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22 Jan 2017, 10:12 (Ref:3704205) | #26 | ||
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We are certainly in for a period of great changes with growing interest in virtual racing. The $Million race in Las Vegas is a sign of the times and with enthusiasts able to race from home for a few quid actual attendance and interest in "real" racing is under threat. With the owners of F1 in the media business they will utilise the Internet to make profit and grow their market.
Internet races are a pale imitation of the real thing to my eyes but they do allow participation rather than just watching. Without the original they would not exist but if the real thing fails to satisfy and excite attention will switch. Historic racing has never been more popular and the cars never more interesting and valuable. |
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22 Jan 2017, 10:27 (Ref:3704209) | #27 | ||
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A well know racing driver, later commentator once told me that things would not change until Bernie had gone (?) because he knew where the bodies were buried.
Probably a lot of truth in that. |
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22 Jan 2017, 12:31 (Ref:3704230) | #28 | |||
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oss
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The true and somewhat knowledgable enthusiast died many years back. F1 became a carnival. As really did most heavily sponsored classes of racing. Saloons being one of the worst; a cross between banger racing and money. The net result was circuit costs and regulations rose to the stratosphere. In the late 1960s, an acquaintance of mine, Len Selby, competed in the European Formula III championship, driving an already outclassed Cooper BMC. (The works XSP 998C.C. screamer). Len was then single, saved up sufficient of his own cash and drove around Europe to every circuit, towing his race car behind an MGB drop-head, into which another racing chum installed a London taxi diesel engine! I helped on the last couple of days. Len lived in a tent in the paddocks; cooking his own food on a primus stove! Impossible now: far too expensive. However, Len met his passion and dream. Incredible achievement. And this is the core problem when a genuine sport is driven simply and solely by filthy lucre. Take tennis; my other love when young. Once Mark McCormac entered the fray, then such as the once hallowed All England Club was driven by money and media-created "Stars". On Court behaviour became appalling; since the organisers refrained from banning players when they had teenager type hissy fits of temper and extremely poor sportsmanship, mainly since their gate receipts were wholly dependent upon these normal gifted players who had been elevated, by the mass media to ill-deserved stardom. Same now with FI:Hamilton, IMHO, is the exemplar of lack of class and dignity. He behaves as if he is a rock star; pillock. Gone are the gentlemanly days of Hill, Clark, Brooks, Brabham, Surtees, etc etc. Clearly, the young are fixated on fantasy: inhabiting a virtual cyber-world of shoot-em-up games, loud noises, demons and dragons et al. Virtual F1 racing, where no one is seriously injured or killed; players can destroy car after car with no cost penalty and there is always a new car waiting, is just their cup of imaginary tea. Unfortunately, the real World isn't like this. I recently re-read Fangio's autobiography and life story, edited and much assisted by his lifelong friend and manager, Marcello Giambertone in 1961. Places it all much in perspective, for myself. I am extremely lucky and count myself most fortunate to have been involved during the closing years of the greatest human sporting activity ever. We shall never ever see it again. |
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22 Jan 2017, 14:29 (Ref:3704237) | #29 | ||
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Well said Crossed up Aston. Fangio is the ultimate sporting icon for me.
The most impressive sight I have seen in the last few years was Frank Stippler driving a 250F at the Revival, complete commitment, and beautiful car control, the closets thing to 'real racing' since 1958. Ain't it grand to be ancient? |
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When asking; "Is he joking?" Best assume yes! |
22 Jan 2017, 16:07 (Ref:3704245) | #30 | |
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Whatever your opinion of Bernie, it's hard to point to an era when F1 was truly a sport. It's always been a showcase for engineering excellence, and manufacturer interest/support has always influenced the outcomes. If there was ever a point when the sport became accessible to normal human beings, it was the 1970's, when you could buy a DFV for relatively little money, build a car from some bits of alloy sheet and fibreglass and persuade some local hero to risk his neck in it. You could turn up for one race and give it a go alongside the regulars. It allowed the likes of James Hunt amongst others to find a way in, and the likes of Maki/Lec/Ensign/Amon etc to grace (?) the racetrack. Unfortunately perhaps, the racing became rather good, just as TV started to see the potential, but entertainment was an incidental by-product which was then seized upon by Bernie to turn the "sport" into what we have today.
Despite my fondness for the 1970's, it has to be said that the cars today are the most amazing pieces of engineering we've ever seen, so on that basis, F1 is at its best point ever. Whether it entertains the masses is of no consequence at all, if you follow the original ethos...... If you want entertainment, watch NASCAR! |
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22 Jan 2017, 18:18 (Ref:3704259) | #31 | ||||||||
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Many many drivers of significant means, raced for the sheer challenge and enjoyment. Check the history books. Quote:
Many legends arose from epic drives to the winner's flag, in wholly outclassed cars, thanks to superlative driver skill. Perhaps one of the very best being Tazio Nuvolari's win in the German GP in 1935 at Nurbergring. See here: Another epic was Jimmy Clark's win in the British GP at Silverstone in 1965. The 1500 c.c. Coventry Climax V8 was notorious for oil consumption. To win the race, Clark coasted at times and even switched off the engine! See here: Quote:
Red Bull (IMHO an obnoxious, toxic, and highly dangerous liquid) has absolutely no connection with the automotive industry; anymore than did cigarettes clothing, banking, mobile telephones, airlines, et al. Quote:
In order to build a"Kit Car" F1, you needed a monocoque from such as GP Metalcraft or Arch. Plus a GRP body Skin. Plus, of course you needed a designer. And bundles of dosh! Quote:
Hunt had Teddy Hesketh's money; and even that ran out. Ensign: well, Mo Nunn had much experience of designing and building race cars. His Ensign F3 (Driven by Riki von Opel) won the European Championship. Dave Purdey (LEC) had Daddie's cash behind him. Quote:
But, is it true motor racing? Loads of overtaking? Driver skill above the norm? Tiger performances? I would suggest not. |
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22 Jan 2017, 20:06 (Ref:3704279) | #32 | ||
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Wow! All true...Bowser! you can kick a##!
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23 Jan 2017, 00:58 (Ref:3704354) | #33 | |||
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I think a dispassionate study will reveal that LH is far better behaved - and certainly more sober - than G Hill ever was. Last edited by MGDavid; 23 Jan 2017 at 01:18. Reason: punctuation |
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23 Jan 2017, 01:09 (Ref:3704357) | #34 | |
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Hill never crashed a supercar into a row of parked cars because he was "sleepy", though.
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23 Jan 2017, 01:17 (Ref:3704359) | #35 | ||
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Agreed, but the AAIB report on the accident that he died in doesn't reflect too well.
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a salary slave no more... |
23 Jan 2017, 02:49 (Ref:3704373) | #36 | |||
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23 Jan 2017, 10:04 (Ref:3704425) | #37 | |||
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Hill was the ambassador for motor racing, during his earlier life. In any case, in its halcyon days, the sport was precisely that and drivers let off steam (mainly to relieve tension and stress I would suggest). The BRDC was never noted for its temperance. Chapman dismissed Ireland as he perhaps relaxed too much. Pranks and playing jokes upon each other were part of the camaraderie. Hamilton: embarrassed himself and the nation with his behaviour at Buck House, if you remember. See Here: Hamilton's dire record: And as for this... Truly lost for words. Hill's accident: AAIB report: I would suggest the financial pressure of trying to create his Shadows team created incredible time pressure upon Hill and various matters of administrative detail were passed over. He was never a careless man: daring, yes; but careless? No. Probably Hill had to be back at base the next day: time pressures again. Interestingly, neither the aircraft nor Hill's life were insured at the time of the accident. The Lloyds underwriters paid out though, as they can do on a matter of principle since intent had existed to renew. How do I know this? Well, since my wife worked at the time for the underwriters concerned, perhaps? |
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23 Jan 2017, 10:06 (Ref:3704426) | #38 | |
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You know, the problem with the "good old days", in my case the 1970's and in Sideways' the 1930/40/50/60's (take your pick) is that we are all very selective in our memories. Thus, we can criticise at will anyone who disagrees with our particular vision of when F1 was great. We tend to overlook the body count (unforgivable, and never mind the "when men were men" mantra), ignore the processional nature of many, many races (Clark's dominating style being a case in point), and cherry-pick the epic stuff.
Every era has had its spectacular moments, its dull episodes and it's share of tragedy. The ratio changes over the years. As for driver skills? I never came across a case in the 70's or earlier when a team-mate was criticised for being "almost a tenth slower" over a qualifying lap, as if to say he wasn't trying/worthy/capable. Modern F1, in its own way, is as difficult as it ever was, and the drivers are all, without question, operating on a level that few of us can even comprehend. As for the entertainment, that's the debatable point. But, whatever criticism we level at the modern era, we all fret across the off-season and switch on to watch the first race....... |
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23 Jan 2017, 10:42 (Ref:3704432) | #39 | ||
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This one Another one And for good measure, another.... I know it gets boring after a while, but it keeps coming along. I must be a real oddity, because I don't really have a 'golden age' after which I hanker and I try hard not to be influenced by the mantra of 'F1 is terribly boring these days' that dominates any discussion. Sometimes, though, I do find it boring. But sometimes it's immensely exciting, and that's not always because there's an infinite amount of overtaking, it's because we like to watch someone nurdle away at 2/10 of a second per lap until they're on the tail of the leader. What F1 is these days is *different* to how it used to be. And that. in my view, is both inevitable and a good thing. |
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23 Jan 2017, 10:55 (Ref:3704433) | #40 | |
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Many changes in the past have been different just for the sake of being different, and not because it works. Ofcourse, F1, being the special snow flake it is, absolutely can not use the tried and true methods everyone else is using.
So you must forgive me for not really subscribing to the notion that different automatically equals good, or even desirable. |
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23 Jan 2017, 11:15 (Ref:3704436) | #41 | ||
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If F1 was the same now as it used to be - pick an era of your choice - it most definitely wouldn't be the worldwide spectacle that it is now, even if you view that spectacle as being on the wane. When I said that being different was an inevitable and good thing, I meant it in terms of not perpetually looking backwards. Yes, changes sometimes happen for changes' sake, and yes they're not always successful, but any sport or entertainment business staying exactly the same when everything else changes around it is doomed. Look at cricket - The T20 format is hugely successful and popular, yet simultaneously belittled by 'purists'. The existence of T20 does nothing to change the test format or long form matches, but the latter was clung onto in desperation by the ECB as the more 'pure' form of the game even though nobody went to watch it (at club level). It's the same difference with BTCC style racing and endurance sports cars, both have a place and both can be successful but there's a lot of sneering on both sides from the enthusiasts. Massive generalisation, yes, but I just don't agree with constantly looking backwards. It gives me neck-ache. |
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23 Jan 2017, 13:27 (Ref:3704473) | #42 | |
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Ah yes, I see your point now, I agree.
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23 Jan 2017, 16:53 (Ref:3704517) | #43 | ||
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cricket T20 is a great example of a sport modernizing over time and conforming to audiences desire for shorter events which happens to also work better for TV audiences.
to his credit imo, BE has been instrumental in conforming F1 into a TV friendly event. yes he did it for money but the benefit of a TV friendly time format meant the sport became so much more accessible then it was in the past and has led to a much greater level of coverage which means i can watch more of it. in my early days of watching F1, the coverage in Canada was spotty at best and pre internet days meant having to wait for weeks old trade publications to cross the ocean in order for me to learn about the outcomes of races. flip side is now there are too many races and too many click bait headlines but overall i am happier with the greater level of coverage. |
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23 Jan 2017, 19:13 (Ref:3704545) | #44 | ||
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F1 journo Tobi Gruner tweeted a little while ago saying that BE is out!!!
https://twitter.com/tgruener/status/823599918988296193 article in German. http://www.auto-motor-und-sport.de/f...-11655938.html |
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23 Jan 2017, 19:19 (Ref:3704547) | #45 | |
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But which Monday will it happen?
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23 Jan 2017, 19:31 (Ref:3704549) | #46 | ||
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looks like it happened today but he has been offered an 'honorary president' type role. english version. http://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/ec...-of-f1-868019/ |
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23 Jan 2017, 19:52 (Ref:3704553) | #47 | |
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Truly the end of an era.
Ah well, onto the next |
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23 Jan 2017, 20:07 (Ref:3704554) | #48 | ||
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23 Jan 2017, 20:17 (Ref:3704559) | #49 | ||
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The moment Mr Benson of the BBC wrote that article this morning - which was quite punchy towards BE - I thought Mr Ecclestone was 'out' - and now it's been confirmed! This time last year that would have ended up with a paddock pass not working come Melbourne
Not surprised he's gone - the running of the 'sport' at the moment is utterly illogical. Great job through the 80's and early 90's...since then, it's needed a change. Last edited by spider; 23 Jan 2017 at 20:22. |
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23 Jan 2017, 20:19 (Ref:3704560) | #50 | ||
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Any yes... that IS funny! Richard |
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