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Post by René on Apr 10, 2018 18:27:48 GMT
John Miles, the former racing driver, Autocar journalist and engineer, has died aged 74.  The former racing driver rose to become Jochen Rindt’s teammate at Team Lotus in Formula 1, before turning his back on the sport, first to become a distinguished technical journalist at Autocar, later an accomplished engineer who specialised in chassis and suspension design who dedicated himself to developing better road cars of all types.  Miles also established his own recording label to promote his love of specialist jazz. Source: Autocar |
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Post by Jamie on Apr 10, 2018 18:35:19 GMT
An interesting character and a great driver, I was reading some articles about him on the Motorsport website earlier.
Rest in peace John Miles.
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Post by charleselan on Apr 10, 2018 18:43:31 GMT
Nice words René. I noticed on the MS forum this morning that John had passed away which was a bit of a shock as in this day and age he should have had many more years.
A very good driver but unfortunately not destined for success in F1, even though he was super quick in F3 and sports cars. Mind you in his one and only season in F1 with Lotus in 1970 they weren't really geared up for a two car team, trying to make the 72 competitive and comfortable for Jochen to drive.
He had a very full and interesting life none the less.
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Post by chrisb on Apr 10, 2018 19:44:13 GMT
I always associated John with integrity, he was clear what was acceptable and what wasn't, standing up to Colin when he needed to, interesting MS posted a picture of John in a BRM,
it is also worth remembering that John was the son of Lord Miles, a great actor - so would have met the theatre royals, so probably wouldn't have been overwhelmed by anyone.
rest in peace John and thank you
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Post by charleselan on Apr 11, 2018 17:36:24 GMT
I was more than a little interested to note that in the MS Online obit to John they credited him with winning the Nurburgring 1000Kms in a Ferrari 275 at the tender age of 20 years. I could not believe this as I knew it was incorrect, complete rubbish!
Anyway today I note they have edited said error and credited John with winning the 1000cc class in a Diva.
Words fail me, as this is supposed to be the magazine that knows its history.
I would rather remember John from his days hurling the works F3 Lotus 41X around and his fantastic drives in the racing Elan and that amazing GLTL Lotus 62 prototype.
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Post by chrisb on Apr 11, 2018 20:58:08 GMT
agree with you John, that is sloppy and lazy journalism, Jenks and Bill will be spinning
I think my favourite memories of John are post 1970 when he got out of F1 and became really respected as a journalist and test engineer - a really good guy
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Post by Jamie on Apr 11, 2018 21:08:51 GMT
It seems sloppy reaserach abounds at the moment, just finished reading Adrian Newey’s book and in it he states that Prost joined Williams in 93 as a ‘two time’ world champion.....then later he talks about the new breed of ‘1.5 ltr’ hybrid power units.......
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Post by charleselan on Apr 11, 2018 21:48:18 GMT
agree with you John, that is sloppy and lazy journalism, Jenks and Bill will be spinning I think my favourite memories of John are post 1970 when he got out of F1 and became really respected as a journalist and test engineer - a really good guy Absolutely Chris, very sloppy indeed. I know that Rob detests this poor journalism and has told them so on the site when we all used to comment. John was indeed very well respected as a journalist and test engineer. |
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Post by chrisb on Apr 12, 2018 4:42:00 GMT
Jamie, I have been loaned Adrian's book and whilst i have the utmost respect for his abilities I am really struggling to read it and have repeatedly picked it up - put it down and suspect i will not complete it's reading
John, good to hear Rob doing that, I was prompted to write one comment on MS forum but then read some inane idiot's comments on Jimmy and have just walked away. I do still read Mat - although disagree with his comments re Marquez, and Mark because his knowledge is phenomenal and wondered maybe we should invite them to join our merry band?
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Post by robmarsh on Apr 12, 2018 6:49:34 GMT
agree with you John, that is sloppy and lazy journalism, Jenks and Bill will be spinning I think my favourite memories of John are post 1970 when he got out of F1 and became really respected as a journalist and test engineer - a really good guy Absolutely Chris, very sloppy indeed. I know that Rob detests this poor journalism and has told them so on the site when we all used to comment. John was indeed very well respected as a journalist and test engineer. Motorsport Magazine have no excuse for poor journalism and inaccurate facts, especially given their 90 year archive they bost about when they try to get you to renew your subscription. I hate it, even more so when they are writing an obituary. John Miles earned my respect for the way he stood up to Chapman and maybe he did his F1 career no favours by racing for Lotus. He may have done very well at Brabham or McLaren. RIP John Miles. |
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Post by Jamie on Apr 12, 2018 7:03:30 GMT
Jamie, I have been loaned Adrian's book and whilst i have the utmost respect for his abilities I am really struggling to read it and have repeatedly picked it up - put it down and suspect i will not complete it's reading John, good to hear Rob doing that, I was prompted to write one comment on MS forum but then read some inane idiot's comments on Jimmy and have just walked away. I do still read Mat - although disagree with his comments re Marquez, and Mark because his knowledge is phenomenal and wondered maybe we should invite them to join our merry band? It’s wasnt the easiest read Chris, I agree. I enjoyed the first part of the book much more than the chapters dealing with the Red Bull era which I found hard going. It gets a bit too technical, talking of flow vortexes and seperations etc etc, hardly anything but the aerodynamic principles are discussed.....which is a bit dull. |
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Post by chrisb on Apr 12, 2018 7:29:14 GMT
Jamie, I suspect with the forthcoming arrival of the best [was that a Senna comment about Jimmy?] of the best - Adrians book will be returned uncompleted
Rob, i couldn't agree more, there simply isn't an excuse - fortunately I have my own archives as my attic groans to testify - i may well email MS again, although I note that they only respond to compliments - symptomatic of today's journalism?
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Post by charleselan on Apr 12, 2018 17:05:00 GMT
Jamie, I have been loaned Adrian's book and whilst i have the utmost respect for his abilities I am really struggling to read it and have repeatedly picked it up - put it down and suspect i will not complete it's reading John, good to hear Rob doing that, I was prompted to write one comment on MS forum but then read some inane idiot's comments on Jimmy and have just walked away. I do still read Mat - although disagree with his comments re Marquez, and Mark because his knowledge is phenomenal and wondered maybe we should invite them to join our merry band? Chris, I was incensed by those idiots commenting about Jim, just goes to show what a turgid thing MS has become, disrespectful in the extreme and completely without any foundation regarding facts. Regarding Oxley and Marquez, well words fail me there. He may well have been a handy racer himself (Oxley) but his comments about aggressive riding in past decades are spurious and inaccurate by and large. I never saw S.M.B. Hailwood or Phil Read or Ago smash into other riders or bully them out of the way. It might have happened in Oxley's favourite decade '80's, but one would have to look at the protagonists involved back then, say no more! His opinion on the sanctions given to Marquez are total rubbish, specially when most well balanced adults are calling for a suspension. The comments following the article are mostly written by these fools who latch onto a sport where there is discord or some fashionable "icon" and then vent there ill educated spleen. None of them have raced a bike let alone ridden one, and they love aggressive bumping ad banging because it is exciting, half witted fools. John |
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Post by chrisb on Apr 12, 2018 19:30:12 GMT
John, I had to walk away from the computer when I read just one of these comments, I know Jimmy was human, he had frailties as anyone else has, his reputation outside of a car, was one of indecision until you irritated him and that Border heritage flared up, and he liked his women. But he was special, he was a talent that I have never seen again, although Ronnie, Senna and Gilles aren't that far off, but he was a gentleman and a very intelligent individual who knew what was right and wrong, and to read these derogatory comments are just insulting
I do generally like Mat, he has a nice wry sense of humour and I have had dialogue with him around his personal opinions of road bikes, he rides a 500cc scooter - which if i was commuting around London so would I, but so many of these people seem to have a blind spot for Marquez, a bit like Senna I suppose - he was a special talent who believed he could do as he pleased -
I am not sure why some of us so enjoy a smooth overtake that the overtaker has done a neat, incisive move that has outfoxed his opponent and shown respect, this bumper-bike which Rossi was a master of is not what I want - as someone said in F1 many years ago, any fool can block so in MotoGP any fool can barge another off the track
Chris
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Post by Deleted on Apr 14, 2018 20:56:07 GMT
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