|
|
Post by René on Feb 19, 2018 16:48:16 GMT
I think the earliest pioneer was called Dummkopf Unser.  At the Ellis Island immigrant center in New York, he stepped off the ship into the harbor. Hilarious!  |
|
|
|
Post by charleselan on Feb 19, 2018 17:20:44 GMT
Big Al is by far the best of the clan in my opinion, great driver from a long career and understated. His brother is all "me; me; me" from the interviews I have seen, very full of his own greatness. Little Al was a bit of a disaster who failed to manage his obvious talents, and squandered the others.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 19, 2018 18:09:34 GMT
They're not that bad. In fact, I really like Al Unser, whose quiet demeanor is admirable. His brother, extremely talented behind the wheel (except on a road course), is too stupid to realize he's the one who should be quiet. Al Unser Jr. is the same as his Uncle Bobby. Sometimes I wonder if more intelligence would actually have hindered them. The Unsers are basically uneducated and unaware. The ones who don't know this about themselves have no idea they're obnoxious. I think the earliest pioneer was called Dummkopf Unser. At the Ellis Island immigrant center in New York, he stepped off the ship into the harbor. More than ten years ago I read Winners are Driven by Bobby, mainly I was curious about the man. One thing that struck me was he considers himself a self-taught mechanical engineer. Knowing how much I broke my head over the books, I wasn't particularly impressed by that claim, even taking into account all the experience that racing at the top level can give. |
|
|
|
Post by René on Feb 19, 2018 18:23:39 GMT
It mostly sounds very stupid if a person feels the need to tell others how intelligent he is.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 24, 2018 19:16:19 GMT
At the 'Ring, 50 years ago, Dan wore the first full-face helmet in GPs.  |
|
|
|
Post by Carl on Feb 24, 2018 19:44:37 GMT
Lucio, It's fascinating to see the earliest full-face helmet in Formula One and also the early "baby step" wings. Neither wing looks especially effective and Dan's visor appears slightly fogged. I believe Gurney was inspired by observing his future protege, Swede Savage, on a motorcycle during a test at Riverside. At that time, full-face helmets were fairly standard in motorcycle racing. Here's Dan in a more beautiful Eagle in 1966. His eyes show total concentration. Attachment Deleted And almost a decade earlier, "yumping" during construction of his home track, Riverside Cheers, Carl Attachment Deleted |
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 28, 2018 18:53:31 GMT
 Very good piece by Doug Nye on the latest Octane. I only disagree on Surtees, I think he was up to Clark's level. |
|
|
|
Post by Carl on Feb 28, 2018 22:06:21 GMT
Lucio,
Great article! Doug Nye is in the same lofty class among journalists that Dan Gurney was among drivers.
I agree with you about John Surtees. His was an awesome natural talent.
Cheers, Carl
|
|
|
|
Post by René on Feb 28, 2018 22:46:17 GMT
Indeed a very good article. He was an inspiring man. I came across this great photo.  |
|
|
|
Post by robmarsh on Mar 1, 2018 6:53:10 GMT
What a wonderful and sincere article. Thanks for sharing Lucio. A true gentleman from an age gone by. I loved the story of the Bentley trip. It would make a brilliant scene for a movie. I wish modern drivers were as mature and respectful of each other as those greats were. My affection and respect for Daniel Sexton Gurney has increased yet again. How I wish I could have met him.
|
|
|
|
Post by charleselan on Mar 1, 2018 17:15:31 GMT
These are lovely shots taken at Daytona 1966 in Ford Mk11's first of the great Dan Gurney, and the other of the wonderful Ken Miles, just such cool photographs.   |
|
|
|
Post by Carl on Mar 1, 2018 20:34:56 GMT
John Charles,
Great photographs and wonderful tributes to Dan and Ken.
I wonder by their smiles if they were pleased by their lap times and anticipating a near sweep of the first 5 places in the race, as did happen?
Cheers, Carl
|
|
|
|
Post by chrisb on Mar 2, 2018 7:49:26 GMT
aw thanks Charles, they are wonderful photo's and show a real spirit there, although I seem to remember Ken getting very upset over the 1966 Le Mans result?
when you read an article such as the one above [thank you Lucio] it just reminds you just how Dan awesome was in his lifetime, probably one of the most respected motor racing drivers/ owner, engineers and human beings we have ever known, normally when a great person passes they reach legendary proportions but Dan achieved this in his lifetime, thank you again Dan,
|
|
|
|
Post by charleselan on Mar 2, 2018 13:54:35 GMT
aw thanks Charles, they are wonderful photo's and show a real spirit there, although I seem to remember Ken getting very upset over the 1966 Le Mans result? He had every right to feel that way Chris as he and Denny were the faster combination, however Ford in their infinite wisdom attempted to stage a photo finish. The French organisers at Le Mans were never going to allow a contrived finish to their precious race, and on the spot thought up a way to negate against the tied finish. Therefore Ken & Denny were robbed of the honour, something that cut deep with Ken especially as he had so much of the development work for Ford and Shelby. |
|
|
|
Post by charleselan on Mar 2, 2018 14:04:07 GMT
John Charles, Great photographs and wonderful tributes to Dan and Ken. I wonder by their smiles if they were pleased by their lap times and anticipating a near sweep of the first 5 places in the race, as did happen? Cheers, Carl Carl, I always had a great affection and respect for Ken Miles, he may not have been one of the glamorous Grand Prix drivers of the 1960's but he probably had as much ability as the very best, coupled with huge technical and development expertise. Some years ago I read a really good piece on him, maybe MS, and apparently the Americans thought him to be a typically somewhat eccentric Englishman. He would turn up for testing duties accompanied by his trusty teapot and English loose tea, which he would then studiously brew at a given point in proceedings. As I mentioned in my original post a wonderful driver and sadly taken like so many others, he must never be forgotten and more should be written about this fascinating man. JC |
|
At the Ellis Island immigrant center in New York, he stepped off the ship into the harbor.
