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Post by Carl on Feb 3, 2021 19:48:24 GMT
While on the Le Mans theme I came across a brilliant film on YouTube last evening that I had not seen before. It basically covered Australian domiciled Canadian Allan Moffat's Le Mans debut driving one of Bud Atkins three Porsche 935K3's, and the iconic Apple Computer liveried version no less. This was the 1980 race and really is a fascinating film and also features the other team drivers Brian Redman; John Fitzpatrick; Bobby Rahal and Bob Garretson. John, An excellent and very informative film. Bobby Rahal badly wanted to be part of European racing, with his ultimate goal Formula One (his son was named after Graham Hill). The first test of his confidence had been racing against Gilles Villeneuve in mid-70s Formula Atlantic. No matter how fast, the best anyone else could hope for was 2nd. Although very impressive in Formula Atlantic and Formula 3, the money needed for a full season with a top European team was never there.
Rahal ultimately set sail for the last time to North America and great success in second generation Can-Am and Champ Car. As Rene noted, very fast Dutch drivers Arie Luyendyck and, more recently, Renger van der Zande, have done the same.
-Carl
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Post by charleselan on Feb 4, 2021 15:36:16 GMT
While on the Le Mans theme I came across a brilliant film on YouTube last evening that I had not seen before. It basically covered Australian domiciled Canadian Allan Moffat's Le Mans debut driving one of Bud Atkins three Porsche 935K3's, and the iconic Apple Computer liveried version no less. This was the 1980 race and really is a fascinating film and also features the other team drivers Brian Redman; John Fitzpatrick; Bobby Rahal and Bob Garretson. John, An excellent and very informative film. Bobby Rahal badly wanted to be part of European racing, with his ultimate goal Formula One (his son was named after Graham Hill). The first test of his confidence had been racing against Gilles Villeneuve in mid-70s Formula Atlantic. No matter how fast, the best anyone else could hope for was 2nd. Although very impressive in Formula Atlantic and Formula 3, the money needed for a full season with a top team was never there.
Rahal ultimately set sail for the last time to North America and great success in second generation Can-Am and Champ Car. As Rene noted, very fast Dutch drivers Arie Luyendyck and, more recently, Renger van der Zande, have done the same.
-Carl
Carl, I remember when Bobby Rahal came over to compete in the European F2 Championship driving a black Chevron Hart. I saw him drive that at the Easter Monday Thruxton meeting (without checking not certain which year, might have been 1979) and he was quite spectacular, throwing the car into power oversteer on many of the corners. It did not work out for him unfortunately as the March ground effect cars were the ones to beat that year. He made the correct decision in returning to the States and built a great career there in 2nd Gen' Can Am & CART where he was always a factor. It is good that the USA offers so much potential for the guys who get put aside in Europe and the "World Scene". John |
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Post by René on Feb 4, 2021 18:13:51 GMT
While on the Le Mans theme I came across a brilliant film on YouTube last evening that I had not seen before. It basically covered Australian domiciled Canadian Allan Moffat's Le Mans debut driving one of Bud Atkins three Porsche 935K3's, and the iconic Apple Computer liveried version no less. This was the 1980 race and really is a fascinating film and also features the other team drivers Brian Redman; John Fitzpatrick; Bobby Rahal and Bob Garretson. Superb! |
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Post by charleselan on Feb 5, 2021 17:12:41 GMT
While on the Le Mans theme I came across a brilliant film on YouTube last evening that I had not seen before. It basically covered Australian domiciled Canadian Allan Moffat's Le Mans debut driving one of Bud Atkins three Porsche 935K3's, and the iconic Apple Computer liveried version no less. This was the 1980 race and really is a fascinating film and also features the other team drivers Brian Redman; John Fitzpatrick; Bobby Rahal and Bob Garretson. Superb! It is. A truly wonderful film that captures that period so very well. I really liked the look of those Porsche 935K3's and the Apple liveried car was iconic, it actually looked more scruffy close up than I imagined. My other favourite was Bob Wollek's emerald green Vaillant sponsored car which really was gorgeous. |
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Post by Carl on Feb 5, 2021 17:37:05 GMT
John, An excellent and very informative film. Bobby Rahal badly wanted to be part of European racing, with his ultimate goal Formula One (his son was named after Graham Hill). The first test of his confidence had been racing against Gilles Villeneuve in mid-70s Formula Atlantic. No matter how fast, the best anyone else could hope for was 2nd. Although very impressive in Formula Atlantic and Formula 3, the money needed for a full season with a top team was never there.
Rahal ultimately set sail for the last time to North America and great success in second generation Can-Am and Champ Car. As Rene noted, very fast Dutch drivers Arie Luyendyck and, more recently, Renger van der Zande, have done the same.
-Carl
Carl, I remember when Bobby Rahal came over to compete in the European F2 Championship driving a black Chevron Hart. I saw him drive that at the Easter Monday Thruxton meeting (without checking not certain which year, might have been 1979) and he was quite spectacular, throwing the car into power oversteer on many of the corners. It did not work out for him unfortunately as the March ground effect cars were the ones to beat that year. He made the correct decision in returning to the States and built a great career there in 2nd Gen' Can Am & CART where he was always a factor. It is good that the USA offers so much potential for the guys who get put aside in Europe and the "World Scene". John John, Most impartial observers would have downplayed his chances at the time and Rahal probably knew on a rational level that, even had he secured a good position in Formula One, it would have been at best as a solid number two driver and he'd eventually return to North America, although just one Grand Prix win whets the appetite for more.
I wonder whether the mystical lure of Formula One can long continue for drivers after the degradations of ecclestone and mosley and the subsequent corporate dominance. It's possible that a more stable series could assume the throne.
-Carl
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Post by charleselan on Feb 5, 2021 18:17:41 GMT
Carl, I remember when Bobby Rahal came over to compete in the European F2 Championship driving a black Chevron Hart. I saw him drive that at the Easter Monday Thruxton meeting (without checking not certain which year, might have been 1979) and he was quite spectacular, throwing the car into power oversteer on many of the corners. It did not work out for him unfortunately as the March ground effect cars were the ones to beat that year. He made the correct decision in returning to the States and built a great career there in 2nd Gen' Can Am & CART where he was always a factor. It is good that the USA offers so much potential for the guys who get put aside in Europe and the "World Scene". John John, Most impartial observers would have downplayed his chances at the time and Rahal probably knew on a rational level that, even had he secured a good position in Formula One, it would have been at best as a solid number two driver and he'd eventually return to North America, although just one Grand Prix win whets the appetite for more.
I wonder whether the mystical lure of Formula One can long continue for drivers after the degradations of ecclestone and mosley and the subsequent corporate dominance. It's possible that a more stable series could assume the throne.
-Carl
Carl, Totally agree, Bobby would at best been a good number two in F1. As you mentioned in an earlier post his F. Atlantic races against Gilles more or less indicated this would be the case. The difference between the very good, and the exceptional. I think that Romain & Kevin have understood clearly that there is more to life than tooling around at the back in uncompetitive cars in F1, the problem is that for many it does not come into focus when far too late in their careers, the same applies in MotoGP. John |
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