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F1 - the best decade?
F1 - the best decade?
I wonder what people think was the best decade for F1 since WW2?
I'm amazed to find that I am now in my sixth decade of following, and
occasionally participating in, motor sport - went to my first motor
race in 1951 and my first Grand Prix in 1964 (I'm a year older than
Max but, in case you're wondering, I can't keep it up for 5 minutes
let alone 5 hours!)
It's easy to look back nostalgically but F1 in the 1950's could be
very dull. Races were incredibly long and often processional with few
factory teams and lots of "starting money specials". Very few drivers
did more than make a living (many were amateurs anyway) and many of
them died. Dominant teams were: Alfa-Romeo, Mercedes, Maserati and
Ferrari.
The sixties was the era of the rear-engined car. F1 became much more
competitive but it was still possible for privateers like Pete Lovely
or Bob Bondurant to turn up for F1 practice in a saloon car towing the
racer on the back. Alas, in this decade too, many fine drivers were
killed.
In the 1970's it was still possible for ordinary spectators to get
into the paddock. Facilities were quite primitive and drivers were not
cocooned in hermetically-sealed motor homes but could often be spotted
wandering about. My two young sons were keen autograph hunters and
were easily able to acquire the signatures of many famous drivers.
After the death of Jochen Rindt the decade was dominated by Jackie
Stewart, Emerson Fittipaldi and, later, Hunt and Lauda.
The 1980's saw the Turbo era and also the start of the long (20 year)
dominance of British teams (mainly McLaren, sometimes Williams) and
the temporary eclipse of Ferrari. F1 had by now completely lost all
vestiges of the dare-devil, happy-go-lucky sport it had once been and
commercial sponsorship (which had really begun in the 1960s) was now a
vital element.
By the 1990's F1 had become *much* safer and fatalities were rare. The
decade saw the rivalry between Senna and Prost reach its apogee and
the emergence of a brilliant new talent: Michael Schumacher.
And the 2000's, well you know all about that. Ferrari resurgence,
Schumacher/Alonso rivalry, vast budgets, vast salaries, scandals,
gossip … but not a lot of overtaking!
My own favourite moment? Brands Hatch 1970 watching at Paddock as
Rindt, lying third, takes Brabham on the outside then Ickx on the
inside to come out of Druids in the lead.
Just rambling - it's a Sunday afternoon and there's no GP.
--
Trevor
I wonder what people think was the best decade for F1 since WW2?
I'm amazed to find that I am now in my sixth decade of following, and
occasionally participating in, motor sport - went to my first motor
race in 1951 and my first Grand Prix in 1964 (I'm a year older than
Max but, in case you're wondering, I can't keep it up for 5 minutes
let alone 5 hours!)
It's easy to look back nostalgically but F1 in the 1950's could be
very dull. Races were incredibly long and often processional with few
factory teams and lots of "starting money specials". Very few drivers
did more than make a living (many were amateurs anyway) and many of
them died. Dominant teams were: Alfa-Romeo, Mercedes, Maserati and
Ferrari.
The sixties was the era of the rear-engined car. F1 became much more
competitive but it was still possible for privateers like Pete Lovely
or Bob Bondurant to turn up for F1 practice in a saloon car towing the
racer on the back. Alas, in this decade too, many fine drivers were
killed.
In the 1970's it was still possible for ordinary spectators to get
into the paddock. Facilities were quite primitive and drivers were not
cocooned in hermetically-sealed motor homes but could often be spotted
wandering about. My two young sons were keen autograph hunters and
were easily able to acquire the signatures of many famous drivers.
After the death of Jochen Rindt the decade was dominated by Jackie
Stewart, Emerson Fittipaldi and, later, Hunt and Lauda.
The 1980's saw the Turbo era and also the start of the long (20 year)
dominance of British teams (mainly McLaren, sometimes Williams) and
the temporary eclipse of Ferrari. F1 had by now completely lost all
vestiges of the dare-devil, happy-go-lucky sport it had once been and
commercial sponsorship (which had really begun in the 1960s) was now a
vital element.
By the 1990's F1 had become *much* safer and fatalities were rare. The
decade saw the rivalry between Senna and Prost reach its apogee and
the emergence of a brilliant new talent: Michael Schumacher.
And the 2000's, well you know all about that. Ferrari resurgence,
Schumacher/Alonso rivalry, vast budgets, vast salaries, scandals,
gossip … but not a lot of overtaking!
My own favourite moment? Brands Hatch 1970 watching at Paddock as
Rindt, lying third, takes Brabham on the outside then Ickx on the
inside to come out of Druids in the lead.
Just rambling - it's a Sunday afternoon and there's no GP.
--
Trevor
Re: F1 - the best decade?
On 20 Apr, 15:42, Gongoozler <tre...@ladyelg.fsnet.co.uk> wrote:
> I wonder what people think was the best decade for F1 since WW2?
> I'm amazed to find that I am now in my sixth decade of following, and
> occasionally participating in, motor sport - went to my first motor
> race in 1951 and my first Grand Prix in 1964 (I'm a year older than
> Max but, in case you're wondering, I can't keep it up for 5 minutes
> let alone 5 hours!)
>
> It's easy to look back nostalgically but F1 in the 1950's could be
> very dull. Races were incredibly long and often processional with few
> factory teams and lots of "starting money specials". Very few drivers
> did more than make a living (many were amateurs anyway) and many of
> them died. Dominant teams were: Alfa-Romeo, Mercedes, Maserati and
> Ferrari.
>
> The sixties was the era of the rear-engined car. F1 became much more
> competitive but it was still possible for privateers like Pete Lovely
> or Bob Bondurant to turn up for F1 practice in a saloon car towing the
> racer on the back. Alas, in this decade too, many fine drivers were
> killed.
>
> In the 1970's it was still possible for ordinary spectators to get
> into the paddock. Facilities were quite primitive and drivers were not
> cocooned in hermetically-sealed motor homes but could often be spotted
> wandering about. My two young sons were keen autograph hunters and
> were easily able to acquire the signatures of many famous drivers.
> After the death of Jochen Rindt the decade was dominated by Jackie
> Stewart, Emerson Fittipaldi and, later, Hunt and Lauda.
>
> The 1980's saw the Turbo era and also the start of the long (20 year)
> dominance of British teams (mainly McLaren, sometimes Williams) and
> the temporary eclipse of Ferrari. F1 had by now completely lost all
> vestiges of the dare-devil, happy-go-lucky sport it had once been and
> commercial sponsorship (which had really begun in the 1960s) was now a
> vital element.
>
> By the 1990's F1 had become *much* safer and fatalities were rare. The
> decade saw the rivalry between Senna and Prost reach its apogee and
> the emergence of a brilliant new talent: Michael Schumacher.
>
> And the 2000's, well you know all about that. Ferrari resurgence,
> Schumacher/Alonso rivalry, vast budgets, vast salaries, scandals,
> gossip … but not a lot of overtaking!
>
> My own favourite moment? Brands Hatch 1970 watching at Paddock as
> Rindt, lying third, takes Brabham on the outside then Ickx on the
> inside to come out of Druids in the lead.
>
> Just rambling - it's a Sunday afternoon and there's no GP.
> --
> Trevor
Well, I can't really talk with much authority on this one, I'm just 20
and have only followed F1 "properly" for perhaps less than a decade...
sure I used to watch races even before (even though after '94 my
parents stopped watching it for quite a few years). I enjoyed the 2000
era so far tbh, obviously suffered the two years that Ferrari didn't
win, but even those were lively seasons. From what I've seen on TV and
the internet, the '70s seem to be a decade which offered several good
races, and some solutions were quite interesting. All in all I enjoy
most races, past and present, however the "past" races I've seen have
most likelly passed through a selection filter, so I get only the
"best bits" [which is similar to what memory does, though]. After
that, the '90s as well seemed a pretty good decade at times. What I
find a shame is the coming of more and more restrictive regulations,
but that's been a negative continuing trend for a very long time now.
I have to admit, however, that it is a releif to be able to watch
races without anybody dying or geting seriously wounded-that would
probably put me off if it was as bad as it has been in the past.
On 20 Apr, 15:42, Gongoozler <tre...@ladyelg.fsnet.co.uk> wrote:
> I wonder what people think was the best decade for F1 since WW2?
> I'm amazed to find that I am now in my sixth decade of following, and
> occasionally participating in, motor sport - went to my first motor
> race in 1951 and my first Grand Prix in 1964 (I'm a year older than
> Max but, in case you're wondering, I can't keep it up for 5 minutes
> let alone 5 hours!)
>
> It's easy to look back nostalgically but F1 in the 1950's could be
> very dull. Races were incredibly long and often processional with few
> factory teams and lots of "starting money specials". Very few drivers
> did more than make a living (many were amateurs anyway) and many of
> them died. Dominant teams were: Alfa-Romeo, Mercedes, Maserati and
> Ferrari.
>
> The sixties was the era of the rear-engined car. F1 became much more
> competitive but it was still possible for privateers like Pete Lovely
> or Bob Bondurant to turn up for F1 practice in a saloon car towing the
> racer on the back. Alas, in this decade too, many fine drivers were
> killed.
>
> In the 1970's it was still possible for ordinary spectators to get
> into the paddock. Facilities were quite primitive and drivers were not
> cocooned in hermetically-sealed motor homes but could often be spotted
> wandering about. My two young sons were keen autograph hunters and
> were easily able to acquire the signatures of many famous drivers.
> After the death of Jochen Rindt the decade was dominated by Jackie
> Stewart, Emerson Fittipaldi and, later, Hunt and Lauda.
>
> The 1980's saw the Turbo era and also the start of the long (20 year)
> dominance of British teams (mainly McLaren, sometimes Williams) and
> the temporary eclipse of Ferrari. F1 had by now completely lost all
> vestiges of the dare-devil, happy-go-lucky sport it had once been and
> commercial sponsorship (which had really begun in the 1960s) was now a
> vital element.
>
> By the 1990's F1 had become *much* safer and fatalities were rare. The
> decade saw the rivalry between Senna and Prost reach its apogee and
> the emergence of a brilliant new talent: Michael Schumacher.
>
> And the 2000's, well you know all about that. Ferrari resurgence,
> Schumacher/Alonso rivalry, vast budgets, vast salaries, scandals,
> gossip … but not a lot of overtaking!
>
> My own favourite moment? Brands Hatch 1970 watching at Paddock as
> Rindt, lying third, takes Brabham on the outside then Ickx on the
> inside to come out of Druids in the lead.
>
> Just rambling - it's a Sunday afternoon and there's no GP.
> --
> Trevor
Well, I can't really talk with much authority on this one, I'm just 20
and have only followed F1 "properly" for perhaps less than a decade...
sure I used to watch races even before (even though after '94 my
parents stopped watching it for quite a few years). I enjoyed the 2000
era so far tbh, obviously suffered the two years that Ferrari didn't
win, but even those were lively seasons. From what I've seen on TV and
the internet, the '70s seem to be a decade which offered several good
races, and some solutions were quite interesting. All in all I enjoy
most races, past and present, however the "past" races I've seen have
most likelly passed through a selection filter, so I get only the
"best bits" [which is similar to what memory does, though]. After
that, the '90s as well seemed a pretty good decade at times. What I
find a shame is the coming of more and more restrictive regulations,
but that's been a negative continuing trend for a very long time now.
I have to admit, however, that it is a releif to be able to watch
races without anybody dying or geting seriously wounded-that would
probably put me off if it was as bad as it has been in the past.
Re: F1 - the best decade?
On Sun, 20 Apr 2008 16:42:50 +0100, Gongoozler
<trevor@ladyelg.fsnet.co.uk> wrote:
>The 1980's saw the Turbo era and also the start of the long (20 year)
>dominance of British teams (mainly McLaren, sometimes Williams) and
>the temporary eclipse of Ferrari.
Easy choice then, eh?
David
On Sun, 20 Apr 2008 16:42:50 +0100, Gongoozler
<trevor@ladyelg.fsnet.co.uk> wrote:
>The 1980's saw the Turbo era and also the start of the long (20 year)
>dominance of British teams (mainly McLaren, sometimes Williams) and
>the temporary eclipse of Ferrari.
Easy choice then, eh?
David
Re: F1 - the best decade?
Gongoozler <trevor@ladyelg.fsnet.co.uk> wrote in
news:rdom04dpen8c703mfebh1c2052qkgr37op@4ax,com :
> I wonder what people think was the best decade for F1 since WW2?
> I'm amazed to find that I am now in my sixth decade of following, and
> occasionally participating in, motor sport - went to my first motor
> race in 1951 and my first Grand Prix in 1964 (I'm a year older than
> Max but, in case you're wondering, I can't keep it up for 5 minutes
> let alone 5 hours!)
>
> It's easy to look back nostalgically but F1 in the 1950's could be
> very dull. Races were incredibly long and often processional with few
> factory teams and lots of "starting money specials". Very few drivers
> did more than make a living (many were amateurs anyway) and many of
> them died. Dominant teams were: Alfa-Romeo, Mercedes, Maserati and
> Ferrari.
>
> The sixties was the era of the rear-engined car. F1 became much more
> competitive but it was still possible for privateers like Pete Lovely
> or Bob Bondurant to turn up for F1 practice in a saloon car towing the
> racer on the back. Alas, in this decade too, many fine drivers were
> killed.
>
> In the 1970's it was still possible for ordinary spectators to get
> into the paddock. Facilities were quite primitive and drivers were not
> cocooned in hermetically-sealed motor homes but could often be spotted
> wandering about. My two young sons were keen autograph hunters and
> were easily able to acquire the signatures of many famous drivers.
> After the death of Jochen Rindt the decade was dominated by Jackie
> Stewart, Emerson Fittipaldi and, later, Hunt and Lauda.
>
> The 1980's saw the Turbo era and also the start of the long (20 year)
> dominance of British teams (mainly McLaren, sometimes Williams) and
> the temporary eclipse of Ferrari. F1 had by now completely lost all
> vestiges of the dare-devil, happy-go-lucky sport it had once been and
> commercial sponsorship (which had really begun in the 1960s) was now a
> vital element.
>
> By the 1990's F1 had become *much* safer and fatalities were rare. The
> decade saw the rivalry between Senna and Prost reach its apogee and
> the emergence of a brilliant new talent: Michael Schumacher.
>
> And the 2000's, well you know all about that. Ferrari resurgence,
> Schumacher/Alonso rivalry, vast budgets, vast salaries, scandals,
> gossip … but not a lot of overtaking!
>
> My own favourite moment? Brands Hatch 1970 watching at Paddock as
> Rindt, lying third, takes Brabham on the outside then Ickx on the
> inside to come out of Druids in the lead.
>
Not from comparative experience at the races, but from my version of
obective analysis (just doesn't sound right does that?). The 70's due to
there still being a gear shift lever and a clutch allowing or room for
drivers to make mistakes, the tracks hadn't yet been changed with a
couple blatent safety exceptions, and it hadn't reverted to the nepotism
and silver spoon complex which I think is starting to show. Or in other
words, late enough that people weren't killed except in rare cases, but
early enough that driving didn't just involve the wheel, brake and
accelerator.
Gongoozler <trevor@ladyelg.fsnet.co.uk> wrote in
news:rdom04dpen8c703mfebh1c2052qkgr37op@4ax,com :
> I wonder what people think was the best decade for F1 since WW2?
> I'm amazed to find that I am now in my sixth decade of following, and
> occasionally participating in, motor sport - went to my first motor
> race in 1951 and my first Grand Prix in 1964 (I'm a year older than
> Max but, in case you're wondering, I can't keep it up for 5 minutes
> let alone 5 hours!)
>
> It's easy to look back nostalgically but F1 in the 1950's could be
> very dull. Races were incredibly long and often processional with few
> factory teams and lots of "starting money specials". Very few drivers
> did more than make a living (many were amateurs anyway) and many of
> them died. Dominant teams were: Alfa-Romeo, Mercedes, Maserati and
> Ferrari.
>
> The sixties was the era of the rear-engined car. F1 became much more
> competitive but it was still possible for privateers like Pete Lovely
> or Bob Bondurant to turn up for F1 practice in a saloon car towing the
> racer on the back. Alas, in this decade too, many fine drivers were
> killed.
>
> In the 1970's it was still possible for ordinary spectators to get
> into the paddock. Facilities were quite primitive and drivers were not
> cocooned in hermetically-sealed motor homes but could often be spotted
> wandering about. My two young sons were keen autograph hunters and
> were easily able to acquire the signatures of many famous drivers.
> After the death of Jochen Rindt the decade was dominated by Jackie
> Stewart, Emerson Fittipaldi and, later, Hunt and Lauda.
>
> The 1980's saw the Turbo era and also the start of the long (20 year)
> dominance of British teams (mainly McLaren, sometimes Williams) and
> the temporary eclipse of Ferrari. F1 had by now completely lost all
> vestiges of the dare-devil, happy-go-lucky sport it had once been and
> commercial sponsorship (which had really begun in the 1960s) was now a
> vital element.
>
> By the 1990's F1 had become *much* safer and fatalities were rare. The
> decade saw the rivalry between Senna and Prost reach its apogee and
> the emergence of a brilliant new talent: Michael Schumacher.
>
> And the 2000's, well you know all about that. Ferrari resurgence,
> Schumacher/Alonso rivalry, vast budgets, vast salaries, scandals,
> gossip … but not a lot of overtaking!
>
> My own favourite moment? Brands Hatch 1970 watching at Paddock as
> Rindt, lying third, takes Brabham on the outside then Ickx on the
> inside to come out of Druids in the lead.
>
Not from comparative experience at the races, but from my version of
obective analysis (just doesn't sound right does that?). The 70's due to
there still being a gear shift lever and a clutch allowing or room for
drivers to make mistakes, the tracks hadn't yet been changed with a
couple blatent safety exceptions, and it hadn't reverted to the nepotism
and silver spoon complex which I think is starting to show. Or in other
words, late enough that people weren't killed except in rare cases, but
early enough that driving didn't just involve the wheel, brake and
accelerator.
Re: F1 - the best decade?
Gongoozler wrote:
> I wonder what people think was the best decade for F1 since WW2?
If we can parse it finer, late 1960s through late 1970's for both F1 and
sports cars. Great innovation, real balls-out driving, on classic tracks.
Gongoozler wrote:
> I wonder what people think was the best decade for F1 since WW2?
If we can parse it finer, late 1960s through late 1970's for both F1 and
sports cars. Great innovation, real balls-out driving, on classic tracks.
Re: F1 - the best decade?
Gongoozler wrote:
> I wonder what people think was the best decade for F1 since WW2?
> I'm amazed to find that I am now in my sixth decade of following, and
> occasionally participating in, motor sport - went to my first motor
> race in 1951 and my first Grand Prix in 1964 (I'm a year older than
> Max but, in case you're wondering, I can't keep it up for 5 minutes
> let alone 5 hours!)
>
> It's easy to look back nostalgically but F1 in the 1950's could be
> very dull. Races were incredibly long and often processional with few
> factory teams and lots of "starting money specials". Very few drivers
> did more than make a living (many were amateurs anyway) and many of
> them died. Dominant teams were: Alfa-Romeo, Mercedes, Maserati and
> Ferrari.
>
> The sixties was the era of the rear-engined car. F1 became much more
> competitive but it was still possible for privateers like Pete Lovely
> or Bob Bondurant to turn up for F1 practice in a saloon car towing the
> racer on the back. Alas, in this decade too, many fine drivers were
> killed.
>
> In the 1970's it was still possible for ordinary spectators to get
> into the paddock. Facilities were quite primitive and drivers were not
> cocooned in hermetically-sealed motor homes but could often be spotted
> wandering about. My two young sons were keen autograph hunters and
> were easily able to acquire the signatures of many famous drivers.
> After the death of Jochen Rindt the decade was dominated by Jackie
> Stewart, Emerson Fittipaldi and, later, Hunt and Lauda.
>
> The 1980's saw the Turbo era and also the start of the long (20 year)
> dominance of British teams (mainly McLaren, sometimes Williams) and
> the temporary eclipse of Ferrari. F1 had by now completely lost all
> vestiges of the dare-devil, happy-go-lucky sport it had once been and
> commercial sponsorship (which had really begun in the 1960s) was now a
> vital element.
>
> By the 1990's F1 had become *much* safer and fatalities were rare. The
> decade saw the rivalry between Senna and Prost reach its apogee and
> the emergence of a brilliant new talent: Michael Schumacher.
>
> And the 2000's, well you know all about that. Ferrari resurgence,
> Schumacher/Alonso rivalry, vast budgets, vast salaries, scandals,
> gossip … but not a lot of overtaking!
>
> My own favourite moment? Brands Hatch 1970 watching at Paddock as
> Rindt, lying third, takes Brabham on the outside then Ickx on the
> inside to come out of Druids in the lead.
>
> Just rambling - it's a Sunday afternoon and there's no GP.
> --
> Trevor
I thought last year was as good as it gets, and I've been watching for
20 years.
Absolutely packed with drama, down to the last race with 3 guys in it,
no one got killed, and in the end the best man won.
2007 was the best season since Senna/Prost era.
--
"It is painfully obvious to me that the right guy to be world champion
is Lewis”-Bernie Ecclestone
Fritz
Gongoozler wrote:
> I wonder what people think was the best decade for F1 since WW2?
> I'm amazed to find that I am now in my sixth decade of following, and
> occasionally participating in, motor sport - went to my first motor
> race in 1951 and my first Grand Prix in 1964 (I'm a year older than
> Max but, in case you're wondering, I can't keep it up for 5 minutes
> let alone 5 hours!)
>
> It's easy to look back nostalgically but F1 in the 1950's could be
> very dull. Races were incredibly long and often processional with few
> factory teams and lots of "starting money specials". Very few drivers
> did more than make a living (many were amateurs anyway) and many of
> them died. Dominant teams were: Alfa-Romeo, Mercedes, Maserati and
> Ferrari.
>
> The sixties was the era of the rear-engined car. F1 became much more
> competitive but it was still possible for privateers like Pete Lovely
> or Bob Bondurant to turn up for F1 practice in a saloon car towing the
> racer on the back. Alas, in this decade too, many fine drivers were
> killed.
>
> In the 1970's it was still possible for ordinary spectators to get
> into the paddock. Facilities were quite primitive and drivers were not
> cocooned in hermetically-sealed motor homes but could often be spotted
> wandering about. My two young sons were keen autograph hunters and
> were easily able to acquire the signatures of many famous drivers.
> After the death of Jochen Rindt the decade was dominated by Jackie
> Stewart, Emerson Fittipaldi and, later, Hunt and Lauda.
>
> The 1980's saw the Turbo era and also the start of the long (20 year)
> dominance of British teams (mainly McLaren, sometimes Williams) and
> the temporary eclipse of Ferrari. F1 had by now completely lost all
> vestiges of the dare-devil, happy-go-lucky sport it had once been and
> commercial sponsorship (which had really begun in the 1960s) was now a
> vital element.
>
> By the 1990's F1 had become *much* safer and fatalities were rare. The
> decade saw the rivalry between Senna and Prost reach its apogee and
> the emergence of a brilliant new talent: Michael Schumacher.
>
> And the 2000's, well you know all about that. Ferrari resurgence,
> Schumacher/Alonso rivalry, vast budgets, vast salaries, scandals,
> gossip … but not a lot of overtaking!
>
> My own favourite moment? Brands Hatch 1970 watching at Paddock as
> Rindt, lying third, takes Brabham on the outside then Ickx on the
> inside to come out of Druids in the lead.
>
> Just rambling - it's a Sunday afternoon and there's no GP.
> --
> Trevor
I thought last year was as good as it gets, and I've been watching for
20 years.
Absolutely packed with drama, down to the last race with 3 guys in it,
no one got killed, and in the end the best man won.
2007 was the best season since Senna/Prost era.
--
"It is painfully obvious to me that the right guy to be world champion
is Lewis”-Bernie Ecclestone
Fritz
Re: F1 - the best decade?
Fritz wrote:
> I thought last year was as good as it gets, and I've been watching
> for 20 years. Absolutely packed with drama, down to the last race
> with 3 guys in it, no one got killed, and in the end the best man
> won. 2007 was the best season since Senna/Prost era.
If it wasn't for the blatant hypocrisy of what the FIA did to McLaren
and didn't do to Ferrari and Renault I'd agree with you.
The racing was the best we've seen since the days of
Senna/Mansell/Prost. The politics were beneath contempt.
--
Paul-B
Fritz wrote:
> I thought last year was as good as it gets, and I've been watching
> for 20 years. Absolutely packed with drama, down to the last race
> with 3 guys in it, no one got killed, and in the end the best man
> won. 2007 was the best season since Senna/Prost era.
If it wasn't for the blatant hypocrisy of what the FIA did to McLaren
and didn't do to Ferrari and Renault I'd agree with you.
The racing was the best we've seen since the days of
Senna/Mansell/Prost. The politics were beneath contempt.
--
Paul-B
Re: F1 - the best decade?
"Gongoozler" <trevor@ladyelg.fsnet.co.uk> wrote in message
news:rdom04dpen8c703mfebh1c2052qkgr37op@4ax,com ...
> I wonder what people think was the best decade for F1 since WW2?
> I'm amazed to find that I am now in my sixth decade of following, and
> occasionally participating in, motor sport - went to my first motor
> race in 1951 and my first Grand Prix in 1964 (I'm a year older than
> Max but, in case you're wondering, I can't keep it up for 5 minutes
> let alone 5 hours!)
>
maybe you should try whips,chainsand leather.
"Gongoozler" <trevor@ladyelg.fsnet.co.uk> wrote in message
news:rdom04dpen8c703mfebh1c2052qkgr37op@4ax,com ...
> I wonder what people think was the best decade for F1 since WW2?
> I'm amazed to find that I am now in my sixth decade of following, and
> occasionally participating in, motor sport - went to my first motor
> race in 1951 and my first Grand Prix in 1964 (I'm a year older than
> Max but, in case you're wondering, I can't keep it up for 5 minutes
> let alone 5 hours!)
>
maybe you should try whips,chainsand leather.
Re: F1 - the best decade?
"Gongoozler" <trevor@ladyelg.fsnet.co.uk> wrote in message
news:rdom04dpen8c703mfebh1c2052qkgr37op@4ax,com ...
>I wonder what people think was the best decade for F1 since WW2?
> I'm amazed to find that I am now in my sixth decade of following, and
> occasionally participating in, motor sport - went to my first motor
> race in 1951 and my first Grand Prix in 1964 (I'm a year older than
> Max but, in case you're wondering, I can't keep it up for 5 minutes
> let alone 5 hours!)
>
> It's easy to look back nostalgically but F1 in the 1950's could be
> very dull. Races were incredibly long and often processional with few
> factory teams and lots of "starting money specials". Very few drivers
> did more than make a living (many were amateurs anyway) and many of
> them died. Dominant teams were: Alfa-Romeo, Mercedes, Maserati and
> Ferrari.
>
> The sixties was the era of the rear-engined car. F1 became much more
> competitive but it was still possible for privateers like Pete Lovely
> or Bob Bondurant to turn up for F1 practice in a saloon car towing the
> racer on the back. Alas, in this decade too, many fine drivers were
> killed.
>
> In the 1970's it was still possible for ordinary spectators to get
> into the paddock. Facilities were quite primitive and drivers were not
> cocooned in hermetically-sealed motor homes but could often be spotted
> wandering about. My two young sons were keen autograph hunters and
> were easily able to acquire the signatures of many famous drivers.
> After the death of Jochen Rindt the decade was dominated by Jackie
> Stewart, Emerson Fittipaldi and, later, Hunt and Lauda.
>
> The 1980's saw the Turbo era and also the start of the long (20 year)
> dominance of British teams (mainly McLaren, sometimes Williams) and
> the temporary eclipse of Ferrari. F1 had by now completely lost all
> vestiges of the dare-devil, happy-go-lucky sport it had once been and
> commercial sponsorship (which had really begun in the 1960s) was now a
> vital element.
>
> By the 1990's F1 had become *much* safer and fatalities were rare. The
> decade saw the rivalry between Senna and Prost reach its apogee and
> the emergence of a brilliant new talent: Michael Schumacher.
>
> And the 2000's, well you know all about that. Ferrari resurgence,
> Schumacher/Alonso rivalry, vast budgets, vast salaries, scandals,
> gossip . but not a lot of overtaking!
>
> My own favourite moment? Brands Hatch 1970 watching at Paddock as
> Rindt, lying third, takes Brabham on the outside then Ickx on the
> inside to come out of Druids in the lead.
>
> Just rambling - it's a Sunday afternoon and there's no GP.
Toss up between the 60s and 70s. 70s probably just shade it in my opinion.
It was illegal to be guy, but the racing was good.
"Gongoozler" <trevor@ladyelg.fsnet.co.uk> wrote in message
news:rdom04dpen8c703mfebh1c2052qkgr37op@4ax,com ...
>I wonder what people think was the best decade for F1 since WW2?
> I'm amazed to find that I am now in my sixth decade of following, and
> occasionally participating in, motor sport - went to my first motor
> race in 1951 and my first Grand Prix in 1964 (I'm a year older than
> Max but, in case you're wondering, I can't keep it up for 5 minutes
> let alone 5 hours!)
>
> It's easy to look back nostalgically but F1 in the 1950's could be
> very dull. Races were incredibly long and often processional with few
> factory teams and lots of "starting money specials". Very few drivers
> did more than make a living (many were amateurs anyway) and many of
> them died. Dominant teams were: Alfa-Romeo, Mercedes, Maserati and
> Ferrari.
>
> The sixties was the era of the rear-engined car. F1 became much more
> competitive but it was still possible for privateers like Pete Lovely
> or Bob Bondurant to turn up for F1 practice in a saloon car towing the
> racer on the back. Alas, in this decade too, many fine drivers were
> killed.
>
> In the 1970's it was still possible for ordinary spectators to get
> into the paddock. Facilities were quite primitive and drivers were not
> cocooned in hermetically-sealed motor homes but could often be spotted
> wandering about. My two young sons were keen autograph hunters and
> were easily able to acquire the signatures of many famous drivers.
> After the death of Jochen Rindt the decade was dominated by Jackie
> Stewart, Emerson Fittipaldi and, later, Hunt and Lauda.
>
> The 1980's saw the Turbo era and also the start of the long (20 year)
> dominance of British teams (mainly McLaren, sometimes Williams) and
> the temporary eclipse of Ferrari. F1 had by now completely lost all
> vestiges of the dare-devil, happy-go-lucky sport it had once been and
> commercial sponsorship (which had really begun in the 1960s) was now a
> vital element.
>
> By the 1990's F1 had become *much* safer and fatalities were rare. The
> decade saw the rivalry between Senna and Prost reach its apogee and
> the emergence of a brilliant new talent: Michael Schumacher.
>
> And the 2000's, well you know all about that. Ferrari resurgence,
> Schumacher/Alonso rivalry, vast budgets, vast salaries, scandals,
> gossip . but not a lot of overtaking!
>
> My own favourite moment? Brands Hatch 1970 watching at Paddock as
> Rindt, lying third, takes Brabham on the outside then Ickx on the
> inside to come out of Druids in the lead.
>
> Just rambling - it's a Sunday afternoon and there's no GP.
Toss up between the 60s and 70s. 70s probably just shade it in my opinion.
It was illegal to be guy, but the racing was good.
Re: F1 - the best decade?
"Quentin Queerbottom" <feeling_a_little_queer@hotmail.co.uk> skrev i melding
news:srPOj.94017$5i5.68938@newsfe6-gui.ntli,net ...
>
> "Gongoozler" <trevor@ladyelg.fsnet.co.uk> wrote in message
> news:rdom04dpen8c703mfebh1c2052qkgr37op@4ax,com ...
>>I wonder what people think was the best decade for F1 since WW2?
>> I'm amazed to find that I am now in my sixth decade of following, and
>> occasionally participating in, motor sport - went to my first motor
>> race in 1951 and my first Grand Prix in 1964 (I'm a year older than
>> Max but, in case you're wondering, I can't keep it up for 5 minutes
>> let alone 5 hours!)
>>
>> It's easy to look back nostalgically but F1 in the 1950's could be
>> very dull. Races were incredibly long and often processional with few
>> factory teams and lots of "starting money specials". Very few drivers
>> did more than make a living (many were amateurs anyway) and many of
>> them died. Dominant teams were: Alfa-Romeo, Mercedes, Maserati and
>> Ferrari.
>>
>> The sixties was the era of the rear-engined car. F1 became much more
>> competitive but it was still possible for privateers like Pete Lovely
>> or Bob Bondurant to turn up for F1 practice in a saloon car towing the
>> racer on the back. Alas, in this decade too, many fine drivers were
>> killed.
>>
>> In the 1970's it was still possible for ordinary spectators to get
>> into the paddock. Facilities were quite primitive and drivers were not
>> cocooned in hermetically-sealed motor homes but could often be spotted
>> wandering about. My two young sons were keen autograph hunters and
>> were easily able to acquire the signatures of many famous drivers.
>> After the death of Jochen Rindt the decade was dominated by Jackie
>> Stewart, Emerson Fittipaldi and, later, Hunt and Lauda.
>>
>> The 1980's saw the Turbo era and also the start of the long (20 year)
>> dominance of British teams (mainly McLaren, sometimes Williams) and
>> the temporary eclipse of Ferrari. F1 had by now completely lost all
>> vestiges of the dare-devil, happy-go-lucky sport it had once been and
>> commercial sponsorship (which had really begun in the 1960s) was now a
>> vital element.
>>
>> By the 1990's F1 had become *much* safer and fatalities were rare. The
>> decade saw the rivalry between Senna and Prost reach its apogee and
>> the emergence of a brilliant new talent: Michael Schumacher.
>>
>> And the 2000's, well you know all about that. Ferrari resurgence,
>> Schumacher/Alonso rivalry, vast budgets, vast salaries, scandals,
>> gossip . but not a lot of overtaking!
>>
>> My own favourite moment? Brands Hatch 1970 watching at Paddock as
>> Rindt, lying third, takes Brabham on the outside then Ickx on the
>> inside to come out of Druids in the lead.
>>
>> Just rambling - it's a Sunday afternoon and there's no GP.
>
> Toss up between the 60s and 70s. 70s probably just shade it in my opinion.
> It was illegal to be_ guy,_ but the racing was good.
Guy Edwards was illegal?
Doc
>
"Quentin Queerbottom" <feeling_a_little_queer@hotmail.co.uk> skrev i melding
news:srPOj.94017$5i5.68938@newsfe6-gui.ntli,net ...
>
> "Gongoozler" <trevor@ladyelg.fsnet.co.uk> wrote in message
> news:rdom04dpen8c703mfebh1c2052qkgr37op@4ax,com ...
>>I wonder what people think was the best decade for F1 since WW2?
>> I'm amazed to find that I am now in my sixth decade of following, and
>> occasionally participating in, motor sport - went to my first motor
>> race in 1951 and my first Grand Prix in 1964 (I'm a year older than
>> Max but, in case you're wondering, I can't keep it up for 5 minutes
>> let alone 5 hours!)
>>
>> It's easy to look back nostalgically but F1 in the 1950's could be
>> very dull. Races were incredibly long and often processional with few
>> factory teams and lots of "starting money specials". Very few drivers
>> did more than make a living (many were amateurs anyway) and many of
>> them died. Dominant teams were: Alfa-Romeo, Mercedes, Maserati and
>> Ferrari.
>>
>> The sixties was the era of the rear-engined car. F1 became much more
>> competitive but it was still possible for privateers like Pete Lovely
>> or Bob Bondurant to turn up for F1 practice in a saloon car towing the
>> racer on the back. Alas, in this decade too, many fine drivers were
>> killed.
>>
>> In the 1970's it was still possible for ordinary spectators to get
>> into the paddock. Facilities were quite primitive and drivers were not
>> cocooned in hermetically-sealed motor homes but could often be spotted
>> wandering about. My two young sons were keen autograph hunters and
>> were easily able to acquire the signatures of many famous drivers.
>> After the death of Jochen Rindt the decade was dominated by Jackie
>> Stewart, Emerson Fittipaldi and, later, Hunt and Lauda.
>>
>> The 1980's saw the Turbo era and also the start of the long (20 year)
>> dominance of British teams (mainly McLaren, sometimes Williams) and
>> the temporary eclipse of Ferrari. F1 had by now completely lost all
>> vestiges of the dare-devil, happy-go-lucky sport it had once been and
>> commercial sponsorship (which had really begun in the 1960s) was now a
>> vital element.
>>
>> By the 1990's F1 had become *much* safer and fatalities were rare. The
>> decade saw the rivalry between Senna and Prost reach its apogee and
>> the emergence of a brilliant new talent: Michael Schumacher.
>>
>> And the 2000's, well you know all about that. Ferrari resurgence,
>> Schumacher/Alonso rivalry, vast budgets, vast salaries, scandals,
>> gossip . but not a lot of overtaking!
>>
>> My own favourite moment? Brands Hatch 1970 watching at Paddock as
>> Rindt, lying third, takes Brabham on the outside then Ickx on the
>> inside to come out of Druids in the lead.
>>
>> Just rambling - it's a Sunday afternoon and there's no GP.
>
> Toss up between the 60s and 70s. 70s probably just shade it in my opinion.
> It was illegal to be_ guy,_ but the racing was good.
Guy Edwards was illegal?
Doc
>
Re: F1 - the best decade?
On Mon, 21 Apr 2008 21:16:42 +0200, "Doc Knutsen" <doc@cheekracingDOTcom> wrote:
>> Toss up between the 60s and 70s. 70s probably just shade it in my opinion.
Yes -- 1961 through 1978 was my choice as peak era. Awfully hard to choose one
ten-year span out of those.
After that era, the years when Prost, Senna, and Mansell were battling.
After that, it's individual years -- Damon breaking thorugh to a championship,
for one.
-- Larry
On Mon, 21 Apr 2008 21:16:42 +0200, "Doc Knutsen" <doc@cheekracingDOTcom> wrote:
>> Toss up between the 60s and 70s. 70s probably just shade it in my opinion.
Yes -- 1961 through 1978 was my choice as peak era. Awfully hard to choose one
ten-year span out of those.
After that era, the years when Prost, Senna, and Mansell were battling.
After that, it's individual years -- Damon breaking thorugh to a championship,
for one.
-- Larry
Re: F1 - the best decade?
"Doc Knutsen" <doc@cheekracingDOTcom> wrote in message
news:SaSdndqN1rSFdZHVnZ2dnUVZ vSdnZ2d@comnet...
>
> "Quentin Queerbottom" <feeling a little queer@hotmail.co.uk> skrev i
> melding news:srPOj.94017$5i5.68938@newsfe6-gui.ntli,net ...
>>
>> "Gongoozler" <trevor@ladyelg.fsnet.co.uk> wrote in message
>> news:rdom04dpen8c703mfebh1c2052qkgr37op@4ax,com ...
>>>I wonder what people think was the best decade for F1 since WW2?
>>> I'm amazed to find that I am now in my sixth decade of following, and
>>> occasionally participating in, motor sport - went to my first motor
>>> race in 1951 and my first Grand Prix in 1964 (I'm a year older than
>>> Max but, in case you're wondering, I can't keep it up for 5 minutes
>>> let alone 5 hours!)
>>>
>>> It's easy to look back nostalgically but F1 in the 1950's could be
>>> very dull. Races were incredibly long and often processional with few
>>> factory teams and lots of "starting money specials". Very few drivers
>>> did more than make a living (many were amateurs anyway) and many of
>>> them died. Dominant teams were: Alfa-Romeo, Mercedes, Maserati and
>>> Ferrari.
>>>
>>> The sixties was the era of the rear-engined car. F1 became much more
>>> competitive but it was still possible for privateers like Pete Lovely
>>> or Bob Bondurant to turn up for F1 practice in a saloon car towing the
>>> racer on the back. Alas, in this decade too, many fine drivers were
>>> killed.
>>>
>>> In the 1970's it was still possible for ordinary spectators to get
>>> into the paddock. Facilities were quite primitive and drivers were not
>>> cocooned in hermetically-sealed motor homes but could often be spotted
>>> wandering about. My two young sons were keen autograph hunters and
>>> were easily able to acquire the signatures of many famous drivers.
>>> After the death of Jochen Rindt the decade was dominated by Jackie
>>> Stewart, Emerson Fittipaldi and, later, Hunt and Lauda.
>>>
>>> The 1980's saw the Turbo era and also the start of the long (20 year)
>>> dominance of British teams (mainly McLaren, sometimes Williams) and
>>> the temporary eclipse of Ferrari. F1 had by now completely lost all
>>> vestiges of the dare-devil, happy-go-lucky sport it had once been and
>>> commercial sponsorship (which had really begun in the 1960s) was now a
>>> vital element.
>>>
>>> By the 1990's F1 had become *much* safer and fatalities were rare. The
>>> decade saw the rivalry between Senna and Prost reach its apogee and
>>> the emergence of a brilliant new talent: Michael Schumacher.
>>>
>>> And the 2000's, well you know all about that. Ferrari resurgence,
>>> Schumacher/Alonso rivalry, vast budgets, vast salaries, scandals,
>>> gossip . but not a lot of overtaking!
>>>
>>> My own favourite moment? Brands Hatch 1970 watching at Paddock as
>>> Rindt, lying third, takes Brabham on the outside then Ickx on the
>>> inside to come out of Druids in the lead.
>>>
>>> Just rambling - it's a Sunday afternoon and there's no GP.
>>
>> Toss up between the 60s and 70s. 70s probably just shade it in my
>> opinion. It was illegal to be guy, but the racing was good.
>
> Guy Edwards was illegal?
No, no, I meant gay. You know, when you stick your cock up some bloke's
arse.
"Doc Knutsen" <doc@cheekracingDOTcom> wrote in message
news:SaSdndqN1rSFdZHVnZ2dnUVZ vSdnZ2d@comnet...
>
> "Quentin Queerbottom" <feeling a little queer@hotmail.co.uk> skrev i
> melding news:srPOj.94017$5i5.68938@newsfe6-gui.ntli,net ...
>>
>> "Gongoozler" <trevor@ladyelg.fsnet.co.uk> wrote in message
>> news:rdom04dpen8c703mfebh1c2052qkgr37op@4ax,com ...
>>>I wonder what people think was the best decade for F1 since WW2?
>>> I'm amazed to find that I am now in my sixth decade of following, and
>>> occasionally participating in, motor sport - went to my first motor
>>> race in 1951 and my first Grand Prix in 1964 (I'm a year older than
>>> Max but, in case you're wondering, I can't keep it up for 5 minutes
>>> let alone 5 hours!)
>>>
>>> It's easy to look back nostalgically but F1 in the 1950's could be
>>> very dull. Races were incredibly long and often processional with few
>>> factory teams and lots of "starting money specials". Very few drivers
>>> did more than make a living (many were amateurs anyway) and many of
>>> them died. Dominant teams were: Alfa-Romeo, Mercedes, Maserati and
>>> Ferrari.
>>>
>>> The sixties was the era of the rear-engined car. F1 became much more
>>> competitive but it was still possible for privateers like Pete Lovely
>>> or Bob Bondurant to turn up for F1 practice in a saloon car towing the
>>> racer on the back. Alas, in this decade too, many fine drivers were
>>> killed.
>>>
>>> In the 1970's it was still possible for ordinary spectators to get
>>> into the paddock. Facilities were quite primitive and drivers were not
>>> cocooned in hermetically-sealed motor homes but could often be spotted
>>> wandering about. My two young sons were keen autograph hunters and
>>> were easily able to acquire the signatures of many famous drivers.
>>> After the death of Jochen Rindt the decade was dominated by Jackie
>>> Stewart, Emerson Fittipaldi and, later, Hunt and Lauda.
>>>
>>> The 1980's saw the Turbo era and also the start of the long (20 year)
>>> dominance of British teams (mainly McLaren, sometimes Williams) and
>>> the temporary eclipse of Ferrari. F1 had by now completely lost all
>>> vestiges of the dare-devil, happy-go-lucky sport it had once been and
>>> commercial sponsorship (which had really begun in the 1960s) was now a
>>> vital element.
>>>
>>> By the 1990's F1 had become *much* safer and fatalities were rare. The
>>> decade saw the rivalry between Senna and Prost reach its apogee and
>>> the emergence of a brilliant new talent: Michael Schumacher.
>>>
>>> And the 2000's, well you know all about that. Ferrari resurgence,
>>> Schumacher/Alonso rivalry, vast budgets, vast salaries, scandals,
>>> gossip . but not a lot of overtaking!
>>>
>>> My own favourite moment? Brands Hatch 1970 watching at Paddock as
>>> Rindt, lying third, takes Brabham on the outside then Ickx on the
>>> inside to come out of Druids in the lead.
>>>
>>> Just rambling - it's a Sunday afternoon and there's no GP.
>>
>> Toss up between the 60s and 70s. 70s probably just shade it in my
>> opinion. It was illegal to be guy, but the racing was good.
>
> Guy Edwards was illegal?
No, no, I meant gay. You know, when you stick your cock up some bloke's
arse.
Re: F1 - the best decade?
"Quentin Queerbottom" <feeling_a_little_queer@hotmail.co.uk> skrev i melding
news:E0uPj.1071$244.497@newsfe1-win.ntli,net ...
>
> "Doc Knutsen" <doc@cheekracingDOTcom> wrote in message
> news:SaSdndqN1rSFdZHVnZ2dnUVZ_vSdnZ2d@comnet...
>>
>> "Quentin Queerbottom" <feeling_a_little_queer@hotmail.co.uk> skrev i
>> melding news:srPOj.94017$5i5.68938@newsfe6-gui.ntli,net ...
>>>
>>> "Gongoozler" <trevor@ladyelg.fsnet.co.uk> wrote in message
>>> news:rdom04dpen8c703mfebh1c2052qkgr37op@4ax,com ...
>>>>I wonder what people think was the best decade for F1 since WW2?
>>>> I'm amazed to find that I am now in my sixth decade of following, and
>>>> occasionally participating in, motor sport - went to my first motor
>>>> race in 1951 and my first Grand Prix in 1964 (I'm a year older than
>>>> Max but, in case you're wondering, I can't keep it up for 5 minutes
>>>> let alone 5 hours!)
>>>>
>>>> It's easy to look back nostalgically but F1 in the 1950's could be
>>>> very dull. Races were incredibly long and often processional with few
>>>> factory teams and lots of "starting money specials". Very few drivers
>>>> did more than make a living (many were amateurs anyway) and many of
>>>> them died. Dominant teams were: Alfa-Romeo, Mercedes, Maserati and
>>>> Ferrari.
>>>>
>>>> The sixties was the era of the rear-engined car. F1 became much more
>>>> competitive but it was still possible for privateers like Pete Lovely
>>>> or Bob Bondurant to turn up for F1 practice in a saloon car towing the
>>>> racer on the back. Alas, in this decade too, many fine drivers were
>>>> killed.
>>>>
>>>> In the 1970's it was still possible for ordinary spectators to get
>>>> into the paddock. Facilities were quite primitive and drivers were not
>>>> cocooned in hermetically-sealed motor homes but could often be spotted
>>>> wandering about. My two young sons were keen autograph hunters and
>>>> were easily able to acquire the signatures of many famous drivers.
>>>> After the death of Jochen Rindt the decade was dominated by Jackie
>>>> Stewart, Emerson Fittipaldi and, later, Hunt and Lauda.
>>>>
>>>> The 1980's saw the Turbo era and also the start of the long (20 year)
>>>> dominance of British teams (mainly McLaren, sometimes Williams) and
>>>> the temporary eclipse of Ferrari. F1 had by now completely lost all
>>>> vestiges of the dare-devil, happy-go-lucky sport it had once been and
>>>> commercial sponsorship (which had really begun in the 1960s) was now a
>>>> vital element.
>>>>
>>>> By the 1990's F1 had become *much* safer and fatalities were rare. The
>>>> decade saw the rivalry between Senna and Prost reach its apogee and
>>>> the emergence of a brilliant new talent: Michael Schumacher.
>>>>
>>>> And the 2000's, well you know all about that. Ferrari resurgence,
>>>> Schumacher/Alonso rivalry, vast budgets, vast salaries, scandals,
>>>> gossip . but not a lot of overtaking!
>>>>
>>>> My own favourite moment? Brands Hatch 1970 watching at Paddock as
>>>> Rindt, lying third, takes Brabham on the outside then Ickx on the
>>>> inside to come out of Druids in the lead.
>>>>
>>>> Just rambling - it's a Sunday afternoon and there's no GP.
>>>
>>> Toss up between the 60s and 70s. 70s probably just shade it in my
>>> opinion. It was illegal to be_ guy,_ but the racing was good.
>>
>> Guy Edwards was illegal?
>
> No, no, I meant gay. You know, when you stick your cock up some bloke's
> arse.
Really? Like Mike Hawthorn, then...his tombstone reads
"here lies JMH, World Champion racing driver, a great gay sportsman".
Doc
>
"Quentin Queerbottom" <feeling_a_little_queer@hotmail.co.uk> skrev i melding
news:E0uPj.1071$244.497@newsfe1-win.ntli,net ...
>
> "Doc Knutsen" <doc@cheekracingDOTcom> wrote in message
> news:SaSdndqN1rSFdZHVnZ2dnUVZ_vSdnZ2d@comnet...
>>
>> "Quentin Queerbottom" <feeling_a_little_queer@hotmail.co.uk> skrev i
>> melding news:srPOj.94017$5i5.68938@newsfe6-gui.ntli,net ...
>>>
>>> "Gongoozler" <trevor@ladyelg.fsnet.co.uk> wrote in message
>>> news:rdom04dpen8c703mfebh1c2052qkgr37op@4ax,com ...
>>>>I wonder what people think was the best decade for F1 since WW2?
>>>> I'm amazed to find that I am now in my sixth decade of following, and
>>>> occasionally participating in, motor sport - went to my first motor
>>>> race in 1951 and my first Grand Prix in 1964 (I'm a year older than
>>>> Max but, in case you're wondering, I can't keep it up for 5 minutes
>>>> let alone 5 hours!)
>>>>
>>>> It's easy to look back nostalgically but F1 in the 1950's could be
>>>> very dull. Races were incredibly long and often processional with few
>>>> factory teams and lots of "starting money specials". Very few drivers
>>>> did more than make a living (many were amateurs anyway) and many of
>>>> them died. Dominant teams were: Alfa-Romeo, Mercedes, Maserati and
>>>> Ferrari.
>>>>
>>>> The sixties was the era of the rear-engined car. F1 became much more
>>>> competitive but it was still possible for privateers like Pete Lovely
>>>> or Bob Bondurant to turn up for F1 practice in a saloon car towing the
>>>> racer on the back. Alas, in this decade too, many fine drivers were
>>>> killed.
>>>>
>>>> In the 1970's it was still possible for ordinary spectators to get
>>>> into the paddock. Facilities were quite primitive and drivers were not
>>>> cocooned in hermetically-sealed motor homes but could often be spotted
>>>> wandering about. My two young sons were keen autograph hunters and
>>>> were easily able to acquire the signatures of many famous drivers.
>>>> After the death of Jochen Rindt the decade was dominated by Jackie
>>>> Stewart, Emerson Fittipaldi and, later, Hunt and Lauda.
>>>>
>>>> The 1980's saw the Turbo era and also the start of the long (20 year)
>>>> dominance of British teams (mainly McLaren, sometimes Williams) and
>>>> the temporary eclipse of Ferrari. F1 had by now completely lost all
>>>> vestiges of the dare-devil, happy-go-lucky sport it had once been and
>>>> commercial sponsorship (which had really begun in the 1960s) was now a
>>>> vital element.
>>>>
>>>> By the 1990's F1 had become *much* safer and fatalities were rare. The
>>>> decade saw the rivalry between Senna and Prost reach its apogee and
>>>> the emergence of a brilliant new talent: Michael Schumacher.
>>>>
>>>> And the 2000's, well you know all about that. Ferrari resurgence,
>>>> Schumacher/Alonso rivalry, vast budgets, vast salaries, scandals,
>>>> gossip . but not a lot of overtaking!
>>>>
>>>> My own favourite moment? Brands Hatch 1970 watching at Paddock as
>>>> Rindt, lying third, takes Brabham on the outside then Ickx on the
>>>> inside to come out of Druids in the lead.
>>>>
>>>> Just rambling - it's a Sunday afternoon and there's no GP.
>>>
>>> Toss up between the 60s and 70s. 70s probably just shade it in my
>>> opinion. It was illegal to be_ guy,_ but the racing was good.
>>
>> Guy Edwards was illegal?
>
> No, no, I meant gay. You know, when you stick your cock up some bloke's
> arse.
Really? Like Mike Hawthorn, then...his tombstone reads
"here lies JMH, World Champion racing driver, a great gay sportsman".
Doc
>
Re: F1 - the best decade?
"Gongoozler" <trevor@ladyelg.fsnet.co.uk> wrote in message
news:rdom04dpen8c703mfebh1c2052qkgr37op@4ax,com ...
>I wonder what people think was the best decade for F1 since WW2?
> I'm amazed to find that I am now in my sixth decade of following, and
> occasionally participating in, motor sport - went to my first motor
> race in 1951 and my first Grand Prix in 1964 (I'm a year older than
> Max but, in case you're wondering, I can't keep it up for 5 minutes
> let alone 5 hours!)
>
> It's easy to look back nostalgically but F1 in the 1950's could be
> very dull. Races were incredibly long and often processional with few
> factory teams and lots of "starting money specials". Very few drivers
> did more than make a living (many were amateurs anyway) and many of
> them died. Dominant teams were: Alfa-Romeo, Mercedes, Maserati and
> Ferrari.
>
> The sixties was the era of the rear-engined car. F1 became much more
> competitive but it was still possible for privateers like Pete Lovely
> or Bob Bondurant to turn up for F1 practice in a saloon car towing the
> racer on the back. Alas, in this decade too, many fine drivers were
> killed.
>
> In the 1970's it was still possible for ordinary spectators to get
> into the paddock. Facilities were quite primitive and drivers were not
> cocooned in hermetically-sealed motor homes but could often be spotted
> wandering about. My two young sons were keen autograph hunters and
> were easily able to acquire the signatures of many famous drivers.
> After the death of Jochen Rindt the decade was dominated by Jackie
> Stewart, Emerson Fittipaldi and, later, Hunt and Lauda.
>
> The 1980's saw the Turbo era and also the start of the long (20 year)
> dominance of British teams (mainly McLaren, sometimes Williams) and
> the temporary eclipse of Ferrari. F1 had by now completely lost all
> vestiges of the dare-devil, happy-go-lucky sport it had once been and
> commercial sponsorship (which had really begun in the 1960s) was now a
> vital element.
>
> By the 1990's F1 had become *much* safer and fatalities were rare. The
> decade saw the rivalry between Senna and Prost reach its apogee and
> the emergence of a brilliant new talent: Michael Schumacher.
>
> And the 2000's, well you know all about that. Ferrari resurgence,
> Schumacher/Alonso rivalry, vast budgets, vast salaries, scandals,
> gossip . but not a lot of overtaking!
>
> My own favourite moment? Brands Hatch 1970 watching at Paddock as
> Rindt, lying third, takes Brabham on the outside then Ickx on the
> inside to come out of Druids in the lead.
>
> Just rambling - it's a Sunday afternoon and there's no GP.
> --
> Trevor
As pointless as top 100 drivers lists.
AC
"Gongoozler" <trevor@ladyelg.fsnet.co.uk> wrote in message
news:rdom04dpen8c703mfebh1c2052qkgr37op@4ax,com ...
>I wonder what people think was the best decade for F1 since WW2?
> I'm amazed to find that I am now in my sixth decade of following, and
> occasionally participating in, motor sport - went to my first motor
> race in 1951 and my first Grand Prix in 1964 (I'm a year older than
> Max but, in case you're wondering, I can't keep it up for 5 minutes
> let alone 5 hours!)
>
> It's easy to look back nostalgically but F1 in the 1950's could be
> very dull. Races were incredibly long and often processional with few
> factory teams and lots of "starting money specials". Very few drivers
> did more than make a living (many were amateurs anyway) and many of
> them died. Dominant teams were: Alfa-Romeo, Mercedes, Maserati and
> Ferrari.
>
> The sixties was the era of the rear-engined car. F1 became much more
> competitive but it was still possible for privateers like Pete Lovely
> or Bob Bondurant to turn up for F1 practice in a saloon car towing the
> racer on the back. Alas, in this decade too, many fine drivers were
> killed.
>
> In the 1970's it was still possible for ordinary spectators to get
> into the paddock. Facilities were quite primitive and drivers were not
> cocooned in hermetically-sealed motor homes but could often be spotted
> wandering about. My two young sons were keen autograph hunters and
> were easily able to acquire the signatures of many famous drivers.
> After the death of Jochen Rindt the decade was dominated by Jackie
> Stewart, Emerson Fittipaldi and, later, Hunt and Lauda.
>
> The 1980's saw the Turbo era and also the start of the long (20 year)
> dominance of British teams (mainly McLaren, sometimes Williams) and
> the temporary eclipse of Ferrari. F1 had by now completely lost all
> vestiges of the dare-devil, happy-go-lucky sport it had once been and
> commercial sponsorship (which had really begun in the 1960s) was now a
> vital element.
>
> By the 1990's F1 had become *much* safer and fatalities were rare. The
> decade saw the rivalry between Senna and Prost reach its apogee and
> the emergence of a brilliant new talent: Michael Schumacher.
>
> And the 2000's, well you know all about that. Ferrari resurgence,
> Schumacher/Alonso rivalry, vast budgets, vast salaries, scandals,
> gossip . but not a lot of overtaking!
>
> My own favourite moment? Brands Hatch 1970 watching at Paddock as
> Rindt, lying third, takes Brabham on the outside then Ickx on the
> inside to come out of Druids in the lead.
>
> Just rambling - it's a Sunday afternoon and there's no GP.
> --
> Trevor
As pointless as top 100 drivers lists.
AC
