Racing highlight of 2003

**Adam43** · 31 Dec 2003, 14:53 (Ref:824613)

Time to look back over the year.

What are your highlights of the racing year? Any form, any reason.
Here are mine to get you going.

1. Zanardi.
2. Last to first at Rockingham after spinning to avoid others who had come together.
3. Le Mans. Bentley. Not the greatest Le Mans, but (as usual) the whole weekend was great adn included a trip to Reims!

The first I only saw on TV, the second I did and the third I was there!

What about you guys? Montoya at Nurburgring? Solberg's Corsica. Ortelli at Spa? BTCC Rockingham? A beer at Stowe? The speed at Indy? etc... ??????????

jetsetter · 31 Dec 2003, 15:40 (Ref:824640)

My biggest highlights of the year would have to be:
1. The Australian G.P. it was action packed from start to finish.
2. The Bathurst 24 Hour. My first 24 Hour & to see the cars race around the Mountain in the early hours of the morning is an incredible experience.

noise boy 2 · 31 Dec 2003, 15:42 (Ref:824643)

I will weigh in here, I had two highlights this year, both personal. First I had the opportunity to go to sebring and see the 12 hours. Great race, and got to see the bentleys run (a rare sight). Second I made the annual pilgrimage (4th year in a row) to the Petit LeMans and enjoyed some fine southern hospitality and nice weather at the beautiful road atlanta circuit, and a great race. Robert

Ian Sowman · 31 Dec 2003, 15:46 (Ref:824645)

Lap nine of the the second Caterham Midlands Challenge race at Mallory on Boxing Day. Chisnall outbraking Frost, Frost getting the lead back. It sticks in my memory because it was so recent...

rdjones · 31 Dec 2003, 16:02 (Ref:824647)

Oh there is only 1 highlight for me, it took place in France in mid June, when Bentley won Le Mans, it was a fantastic.

diz · 31 Dec 2003, 16:45 (Ref:824661)

The BRDC Walter Hayes Trophy FF1600 'Festival' at Silverstone in November.
Great atmosphere and FF1600 made to feel welcome. A nice change that.
David Leslie and Joey Foster putting themselves up to be shot down and dodging the bullets.
Also Ian Sowman posting reports and photos on TT almost as the action happened.

macdaddy · 31 Dec 2003, 18:12 (Ref:824701)

Thirteen fast laps at Germany, as Alex Zanardi proves the power of the human spirit to overcome adversity. For me, those few minutes were the most memorable of any series in any year.

GP Racer · 31 Dec 2003, 20:24 (Ref:824772)

Good thread Adam, so much to remember!

For me, going to Indy for the first time, to see the USGP, just an incredible expierience and a great race! To see Michael win, great stuff.

Not sure this is a highlight, but seeing Kenny Bracks IRL accident at the Texas Motor Speedway. Simply the worst crash I ever saw, and I just can't get it out of my head. To survive and then want to race again, wow!

f1manoz · 31 Dec 2003, 23:39 (Ref:824831)

Lucio Cecchinello's win at the Italian GP was a stand-out for myself. After more than a decade of trying, he finally won his home race in hs swansong year.

Add to that more tears from him at the final race and his celebrations with Casey Stoner on the podium at Valencia...

**Tim Falce** · 31 Dec 2003, 23:45 (Ref:824832)

For me it's not getting wet once in all 16 races this year

Down F0rce · 31 Dec 2003, 23:53 (Ref:824838)

The 6 way fight for the Delphi 300 that ended with that classic 3-wide finish was awesome. Fantastic race.

Kimi's first win was good too though

DNQ · 1 Jan 2004, 05:00 (Ref:825010)

Fisichella passing Raikkonen to lead in Brazil.

marcus · 1 Jan 2004, 10:36 (Ref:825096)

Greg Murphy's Pole lap at bathurst , simply awesome.

everytime Valentino Rossi got on a bike.

Knowlesy · 1 Jan 2004, 13:32 (Ref:825142)

My racing highlight of 2003 has to be watching F1's credibility within the general public soar back up. It made us believers feel pretty smug anyhow......

Other than that, Zanardi's comeback was an absolute joy to behold and a real inspiration to us all.

ralf fan · 1 Jan 2004, 14:09 (Ref:825151)

definately Zanardi making that great comeback,

also Alonso's dominating peformance in Hungary, Webbo's Quly performances, The Silverstone GP one the best 'dry' GP's weve had and Ferrari not running away with the championship thus proving that F1 racing is hopefully getting back to its best with good championship fights.

gfm · 1 Jan 2004, 14:24 (Ref:825158)

WE had a great Grand Prix this year at Silverstone didn't we, and every time we put the Bike racers on TV, they were powersliding, rear tyres smoking all over the place.

gfm · 1 Jan 2004, 14:52 (Ref:825172)

... and then for me, the small class Porsche GT3 win at the wet Spa 24 Hr, was REALLY GOOD.

paulzinho · 1 Jan 2004, 16:33 (Ref:825197)

I'd list Zanardi as the greatest achievement by anyone last year. Absolutely amazing!

The British and Brazilian GPs this year were also that little bit special weren't they!

Maisie · 2 Jan 2004, 09:55 (Ref:825572)

Standing at Russell Chicane at Snet in the dead of night with 30 2CVs hurtling towards me, lights ablaze.

I guess you'd have to be there to appreciate it, but the atmosphere of the whole 24 hour event was something like I've never experienced before.

**Craig** · 2 Jan 2004, 14:15 (Ref:825720)

It was good, Maisie, but it was no Le Mans - you should try the real McCoy sometime!

Best weekend for me? Tom's domination at Thruxton - two poles, 2 fastest laps, 2 wins. Nice. Other than that it was the Rallye Sunseeker all the way back in Feburary - a great day out with some really good friends - what more can you ask for?

Jay · 2 Jan 2004, 14:57 (Ref:825744)

Without a doubt, Zanardi's 13 laps at the Eurospeedway, closely followed by his race at Monza - I don't think there's anything that comes close.

I didn't think there was much to celebrate in F1, which became a 'what can we do to add more luck' to the show to make it more exciting. Seems like a Nascar type thing.

F3lollipops · 2 Jan 2004, 20:53 (Ref:825935)

Three things stick in my mind.

One of them I didn't see in person - Zanardi's comeback. Sooo looking forward to the 04 Donington ETCC round!

The other two I was at:

Eric Salignon's amazing overtaking around the outside at the Thruxton chicane on numerous occasions during the F3 weekend but the best by far was the move on Jamie Green - simply stunning...

The Macau 50th anniversary race - from setting foot in the country to leaving a little over a week later it was, without doubt the best race meeting I have attended in my life. High point was Lewis Hamilton's stunning drive in the first leg, low point was seeing James Courtney coming to terms with not winning.

neilap · 2 Jan 2004, 21:01 (Ref:825937)

All of the battles between Valentino and Sete in MotoGP. Aso watching Nicky Hayden come of age in the same sport.

Pierre Kleinubing in the RSX... anytime any place.

PD Cunningham doing backwards doughnuts in his SER. The race win was a tribute to a fallen soldier, the chief mechanic for the team he runs Real time Racing passed away. It was also the first win for the SER.

Paul Tracy finally winning a title.

**Stephen Green** · 2 Jan 2004, 21:05 (Ref:825940)

Hmmm lots to remember last year. I'll not say what you are all expecting for the usual reasons.

For me one of the highlights was marshalling at the Nurburgring 24 hour, the Goodwood Festival of Speed and Revival meeting.

Les · 2 Jan 2004, 23:15 (Ref:826054)

the weather!! Enjoyed it all

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