni and Fittipaldi. Also, with the new Wolf he looked a title contender for much of the 1977 season (Walter Wolf forever claiming that his team not getting the "special" Cosworths sabotaged their second half of the year). Winning the world title in 1979, his first year with Ferrari and racing against Gilles, was no surprise or a case of having the best car (although it helped of course that other teams had superior cars for only part of that season). Having to race the T5 in what thus was as a dreadful last season may not have helped the way he is viewed ever since, but anyone who raced with (and often beat) the best from 73 to the end of that decade (i.e. with Stewart, Fittipaldi, Lauda, Andretti, etc.) belongs right up there with the sport's greatest.

[arttidesco]

Back on topic; Scheckter was, I think, a far better driver than he is sometimes credited for. His first F1-races with McLaren were VERY impressive (he could/should have won Ricard in 1973) and for quite a while was as close to winning the 1974 world title (having joined Tyrrell) as Lauda, Regazzoni and Fittipaldi. Also, with the new Wolf he looked a title contender for much of the 1977 season (Walter Wolf forever claiming that his team not getting the "special" Cosworths sabotaged their second half of the year). Winning the world title in 1979, his first year with Ferrari and racing against Gilles, was no surprise or a case of having the best car (although it helped of course that other teams had superior cars for only part of that season). Having to race the T5 in what thus was as a dreadful last season may not have helped the way he is viewed ever since, but anyone who raced with (and often beat) the best from 73 to the end of that decade (i.e. with Stewart, Fittipaldi, Lauda, Andretti, etc.) belongs right up there with the sport's greatest.

Just been looking at the 1977 seasons tables on Wiki 6 retirements could not have helped Jody's cause compared to 2 for Lauda along with two voluntary DNP's !

[seccotine]

Scheckter was obviously an impressive driver when he started in F5000 and F1, but we tend to forget that he was the first to witness the aftermath of Cevert's accident.
It is said that this event had a lasting influence on him and there is no doubt that he polished his manners as a driver after it.

[jj2728]

One from the archives. Watkins Glen 1976.

[frp]

Looks a bit flat for Brands Hatch Hans that circuit is built on in and around a valley, so it might be Mallory Park which has some what gentler gradients I have only been to Mallory a couple of times so I couldn't say which corner it might be :-)

Anybody want to raise us on either BH or MP ?

I don't think the background fits any of the left-handers at Brands; perhaps it could be the Esses at Mallory. To me it looks rather like the second apex of the chicane at Thruxton. Mind you, I didn't visit any of these circuits until the 80s, and the scenery tends to change over time.

Andy

[stevewf1]

stevewf1:

Yes, I distinctly recall that magazine article. It was in Car and Driver. It was from a FA(F5000)event at Road America if I'm remembering correctly. Mark was aboard a Lola and Jody a Trojan. Might have that wrong re Jody.

Schecter was fractionally faster than Donohue and, as you note, ragged. The piece featured two photos of each driver exiting a particular corner. Mark? Right on the money, smooth as glass. Jody? Tail out, wisps of smoke coming off the rear tires.

iirc, the article mentioned that Jody's philosophy was to take a corner at what he judged maximum speed right off the bat. If it turned out to be too fast with a lurid slide or spin, why, then, he'd just back it down a tad. This is perhaps why he was so immediately competitve at circuits he never drove before.

Thank you. While my memory is certainly fading over time, I still do seem to recall some generalities...

I couldn't remember the track, the corner or the cars (although they were formula cars). I do remember the pictures and I *think* I remember the author commenting about how Jody's cornering technique certainly wasn't what was being taught in driving schools but somehow, he made it work and was very fast.

[Paolo]

lots of great drivers just couldnt win the title

prost , mansell , shumi , alboreto ( i dont think he was better but he was in the title fight ) and eddie irvine .

That was written in 99, of course.
Still, the idea of adding Irvine to the lot is, well, peculiar.

(yes i know he nearly won the title and I'm happy he didn't)

[tania34]

Possibly Schievlak . Nice pics by the way

Agree, very nice pics indeed

[stevewf1]

Scheckter was obviously an impressive driver when he started in F5000 and F1, but we tend to forget that he was the first to witness the aftermath of Cevert's accident.
It is said that this event had a lasting influence on him and there is no doubt that he polished his manners as a driver after it.

MotorSport magazine did a "Lunch with... Jody Scheckter" in its May 2008 issue (Volume 84, Number 5).

In it, there's this quote about the moment he came upon Cevert's accident (if I may)...

Next day, 10 minutes before the end of morning practice, as I accelerated out of the pits Cevert came past. When I got to the Esses the front of his car was in the middle of the track. The rest of it was was in the guardrail on the left, sort of wrapped over it. I stopped and jumped out of my car and ran over to him, because fire was a big thing then, so it was an automatic reaction. I got to the battery and I remember it was sparking like anything, so I went to grab his seat belt buckle. And immediately I turned around and walked away. I'll never know what I saw in that cockpit; to this day I don't remember because it's just blanked out in my mind. Other drivers had pulled up and were running over, and I stopped them and said, 'No It's finished.'

He was the first person I'd known who had died. I couldn't believe that a guy had died and everybody just carried on, like nothing had happened - not so much the F1 guys, and of course Tyrrell withdrew from the race, but everybody else. Suddenly it came home to me, hey, this is dangerous.

[B Squared]

Schecter was fractionally faster than Donohue and, as you note, ragged. The piece featured two photos of each driver exiting a particular corner. Mark? Right on the money, smooth as glass. Jody? Tail out, wisps of smoke coming off the rear tires.

Jody Scheckter made this observation in regards to Mark Donohue during the 1975 F1 non-championship Race of Champions at Brands Hatch. From page 289 of Michael Argetsinger's Mark Donohue: Technical Excellence At Speed:

Jody Scheckter in his Autosport column observed that Mark had been trying really hard. "He was driving just like he told me not to in the Can-Am a couple of years ago, riding up on the outside kerbs."

[MCS]

Looks a bit flat for Brands Hatch Hans that circuit is built on in and around a valley, so it might be Mallory Park which has some what gentler gradients I have only been to Mallory a couple of times so I couldn't say which corner it might be :-)

Anybody want to raise us on either BH or MP ?

Neither. It's a US road course I reckon.

[Slurp1955]

A couple of shots I took of Jody at the Bahrain GP a few weeks ago in his own 312T4. JohnP

Edited by Slurp1955, 23 May 2010 - 06:00.

[seccotine]

MotorSport magazine did a "Lunch with... Jody Scheckter" in its May 2008 issue (Volume 84, Number 5).

In it, there's this quote about the moment he came upon Cevert's accident (if I may)...

Very impressive, Steve.
Poor Cevert... I never really knew what had happend to my hero but Scheckter's account is terrible, precisely because it is so elliptical.
That says a lot about the wild young guy he was. After the monumental pile-up he had caused at Silverstone, he was still unaware that motor racing was actually a dangerous activity.
No doubt that he was a bit more careful afterwards.

[sterling49]

Looks a bit flat for Brands Hatch Hans that circuit is built on in and around a valley, so it might be Mallory Park which has some what gentler gradients I have only been to Mallory a couple of times so I couldn't say which corner it might be :-)

Anybody want to raise us on either BH or MP ?

I reckon it is Brands..............

[Dave Ware]

Let's not forget that Donahue's F5000 engine in 1973 was an AMC. Heavier than the Chevy by 40 or 60 pounds, IIRC, which would affect cornering speed.

But yes, Scheckter was such a talent. In his first ever Grand Prix, he out-qualified his teammates and set the second-fastest race lap, behind Stewart. I believe he was on the front row or the pole for his first English FF race. I think that performances like these often say more about a driver's ability that the final results.

[RA Historian]

Let's not forget that Donahue's F5000 engine in 1973 was an AMC. Heavier than the Chevy by 40 or 60 pounds, IIRC, which would affect cornering speed.

Also, I believe that it had a higher CG, which did it no good at all.
Tom

[RStock]

MotorSport magazine did a "Lunch with... Jody Scheckter" in its May 2008 issue (Volume 84, Number 5).

In it, there's this quote about the moment he came upon Cevert's accident (if I may)...

Next day, 10 minutes before the end of morning practice, as I accelerated out of the pits Cevert came past. When I got to the Esses the front of his car was in the middle of the track. The rest of it was was in the guardrail on the left, sort of wrapped over it. I stopped and jumped out of my car and ran over to him, because fire was a big thing then, so it was an automatic reaction. I got to the battery and I remember it was sparking like anything, so I went to grab his seat belt buckle. And immediately I turned around and walked away. I'll never know what I saw in that cockpit; to this day I don't remember because it's just blanked out in my mind. Other drivers had pulled up and were running over, and I stopped them and said, 'No It's finished.'

He was the first person I'd known who had died. I couldn't believe that a guy had died and everybody just carried on, like nothing had happened - not so much the F1 guys, and of course Tyrrell withdrew from the race, but everybody else. Suddenly it came home to me, hey, this is dangerous.

Strong words . Now I see what Jody meant when he said "You could say it was a relief to retire ."

Thanks Steve .

[RStock]

That says a lot about the wild young guy he was.

I'm reminded of something David Hobbs said about Jody ,

"Jody can retrieve a car from the edge of disaster - and instantly put it on the edge of another disaster ".

A friend of mine spoke to Jody at Long Beach one year and says he's one of the nicest guys you'd want to meet . I've always thought of him as one of racing's "good guys" .