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Post by Carl on Aug 6, 2019 3:07:51 GMT
I've been watching the three-hour short endurance race at Road America on NBCSports, with close racing so far in three of the four categories (LMP2 has only two entrants) and well worth the investment of time. But what I suspected during the IndyCar Mid-Ohio broadcast, that the announcers were hyping the drama in response to a network decision, seems to be true. I've had the audio muted or turned way down half the time, a damn shame since honest commentary adds to the enjoyment.
With Leigh Diffey unrestrained, the hyperbolic embroidering reveals the network's belief that it has an audience of morons. If ignorance really is bliss, the NBC boardroom must be stupefyingly tranquil...
I don't necessarily blame any of the announcing team, but if they had any professional pride they'd resign en masse.
Damn shame.
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Post by charleselan on Aug 6, 2019 12:29:27 GMT
It appears to be quite a point of debate the current state of motor sport commentary on the various TV platforms.
Unfortunately I did not manage to see any of the IMSA Road America round, but from your description it would seem that the commentary was none too good. I am certain that you are correct and this trend towards hyperbole is boardroom led, very much in keeping with all other media offerings today. I suppose all viewers are confined to be idiots and morons who are prepared to lap up this rubbish. These days it appears to be the case that intelligence in now in short supply and that what is offered is for a lower spectrum.
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Post by chrisb on Aug 7, 2019 4:37:45 GMT
I did watch the highlights on utub Carl - it was what I want to see in the WEC - really was exciting and on a 'proper' race track, marred as you say by more hysterical idiocy called commentary, which according to the dictionary is: " an expression of opinions or offering explanations about an event or situation" - well, seems like Croft, who again I listened to briefly on the utub highlights and his overwrought nonsense this is a such a downward trend and like you Carl, I turned the sound off and played music - which was quite funny as I had a 'shuffle' on a spotithingy playlist and was amused as to what music was playing to what piece of action, must try this with F1 and totally agree JC, it seems as if the producers think we must all be numpties as we listen to them so therefore we will continue to believe in your stupidity and make inane comments -
the good news for me is that 'national' championships seem to be thriving, IMSA, Indycars and BSB are definitely heading in a positive direction, and one hopes leads the revolution towards the premier series
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Post by Carl on Aug 7, 2019 16:44:31 GMT
I noticed something very amusing at Road America! As the three hours advanced, the announcers appeared exhausted and resumed a normal, sane pace of commentary. Good for them and also for everyone watching! It was a very exciting finish in the top prototype class, with Harry Tincknell's Mazda barely staying ahead of fast closing polesitter Dane Cameron in one of Roger Penske's Acuras. Interestingly, even the relatively slow GT Daytona category pole speed is faster by several seconds than the M6A Can-Am McLarens driven by Bruce and Denny. The winning GTLM GT-40 livery was retro gorgeous!
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Post by René on Aug 12, 2019 17:40:17 GMT
I noticed something very amusing at Road America! As the three hours advanced, the announcers appeared exhausted and resumed a normal, sane pace of commentary. Good for them and also for everyone watching! It was a very exciting finish in the top prototype class, with Harry Tincknell's Mazda barely staying ahead of fast closing polesitter Dane Cameron in one of Roger Penske's Acuras. Interestingly, even the relatively slow GT Daytona category pole speed is faster by several seconds than the M6A Can-Am McLarens driven by Bruce and Denny. The winning GTLM GT-40 livery was retro gorgeous!
The Ford GTLM is a beautiful race car and this livery is indeed very nice!  I made this photo at Spa two years ago. Not as good looking as the IMSA car but beautiful nonetheless.  |
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Post by chrisb on Aug 12, 2019 20:48:22 GMT
i took some pictures of the WEC Ford at Silverstone but the technology defeats me to post them -
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Post by charleselan on Aug 13, 2019 16:42:35 GMT
I have often mused that the top category for endurance racing should be something like GTLM, the cars look and sound fantastic and the manufacturer interest is very good also. Just as an oblique comment I have also thought in the past that what really should happen is that the amount of F1 races should be reduced and the drivers should then participate in a world Endurance Championship for GTLM type vehicles. maybe on an alternate fortnightly basis and at classic and iconic circuits. We would then see who was the best all rounder etc. Discuss  . |
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Post by Carl on Aug 13, 2019 22:25:59 GMT
I have often mused that the top category for endurance racing should be something like GTLM, the cars look and sound fantastic and the manufacturer interest is very good also. Just as an oblique comment I have also thought in the past that what really should happen is that the amount of F1 races should be reduced and the drivers should then participate in a world Endurance Championship for GTLM type vehicles. maybe on an alternate fortnightly basis and at classic and iconic circuits. We would then see who was the best all rounder etc. Discuss . Good musing! Perhaps with fewer Grand Prix, the drivers could be encouraged to compete in GTLM cars of different makes but essentially equal, trading seats every race as part of the world championship of drivers, something like the BMW M1 Procar Series with multiple manufacturers and WDC points at stake. |
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Post by mikael on Aug 16, 2019 6:30:01 GMT
When the 2005 Ford GT came out, I completely fell it love with it. (Of course I didn't have, don't have, will never have, that kind of money; I had to be content with just a couple of books(*) about it instead ...) I thought it was just marvelous that it - in terms of appearance - stayed so true to the original Ford GT40 (Mk. II).
The presently used (in the GTLM class) second generation Ford GT (of 2017) is looking good too (and without a doubt, aerodynamically much more efficient); but personally, I think it's a pity that the "retro-magic" (of the 2005 ver.) has been lost.
One thought that came to mind was, how if the 2017 Ford GT had been based on the (extremely beautiful) Ford GT40 Mk. IV (of 1967)? Then the "circle" would have been completed - that would really have been something! I imagine that it, aerodynamically, would have made sense too. Maybe it's too much retro - but I would have loved it! ------------ (*) (1) "Ford GT: The Legend comes to Life" by Larry Edsall, Motorbooks 2004; this book describes the complete background for the 2005 Ford GT. (2) "GT40: An Individual History and Race Record" by Ronnie Spain, Motorbooks, 2003. This book is, as the title indicates, actually not about the 2005 GT, it's solely about the original GT40; but it gives a short description of every single GT40 ever built (1 or 2 pages for each chassis), in addition to a very nice description of how the GT40 project came to life in 1963. This is a particularly interesting book.
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Post by Carl on Aug 16, 2019 21:32:42 GMT
When the 2005 Ford GT came out, I completely fell it love with it. (Of course I didn't have, don't have, will never have, that kind of money; I had to be content with just a couple of books(*) about it instead ...) I thought it was just marvelous that it - in terms of appearance - stayed so true to the original Ford GT40 (Mk. II).
The presently used (in the GTLM class) second generation Ford GT (of 2017) is looking good too (and without a doubt, aerodynamically much more efficient); but personally, I think it's a pity that the "retro-magic" (of the 2005 ver.) has been lost.
One thought that came to mind was, how if the 2017 Ford GT had been based on the (extremely beautiful) Ford GT40 Mk. IV (of 1967)? Then the "circle" would have been completed - that would really have been something! I imagine that it, aerodynamically, would have made sense too. Maybe it's too much retro - but I would have loved it! ------------ (*) (1) "Ford GT: The Legend comes to Life" by Larry Edsall, Motorbooks 2004; this book describes the complete background for the 2005 Ford GT. (2) "GT40: An Individual History and Race Record" by Ronnie Spain, Motorbooks, 2003. This book is, as the title indicates, actually not about the 2005 GT, it's solely about the original GT40; but it gives a short description of every single GT40 ever built (1 or 2 pages for each chassis), in addition to a very nice description of how the GT40 project came to life in 1963. This is a particularly interesting book.
Mikael, The reimagined GT-40 was a dream car for many enthusiasts. My first was a Porsche 904, which I once saw briefly because it was being driven very fast onto the Hollywood Freeway. The Lamborghini Miura, the most beautiful high performance sports car, is still my number one.
The great victory for Ford at LeMans was mostly because of the great Dan Gurney, who basically schooled AJ Foyt on how to drive the Circuit de la Sarthe. I never really warmed to a prototype as massive as the Mk. IV, although it accomplished its singular purpose in beating Ferrari.
In the very cool photographs from the event, the first shows Foyt in his white helmet. The dark interior of the second may indicate the black helmet of Dan Gurney beneath the aerodynamic roof bubble designed to accommodate his height as well as the tall ego of Foyt.
The only dumb thing Dan Gurney ever did on a race track was decide to spray champagne. I like to think he intended to douse the pompous Henry Ford II, but couldn't because Ford's wife stood nearby, and never imagined that trainloads of good champage would thereafter be wasted.
Cheers, Carl
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Post by mikael on Aug 17, 2019 7:19:56 GMT
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Post by René on Aug 17, 2019 10:15:27 GMT
When the 2005 Ford GT came out, I completely fell it love with it. (Of course I didn't have, don't have, will never have, that kind of money; I had to be content with just a couple of books(*) about it instead ...) I thought it was just marvelous that it - in terms of appearance - stayed so true to the original Ford GT40 (Mk. II).
The presently used (in the GTLM class) second generation Ford GT (of 2017) is looking good too (and without a doubt, aerodynamically much more efficient); but personally, I think it's a pity that the "retro-magic" (of the 2005 ver.) has been lost.
One thought that came to mind was, how if the 2017 Ford GT had been based on the (extremely beautiful) Ford GT40 Mk. IV (of 1967)? Then the "circle" would have been completed - that would really have been something! I imagine that it, aerodynamically, would have made sense too. Maybe it's too much retro - but I would have loved it!
The GT40 is certainly one of the best looking sports cars of all times Mikael. Personally I always preferred the MkII over the MkIV though. But they are all good looking, also the road car and the GTLM they race now is very impressive when you see it in the flesh. |
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Post by René on Aug 17, 2019 10:26:30 GMT
I have often mused that the top category for endurance racing should be something like GTLM, the cars look and sound fantastic and the manufacturer interest is very good also. Just as an oblique comment I have also thought in the past that what really should happen is that the amount of F1 races should be reduced and the drivers should then participate in a world Endurance Championship for GTLM type vehicles. maybe on an alternate fortnightly basis and at classic and iconic circuits. We would then see who was the best all rounder etc. Discuss . It would be great if there was more exchange between the classes like there was in the past. And I am sure most of the drivers would relish that too judging from the news article in Autosport on Indycar stars Rossi and Hinchcliffe participating in the Bathurst 1000: IndyCar stars Alexander Rossi and James Hinchcliffe will race a Walkinshaw Andretti United Holden at the 2019 Bathurst 1000.
The pair will spearhead a WAU wildcard entry, which will be staffed by not just the Supercars team, but Andretti Autosport and United Autosports as well."As drivers we look back at the era of guys like Mario [Andretti] jumping in a different car every weekend, the nature of the sport now is quite different and it's not quite as easy to do that," said Hinchcliffe. "When these opportunities come up you want to jump at them and really grab a hold of them." Rossi added: "It's 100% a bucket list item. It's in one of those six big races alongside the likes of the Indy 500 and 24 Hours of Le Mans." |
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Post by charleselan on Aug 17, 2019 11:49:40 GMT
I have often mused that the top category for endurance racing should be something like GTLM, the cars look and sound fantastic and the manufacturer interest is very good also. Just as an oblique comment I have also thought in the past that what really should happen is that the amount of F1 races should be reduced and the drivers should then participate in a world Endurance Championship for GTLM type vehicles. maybe on an alternate fortnightly basis and at classic and iconic circuits. We would then see who was the best all rounder etc. Discuss . It would be great if there was more exchange between the classes like there was in the past. And I am sure most of the drivers would relish that too judging from the news article in Autosport on Indycar stars Rossi and Hinchcliffe participating in the Bathurst 1000: IndyCar stars Alexander Rossi and James Hinchcliffe will race a Walkinshaw Andretti United Holden at the 2019 Bathurst 1000.
The pair will spearhead a WAU wildcard entry, which will be staffed by not just the Supercars team, but Andretti Autosport and United Autosports as well."As drivers we look back at the era of guys like Mario [Andretti] jumping in a different car every weekend, the nature of the sport now is quite different and it's not quite as easy to do that," said Hinchcliffe. "When these opportunities come up you want to jump at them and really grab a hold of them." Rossi added: "It's 100% a bucket list item. It's in one of those six big races alongside the likes of the Indy 500 and 24 Hours of Le Mans." That is the sort of news that one likes to read, and hats off to those two guys for doing the great Bathurst 1000, truly one of the great races. It is decades now since F1 drivers regularly competed in different categories which to my way of thinking is a great shame. |
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Post by charleselan on Aug 17, 2019 11:57:46 GMT
I also liked the Porsche 904, it was a great looking little car and a big departure for the company in its design concept with it having a glass fibre body shell.
In the Paul Newman film we have discussed elsewhere Robert Redford revealed that he had one and loved it, but was rather taken aback when Newman drove it so much faster than him. Not having read up about it, but is the car auctioned the same Redford 904, or not.
Interestingly a while back I saw a TV program that featured a UK company who make top quality replica Porsche 904's, which can be spec'd to the customers choice or budget; starting with a well tuned VW Beetle engine to full on Porsche motors. They look really good and are well built.
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