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And another sad loss; RIP Trevor Taylor

Posted on September 30, 2010 by thatconsultantbloke

Here was one of those guys who served as Lotus number two in the sixties, and whose career might have worked out better if he’d have driven elsewhere, but maybe not. It did, at least, give him some quick equipment and when it went well, so did he. On the side of luck, he walked away from some big shunts, including a pair of monumental ones in F1 at Spa and Rouen, neither of which were ones that you could have put down to poor driving.

I knew of him through race reports, but got to see him drive in big banger sports cars and F5000 at the end of the sixties and he was very much a favourite of mine during that era.

And now he joins the recently departed Ralph Broad and others. Thanks for the memories TT.

Filed under: Circuits, Drivers, F1, Retro Moments | Tagged: , , , , | 1 Comment »

Sad news of Ralph Broad

Posted on September 22, 2010 by thatconsultantbloke

Sad to hear that Ralph Broad has taken the final lap and gone to the grid in the sky. My generation here in the UK grew up on tin tops run by his excellent team; Minis then Fords and on to British Leyland products. A great man and one who produced great cars. RIP Ralph

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Filed under: Cars, Retro Moments, Tin Tops | Tagged: , , | 1 Comment »

Say no to Rome – I’m backing Monza

Posted on September 6, 2010 by thatconsultantbloke

The Italian Grand Prix belongs to Monza, end of story. Any possible talk of alternative venues should be swiftly stamped on, so I’m adding my voice, for what it’s worth, to the argument.

Yes, I’m also happy with a San Marino GP at Imola. For me that’s a different story and I’d love to see that race back on the calendar, but a Rome GP? They used to have one of those for F2 at Vallelunga (see below), so if they want another one, redevelop that track and hold it there. We don’t need a street race in Rome.

More on the subject from my friends over at Paddock Talk and here is a nice film clip by Roy Pagliacci from the 1971 F2 Rome GP at Vallelunga

Filed under: Circuits, F1, Retro Moments | Tagged: , , , | 1 Comment »

Weekend round up 5 September 2010 #indycar #NASCAR #BTCC

Posted on September 6, 2010 by thatconsultantbloke

Indycar. So the Toowoomba Terror led a lot of laps, but fell short on fuel and the finish and lost a little more ground at the top of the table. Come on Will, two to go, so keep in cool and the title is yours in your first full season. Good to see Helio with a win. I was there for his Indy Car debut many years back and have followed him since. A good bloke.

NASCAR. Happy to see Todd Bodine winning in the trucks. They’re a good bunch the Bodine boys and I’ll be happy to see Todd pick up another series title if he can. I can recommend the truck series as something to go and see, especially on the shorter tracks. In the Sprint Cup Smoke finally got one this year. My man MM dropped another place away from the chase and that’s pretty much it for 2010 for the #5. What went wrong after last year?

BTCC from Knockhill. Always good action on this tight little track and nice to see the wins shared three ways. First time for a while that I’ve watched some of the ITV4 coverage and they did a pretty good job with the support races giving some of the club racers and up and comping names getting exposure.

I don’t mention the bikes much as it’s not really my scene. I respect those guys a lot though and many of my favourite racing drivers of old came up via bikes; Surtees, Siffert, Hailwood, Beltoise and more, all from an earlier age, Damon Hill being about the last that I recall. They are a supr competitive bunch and very brave racers, so it is sad to hear that they have lost a second up and coming rider in just a week. Motor racing is still dangerous.

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Filed under: Cars, Circuits, Drivers, Indycar, NASCAR, Retro Moments, Tin Tops | Tagged: , , , , , | 1 Comment »

Weekend round up 16 August 2010 #NASCAR #F1

Posted on August 16, 2010 by thatconsultantbloke

Good to see that the worst kept secret on two wheels is now out in the open and good luck to Rossi with Ducati.

Over at Michigan the NASCAR race saw Kevin Harvick pull off a confident win, his third of the season. My favourite MM had a bad result and slipped back out of the chase. Not so good there.

Twenty five years since Manfred Winklehock died after crashing his Porsche 956 at Mosport, and Stephan Bellof was lost at the next race  at Spa in a similar car trying to do with Jacky Ickx what Siffert and Rodriguez had pulled off a few years before in Porsche 917s; side by side through Eau Rouge. Two great talents lost.

Staying with German drivers, best wishes to Hans Stuck for a quick recovery from surgery to remove blood clots.

News that Bahrain will revert to the old layout doesn’t impress me. Sorry guys, but let’s bring back a race that people will actually show up to watch.

Filed under: Cars, Circuits, Drivers, F1, NASCAR, Retro Moments | Tagged: , , , , | Leave a comment »

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