Motorsport Trivia

[Saint Devote]

I think I have it. Both won the first British GP for their respective teams. Revson won McLaren's first British GP in 1973 and Regazonni won Williams' first one in 1979 (which turned out to be their first ever race win in F1).

Bravo!! :D :D

The British GP at Silverstone or Brands Hatch is always the top thrill each season.

The most knowledgeable fans racing in the centre of the motor racing world, Britain, and the English countryside that I dearly love so much :D

Special weekend indeed for motor racing. Only Monaco and Italy come close.

[52Paddy]

Which F1 team has the unusual honour of being the only one to carry a grand piano in its cargo?

[ShiftingGears]

Which F1 team has the unusual honour of being the only one to carry a grand piano in its cargo?

Team Lotus? Elio De Angelis used to fancy playing piano.

[52Paddy]

Team Lotus? Elio De Angelis used to fancy playing piano.

Not Lotus. Clue: think of the piano as a sign of flamboyancy, rather than looking for musicians in the team.

NB: I'm not saying that that is the reason behind the piano, just my thoughts on the situation when I look at the correct answer.

[DazzlaF1]

Not Lotus. Clue: think of the piano as a sign of flamboyancy, rather than looking for musicians in the team.

NB: I'm not saying that that is the reason behind the piano, just my thoughts on the situation when I look at the correct answer.

Andrea Moda? they would be the only ones i'd know of daft enough to bring a piano with them

[Rollo]

Which F1 team has the unusual honour of being the only one to carry a grand piano in its cargo?

Tyrell?
Legend has it that at an awards ceremony, Ken walked over to a grand piano and began to play the opening bars of a Rachmaninoff piano concerto. The audience must've been surprised when he got up part way through, put the lid down and said "That's all I know".

James Hunt could play the piano quite well; and considering that he drove for Lord Hesketh who was quite bonkers, it could also have been Hesketh Racing as well.

[Ranger]

Not Lotus. Clue: think of the piano as a sign of flamboyancy, rather than looking for musicians in the team.

NB: I'm not saying that that is the reason behind the piano, just my thoughts on the situation when I look at the correct answer.

Hesketh?

[Saint Devote]

I would say Hesketh too, but I remember them well and subsequently have read a great deal as well down the decades - nothing ever about a piano.

Also it is something I would have thought David Thieme would have done but you've ruled that out as well.

I'll take a real flier and say it was some team from the early days - Maserati per chance?

[Saint Devote]

What direct family link - being the son of - does Mark Webber's loyal race engineer Ciarion have to someone well known in racing :-]

[GJD]

I only know of one other Pilbeam... Mike.

[GJD]

I have only heard of one other Pilbeam... Mike.

[Ranger]

Several nations' championship Grand Prix races have been held at 3 or more different venues. (ie. Belgian GP - Spa, Nivelles, Zolder)

Only three drivers in Formula 1 history have won a nation's Grand Prix at three different circuits. (European GP is counted)

Name the drivers.
Name the Grands Prix.
Name the venues at which they won.

:D

[DazzlaF1]

Several nations' championship Grand Prix races have been held at 3 or more different venues. (ie. Belgian GP - Spa, Nivelles, Zolder)

Only three drivers in Formula 1 history have won a nation's Grand Prix at three different circuits. (European GP is counted)

Name the drivers.
Name the Grands Prix.
Name the venues at which they won.

:D

I know this

Jim Clark (British GP: Aintree in 62, Brands Hatch in 64, Silverstone in 63, 65 and 67)
Jack Brabham (British GP: Aintree in 59, Silverstone in 60, Brands Hatch in 66)
Alain Prost (French GP: Dijon in 81, Paul Ricard in 83, 88, 89 and 90, Magny-Cours in 93)

[52Paddy]

In relation to my earlier question, the correct answer is indeed Hesketh. I've no explanation as to why, but if Hunt did play the piano, that probably explains it.

[Saint Devote]

I have only heard of one other Pilbeam... Mike.

Yes, it is.

And his son has moxie standing up to the RBR heavies a couple of races ago.

[Rollo]

Which current Formula One team has its factory closest to the very first corner which the Formula One World Championship raced through?
Bonus question: Which corner is it?

[Saint Devote]

Which current Formula One team has its factory closest to the very first corner which the Formula One World Championship raced through?
Bonus question: Which corner is it?

Is the team Force India - old Jordan team?
I THINK the corner is Copse.

:D :D

[Rollo]

Dang that was quick... but the corner was Woodcote. The pits were moved before the '52 GP.

[Saint Devote]

Dang that was quick... but the corner was Woodcote. The pits were moved before the '52 GP.

:D
I actually thought about Woodcote, but in my mind it has always been the formerly great corner before the pits.........

Wouldnt it be great to work so close to such corner during the sane days when testing was allowed!

[Saint Devote]

Over the past 30 years which make - car or engine manufacturer on the grid today in order has won the most pole positions at the British Grand Prix:

Ferrari
Mclaren
Williams
Renault

[DazzlaF1]

Over the past 30 years which make - car or engine manufacturer on the grid today in order has won the most pole positions at the British Grand Prix:

Ferrari
Mclaren
Williams
Renault

Williams (12 poles since 1980)
Ferrari (6 poles)
McLaren (6 poles)
Renault (3 poles)

The other 3 poles shared between Brabham, Ligier and Red Bull

[Saint Devote]

Williams (12 poles since 1980)
Ferrari (6 poles)
McLaren (6 poles)
Renault (3 poles)

The other 3 poles shared between Brabham, Ligier and Red Bull

The reason I asked this question is because it illuminates the greatness that Williams has reached in racing. So yes the top is Williams - I recommend reading Maurice Hamilton's book "Williams".

I could not put it down and I think he could actually write another volume :D

I put in the engine part because if Renault's engine contribution were included they would then bounce up to second place.

[Saint Devote]

Who were the first and last Ferrari drivers to win the world championship with 12 cylinders powering them?

[Saint Devote]

Without peeking - this mostly Maserati grand prix driver was born 96 years ago: his last name was Bhanubandh - he was known as?

[D28]

Who were the first and last Ferrari drivers to win the world championship with 12 cylinders powering them?

I would say Niki Lauda 1975 and Jody Scheckter 1979.

[Saint Devote]

I would say Niki Lauda 1975 and Jody Scheckter 1979.

Drat! I knew that was too easy :D

Ferrari are always viewed as 12 cylinder winning cars yet only two of their world champions have done so - albeit with the most wonderful sounding flat 12's powering them.

[D28]

Without peeking - this mostly Maserati grand prix driver was born 96 years ago: his last name was Bhanubandh - he was known as?

Prince Bira ?

[Rollo]

Prince Bira ?

Absolutely.

He was also an Olympic sailor if memory serves me right.

[D28]

In obscure entries in the record book category:
This driver entered but one GP, yet he was quick enough to be credited with fastest lap. Name the driver, GP and possibly the car he drove.

[GJD]

This without looking... honest. A Japanese fellow, wasn't it? Hashima perhaps? In a locally built car powered by a DFV. In the very wet 1976 Japanese GP at Mt Fuji in which Master James clinched his championship.

Didn't they strap on some new tyres late in the race and go for a couple of banzai laps... successfully?

Or somefink like that.

[V12]

Was going to go for Hasemi in the Kojima at Japan '76 (I think that's who GJD is alluding to too). However I believe that in actual fact Jacques Laffite set fastest lap but by the time this was established, the official results had already been published (or something along those lines) with Hasemi declared as holding the FL, and the myth has sort of perpetuated ever since. So for that reason I may be wrong :)

[D28]

Was going to go for Hasemi in the Kojima at Japan '76 (I think that's who GJD is alluding to too). However I believe that in actual fact Jacques Laffite set fastest lap but by the time this was established, the official results had already been published (or something along those lines) with Hasemi declared as holding the FL, and the myth has sort of perpetuated ever since. So for that reason I may be wrong :)

That is the man. I saw some reference that the FL was disputed, but it is in the book which is what counts. It was a very chaotic day.
I did read that Hasemi was a very quick driver, familiar with the circuit, and I think he had good practise times before damaging the car. He qualified 10th.
The Kojima was entered again in 1977, but without Hasemi.

[52Paddy]

Which driver had to have his chassis adapted because his feet were too big?

[DazzlaF1]

Which driver had to have his chassis adapted because his feet were too big?

Could that have been Justin Wilson when he moved to Jaguar in mid-season?

[DazzlaF1]

A nice and simple "Who am I?" for you

1. I was born in Rio de Janeiro on February 11th, 1959
2. I began my grand prix career as a test driver for Ferrari who helped me get my first race seat with another Italian team
3. I drove a succession of uncompetitive cars failing to qualify for 25 of the 33 races I entered
4. I was given a leading drive as a replacement for an injured driver and performed well enough to earn a full contract with that team
5. The next year, I was fired in mid season to make way for a driver who would become extremely successful himself
6. I finished my Grand Prix career driving one of the worst F1 cars ever designed
7. After F1, I forged a good career in Champ Cars winning twice during 7 seasons and earning a reputation for being a "super-sub"

[jedii]

roberto moreno sorry bout the spelling

[Saint Devote]

Prince Bira ?

Indeed - as Rollo confirms :D

[Saint Devote]

That is the man. I saw some reference that the FL was disputed, but it is in the book which is what counts. It was a very chaotic day.
I did read that Hasemi was a very quick driver, familiar with the circuit, and I think he had good practise times before damaging the car. He qualified 10th.
The Kojima was entered again in 1977, but without Hasemi.

Imagine that - new teams that shock on the positive side :eek:

[Saint Devote]

Heres a real gem I think:

This driver got to practice the Ferrari at Monza for the GP because Amon decided that he had had enough - but was almost SIX seconds slower than his teammate and did not get to start the 1969 GP - this one disaster destroyed his career.

[52Paddy]

Could that have been Justin Wilson when he moved to Jaguar in mid-season?

Not Wilson, though I do realise that there could be several answers to this one. Damon Hill, for one, had it done with Arrows but see if you can guess the driver I'm talking about. From the recent decades.

[52Paddy]

Heres a real gem I think:

This driver got to practice the Ferrari at Monza for the GP because Amon decided that he had had enough - but was almost SIX seconds slower than his teammate and did not get to start the 1969 GP - this one disaster destroyed his career.

That's a toughie. And it's obviously not Pedro Rodriguez.

[52Paddy]

roberto moreno sorry bout the spelling

Yes, definitely.

[D28]

Heres a real gem I think:

This driver got to practice the Ferrari at Monza for the GP because Amon decided that he had had enough - but was almost SIX seconds slower than his teammate and did not get to start the 1969 GP - this one disaster destroyed his career.

Could it be Tino Brambilla

[DazzlaF1]

roberto moreno sorry bout the spelling

No need to apologise mate, that is the correct spelling as well as the correct answer to my Who am I

[D-Type]

Heres a real gem I think:

This driver got to practice the Ferrari at Monza for the GP because Amon decided that he had had enough - but was almost SIX seconds slower than his teammate and did not get to start the 1969 GP - this one disaster destroyed his career.
Ernesto Brambilla, Vittorio's elder brother.
Another example of the younger brother being faster.

[DazzlaF1]

Ernesto Brambilla, Vittorio's elder brother.
Another example of the younger brother being faster.

I believe teammate Pedro Rodriguez ended up using his car as well.

It was also the very race where Jackie Stewart headed a 4 car photo finish (along with Jochen Rindt, JB Beltoise and the great Bruce McLaren), one of the best finishes to a grand prix ever.

Enjoy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cQURylYN13w

[Saint Devote]

Ernesto Brambilla, Vittorio's elder brother.
Another example of the younger brother being faster.

And he had won the F2 championship with Ferrari.

[Saint Devote]

I believe teammate Pedro Rodriguez ended up using his car as well.

It was also the very race where Jackie Stewart headed a 4 car photo finish (along with Jochen Rindt, JB Beltoise and the great Bruce McLaren), one of the best finishes to a grand prix ever.

Enjoy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cQURylYN13w

Remember the first, of the whole generation of 7 superb British drivers, of which 5 were killed by the beginning of 1977, Piers Courage.

Piers in the non-works Frank Williams Racing Cars Brabham qualified 4th and finished 5th, beating Rodriguez in the Ferrari.

Racing was like that in those days and we have to be grateful that Stewart began and pursued a quest that was so unpopular at the time.

Along with Bernie they changed formula 1 for the better for all in racing.

[Bruce D]

Paddy is the answer to your question Gerhard Berger? I remember when he joined McLaren he crashed in Phoenix cos of hitting 2 pedals at once and it took a while before they made a bigger chassis for him. That was 1990

[52Paddy]

No Bruce, not Bergar. I remember reading about the scenario in an F1 magazine (or possibly autosport) in 2001. The driver in question always drove for the same team throughout his career. His career began in 1996 and lasted a few years, but he only raced sporadically (never completed a full year). He was never any good.

[Ranger]

No Bruce, not Bergar. I remember reading about the scenario in an F1 magazine (or possibly autosport) in 2001. The driver in question always drove for the same team throughout his career. His career began in 1996 and lasted a few years, but he only raced sporadically (never completed a full year). He was never any good.

Has to be Tarso Marques.

[DazzlaF1]

Which current Channel 4 presenter in his/her early career once worked as a pit lane invterviewer?

[52Paddy]

Has to be Tarso Marques.

Bingo!

[52Paddy]

Which current Channel 4 presenter in his/her early career once worked as a pit lane invterviewer?

Dianna Binks?

[DazzlaF1]

Dianna Binks?

Nope, not the one im thinking of. It actually might suprise you

[52Paddy]

I'm presuming this is a pitlane interviewer for F1 coverage. On the off-chance that it's not, could it be Mike Brewer?

[DazzlaF1]

I'm presuming this is a pitlane interviewer for F1 coverage. On the off-chance that it's not, could it be Mike Brewer?

Yes its F1 and no, not Mike Brewer

I'll give you a hint, this person revealed this fact in an early episode of the curerent format of "Top Gear"

[52Paddy]

Yes its F1 and no, not Mike Brewer

I'll give you a hint, this person revealed this fact in an early episode of the curerent format of "Top Gear"

Nothing comes to mind. I'd only be throwing out random names. I'm sure I'll kick myself when I find out though.

[AndyL]

Yes its F1 and no, not Mike Brewer

I'll give you a hint, this person revealed this fact in an early episode of the curerent format of "Top Gear"

I seem to recall Davina McCall being on one of the early series of Top Gear, was it her?

[DazzlaF1]

I seem to recall Davina McCall being on one of the early series of Top Gear, was it her?

Thats the one.

And heres the interview in question, talking about while she was working for MTV in 1994

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kLnI9st0QSc

[DazzlaF1]

I remember she used to work for MTV and she was present in the paddock with the Simtek team during 1994 as a presenter in some form. I remember seeing an article about this, and she spoke about the infamous 1994 San Marino GP as she was there and doesn't remember it as a very happy experience.

She presented race updates and interviews with drivers who picked out a song for MTV to play.

Cartoon Network did something similar when they sponsored Arrows in 2000 only then they did race reports, cartoon style with Dexter from Dexters Laboratory presenting

[Saint Devote]

Today is Chris Amon's birthday!

He was for a long time the youngest ever f1 driver - debuted at 19 years old. He raced during one the most dangerous periods in motor racing where it was not unusual for a top driver to be killed each month in f2 or f1 or endurance racing - in those days, from the mid 60's to 1970, f1 drivers raced in all those series too.

A few months ago in an interview they asked him what he considered his greatest achievement in racing. The quick ex-Ferrari Kiwi answered: "surviving".

[DazzlaF1]

Today is Chris Amon's birthday!

He was for a long time the youngest ever f1 driver - debuted at 19 years old. He raced during one the most dangerous periods in motor racing where it was not unusual for a top driver to be killed each month in f2 or f1 or endurance racing - in those days, from the mid 60's to 1970, f1 drivers raced in all those series too.

A few months ago in an interview they asked him what he considered his greatest achievement in racing. The quick ex-Ferrari Kiwi answered: "surviving".

How he never won a Grand Prix despite his immense talent bemuses me. Was he really THAT unlucky?

[Vitesse]

I've always felt it was more a case of misfortune in his choice of teams. He was a works Ferrari driver in 1968 and 1969 when the engine to have was a DFV in either a Lotus or Matra chassis. In 1970 he did have a DFV, but it was in a March 701 chassis, which fully earned its nickname of Much Advertised Racing Car Hoax.

He went to Matra for 1971-72: the Matra V12 was a lovely engine, but it worked best in sports cars and I'm sure the break from Tyrrell didn't help their F1 chassis development. The less said about the Tecno and Amon the better. And Mo Nunn's a great chap, but the Ensign was permanently underfunded.

[Saint Devote]

How he never won a Grand Prix despite his immense talent bemuses me. Was he really THAT unlucky?

Jackie Stewart has a view that Amon may have been too rough on the cars.

On the other hand, Jackie Ickx who was also a teammate at Ferrari thinks that it WAS just bad luck and is extremely sympathetic to Amon.

If you look at his record - in Canada 1968 for example, he led something like 70 of the 90 laps until he had transmission problems.

He was one of Enzo Ferrari's favorite drivers and was really held iin high regard for his testing and driving abilities.

[Saint Devote]

I've always felt it was more a case of misfortune in his choice of teams. He was a works Ferrari driver in 1968 and 1969 when the engine to have was a DFV in either a Lotus or Matra chassis. In 1970 he did have a DFV, but it was in a March 701 chassis, which fully earned its nickname of Much Advertised Racing Car Hoax.

He went to Matra for 1971-72: the Matra V12 was a lovely engine, but it worked best in sports cars and I'm sure the break from Tyrrell didn't help their F1 chassis development. The less said about the Tecno and Amon the better. And Mo Nunn's a great chap, but the Ensign was permanently underfunded.

But in 1968 he should have won at least one race.
There are those decisions that frustrate and have such significant effects, I agree.

I actually saw him race the Ensign in 1976 and he had an ENORMOUS accident in the Ensign at Zolder - in the country where his GP career began back in 1963. He was okay though.

[52Paddy]

What concept did a former Ferrari engineer unsuccessfully try to revive in the 1990s, what was his name and which team did he try to exploit this concept on?

[jedii]

What concept did a former Ferrari engineer unsuccessfully try to revive in the 1990s, what was his name and which team did he try to exploit this concept on?

6 wheeler?

[Saint Devote]

What concept did a former Ferrari engineer unsuccessfully try to revive in the 1990s, what was his name and which team did he try to exploit this concept on?

This is a tough one :eek:

Was it perhaps John Barnard trying to reintroduce Chapman's two part chassis idea from the 80's?

The team - I have no idea.

[GJD]

Look, this is as rough as guts but here we go. You say former Ferrari engineer, I think Mauro Forghieri... which leads me to a vague memory of the Lola Lambo... which in turn had a V12 donk (there's my 'Ferrari concept :confused: )

Which iirc Forghieri penned.

Or maybe I merely have a firm grasp of the wrong end of the stick. :dog:

[Rollo]

What concept did a former Ferrari engineer unsuccessfully try to revive in the 1990s, what was his name and which team did he try to exploit this concept on?

Was it "copying"?

Loïc Bigois who was with Ferrari in 1988, was poached by Prost in 1990. He "designed" the JS41 which was practically a rip-off of Benetton's B195.
Tyrell had tried copying in the 1970s with their 009 being a rip-off of the Lotus 79.

Then ther was the whole McLaren copying Ferrari thing... Coat please :D

[Bruce D]

How he never won a Grand Prix despite his immense talent bemuses me. Was he really THAT unlucky?

I remember his interview in Motorsport magazine a few months ago (last year some time I think) and I remember he said that despite missing all those victories he doesn't think he was unlucky, he was actually lucky to still be alive! Different times...

[52Paddy]

6 wheeler?

No. Bear in mind, when I say unsuccessfully, I mean that the idea was implemented into the car but poor results were achieved.



Was it perhaps John Barnard trying to reintroduce Chapman's two part chassis idea from the 80's?

Not that.


You say former Ferrari engineer, I think Mauro Forghieri... which leads me to a vague memory of the Lola Lambo... which in turn had a V12 donk (there's my 'Ferrari concept

Good thinking but the engineer was not Foghieri. And, remember, the concept was not necessarily a "Ferrari" concept. This idea had come about in the 1980s with another team. They tested it on their car but the car didn't race under that specification in the end. The team in question then used this idea (the Ferrari engineer's idea) in the 1990s but with awful consequences. The team scrapped the idea within a few races but the damage had been done.


Was it "copying"?

Good answer. Thanks for the laughs :p :

[D28]

This precocious 22 yr old won 2 consecutive GPs, and finished 2nd in the following race, to hold the hottest hand in F1. Name and details please.

[Rollo]

This precocious 22 yr old won 2 consecutive GPs, and finished 2nd in the following race, to hold the hottest hand in F1. Name and details please.

It's probably Bruce McLaren who won the tail of the '59 season and the opener of the '60 season.

As far as I know, there have only been two 22 year olds to win 2 consecutive GPs (McLaren and Hamilton) and since Hamilton was already holding "the hottest hand in F1" well before he even set foot in an F1 car, process of elimination suggests that it must be Bruce McLaren even though I have no idea who that hand would be other than Jack Brabham or Stirling Moss, or even what the hell that means exactly.

[jedii]

is it twin floor on the ferrari? john barnard

[D28]

It's probably Bruce McLaren who won the tail of the '59 season and the opener of the '60 season.

As far as I know, there have only been two 22 year olds to win 2 consecutive GPs (McLaren and Hamilton) and since Hamilton was already holding "the hottest hand in F1" well before he even set foot in an F1 car, process of elimination suggests that it must be Bruce McLaren even though I have no idea who that hand would be other than Jack Brabham or Stirling Moss, or even what the hell that means exactly.

That is the man.
Bruce won the US GP in Dec 1959, the Argentine GP and Monaco were in early 1960. He had the hot hand in terms of results, as Both Moss and Brabham ran into mechanical difficulties. After Monaco, he was leading the title hunt, while the defending champion and teammate, Brabham had yet to score a point. AS Bruce mentioned," It was getting awkward, but it was typical of Brabham's character that this made him more determined than ever". Jack won the next 5 races to win his second title, with Bruce placing second.

Bruce became the youngest ever to lead the championship, this held up for 47 years untill Lewis Hamilton bettered it.

New Zealanders, for whatever reason, seem to get an early start in F1. As mentioned above, Chris Amon started at 19, as did McLaren and also Mlke Thackwell, the youngest ever untill James Alguersuari in 2009.

[52Paddy]

is it twin floor on the ferrari? john barnard

No. The answer is the W12 engine with the failed Life Racing Team. The man was Franco Rocchi and the team which had used this idea was AGS, in the early 1980s. They tested the engine but the car was never raced with it.

[Mintexmemory]

I remember his interview in Motorsport magazine a few months ago (last year some time I think) and I remember he said that despite missing all those victories he doesn't think he was unlucky, he was actually lucky to still be alive! Different times...
Yes he was unlucky, but typically he would never say that as he was always a perfect sportsman. In the zone he was amazing and had Ferrari or Matra been able to provide reliability as well as speed he would have been Champ at least twice. The race at Clermont where he was just untouchable until the Matra failed is the prime example. Perhaps never happiest in the wet, he was still very quick in whatever he drove.
My first Motor Racing Hero when I was a spotty 13 year old in 68

[52Paddy]

I remember his interview in Motorsport magazine a few months ago (last year some time I think) and I remember he said that despite missing all those victories he doesn't think he was unlucky, he was actually lucky to still be alive! Different times...

Similarly, I read about Amon in one of my F1 books (I will look up which one) and they said that, although Amon is considered to be extremely unlucky, the argument exists that maybe he just didn't have the raw pace of the big names of the day. But, they qualified this by saying, unlike many unfortunates, Amon is still alive today. Looking at those who died in Amon's career span, many would have been very quick racers, notably: Lorenzo Bandini, Piers Courage, Jochen Rindt, Gerhard Mitter, Jo Siffert, Francois Cevert, Peter Revson and Mark Donohoe. And, of course, add Jim Clark to that list, even though it was F2 he died in. And Mike Spence who perished at Indy in 1968. And Ludovico Scarfiotti who went at a Hillclimb event the same year.

hhmm, maybe they had a point.

[GJD]

On Chris Amon, here is part of a response Roebuck wrote in Autosport to an "Ask Nigel" question several years ago: "Just as the cliché description of Stirling Moss is that he was 'the greatest driver never to win the World Championship', so Amon has invariably been called 'the greatest driver never to win a Grand Prix'.

Why did he never win one? Well, for a start, it had nothing to do with lack of talent. Mauro Forghieri, the legendary technical director of Ferrari for more than 20 years, says to this day that Amon should have been World Champion in 1968, his second year with the team. "It was our fault," he says. "We let Chris down too many times. In my opinion, he was as good as Jim Clark."

In 1970, as Jochen Rindt previewed the F1 season, he said this: "I have only two rivals - Stewart and Amon."

Any number of times Chris looked on course to win a Grand Prix - I think of Watkins Glen in '67, Jarama, Spa and St Jovite in '68, Montjuich in '69, Monza in '71, Clermont-Ferrand in '72 - and something on the car let him down. Then you had Brands Hatch in '68 and Spa in '70, where he was a close second - each time behind a car which usually broke!

So, yes, his luck was truly appalling. But even Chris would admit there was more to it than that. For one thing, he had what amounted to a genius for going to the wrong team at the wrong time. Think what he might have achieved if he had stayed with Ferrari in 1970...

As well as that, he was - and is - perhaps the most disorganised bloke I have ever met, and I don't think he would deny it. More than anything, though, I think - and it's an old cliché - that Amon truly was too nice a guy, that he lacked killer instinct. He loved racing for its own sake, loved driving a racing car, but the politics of F1 repelled him - and we're talking now about the mid-'70s! God knows what he would have made of it now.

On the wall of my study hangs a large framed photograph of his Ferrari, sideways through Old Hall, in the Oulton Park Gold Cup of 1968. "In memory," Chris has written beneath, "of pre-Mafia F1."

[Rollo]

Specifically, which was the oldest chassis to win a GP, and which GP was it?

[D-Type]

One of the Alfa Romeo 158s in 1950 or 1951 I suspect. I don't know the Alfa history intimately enough to say which one and where.

[D-Type]

Specifically, which was the oldest chassis to win a GP, and which GP was it?
One of the Alfa Romeo 158s in 1950 or 1951.

I don't know the Alfa history intimately enough to say which one and where as some of the chassis were postwar and some prewar.

[GJD]

I was thinking Alfa too. I believe the oldest chassis to win might well have been one of the six cars, originally dubbed 158C, that were built in the early part of 1940. My reason for speculating this is that Alfa-Romeo initially produced four complete 158s in 1938 and those chassis went on to do a lot of work. Two of them, I think, were written off before the war in (fatal) accidents.

For 1951, they laid down a further four cars which leads me to guess that the oldest winner was one of the 1940 cars driven by Farina to win the 1950 Italian Grand Prix at Monza on September 3.

[DazzlaF1]

I was thinking Alfa too. I believe the oldest chassis to win might well have been one of the six cars, originally dubbed 158C, that were built in the early part of 1940. My reason for speculating this is that Alfa-Romeo initially produced four complete 158s in 1938 and those chassis went on to do a lot of work. Two of them, I think, were written off before the war in (fatal) accidents.

For 1951, they laid down a further four cars which leads me to guess that the oldest winner was one of the 1940 cars driven by Farina to win the 1950 Italian Grand Prix at Monza on September 3.

Id go along with one of the "Alfetta's" in 1951.

If you're talking about since then, it would probably be Ronnie Peterson in Italy 1974 campaigning a 4 year old Lotus 72

[52Paddy]

One of the Alfa Romeo 158s in 1950 or 1951.

I don't know the Alfa history intimately enough to say which one and where as some of the chassis were postwar and some prewar.

Wasn't Farina's 1950 British GP winning 158 a model used in 1938?

[Vitesse]

Personally I'd go with the 1934 A-type ERA that Reg Parnell won the 1947 Swedish Winter and Stockholm GPs with ...

[Vitesse]

Wasn't Farina's 1950 British GP winning 158 a model used in 1938?
Yes and no. All the 1938 chassis were either scrapped or written off and the 1939 ones either written off or dismantled and rebuilt as 158Cs in 1940. Basically, as with the Vanwalls later, they put eveything in the parts bin and started again.

[52Paddy]

Yes and no. All the 1938 chassis were either scrapped or written off and the 1939 ones either written off or dismantled and rebuilt as 158Cs in 1940. Basically, as with the Vanwalls later, they put eveything in the parts bin and started again.


OK, Thanks for the clarification :)

[D-Type]

Did the ERA-Delage ever win a second tier GP?

[Rollo]

Hint Time: The team still competes in F1 today.

[D-Type]

Giulio Masetti won the 1921 Brescia "Gentlemen's Amateur GP " in a 1914 GP Mercedes

[Rollo]

I think I'm going to have to call in this one.
The car in question was the McLaren which won the 1986 Australian GP.

The actual chassis started life as an MP4/1C; specifically MP4/1C.04 and was built in Jun of 1982.
What I find odd is that the 1983 Dutch GP had John Watson in a Ford powered McLaren but Lauda in the TAG powered "development" vehicle and so MP4/1C.04 became MP4/1D.01
By the time of the flyaway rounds in 1986 of Mexico and Australia, Rosberg's car was unreliable and with a possible championship in the offind for Prost, MP4/1D.01 now became MP4/2C.07.
So a four and half year old chassis won a GP.

The Alfas were built in 1949, and Ronnie Peterson's Lotus 72 was a 72G which was built part way through 1972; so it was only 2 years old.

I found this in an old issue of "Octane" magazine and thought that it was quite interesting.

[Vitesse]

I think I'm going to have to call in this one.

The Alfas were built in 1949 ...
Rubbish.

For a start, Alfa Romeo took 1949 off, partly due to the deaths of Trossi and Wimille but mainly because, like Mercedes Benz in 1955, they had no more worlds to conquer, so to say that the cars used in 1950 were "built in 1949" is specious at best. "Rebuilt over the winter of 1949-50" perhaps. The 1951 cars were typed as 159s and built from mid-1950 onwards. But they probably still contained many parts from 158s - including engines, as only nine blocks were ever cast.

But to repeat, at least some of the chassis dated back to 1939 and/or 1940. At the very latest, any "new" chassis were built in 1946 or 1947. Unfortunately it is not possible to trace individual 158s - the data is not there (and never was). But these were proper chassis - not a monocoque tub which was likely replaced in part or completely during its various transitions from MP4 whatever to MP4 whichever. Much like my grandfather's axe ...

[Saint Devote]

Today is Aug 2, it is also 1970 - a clue is contained here.

What, did German driver Hubert Hahne do that made him quite famous / notorious - depending on your view.

[Rollo]

But to repeat, at least some of the chassis dated back to 1939 and/or 1940. At the very latest, any "new" chassis were built in 1946 or 1947. Unfortunately it is not possible to trace individual 158s - the data is not there (and never was).

There were probably 4 158s which were dismantled and hidden for the duration of the war (legend has it that one was in a cheese factory), but the two chassis which started the 1950 season were completed in Dec of 1949. (And by the way are correctly termed 158/50 as opposed to the 158/47s which were raced in 1948).
You are correct, it is not possible to trace "individual" 158s but you can trace groups of them.

The four 159s were all new chassis, and had bigger fuel tanks and different mount points to handle the De Dion rear axle setup.
Also, the 159M had reinforced frame tubes and cantilever beams.

[Mintexmemory]

Today is Aug 2, it is also 1970 - a clue is contained here.

What, did German driver Hubert Hahne do that made him quite famous / notorious - depending on your view.
Failed to qualify for his home GP in a March 701

[Saint Devote]

Failed to qualify for his home GP in a March 701

Yes he did but that was just the start of the issue :D

Another clue - Max Mosely and Ronnie Peterson are involved in this.

[ArrowsFA1]

What, did German driver Hubert Hahne do that made him quite famous / notorious - depending on your view.
Was he the driver who complained that his March was not fast enough so the team set up a test where Ronnie Peterson drove his own and Hahne's car? IIRC he was quicker in the latter!

[ShiftingGears]

Rubbish.

For a start, Alfa Romeo took 1949 off, partly due to the deaths of Trossi and Wimille

That reminds me how overlooked Wimille is as a driver, even though there is a very strong case for him being the best grand prix driver in the period between the end of WW2 and the beginning of the world drivers championship.

[Mintexmemory]

Was he the driver who complained that his March was not fast enough so the team set up a test where Ronnie Peterson drove his own and Hahne's car? IIRC he was quicker in the latter!

Which has always been proof only of Ronnie's ability to make any dog of a car bend to his will. As Max was involved did HH actually try to sue March?

[Saint Devote]

Which has always been proof only of Ronnie's ability to make any dog of a car bend to his will. As Max was involved did HH actually try to sue March?

Yes he did start legal action which is when Max called on Peterson and that ended the whole argument.

I dont think anyone in f1 ever won against Max {MARCH] and then when he teamed up with Bernie [Brabham] as the defenders of the teams - at times I think he might have even have caused Count Metternich and definitely Jean-Marie Balestre to have apoplexy.

The BT44B's in Martini livery are still amongst the prettiest damn cars ever.

[DazzlaF1]

Midland/Spyker in 2006 were the last team to change their car's livery/colour scheme in mid season (changing from Red, White & Grey to Orange and Silver), who were the last team to do this before them?

Bit of an easy one if you think about it

[52Paddy]

Midland/Spyker in 2006 were the last team to change their car's livery/colour scheme in mid season (changing from Red, White & Grey to Orange and Silver), who were the last team to do this before them?

Bit of an easy one if you think about it

BAR launched their 1999 car with blue 555 livery and I think the Lucky Strike half was added after a race or two.

But, failing that, I'll go with Forti in 1996, who began with a yellow colour scheme and changed to a Green, White and Red one when Shannon Developments stepped on board.

[DazzlaF1]

BAR launched their 1999 car with blue 555 livery and I think the Lucky Strike half was added after a race or two.

But, failing that, I'll go with Forti in 1996, who began with a yellow colour scheme and changed to a Green, White and Red one when Shannon Developments stepped on board.

You're right with Forti, their Green & White Livery only lasted 3 races before the team went bust after Shannon Racing (as they were actually known) never produced the money promised to Forti.

Other recent ones include Jordan, they changed colours slightly at the beginning of 1995, they began the year with a multi couloured livery with the main colour being Blue before they changed that to Green from Imola onwards, and Larrousse in 1994 changed from Tourtel Green to Kronenbourg Red and White for the Pacific, San Marino and Monaco GP's as part of their sponsorship deal at the time with the Danone group.

BAR's doesnt count as their "different liveries" look never went past the car launch, they raced in that Lucky Strike/555 mash-up for the whole 1999 season.

[52Paddy]

You're right with Forti, their Green & White Livery only lasted 3 races before the team went bust after Shannon Racing (as they were actually known) never produced the money promised to Forti.

Other recent ones include Jordan, they changed colours slightly at the beginning of 1995, they began the year with a multi couloured livery with the main colour being Blue before they changed that to Green from Imola onwards, and Larrousse in 1994 changed from Tourtel Green to Kronenbourg Red and White for the Pacific, San Marino and Monaco GP's as part of their sponsorship deal at the time with the Danone group.

BAR's doesnt count as their "different liveries" look never went past the car launch, they raced in that Lucky Strike/555 mash-up for the whole 1999 season.

Cool, thanks for the note on the BAR livery situation. Next question:

Which motorcycle racer tested the Honda F1 car a Suzuka in early 1964?

[Ranger]

Cool, thanks for the note on the BAR livery situation. Next question:

Which motorcycle racer tested the Honda F1 car a Suzuka in early 1964?

I would have guessed Mike Hailwood or John Surtees.

Surtees?

[Saint Devote]

Cool, thanks for the note on the BAR livery situation. Next question:

Which motorcycle racer tested the Honda F1 car a Suzuka in early 1964?

I think he rode for Yamaha and Surtees is the obvious one - although isn't Mike The Bike too early for 1964?

So ..... could it be the late Bill Ivy - evn though I think he rode for Yamaha?

[Saint Devote]

This is an easy one:

This driver was selected to drive for Ferrari in 1985. He drove for Tyrrell and it was quite normal for him to pass 10 - 15 people in a race in a car that was just absolutely flattered by its results by him.

[Rollo]

Journeyman Stefan Johansson?

Alboreto who had also come from Tyrell, joined in 1984 I think.

[52Paddy]

This is an easy one:

This driver was selected to drive for Ferrari in 1985. He drove for Tyrrell and it was quite normal for him to pass 10 - 15 people in a race in a car that was just absolutely flattered by its results by him.

I also reckon Stefan Johansson. Killed way before his prime at a time when safety had taken an upturn (though it was sportscar racing).

So far nobody has guessed the correct motorbike racer. Here's a clue. He was born in England but lived his early life in Zimbabwe (known then as Rhodesia). He raced a Honda motorbike during the 1960s too.

[Saint Devote]

I also reckon Stefan Johansson. Killed way before his prime at a time when safety had taken an upturn (though it was sportscar racing).

So far nobody has guessed the correct motorbike racer. Here's a clue. He was born in England but lived his early life in Zimbabwe (known then as Rhodesia). He raced a Honda motorbike during the 1960s too.

Stefan Johansson raced last weekend at Spa.

I think you guys have the answer anyway - it is Stefan Bellof - killed at Eau Rouge in a Porsche 956, was quicker and gaining on bothe Prost and Senna in the rain at Monte Carlo in the Tyrrell and slated by Ferrari to join them for 1985.

Motorbike racer: was it Duke? or Paddy Driver :D

[52Paddy]

Stefan Johansson raced last weekend at Spa.

I think you guys have the answer anyway - it is Stefan Bellof - killed at Eau Rouge in a Porsche 956, was quicker and gaining on bothe Prost and Senna in the rain at Monte Carlo in the Tyrrell and slated by Ferrari to join them for 1985.

Motorbike racer: was it Duke? or Paddy Driver :D

Bellof, not Johansson! Of course that's who I meant :D

Not Duke or Driver. This guy is a multiple World Motorcycle Champion during the 1960s.

[DazzlaF1]

Bellof, not Johansson! Of course that's who I meant :D

Not Duke or Driver. This guy is a multiple World Motorcycle Champion during the 1960s.

I would have said John Surtees but i'll go for Mike Hailwood

[Saint Devote]

Bellof, not Johansson! Of course that's who I meant :D

Not Duke or Driver. This guy is a multiple World Motorcycle Champion during the 1960s.

Yes, I know who you meant :D

Was it perhaps the great Phil Read?

My favorite story related by Read is during practice of the TT - he was racing along with his arse in the air when all of a sudden he said he had the biggest fright of his life.

He felt a very hard WHACK! on his backside and who should go passed him but a waving Hailwood!

:D Isn't that a lovely tale?
Of course these days with tv and nanny government there would be a safety investigation, people would attack Hailwood and he would prbably be heavily sanctioned.

Although with Read and Hailwood they would probably BOTH go to the officials office, punch the officials lights out and then wreck the office too.

They were great mates!

[52Paddy]

Yes, I know who you meant :D

Was it perhaps the great Phil Read?

My favorite story related by Read is during practice of the TT - he was racing along with his arse in the air when all of a sudden he said he had the biggest fright of his life.

He felt a very hard WHACK! on his backside and who should go passed him but a waving Hailwood!

:D Isn't that a lovely tale?
Of course these days with tv and nanny government there would be a safety investigation, people would attack Hailwood and he would prbably be heavily sanctioned.

Although with Read and Hailwood they would probably BOTH go to the officials office, punch the officials lights out and then wreck the office too.

They were great mates!

Ah, great stuff! It's such a shame that the sport has become 'nannied' in this day and age but I guess it must comply with the general nanny state of today's world :mark: Anyway, it's not Read or Hailwood, as Dazzla has guessed. Shall I put you all out of your misery?

[Saint Devote]

Ah, great stuff! It's such a shame that the sport has become 'nannied' in this day and age but I guess it must comply with the general nanny state of today's world :mark: Anyway, it's not Read or Hailwood, as Dazzla has guessed. Shall I put you all out of your misery?

PLEASE do!!!
I have exhausted my list and cant think who it was.

One last offer although I am doubtful of this one: Jarno Saarinen?

[52Paddy]

Sorry, not him either. It was Jim Redman.

Go on, hit us with your worst... :p :

[Saint Devote]

Sorry, not him either. It was Jim Redman.

Go on, hit us with your worst... :p :

REDMAN!!!

Dammit! I completly forgot about him - that was a great question :D

There is a photo taken in 1978 as I recall when Hailwood made an incredible return to race in the TT and in the picture were all his mates from the years that had come to support his once-off return.

It was in the Autosport.

I just wish the Isle of Man TT was still raced today. It was the most magnificent circuit to rival the Nurburgring races - but then of course we would wish for the reurn of the Mille Miglia .........

Would make for absolutely great tv viewing.

[DazzlaF1]

Easy one

This driver in his only Grand Prix start scored a fastest lap in a locally built car, name him

[D-Type]

Patrick Depailler ;)

[52Paddy]

Easy one

This driver in his only Grand Prix start scored a fastest lap in a locally built car, name him

Oh, I came across this recently. Some Japanese or German dude IIRC. Was it Hasemi?

[DazzlaF1]

Oh, I came across this recently. Some Japanese or German dude IIRC. Was it Hasemi?

Yep it was Masahiro Hasemi in that monsoon at Mount Fuji in 1976 in a Kojima

[Saint Devote]

In the mid-1970's where could a racing fan see contemporary Lotus, Tyrrell, and Mclaren f1 cars racing for the local championship?

Very special days indeed.

[DazzlaF1]

In the mid-1970's where could a racing fan see contemporary Lotus, Tyrrell, and Mclaren f1 cars racing for the local championship?

Very special days indeed.

Errm the Aurora F1 series?

[Saint Devote]

Errm the Aurora F1 series?

:s mokin: Not Aurora F1 - I recall that the series began in the early 1980's.

[52Paddy]

In the mid-1970's where could a racing fan see contemporary Lotus, Tyrrell, and Mclaren f1 cars racing for the local championship?

Very special days indeed.

I don't really understand the question. Are you talking about the British F1 Championship (which may well have been the Aurora league already mentioned)? Is it something along those lines at all or have I got a different take on the Q?

[Rollo]

In the mid-1970's where could a racing fan see contemporary Lotus, Tyrrell, and Mclaren f1 cars racing for the local championship?

Very special days indeed.

Australia and New Zealand, in the Tasman Series?

[Saint Devote]

I don't really understand the question. Are you talking about the British F1 Championship (which may well have been the Aurora league already mentioned)? Is it something along those lines at all or have I got a different take on the Q?

Soemthing along those lines but not a British championship, New Zealand or Australia,

A clue is that it was the country where sponsorship of a car first appeared. Even before Gold Leaf.

[Ranger]

Soemthing along those lines but not a British championship, New Zealand or Australia,

A clue is that it was the country where sponsorship of a car first appeared. Even before Gold Leaf.

Wasn't there a South African F1 series?

I'll say that.

[Saint Devote]

Wasn't there a South African F1 series?

I'll say that.

Yes it was the South African Championship. I think it was up until 1976 they ran f1 cars including Lotus 72's, Tyrrell 007 and Mclaren M23.

Also it was the Team Gunston f1 team that were the first to be sponsored in racing in 1968 at the South African Grand Prix.

A great series indeed - they would have a around 12 races a year.

[Rollo]

A clue is that it was the country where sponsorship of a car first appeared. Even before Gold Leaf.

Just where did sponsorship of a car first appear in Formula One? I don't have a reliable answer for this.

I've found a photo of John Surtees Honda RA300 at the 1967 Italian GP with Ferodo on the side, and prior to that there is Brabham's BT19 at the 1966 German GP with Repco on.

[D-Type]

Just where did sponsorship of a car first appear in Formula One? I don't have a reliable answer for this.

I've found a photo of John Surtees Honda RA300 at the 1967 Italian GP with Ferodo on the side, and prior to that there is Brabham's BT19 at the 1966 German GP with Repco on.
Not a simple question to answer.

Issues include:
Including the South African Formula 1 Series or only World Championship races?
Non-motoring (ie tobacco) sponsorship or including motoring-related sponsorship.
Naming a car after a product: Thinwall Special, Cromard Special?
Naming a team after a sponsor: UDT, Yeoman Credit, Bowmaker Yeoman, Repco Brabham, Gold Leaf Team lotus, John Player Special?
Naming a car after a sponsor: Repco Brabham, JPS?
Size of advertising decals? - remember that Gold Leaf Team Lotus sometimes raced without the John Player sailor or any Gold Leaf or JPS signwriting - just the fag packet colours. etc, etc.

This really deserves a thread of its own.

[52Paddy]

Not a simple question to answer.

This really deserves a thread of its own.

Go here and we'll chat about it - http://www.motorsportforums.com/forums/showthread.php?p=829586#post829586

[Saint Devote]

Just where did sponsorship of a car first appear in Formula One? I don't have a reliable answer for this.

I've found a photo of John Surtees Honda RA300 at the 1967 Italian GP with Ferodo on the side, and prior to that there is Brabham's BT19 at the 1966 German GP with Repco on.

As official team sponsor.

The first time I am aware was the South African Grand Prix at Kyalami in 1968 where Team Gunston was the only official entrant.

[Saint Devote]

Besides the direct link to Du Pont product [and prior to that through one of the Du Pont family, Vietnam vet Brett Lunger] in formula 1 there is another from the United States - two of the big five teams have a significant link to ........ PENSKE.

What is that link :-]

[52Paddy]

Besides the direct link to Du Pont product [and prior to that through one of the Du Pont family, Vietnam vet Brett Lunger] in formula 1 there is another from the United States - two of the big five teams have a significant link to ........ PENSKE.

What is that link :-]

If you refer to Penske's F1 career, then I don't know right now. But, Penske have been running Honda engines and Marlboro sponsorship over the past few years in IRL. McLaren had both this sponsorship and engine in some of their 1980s cars of course. Ferrari, of course, also have sponsorship history with Marlboro. Of the top teams linked to Honda, Mercedes was Honda in a previous guise.

Scraping the end of the barrel perhaps...

[Saint Devote]

If you refer to Penske's F1 career, then I don't know right now. But, Penske have been running Honda engines and Marlboro sponsorship over the past few years in IRL. McLaren had both this sponsorship and engine in some of their 1980s cars of course. Ferrari, of course, also have sponsorship history with Marlboro. Of the top teams linked to Honda, Mercedes was Honda in a previous guise.

Scraping the end of the barrel perhaps...

The key IS on the engine side - including that of the current engines in the IRL and Mclaren is involved too.

Think back perhaps 20 years :D

[Saint Devote]

Which prominent F1 team person was the late Jochen Rindt's mechanic at the Cooper-Maserati team managed by Roy Salvadore?

And who was Jochen Rindt's manager?

[GJD]

Ron Dennis.

[GJD]

Which prominent F1 team person was the late Jochen Rindt's mechanic at the Cooper-Maserati team managed by Roy Salvadore?

And who was Jochen Rindt's manager?

Mechanic - Ron Dennis.
Manager - Bernie Ecclestone.

[Rusty Spanner]

The key IS on the engine side - including that of the current engines in the IRL and Mclaren is involved too.

Think back perhaps 20 years :D

The Mercedes F1 engines used by McLaren, Mercedes and Force India are built by Mercedes High Performance which was previously known as Ilmor prior to Mercedes total take over. Roger Penske was one of the main share holders in Ilmor at the time of the take over. Then there was also Ilmor Engineering – a separate US based sister company that designed the current Honda IRL engines.

[Saint Devote]

Mechanic - Ron Dennis.
Manager - Bernie Ecclestone.

You got it :D

Aint motor racing a small world?

[Saint Devote]

The Mercedes F1 engines used by McLaren, Mercedes and Force India are built by Mercedes High Performance which was previously known as Ilmor prior to Mercedes total take over. Roger Penske was one of the main share holders in Ilmor at the time of the take over. Then there was also Ilmor Engineering – a separate US based sister company that designed the current Honda IRL engines.

:D Yes - Mario Illien and Paul Morgan approached Roger Penske and he backed them.

I think the Illmor story is a good as the Cosworth tale. Great stories.

[GJD]

You got it :D

Aint motor racing a small world?

Stirling Moss only once entered a race meeting in a single seater Ferrari.

Which race, who owned the car and what was unusual about his weekend?

[D-Type]

Stirling Moss only once entered a race meeting in a single seater Ferrari.

Which race, who owned the car and what was unusual about his weekend?
Bari GP 1951
David Murray owned the car
Moss had arrived expecting a Ferrari works drive, but Ferrari had changed his mind and selected Taruffi to drive the car. Moss crashed the car in practice, he says because it had a central throttle as was usual on Italian racing cars at that time. What was unusual was that Moss and David Murray were still paid starting money by the organisers.

[GJD]

Bari GP 1951
David Murray owned the car
Moss had arrived expecting a Ferrari works drive, but Ferrari had changed his mind and selected Taruffi to drive the car. Moss crashed the car in practice, he says because it had a central throttle as was usual on Italian racing cars at that time. What was unusual was that Moss and David Murray were still paid starting money by the organisers.


Well done. I note you picked up on my careful wording,"entered a race meeting..." ;)

[52Paddy]

Perhaps a change of course for the next question: it is based on the BTCC.

In 1995, Alain Menu's championship chances ended when he was involved in collisions at both Snetterton races. Which driver collided with him on both occasions, why were officials unable to use tape from the on-board camera to analyse these crashes and what subsequent penalty was applied?

[Saint Devote]

Who was the racing driver that was for the first three years and named the driver position he started on Top Gear: "The Stig"?

What is the connection to f1 of the "The Stag"?

Which team principle - and it was not Bernie during his multiple worlc championship winning days either - The championship should go to the driver with the largest number of victories and not the one wirth the most points"?

[Saint Devote]

Perhaps a change of course for the next question: it is based on the BTCC.

In 1995, Alain Menu's championship chances ended when he was involved in collisions at both Snetterton races. Which driver collided with him on both occasions, why were officials unable to use tape from the on-board camera to analyse these crashes and what subsequent penalty was applied?

Good lord! I have NO IDEA about touring car racing - BUT - was it NIgel Mansell during his brief foray?

[AndyL]

Who was the racing driver that was for the first three years and named the driver position he started on Top Gear: "The Stig"?

What is the connection to f1 of the "The Stag"?

Which team principle - and it was not Bernie during his multiple worlc championship winning days either - The championship should go to the driver with the largest number of victories and not the one wirth the most points"?

I can answer the first one - the original Stig was the quintessential failed F1 driver, Perry McCarthy. Sacked after revealing his identity in his autobiography. Though I also recall him being named in the Evening Standard after he wrecked the transmission on a priceless D-type Jag... not sure if that was before or after his book came out.

[Saint Devote]

I can answer the first one - the original Stig was the quintessential failed F1 driver, Perry McCarthy. Sacked after revealing his identity in his autobiography. Though I also recall him being named in the Evening Standard after he wrecked the transmission on a priceless D-type Jag... not sure if that was before or after his book came out.

:D Yes. I enjoyed the book - recommend it.

[DazzlaF1]

Who was the racing driver that was for the first three years and named the driver position he started on Top Gear: "The Stig"?

What is the connection to f1 of the "The Stag"?

Which team principle - and it was not Bernie during his multiple worlc championship winning days either - The championship should go to the driver with the largest number of victories and not the one wirth the most points"?

1. Perry McCarthy

2. ??????

3. A wild guess, Flavio Briatore (during 1994)

[Saint Devote]

1. Perry McCarthy

2. ??????

3. A wild guess, Flavio Briatore (during 1994)

1 yes

2 there is a red bull connection to this beautiful pub.

3 No - this team boss is one of the most famous men in racing ever and he invented the idea of applying cooling fans to brakes when they pit as is done today

:D

[AndyL]

2 there is a red bull connection to this beautiful pub.
:D

Ah! Isn't there a Stag pub near Silverstone that's a popular haunt of F1 people? At a guess, would the deal for Red Bull to buy the team have been concluded there?

[Saint Devote]

Ah! Isn't there a Stag pub near Silverstone that's a popular haunt of F1 people? At a guess, would the deal for Red Bull to buy the team have been concluded there?

:D
Clue: The large pub is The Stag, in Mentmore in Buckinghamshire and the co-owner is a certain Anne Neal.

[D-Type]

2. The Stag is owned by Mark Webber and Ann Neal

3. No idea - Frank Williams?

[Saint Devote]

2. The Stag is owned by Mark Webber and Ann Neal

3. No idea - Frank Williams?


Yes its Webber.

The answer to the third question was written by the journalist author Heinz Pruller and its was the thoughts of someone with those famous initials ACBC:
Anthony Colin Bruce Chapman :D

[DazzlaF1]

Yes its Webber.

The answer to the third question was written by the journalist author Heinz Pruller and its was the thoughts of someone with those famous initials ACBC:
Anthony Colin Bruce Chapman :D

The great Colin eh? when did he come out with that statement? must have been during the early 70's or something when it was Fittipaldi v Stewart

[Saint Devote]

Lotus champions other than Hill whose wins were equalled in 1968 ALL won the most grands pix in their winning title year.

Chapman was true to his word.

But even if it were not so - that is the way he thought.

[Saint Devote]

At different times which two drivers were known as "Beco" and the other as
"Little Napper".

[Saint Devote]

Who said: they dont like this era and would have been more comfortable as a racing driver in the 60's or 70's?

[D-Type]

Mark Webber?

[ShiftingGears]

Kimi

[Saint Devote]

Kimi

Naturally :D

[D-Type]

Naturally :D

Is that the nickname question or the harking back to the 60's and 70's question?

[Saint Devote]

Is that the nickname question or the harking back to the 60's and 70's question?


The nicknames question is stil unanswered.

Clue-time:

Beco refers to a Brazilian
Little Napper to a Frenchman

:D

[52Paddy]

Perhaps a change of course for the next question: it is based on the BTCC.

In 1995, Alain Menu's championship chances ended when he was involved in collisions at both Snetterton races. Which driver collided with him on both occasions, why were officials unable to use tape from the on-board camera to analyse these crashes and what subsequent penalty was applied?

OK, it wasn't Nigel Mansell but Tim Harvey who collided with Menu. Officials couldn't use the tape because it was smeared with some sticky substance. And the penalty was a fine awarded to Harvey for breaching the championship's commercial regulations.

As for the question on the go at the moment, I have no clue :confused:

[DazzlaF1]

OK, it wasn't Nigel Mansell but Tim Harvey who collided with Menu. Officials couldn't use the tape because it was smeared with some sticky substance. And the penalty was a fine awarded to Harvey for breaching the championship's commercial regulations.

As for the question on the go at the moment, I have no clue :confused:

OK then, another easy one

Murray Walker during his career as a commentator in F1 had 3 main partners these being of course James Hunt (1980-1993), Jonathan Palmer (1993-1996) and Martin Brundle (1997-2001)but if you count them all, he actually had 4 becuase on 2 occasions, another former driver stepped in to replace one of the aforementioned co-commentators and funnily enough they were at the exact same Grand Prix

So what we're after is the driver, who he replaced in the commentary booth and why

[Saint Devote]

OK then, another easy one

Murray Walker during his career as a commentator in F1 had 3 main partners these being of course James Hunt (1980-1993), Jonathan Palmer (1993-1996) and Martin Brundle (1997-2001)but if you count them all, he actually had 4 because on 2 occasions, another former driver stepped in to replace one of the aforementioned co-commentators and funnily enough they were at the exact same Grand Prix

So what we're after is the driver, who he replaced in the commentary booth and why

I have to guess it was Johnny Herbert - why - I don't know.

Beco was the family nickname for Senna when he was young and, Little Napper was the name given to Prost because he is French and he had his arm in a sling after injuring his wrist at Kyalami in 1980.

[AndyL]

I'd guess he replaced Brundle when Brundle was on Le Mans duty.

[DazzlaF1]

I'd guess he replaced Brundle when Brundle was on Le Mans duty.

Its the correct reason, but it was'nt Johnny Herbert

I'll give you a clue, it was Canada and this man famously corrected Murray when he thought Frentzen crashed into the champions wall when infact it was Villeneuve

[Ranger]

Its the correct reason, but it was'nt Johnny Herbert

I'll give you a clue, it was Canada and this man famously corrected Murray when he thought Frentzen crashed into the champions wall when infact it was Villeneuve

Brundle was racing at Le Mans for the Canadian Grands Prix in 1998 and 1999. Derek Warwick took his place in '98 and Mark Blundell in '99.

Jackie Stewart was in the booth for the 1993 British Grand Prix after James Hunt passed away.

[Saint Devote]

Here is a rather obscure question:

Which world champion driver, who openly respected Johnny Herbert a great deal and was also a friend of his, as all were gathering for the drivers meeting in Brazil 1989, made Johnny jump and everyone else laugh by pinching Herbert's bum!

:-]

[GJD]

Nelson Piquet

[Saint Devote]

Nelson Piquet

Not Nelson - it was Ayrton Senna.

[D28]

The record for fewest F1 races before a win obviously belongs to G. Baghetti, (and technically N. Farina). Jacques Villeneuve (no 5 all-time on the list), won a GP on his 4th entry. He shares this record with 2 others. Name these 2 drivers.

[Rollo]

Emerson Fittipaldi won his 4th GP.
Tony Brooks won his 3rd GP. :eek:

[D28]

Emerson Fittipaldi won his 4th GP.
Tony Brooks won his 3rd GP. :eek:

Yes he did, shared with Moss, but I am looking for the drivers who won their 4th race.

[D28]

Yes he did, shared with Moss, but I am looking for the drivers who won their 4th race.

Sorry, what I meant to say was Brooks did win his 3rd race, shared with Moss.
Fittipaldi is half of the awswer as to who won his 4th race. there is another driver who also managed this feat (apart from Villeneuve). Who is he?

[D-Type]

If you include Indianapolis: Bill Vukovich

[D28]

I am talking about World Championship F1 races, where the driver actually takes the start.

[D-Type]

By "actually takes the start" do you mean no shared drives, or do you mean no failures on the warm up, or do you mean excluding DNQ's?

[D-Type]

Found it!

Ludovico Scarfiotti won the fourth grand prix that he started.

[D28]

Found it!

Ludovico Scarfiotti won the fourth grand prix that he started.

That is correct. Scarfiotti was more of a sportscar specialist, but he did win the 1966 Italian GP, surprisingly the last Italian to do so. He also shared a LeMans win with Bandini, these two classic wins put him in some pretty good company: Nuvolari (of course), Phil Hill and Graham Hill. He died in a hillclimb accident at Berchtesgarden in 1968, driving a factory Porsche.

[52Paddy]

Who remortgaged his house three times in order to pay for his Formula 3 career*?

*this is a quick question to keep things moving. Sorry if my details are slightly wrong, but I'll double check later on.

[Rollo]

Who remortgaged his house three times in order to pay for his Formula 3 career*?


Alan Jones.

He eventually got a drive with Hesketh and Hill before Surtees and Shadow and then Sir Frank got a hold of him.

[52Paddy]

Was it Nigel Mansell?

Got it in one :up:

Source is Christopher Hilton's small book on nigel (c. 1987).

[Saint Devote]

Who is the well known f1 team manager - not principal - that was "employee no. 5" as a mechanic when Lamborghini cars was founded.

Which well known racing car constructor today was the designer?

[Saint Devote]

Who did Senna block as teammate as a condition at Lotus?

[Saint Devote]

Who broke his back and his neck on the way to f1 and then on his debut, suffered serious fuel burns in the cockpit rather than give up?

:-]

[Saint Devote]

Which world champion driver never ever signed a contract with the team he raced with in f1 - all business was conducted on a hand shake and who was this great team principal.

Hope you dont get this first time because I have a wonderful clue that WILL give it away :-]

[Saint Devote]

Who is the world champion driver that painted his crash helmet when he raced F Vee, a certain colour because he thought that it would be easier for rescuers to spot him if he crashed down into the forest at the Nordschleife?

[ArrowsFA1]

Which world champion driver never ever signed a contract with the team he raced with in f1 - all business was conducted on a hand shake and who was this great team principal.
Jackie Stewart & Ken Tyrrell.

Who is the world champion driver that painted his crash helmet when he raced F Vee, a certain colour because he thought that it would be easier for rescuers to spot him if he crashed down into the forest at the Nordschleife?
Niki Lauda.

[52Paddy]

Who is the well known f1 team manager - not principal - that was "employee no. 5" as a mechanic when Lamborghini cars was founded.

Which well known racing car constructor today was the designer?

Wasn't Dallara somehow affiliated with them?

[Saint Devote]

Jackie Stewart & Ken Tyrrell.

Niki Lauda.

Yes :D

[Saint Devote]

Wasn't Dallara somehow affiliated with them?

:s mokin: Yes, he was the designer - and no 5 is?

[Rollo]

No5 is Bizzaro designer is it not? Giotto Bizzaro or some such who worked for Iso Revolting and whatnot?

[D-Type]

Who did Senna block as teammate as a condition at Lotus?
Derek Warwick

(If someone has already answered, my apologies - it's so confusing when people insist on having more than one question on the go at the same time)

[Saint Devote]

No5 is Bizzaro designer is it not? Giotto Bizzaro or some such who worked for Iso Revolting and whatnot?

No, it is someone that is very well known in pitlane and by f1 fans. He retired about 10 years ago - his retirement party was held at the 2001 US GP.

[Saint Devote]

Derek Warwick

(If someone has already answered, my apologies - it's so confusing when people insist on having more than one question on the go at the same time)

:D Yes it was "Del Boy".

Senna said that he did not think that Lotus could field two competitive cars ...... Some may believe that. I think Senna was just spooked by the idea of Warwick on the same team.

[D28]

Who is the well known f1 team manager - not principal - that was "employee no. 5" as a mechanic when Lamborghini cars was founded.

Which well known racing car constructor today was the designer?

Employee # 5 must be Joe Ramirez.

[D28]

LeMans included lots of F1 drivers, but since 1950, only twice did the co-winners both have F1 victories to their credit. Specifically I mean both drivers won a World Championship F1 race, at some point in their careers.
Name the winning drivers, and the years this happened.

[D-Type]

Trintignant/Gonzalez Ferrari 1954
Scarfiotti/ Bandini Ferrari 1963

I'm surprised there aren't more

[D28]

Trintignant/Gonzalez Ferrari 1954
Scarfiotti/ Bandini Ferrari 1963

I'm surprised there aren't more

That's correct. I was very surprised to stumble on this as well. One reason may be that usually a quick, charging driver was partnered with a more steady individual. Still luck must be big part of the answer, as Amon, Masten Gregory, Gendebien, etc. did not lack for pace. Of the famous 1954 duel with Jaguar, I can't remember which Ferrari driver carried most of the heavy driving; I am guessing Gonzalez.

[D-Type]

In the same vein, World Champions have won Le Mans on 5 occasions.

Who and when?

[D28]

In the same vein, World Champions have won Le Mans on 5 occasions.

Who and when?

Phil Hill 1958, 61, 62
Graham Hill 1972
Mike hawthorne 1955
Jochen Rindt 1965

I make that 6, or am I missing someone? Don't think so.

[Saint Devote]

Employee # 5 must be Joe Ramirez.

Indeed it is!

[Saint Devote]

Heres a real tough one:

who in f1 today - team or official - ran an f1 car in the 1976 British f1 championship and who was the driver :-]

[Mintexmemory]

Heres a real tough one:

who in f1 today - team or official - ran an f1 car in the 1976 British f1 championship and who was the driver :-]

Trick question - There was no 1976 British F1 championship. It was designated as Gp8 (equivalent to Formula Libre) and included F5000 and F2 cars :)

[Mintexmemory]

Anyway, 1976 Shellsport Gp 8 Championship -Team Williams, Driver - Brian McGuire
Or are we talking McLaren and John Nicholson

Only became the British F1 championship in 1978

[D-Type]

Phil Hill 1958, 61, 62
Graham Hill 1972
Mike hawthorne 1955
Jochen Rindt 1965

I make that 6, or am I missing someone? Don't think so.

You're more on the ball than me - I missed Rindt :mad:

[D28]

You're more on the ball than me - I missed Rindt :mad:

That's OK, I have made a bit of a study of the Graham Hill triple, winning Indy, WDC and LeMans. These four guys have completed 2/3 of it as have:
Emerson Fttipaldi
Mario Andretti
Jacques Villeneuve and
A J Foyt

Only JV has an outside chance to equal the record, but since losing his Peugeot ride, it looks like the record is set to stay with Graham Hill.

[Saint Devote]

Anyway, 1976 Shellsport Gp 8 Championship -Team Williams, Driver - Brian McGuire
Or are we talking McLaren and John Nicholson

Only became the British F1 championship in 1978

It is the man that occupies the position, that Derek Ongaro and Roland Bruynseraede did :D

And the driver is British but has a name that rivals Kubica!

[Saint Devote]

That's OK, I have made a bit of a study of the Graham Hill triple, winning Indy, WDC and LeMans. These four guys have completed 2/3 of it as have:
Emerson Fttipaldi
Mario Andretti
Jacques Villeneuve and
A J Foyt

Only JV has an outside chance to equal the record, but since losing his Peugeot ride, it looks like the record is set to stay with Graham Hill.

And it ought to remain with GH until there is a driver that has the equal passion to win Le Mans.

And today is the 68th birthday of his Le Mans co-driver Henri Pescarolo :D

Weren't those Matras wonderful and gloriously sounding? Racing engines like those will never be heard again at Le Mans - the sounds of the first laps of Le Mans these days is just so very depressing.

The future is here and it sounds like a vacuum cleaner.

[Saint Devote]

Nigel Mansell states in his autobiography that these two drivers were his favourites:

They are?

He also enjoyed watching two other drivers and they are?

The drivers he selected made me jump for joy - for they are the same list aside from Clay Regazzoni and Niki Lauda and Nige himself, that I would include.

:-]]]

[Mintexmemory]

It is the man that occupies the position, that Derek Ongaro and Roland Bruynseraede did :D

And the driver is British but has a name that rivals Kubica!

OK, thanks for the clues - Charlie Whiting (with brother Nick) ran a Surtees F1 for Davina Galica. Though as I said before it wasn't a F1 championship it was Gp 8, even including Formula Atlantic cars

[Saint Devote]

OK, thanks for the clues - Charlie Whiting (with brother Nick) ran a Surtees F1 for Davina Galica. Though as I said before it wasn't a F1 championship it was Gp 8, even including Formula Atlantic cars

Yes, it was CW :D

:s mokin: It was a great era, wasn't it?

[Mintexmemory]

Yes indeed. Things have to change but despite the slick presentation of current F1 and technical improvements in all levels of car, I would give a lot once again to see a 1970s F1 grid (3-2-3) start. The sight of 24 F1 cars funnelling into Paddock at Brands Hatch was always the highlight of my spectating year. I was there in 1974 when Jacky Ickx passed Reggazoni on the outside of Paddock. Why were all the best Brands Hatch moments accompanied by rain?

[D28]

Nigel Mansell states in his autobiography that these two drivers were his favourites:

They are?

He also enjoyed watching two other drivers and they are?

The drivers he selected made me jump for joy - for they are the same list aside from Clay Regazzoni and Niki Lauda and Nige himself, that I would include.

:-]]]

His favourite were Jim Clark and JM Fangio?, not a bad choice!

[D28]

I am looking for the driver who won the most combined F1 GPs and World Sportscar Championship races, in one season. The driver must have at least 1 win in both categories. Obviously this relates to the era when top drivers raced in multiple series. Driver and year?

[D-Type]

I am looking for the driver who won the most combined F1 GPs and World Sportscar Championship races, in one season. The driver must have at least 1 win in both categories. Obviously this relates to the era when top drivers raced in multiple series. Driver and year?
Hmmm, without checking, was it Moss in 1956 ?

[D28]

Hmmm, without checking, was it Moss in 1956 ?

Moss 1956 is an obvious guess, but not the answer.

[Ranger]

Phil Hill? I'll guess 1960 or '61.

[D28]

Phil Hill? I'll guess 1960 or '61.

One to check out to be sure, but not the answer.

[Ranger]

Piquet? Alboreto?

I know they were both fairly active in both in the early-mid 80's but thats still just a guess.

[Ranger]

I have a question which I hope is a good one. Other than Michael Schumacher, and Rubens Barrichello, which driver on the current grid is lucky enough to have met Ayrton Senna? :)

Bruno Senna? :D

[D-Type]

I am looking for the driver who won the most combined F1 GPs and World Sportscar Championship races, in one season. The driver must have at least 1 win in both categories. Obviously this relates to the era when top drivers raced in multiple series. Driver and year?
Fangio 1957

[D28]

Fangio 1957

Not the man.

[D-Type]

I am looking for the driver who won the most combined F1 GPs and World Sportscar Championship races, in one season. The driver must have at least 1 win in both categories. Obviously this relates to the era when top drivers raced in multiple series. Driver and year?
Looking a few years later, is it Jacky Ickx in 1972

[D28]

Looking a few years later, is it Jacky Ickx in 1972
Indeed it is, good work!
The 312PB Ferrari won every Championship sportscar race that year, except LeMans, which they did not enter. Jacky Ickx won 6 of them, plus the German Grand Prix. For 4 of them he was partnered with Mario Andretti.

[D-Type]

And now for something completely different -
Name the three British Formula 1 drivers whose names are mis-spelt the most often. Wright and wrong spellings please.

[AndyL]

I can't think of any F1 drivers called Wright so I guess that wasn't a clue ;)
I'd go for:
Martin Brundle - Brundall (especially in his home county!)
Jim Clark - Clarke
Graham Hill - Graeme or Grahame

[AndyL]

What an idiot - I forgot the most obvious one, "Sterling" Moss. They had this banner up at Brands Hatch last year:

http://www.squit.co.uk/photo/masters09/sterling.html

[D28]

And now for something completely different -
Name the three British Formula 1 drivers whose names are mis-spelt the most often. Wright and wrong spellings please.

I'd go with
Jackie Stewart Jackie Stuart

[D-Type]

2 of 3 so far

Jim Clark not Clarke
Stirling Moss not Sterling

So, who's my third?

More common than Jacky Stuart, Martin Brundall or Graeme Hill or Nigel Mansel

[Mintexmemory]

2 of 3 so far

Jim Clark not Clarke
Stirling Moss not Sterling

So, who's my third?

More common than Jacky Stuart, Martin Brundall or Graeme Hill or Nigel Mansel


Blundle? Mark, that is

[D-Type]

No, the driver concerned is regularly spelt wrong , sometimes on websites and in print - not just by sloppy posters in discussion groupes

[D-Type]

Oh , I meant to add "Wright" wasn't meant to be a clue - I should have said "Wright and rong..." to make that clear.

[D-Type]

I'm away on holiday tomorrow so I'd better give you the answer.

The third driver is Mike Hawthorn, who is so often spelt Hawthorne

[52Paddy]

Here's one for the Brits: Who presented the winner's trophy at the 1994 British GP?

[Ranger]

Who were the last 3 drivers to have scored Pole Position, but (to date), never won a championship F1 race?

[52Paddy]

Who were the last 3 drivers to have scored Pole Position, but (to date), never won a championship F1 race?

Nick Heidfeld, Andrea de Cesaris (ret. 1994) and Bruno Giacommelli (ret. 1990).

[steveaki13]

Andrea De Cesaris
Teo Fabi
Nick Heidfeld

[D28]

Name the 2 World Champions, who never scored a pole position, in their championship year.

[52Paddy]

Name the 2 World Champions, who never scored a pole position, in their championship year.

Pure guess: Mike Hawthorn and Keke Rosberg?

[D28]

Pure guess: Mike Hawthorn and Keke Rosberg?

Hawthorn actually qualified well in 58, with 4 poles. Rossberg had at least 1 in 82.

[DazzlaF1]

Here's one for the Brits: Who presented the winner's trophy at the 1994 British GP?

Easy, the late Princess Diana

[ykiki]

Name the 2 World Champions, who never scored a pole position, in their championship year.

Hulme 67, Lauda 84