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Post by robmarsh on Nov 8, 2018 8:33:01 GMT
Rob, I am quite sure I have exactly that Scalextric Ferrari in my collection. An original 1960's model. Have to look where I have stored it. John Day did sponsor the 1976 March driven by Stuck. I also have a model of that car. Indeed he did René, and Ronnie ran at Zandvoort for the 1976 Dutch GP with the same sponsorship. Firstly a picture of Ronnie leading Mario, he is beginning to fall down the order after destroying everyone over the early laps following the old knackered shock absorbers creating handling difficulties. Plus the inadequate front brakes which were another handicap for him, note the extra cooling pipes above the nose section put there in a futile effort to cool them. The second picture shows the lead he had established after only lap two, March were a complete joke, run by jokers. John Charles, I always liked the look of the March racing cars, they were normally very pretty but was the exception that proved the rule that if they look good they go good. I think the failure to perform was more down to the dubious dealings of some of the senior management than to bad design.
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Post by charleselan on Nov 8, 2018 11:49:10 GMT
John Charles, I always liked the look of the March racing cars, they were normally very pretty but was the exception that proved the rule that if they look good they go good. I think the failure to perform was more down to the dubious dealings of some of the senior management than to bad design. Rob, Agreed, nothing to dislike about the March cars at all, good simple designs with interesting looks through each generation. As you rightly suggest the main problem was the senior management. Such a shame as one can but imagine how good that March 761 would have been, run on a proper budget and by someone like Roger Penske. It is unfathomable to think that a supposed works outfit could not even stretch to fitting new or reconditioned shock absorbers for each GP. JC
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Post by René on Nov 8, 2018 12:40:36 GMT
Rob, I am quite sure I have exactly that Scalextric Ferrari in my collection. An original 1960's model. Have to look where I have stored it. John Day did sponsor the 1976 March driven by Stuck. I also have a model of that car. René the other cars I had from that Scaletrix era were the Lotus Indianapolis (38), the Matra, the panther, the europa? Ferrari P4, Mirage, Ford F3L (p68) and the Honda. Rob, is this the Ferrari you had as a slot car? Must be I guess. I bought it much later just for the collection. It is indeed not entirely correct with the rear wing and also a little bit over scale but still a nice 'vintage' slot car though. On the right a more contemporary slot car made by Spanish manufacturer Fly of the 1976 March with John Day Model Cars sponsoring. More accurate to scale and more detailed with full driver figure and steering front wheels. A fun slot car to race.
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Post by robmarsh on Nov 8, 2018 14:23:16 GMT
René the other cars I had from that Scaletrix era were the Lotus Indianapolis (38), the Matra, the panther, the europa? Ferrari P4, Mirage, Ford F3L (p68) and the Honda. Rob, is this the Ferrari you had as a slot car? Must be I guess. I bought it much later just for the collection. It is indeed not entirely correct with the rear wing and also a little bit over scale but still a nice 'vintage' slot car though. On the right a more contemporary slot car made by Spanish manufacturer Fly of the 1976 March with John Day Model Cars sponsoring. More accurate to scale and more detailed with full driver figure and steering front wheels. A fun slot car to race. The very one René and thanks for finding it and sharing. The March looks much more realistic indeed.
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Post by mikael on Nov 9, 2018 3:44:26 GMT
Maybe the new front wings will transform these cars into demon racing machines? Look! A flying pig! Bill, a belated hello! Good to have you here. It was interesting to learn, from an article by Mark Hughes in April (link given below), that the present aerodynamic problems are believed to have originated in the 2009 regulations, that dictated a very wide front wing and a highly mounted narrow rear wing. Ironically, those (2009) regulations were introduced specifically as a means to cure the also-then-present overtaking and car-following problems. But apparently, the wide front wing initiated an evolution that made things worse than ever! So the new 2019 proposal is, apparently, an attempt to force the designers to return to the pre-2009 design philosophy (as discussed by Hughes). So it's a bit like backing out of a blind alley and back onto a known road that isn't perfect but is at least usable, after all. So the overtaking will most likely not be any "better" than it was in the mid-2000's; but maybe that wasn't too bad either ... Link to Mark Hughes's article: www.motorsportmagazine.com/opinion/f1/f1-2019-simple-aero-better-racingThe overtaking-friendly 2009 aero specs that initiated the present mess ...
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Post by robmarsh on Nov 9, 2018 5:51:53 GMT
I loved the Brawn for the simplicity of it's livery. Quite a pretty car compared to the ones of today.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 9, 2018 20:29:09 GMT
Maybe the new front wings will transform these cars into demon racing machines? Look! A flying pig! Bill, a belated hello! Good to have you here. It was interesting to learn, from an article by Mark Hughes in April (link given below), that the present aerodynamic problems are believed to have originated in the 2009 regulations, that dictated a very wide front wing and a highly mounted narrow rear wing. Ironically, those (2009) regulations were introduced specifically as a means to cure the also-then-present overtaking and car-following problems. But apparently, the wide front wing initiated an evolution that made things worse than ever! So the new 2019 proposal is, apparently, an attempt to force the designers to return to the pre-2009 design philosophy (as discussed by Hughes). So it's a bit like backing out of a blind alley and back onto a known road that isn't perfect but is at least usable, after all. So the overtaking will most likely not be any "better" than it was in the mid-2000's; but maybe that wasn't too bad either ... Link to Mark Hughes's article: www.motorsportmagazine.com/opinion/f1/f1-2019-simple-aero-better-racingThe overtaking-friendly 2009 aero specs that initiated the present mess ... Yes, nice summation. That's how it will probably pan out. Bit of a tricky one, the line between making overtaking too easy and too hard. You've got high-downforce machines with unbelievable braking power and a huge aero wake and some commentators are asking for MotoGP-style overtaking battles. Narrow, two-wheeled, much simpler machines, where tyre grip is king. I hope it does become slightly better. You need it at a level where the likes of Ricciardo and Verstappen can set up a late lunge and feel more than half confident that they'll make it work, rather than having to rely on the driver being overtaken to see them alongside at the last second and avoid a crash.
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Post by Carl on Nov 9, 2018 23:31:33 GMT
Bill, The odds are 17-0 that we're glad to have you (some members voted twice). You came in like a fresh, audacious wind. Cheers, Carl Thanks, Carl. I'll try to contribute when I can. Really hoping for a faster Ferrari next year and a faster Bottas. Maybe the new front wings will transform these cars into demon racing machines? Look! A flying pig! Bill, You have already done so. Your enthusiasm and knowledge were clearly ignited by a very positive early exposure. Tell us something about your introduction to motorsport. Who influenced your early interest? Which racing series and drivers were your early favorites?
Cheers, Carl
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Post by Deleted on Nov 10, 2018 5:52:03 GMT
Carl,
Followed F1 closely since 1985 (first race in Adelaide). Not much of a memory for details, so most of it is forgotten. Was in the press room at Jerez in 1997 to hear the Italian media yelling 'BASTARDO'! at the monitors when Schuey rammed Villeneuve - they were yelling at Michael! Also gave Hakkinen a hug after the podium at that race, when everyone was concentrating on Villeneuve the championship winner, said 'the first of many, Mika, the first of many!'. He reeked of champagne and had red eyes.
Er, what else? Have been to many races, the first was the British GP at Silverstone in 1990 (never did get to Adelaide). Favourite track is Monza, followed by Imola, followed by Spa, followed by Monaco. Never been to Suzuka, a black mark. Always liked Jacques Villeneuve, especially when I learned he used to buy his mechanics burgers at airports and eat with them and fly with them. There's a lot of stuff you don't read about behind the scenes that would change your view of drivers and others.
I guess my favourite driver is Juan-Pablo Montoya. Was lucky enough to see his first proper NASCAR race at Homestead, can't remember the year... 06? But he ended up on fire after being punted by Ryan Lewis, and he told me afterward that he thought 'hmm, this is interesting, I'm on fire and I've never practiced getting out of these cars quickly'. Haha. A great guy, but yet another with an image that doesn't actually fit with his character when you meet him.
I used to write about cars and motorsport for a living, but do other stuff now. It's hard to make a buck as a writer. I like writing in forums just to keep myself fresh.
Mark Hughes is a terrific writer, one of the best in the world in any sport or any form of journalism. Also, Nigel Roebuck is a wonderful man, hugely amusing and entertaining. His writing sometimes doesn't reflect that. What a great writer he is, though.
Having been to the Italian and Monaco Grands Prix, Le Mans, Daytona 24 and Spa, I guess the races that I need to attend are the Indy 500, the Daytona 500, the Bristol night race and the Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka. It would also be great to go to Sebring one year. I've always liked the look of that race.
So that's it. Hopefully I'll be able to find some time to write here. I do enjoy it, it's a nice hobby. The members here seem terrific.
Unfortunately I have little knowledge of F1 much before '85. I know who some of the great characters are, of course, but because I didn't follow the sport until relatively recently, I can't comment too much about them.
All the best, Carl.
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Post by robmarsh on Nov 10, 2018 6:26:40 GMT
Very nice Bill.
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Post by Jamie on Nov 10, 2018 8:45:07 GMT
I enjoyed that Bill and great to have someone of your knowledge and stature with us on this wonderful forum.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 10, 2018 9:52:58 GMT
Hey Jamie I don't think my knowledge or stature compares to some of the writers on here, but thanks anyway! I've been going through some of the old posts, really enjoyable, an honour to be invited here.
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Post by René on Nov 10, 2018 11:59:28 GMT
Carl, Followed F1 closely since 1985 (first race in Adelaide). Not much of a memory for details, so most of it is forgotten. Was in the press room at Jerez in 1997 to hear the Italian media yelling 'BASTARDO'! at the monitors when Schuey rammed Villeneuve - they were yelling at Michael! Also gave Hakkinen a hug after the podium at that race, when everyone was concentrating on Villeneuve the championship winner, said 'the first of many, Mika, the first of many!'. He reeked of champagne and had red eyes. Wonderful Bill, wonderful. We're gathering more and more knowledge with great insigts on this forum which is absolutely fantastic. I remember that Jerez 1997 race as if it was yesterday and had the same conflict of feelings as the Italian media had which you describe. I've been passionate about Ferrari ever since I was a little boy and I will always support them, whoever drives the car or is leading the team. In 1997 it was 19 years since Jody's title so the desire for another title combined with the pain of losing made it very difficult because in the other car was Jacques, Gilles's son. My Ferrari heart was bleeding but I was glad Jacques won.
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Post by charleselan on Nov 10, 2018 12:21:11 GMT
Great to have your motor sport background illustrated Bill, and a pleasure to have you here at the RRT. I like the look of your diversity of interest, although i do know from past readings you ain't too keen on two wheels which is a bit of a shame . I believe they call things that we wish to do a "Bucket List" these days, and you appear to have fulfilled many. I always had a list of places/races where i wished to visit, but sadly my waining interest in the contemporary stuff has meant that it isn't a priority in life these days. The ones at the top of my list and as yet not achieved are Indy 500; Bathurst; Macau and Isle of Man TT.
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Post by Carl on Nov 10, 2018 17:48:37 GMT
Great to have your motor sport background illustrated Bill, and a pleasure to have you here at the RRT. I like the look of your diversity of interest, although i do know from past readings you ain't too keen on two wheels which is a bit of a shame . I believe they call things that we wish to do a "Bucket List" these days, and you appear to have fulfilled many. I always had a list of places/races where i wished to visit, but sadly my waining interest in the contemporary stuff has meant that it isn't a priority in life these days. The ones at the top of my list and as yet not achieved are Indy 500; Bathurst; Macau and Isle of Man TT. John Charles, A silly designation as you know, taken from a really bad movie and an equally silly, earlier concept of bucket kicking.
Your list could not be more perfect and I have absconded with it after kicking several buckets to distract attention.
Cheers, Carl
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