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Post by René on Nov 12, 2024 18:28:13 GMT
Don't expect moral choices from Formula 1 teams! Money is money. And as long as the product is legal, they are welcomed with open arms. Of course it is strange that tobacco advertising is not allowed and vape advertising is, but that is of course only a matter of time. The latest trend in vapes are devices that look like a smartphone and with which you can play games, while you can also vape with them. And with all kinds of flavors that children like. Morally totally reprehensible of course, but as long as it is allowed... that’s also our sport I’m afraid. Many of the tobacco liveries did look great though.  |
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Post by mikael on Nov 14, 2024 15:54:27 GMT
The story behind the "Autopolis" stickers/sponsorship is very interesting! Apparently, still a state-of-the-art motor racing facility - but F1 GP's were never to be realized ...
Some links (click to read):
Autopolis Circuit, Kamitsue Village, Ōita Prefecture, Japan
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Post by René on Nov 15, 2024 9:34:58 GMT
Interesting and looks like a really good track with a nice flow. Very ‘not Tilke’ like.  |
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Post by Carl on Nov 15, 2024 20:07:25 GMT
It has almost everything a great track needs, but drivers in the 1991 WEC event complained about having a lengthy shuttle to the nearest acceptable hotels (Wikipedia). I wonder why the less poverty-stricken couldn't hire a helicopter...
A more serious fault is the pit entrance, awkwardly located on the fastest straight and on the racing line. Drivers would have to brake hard (on the racing line) to slow for a chicane at the pit entrance
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Post by mikael on Nov 16, 2024 11:53:14 GMT
What I find interesting/amusing is the behavior of this super-successful investor/"gambler", Tsurumaki; it was as if all those money he had acquired were "burning in his pocket"; as if he just had to spend as much as possible, as fast as possible. One can find (and the Wikipedia entry (for Autopolis) gives a hint as well, with Ref. no. 4), that Tsurumaki was suspected of having ties to the yakuza (but that was never proved or disproved); and no wonder - that would probably be the first thing that would come to mind by any reasonable police investigator.
As to the access to the circuit, the problem is apparently that that narrow, winding mountain road (on the second picture in my earlier post) - the only one leading up to the circuit - too easily would get congested by a major race, like an F1 Grand Prix. Otherwise, the distance from the (major) city Kumamoto is not large, and F1 VIP's, say, would/could certainly use helicopters (just like they all do to get from Nagoya to Suzuka).
Here is a very nice onboard lap with a 2020 "Super Formula" car. It is really a very nice circuit indeed. One can sense the lengthy steep climbs and downfalls; the Wikipedia page mentions an elevation change of over 50 meters. (This would certainly be a real test for any ("reasonably priced") road car.)
Nearby Kumamoto (pop. 800,000) |
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Post by Carl on Nov 16, 2024 19:13:46 GMT
Also curious is that no Wikipedia articles exist about Tsurumaki or his bankrupt company formerly overflowing with money, Nippon Tri-Trust. I hope my reference offends no Yakuza luminary... -----------
"Tsurumaki ordered 30 Buick powered US built single seater race cars called "Sabre Cars" for a race to take place on his circuit's grand opening, in November 1990 consisting of a mixture of invited US CART drivers such as Stan Fox, Johnny Rutherford, Dick Simon, Gary and Tony Bettenhausen, against local Japanese drivers." -Wikipedia This time offense is intended. None of these invited CART drivers were exceptionally talented road racers. Johnny Rutherford, brilliant in USAC Sprint cars and big ovals in general, comes closest, but none of the others would remotely challenge talented Japanese road racers. |
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