Televised Grand Prix from 60-70s

[Speedy norm]

I am amazed no-one has picked up on the recent ESPN Classic (sky digital channell 442) broadcasts of the GP of recent years.
So far we have had:
Mexico '68
Brands '74
Monaco '70
Silverstone '73

All of these are taken from BBC Wheelbase broadcasts of the era. With Raymond Baxter & Barrie Gill comentating.
How F1 has declined since then, and yet is more popular with the public than ever

[tonful]

Interested to hear what other people think after watching these.

Although the cars were more exiting to watch as they moved around a bit more than today's, the actual racing wasn't any better than it is today.

[devon kev]

I never seem to venture that far up in the sports channels.
But has been noted, will have to keep a look-out for them

[devon kev]

Having hada quick look , the British GP 1977 & 1978are on tonight at 6.00pm & 6.30pm

[Speedy norm]

Last night we were treated to British GP 77 & 78 as Devon Kev says. I was there, 3 days camping round the paddocks autographs of Stewart and Depaillier all fo 26 quid!
Tonfull - it was better then!

[Aysedasi]

Originally Posted by tonful

Interested to hear what other people think after watching these.

Although the cars were more exiting to watch as they moved around a bit more than today's, the actual racing wasn't any better than it is today.

But the cars were more exciting (and beautiful) to watch - period. Weren't they?

[nycuk]

I've watched (and Sky+'d to keep!) all of these so far - absolutely fantastic, so many memories. Some of the races are on film, but the ones on video, looking like a live transmission, are truly amazing. Some of them I recall watching live too, particularly the British rounds, so it's particularly special to see these again.
I wonder if the 1978 International Trophy at Silverstone still exists in the archives somewhere? It was the first race I ever went to and was broadcast live by the BBC; we didn't have a VCR in the '70s so I've never seen it.
Despite these wonderful, evocative transmissions - the thing that amazes me is the catch fencing. It seemed fairly innocuous at the time but looking at cars spinning into it (and drivers struggling to get out of their cars because of it) is terrifying.... how nobody was ever decapitated by it is beyond me.

[Rob29]

78 International Trophy was on last night 6pm! One of the first I have not seen before as I was there! Coverage was hilarious-very wet I remember it well-what I did not recall noticing at the time was Derek Daly ran with 2 numbers -38 on the front and 24 on at least one side.

[nycuk]

Originally Posted by Rob29

78 International Trophy was on last night 6pm! One of the first I have not seen before as I was there! Coverage was hilarious-very wet I remember it well-what I did not recall noticing at the time was Derek Daly ran with 2 numbers -38 on the front and 24 on at least one side.

NO!!
Typical.

Oh well, the very kind Alan Morgan has sorted me out on that front - cheers Alan.

[Down F0rce]

I've been watching a lot of these, and I can say without doubt that F1 is better today. People complain about the lack of overtaking today - it was worse in the 70's! People moan about James Allen and ITV all the time, yet back then the TV coverage was terrible. Still great to watch though, but my my how things have come...

[chunder]

I think the coverage is better coz of the more modern stuff used, but the charisma of the drivers is a little better aswell as the fact that the drivers are not driving nanny state cars that do everything for them, you can see them really working and earning their keep.

F1 is only better image wise, the racing in F1 has never really been that good in my view, that's why I dont watch it!!

Its the technology and personalities that make it what it was then and isnt now!

[Dan Rear]

I've been watching these again, I think they were first shown on ESPN a couple of years ago. In the Brands 78 race, James H retires quite early, and is interviewed while the race is on by Barrie Gill.

Was it just me, or does he, Hunt that is, come across as not entirely sober?? I know that in this period he was a little 'distracted' at times, this interview seems to suggest it may have been affecting his race-day performances...

[futuretiger9]

Originally Posted by Dan Rear

I've been watching these again, I think they were first shown on ESPN a couple of years ago. In the Brands 78 race, James H retires quite early, and is interviewed while the race is on by Barrie Gill.

Was it just me, or does he, Hunt that is, come across as not entirely sober?? I know that in this period he was a little 'distracted' at times, this interview seems to suggest it may have been affecting his race-day performances...

Certainly, by 1978 McLaren had lost their edge, and James began to lose interest, although he did lead for a few laps in Spain that year, and gave the Lotus 79s a good run for their money at Paul Ricard.

There have been numerous rumours about his "lifestyle" at that time, but nothing has ever been definitely proven.

[chunder]

I think its great to be honest, from these videos its easy to see why people though these things of James, but for me the simple thing that comes across is character!

The racing was not necessairily colser but the whole deal was so much lkess sterile and formulaic as it is now, thats what I miss, I dont think the racing in F1 has ever been amazing since the sixties era when cars didnt have as much downforce, in one of the clips from the weekend you could hear James talking about downforce and how it affected even the mid seventies cars

[jonners]

And there was me thinking the whole point of Sky was to avoid repeats....

[Thundersports]

Originally Posted by Dan Rear

I've been watching these again, I think they were first shown on ESPN a couple of years ago. In the Brands 78 race, James H retires quite early, and is interviewed while the race is on by Barrie Gill.

Was it just me, or does he, Hunt that is, come across as not entirely sober?? I know that in this period he was a little 'distracted' at times, this interview seems to suggest it may have been affecting his race-day performances...

In the 78 Brands Interview Hunt looked/sounded away with the fairies rambling on including saying "the tyres have changed shape over the weekend"?! I heard a rumour he may have had a herbal smoke on race day, the interview would support this.........

[Speedy norm]

Watching Hunt being interviewed the other night too, with a non motor racing mate of mine who was once in the Police He too thought Hunt may be using something....

[racer69]

Remember that he had retired from the 1978 British GP early on as mentioned, and was interviewed (i presume, provided i have read this right) later in the race. It's entirely possible (i'd say highly likely) he'd have 'drowned his sorrows' so to speak in between his car breaking down and being interviewed.....

[chunder]

Who cares!! It was brilliant!

[Good Times]

Hunt was crazy! many were in those dark old days.What about Alonso.
Is he on drugs, I hope not for Renault.
Or better still, Yes !
Come on let,s have a drug test for drivers each race.

[Marcus Mussa]

Originally Posted by Good Times

Come on let,s have a drug test for drivers each race.

They already do

[Rob29]

This thread seems to have got way of subject.I expected discussion of last nights programme-a comparison of the history of Ferrari & Mercedes in racing-much more interesting.