F1 Back in the day....

[safrane]

Have been recording a series of Classic F1 seasons on one of SKY's chanels, first noticed it at '1974' so not sure if I have missed some earlier ones.

Had the house to myself this eve so watched a couple of them [1 hour each]

...Jeasss'

Carnage...no H&S, poor safety in the cars, people all over the track...watched 74 - 75, Lauda's crash followed by some poor marshal cut in half after running out across the start finish line to help a stranded driver, the driver of that car killed by his [marshals] fire extinguisher...surprised to see any drivers left by the start of the 80's.

Always knew it was a dangerous game, but even the track days are organised better now!

Having said all that...what an atmosphear, Loz would have loved all the fags being advertised and the drivers so down to earth having their briefing on the track rather that an air-con coccon.

 

[dem maser]

the days of men.....

 

[GransportFan1]

todays the days of pu55y holes, think what it will be like in 20 years, it will be even worse.

 

[dem maser]

didnt know what you ment there adam...

 

[GransportFan1]

i am saying how down hill f1 has gone, the drivers are like women on and off the circuit.

 

[Andyk]

Great days.......I remember seeing early ones and they were smoking in the pits whilst working on the cars ... Mad.

 

[Team GCR]

Have been recording a series of Classic F1 seasons on one of SKY's chanels, first noticed it at '1974' so not sure if I have missed some earlier ones.

Had the house to myself this eve so watched a couple of them [1 hour each]

...Jeasss'

Carnage...no H&S, poor safety in the cars, people all over the track...watched 74 - 75, Lauda's crash followed by some poor marshal cut in half after running out across the start finish line to help a stranded driver, the driver of that car killed by his [marshals] fire extinguisher...surprised to see any drivers left by the start of the 80's.

Always knew it was a dangerous game, but even the track days are organised better now!

Having said all that...what an atmosphear, Loz would have loved all the fags being advertised and the drivers so down to earth having their briefing on the track rather that an air-con coccon.

They certainly were great days from a spectators point of view but thankfully the sport doesn't suffer the sort of death toll that it used to. Before I got involved in motorsport I would have been as guilty as anyone but now the drivers are people not just personalities. About three years ago I went out to lunch with Tom Pryce's manager (Tom being the driver killed by the fire extinguisher) and he dramatically reduced his involvement in the sport after his driver was killed.

Imagine seeing a car driven by someone you know being involved in a massive accident (and if it is your car having to wait standing on the pit wall for news that your driver is ok).

A lot of the difference is not so much the drivers but the massive strides in safety at the circuits, in the cars themselves as well as the safety equipment worn by the drivers, improved helmets, HANS device, fireproof clothing etc.,.. This may make the sport look more anodyne but it is still a dangerous sport. A football player does not risk his life when he runs out onto the pitch, but a racing driver is taking a much higher risk when he drives out of the pit lane.

I think the biggest trouble with modern F1 is how the fans are treated, there is not enough access for the fans but hopefully this is something that will be addressed, the teams have been talking about it and I for one hope we see something done about it soon.

 

[Easyplan66]

Memories..................

 

[dem maser]

so many people looking out the balcony.....getting friends round to see the race from home.....

money got involved...bernie wont allow this now and they charge a fortune for you to go see it....

 

[2b1ask1]

Memories..................

You can still get this close to the action and talk to the riders at the Isle of Man at the TT's and Southern 100 races; I've not been to the Manx car racing or rallying but I'd guess it's not much different. They cherrish their motorsport on the island and I think they'd not stand for being 'insulated' from the action.

I think everyone should see racing on the island once in their life... My first experience was arriving and pitching our tent at the Hillcroft site and running to the side of the field at the first real corner after the Cregg-Ny-Baa and the first rider comming past was Steve Hislop in pink crash helmet & tyres ripping the road just centimetres away!!!! That is a memory I'll never loose... 1988 happy days!

 

[dem maser]

no offence but F1 or the TT?? families could go with their children and see drivers like todays alonso and hamilton getting their briefing and go stand see the race...
now theres a big entrance charge and you dont see or meet any drivers.....

what an education to the children that must have been.....

 

[Dan!]

Alternatively, go and watch a couple of Rally stages. I went to the Sunseeker Rally in Bournemouth the year before last, and was literally stood on the track (?) and had to jump in a bush whenever a car flew past, and god almighty did they fly past! Stones in your face, covered in grit and stinking of exhaust fumes.... and that was only the mrs when she slipped over behind the car when we arrived!

With regards to getting close to the action in F1, a few years ago I treated myself, along with a few mates, to going to Monaco.
We flew to Zurich with sleezey jet and had a night out there, then jumped on a private jet to Nice in the morning, on arrival we had a helicopter waiting to deliver us to the track. Then we walked to the apartments that over look the start finish line where we'd rented an apartment on the third floor. A view unrivalled by any other "seat" at any other track and the loudest noise I have ever encountered as they all flew off the line. Room to wander around, viewing from three different balconies, champagne and canapés on arrival, buffet lunch. And a signed print of a painting of racing at Monaco to take home. Missed our helicopter flight window back, so our jet moved to a different airfield just in Italy, so we took a limo to Italy, had a pizza on arrival whilst the jet was refuelling and then flew back to Zurich.

That's about as close as you can get to the track in modern F1 I think. In Malaysia I was sat miles away from the track, same in Barcelona. Although second best was attending the Surfers Paradise street circuit for the Indy Car and V8 Super Car racing, where you can pretty much stand next to the track, albeit behind a 12 foot high fence and a huge chunk of concrete.

 

[GransportFan1]

isle of man tt is amazing, also love moto gp, so much better than f1.

 

[Dan!]

isle of man tt is amazing, also love moto gp, so much better than f1.

Have you ever been to any of these, or do you just mean to watch on telly?
For me it's the noise that does it. Whilst I agree that there is often more action in bike racing, the noise of car racing is unrivalled.

 

[GransportFan1]

i have not seen the bikes race, i have been to f1 qualifying at silverstone about 5 years ago, the noise is amazing and it is great being there but when it comes to watching motorsport on the tele, i prefer to watch the bikes.

 

[Easyplan66]

Dan, next time you plan another trip put me down for a place on the private jet, you obviously do things in style!
surprised that you did not stay at the Hotel de Paris

 

[Parisien]

...and if you require a valet or two......or even someone whose good at mixing cocktails...I'm your man!!!!







P

 

[Easyplan66]

That's it then next year Casino night in Monaco do you think we could arrange a SM jet

 

[Parisien]

That's it then next year Casino night in Monaco do you think we could arrange a SM jet

...only if UM isn't already using it..............


P

 

[dem maser]

a private jet to monaco?? love that...how uch we all chipping in