Goodwood FoS Hill Climb Record - Quick Nick Unbeatable?
Discussion
Have a look at the top drivers in the british hillclimb championship nearly all of them could take the goodwood record ,but they would not be invited !!!
a few years ago gwr ran up in his gould and nearly took the record but not one of the current top drivers have been invited back ,I wonder why ????
a few years ago gwr ran up in his gould and nearly took the record but not one of the current top drivers have been invited back ,I wonder why ????
andy short said:
... I wonder why ????
I can't speak for Lord March but personally I would suggest that the record being beaten by a specialist machine developed with only hill climbing in mind, and the 'British' version of it at that where we have short sharp blasts, not 16km courses, would be a tad, well, empty.Janesy B said:
Because it's not a competitive event?
Has it's merits but any form of motorsport involving a stop watch is as far from non competitive as it gets. You simply do not put two racers in two cars, tell them there is a stopwatch involved, and expect them to treat it as a Sunday afternoon drive. Edit for awful spelling and grammar.
Edited by Rude-boy on Monday 7th July 16:58
garycat said:
Will anyone ever beat Nick Heidfeld's 41 seconds? Watching Sebastian Loeb in the Peugeot "pikes peak" car (800bhp AWD) and getting 44 sec I just cannot see how 3 seconds can be made up on such a short track.
I doubt the 'Loeb' attempt was taken to serious to be honest , a driver can have around 6 runs at the hill over the weekend , Loeb only had two runs up the hill in the T16 and car was still set up for pikes peak (the car hit the limiter way before braking for molecomb !!)There is also the little issue that Mclaren hold the record and as Mclaren have very close business links with goodwood over many years...I very much doubt anyone else will be 'allowed' to challenge the record
richebets said:
There is also the little issue that Mclaren hold the record and as Mclaren have very close business links with goodwood over many years...I very much doubt anyone else will be 'allowed' to challenge the record
Your cynicism is overflowing! .. well, at least they ditched the 41.6 website! leaving things open a bit...
Loeb's car wasn't set up for Goodwood, it was bouncing off the limiter going past the house.
Pleased to say I saw NH set the record back in 99 and Loeb this year.
GG got 43? seconds a few years back, it would be great to get him back.
AS many have said though the event has lost its real competitive element some years ago with only a handful of runs now timed.
Pleased to say I saw NH set the record back in 99 and Loeb this year.
GG got 43? seconds a few years back, it would be great to get him back.
AS many have said though the event has lost its real competitive element some years ago with only a handful of runs now timed.
v1nce said:
I'm pretty sure "proper" hill climb cars from the British championship have been invited before (2009?). I'll have a dig thru my photos...
Yep as previous poster mentions it was g.w junior which I think was in a Gould. Pretty certain Moran, or similar big engined hillclimber would beat the record now and in my book it's a farce that the sport is not represented when the event is talked about in terms of a hillclimb, it is absolutely the essence of speed, popular across Europe and by so many throughout the UK. A shame and you'd think the organisers might recognise that spectators are always going to be most impressed by cars giving it the beans - much more so than some parade drive by an ageing driver in a museum piece, ( which is nice and part of the beauty of the event but nothing like the spectacle of somebody trying to break the record.
PW said:
Edmundo2 said:
A shame and you'd think the organisers might recognise that spectators are always going to be most impressed by cars giving it the beans - much more so than some parade drive by an ageing driver in a museum piece,
There are lots of hill climb events if you want to see modern hill climb cars with drivers "giving it the beans".There is only one event where you can see "aging drivers in museum pieces".
PW said:
There are lots of hill climb events if you want to see modern hill climb cars with drivers "giving it the beans".
There is only one event where you can see "aging drivers in museum pieces".
No, there are lots of places to see "aging drivers in museum pieces" and very few places to see F1, le mans, wrc, pikes peak etc giving it the beans against the clock. I competed in a hillclimb at the weekend, ( and set a new PB! ), alongside the top british championship contenders so I get plenty of time to mix with and watch them but my point remains the same - There is only one event where you can see "aging drivers in museum pieces".
That this was/is a "festival of speed" run on a "hillclimb" course therefore it seems strange to give a driver from yesteryear riding shotgun with a celebrity in a car with spoked wheels the priority over a "hillclimb" car travelling at "speed" which opitomises and represents the best we can currently produce in the age long pursuit of going faster. As technology progresses it sometimes renders history to artefact when in its day it might have been a great spectacle. A sopwith camel is not wildly exciting to watch nowadays yet a spitfire or vulcan still are. A horse drawn chariot or de dion bouton is not really great to watch today, ( IMHO ),even if it was fast in its day. Rod Millen at ten tenths on the other hand is pretty spectacular. I think the eclectic mix of vehicals is the appeal and it's without doubt the best event of its kind in the world, ( although I haven't been to them all ).
I for one love all eras but of all the variety its still the "speed" that is the esscence and most exciting spectacle therefore I think it should dominate like it has done in the past and not be diluted too far by reducing the competitive runs or giving too much airtime to things that are really best viewed static or being showcased at a "festival of lovely old things that used to be speedy". As for the bmxing and garden furniture stalls well they too are nice but perhaps just a distraction and nothing at all to do with speed?
Just my two penneth worth as an enthusiast
PW said:
Really? There's a weekly "Goodwood" with running cars of almost every category spanning a century, but no F1, WEC, WRC events?
I must live in opposite world...
Goodwood is Goodwood, I don't know why there are people trying to make it Event X, because they prefer Event X to Goodwood.
You'd think the organisers might recognise that spectators are always going to be most impressed by top level footballers playing against each other - much more so than some parade drive by an ageing driver in a museum piece. There are very few places to see top level footballers playing competitively, so clearly Goodwood should be a football competition instead of this dull "historic cars, famous racing drivers" nonsense.
What the hell is football?I must live in opposite world...
Goodwood is Goodwood, I don't know why there are people trying to make it Event X, because they prefer Event X to Goodwood.
You'd think the organisers might recognise that spectators are always going to be most impressed by top level footballers playing against each other - much more so than some parade drive by an ageing driver in a museum piece. There are very few places to see top level footballers playing competitively, so clearly Goodwood should be a football competition instead of this dull "historic cars, famous racing drivers" nonsense.
I'm a bit conflicted on this. I'm not so experienced as many on here so must apologise for my general ignorance but I've been to all the Festivals since 1994 and many British Hillclimb Championship rounds so it's a branch of the sport I'm interested in - though claim no expertise.
On the one hand, I think that Goodwood doesn't really need the BHC regulars turning up to shatter the record. I don't doubt that Scott Moran could probably dip below 40secs and I just know that Wallace Menzies would be a crowd favourite with that ludicrous soundtrack.
Saying that, part of what made Nick Heidfeld's run so extraordinary was the sense that he wasn't an expert in that field and the car wasn't intended for the task at hand. He was a car which had, just the year previously, won the F1 world title, pilotted by an F3000 driver nobody had heard of. It was bucking and weaving and looked absolutely heroic. We all knew how special that run was - the whole crowd arose in spontaneous applause as he crossed the line. I get goosebumps to recall it.
I just think that the Festival doesn't need the record to be lowered by a specialist and the cogniscenti all know what Moran could do. It's an enormous feather in Goodwood's cap that the record is held by a McLaren F1 car. Short of Loeb in the 208, what else carries such kudos.
As for Loeb, he was denying going for the record ferverently. Lord March apparently unilaterally made the claim in the press. I actually think, rev limiter aside, the run on Sunday looked quite conservative. Certainly his speed through Molcombe, where I was watching, didn't look spectacular. Let's not forget that Justin Law has done multiple 44sec runs in an XJR-9 - unequivocally an unsuitable old beast for such a stage. I reckon Loeb in the 208 could break the record. Whether he ever will, I guess we'll just have to wait and see.
Either way, let's be honest, Goodwood doesn't need to lower the record and its mystic only grows with time. I feel blessed to have witnessed it.
On the one hand, I think that Goodwood doesn't really need the BHC regulars turning up to shatter the record. I don't doubt that Scott Moran could probably dip below 40secs and I just know that Wallace Menzies would be a crowd favourite with that ludicrous soundtrack.
Saying that, part of what made Nick Heidfeld's run so extraordinary was the sense that he wasn't an expert in that field and the car wasn't intended for the task at hand. He was a car which had, just the year previously, won the F1 world title, pilotted by an F3000 driver nobody had heard of. It was bucking and weaving and looked absolutely heroic. We all knew how special that run was - the whole crowd arose in spontaneous applause as he crossed the line. I get goosebumps to recall it.
I just think that the Festival doesn't need the record to be lowered by a specialist and the cogniscenti all know what Moran could do. It's an enormous feather in Goodwood's cap that the record is held by a McLaren F1 car. Short of Loeb in the 208, what else carries such kudos.
As for Loeb, he was denying going for the record ferverently. Lord March apparently unilaterally made the claim in the press. I actually think, rev limiter aside, the run on Sunday looked quite conservative. Certainly his speed through Molcombe, where I was watching, didn't look spectacular. Let's not forget that Justin Law has done multiple 44sec runs in an XJR-9 - unequivocally an unsuitable old beast for such a stage. I reckon Loeb in the 208 could break the record. Whether he ever will, I guess we'll just have to wait and see.
Either way, let's be honest, Goodwood doesn't need to lower the record and its mystic only grows with time. I feel blessed to have witnessed it.
chevronb37 said:
I'm a bit conflicted on this. I'm not so experienced as many on here so must apologise for my general ignorance but I've been to all the Festivals since 1994 and many British Hillclimb Championship rounds so it's a branch of the sport I'm interested in - though claim no expertise.
On the one hand, I think that Goodwood doesn't really need the BHC regulars turning up to shatter the record. I don't doubt that Scott Moran could probably dip below 40secs and I just know that Wallace Menzies would be a crowd favourite with that ludicrous soundtrack.
Saying that, part of what made Nick Heidfeld's run so extraordinary was the sense that he wasn't an expert in that field and the car wasn't intended for the task at hand. He was a car which had, just the year previously, won the F1 world title, pilotted by an F3000 driver nobody had heard of. It was bucking and weaving and looked absolutely heroic. We all knew how special that run was - the whole crowd arose in spontaneous applause as he crossed the line. I get goosebumps to recall it.
I just think that the Festival doesn't need the record to be lowered by a specialist and the cogniscenti all know what Moran could do. It's an enormous feather in Goodwood's cap that the record is held by a McLaren F1 car. Short of Loeb in the 208, what else carries such kudos.
As for Loeb, he was denying going for the record ferverently. Lord March apparently unilaterally made the claim in the press. I actually think, rev limiter aside, the run on Sunday looked quite conservative. Certainly his speed through Molcombe, where I was watching, didn't look spectacular. Let's not forget that Justin Law has done multiple 44sec runs in an XJR-9 - unequivocally an unsuitable old beast for such a stage. I reckon Loeb in the 208 could break the record. Whether he ever will, I guess we'll just have to wait and see.
Either way, let's be honest, Goodwood doesn't need to lower the record and its mystic only grows with time. I feel blessed to have witnessed it.
I agree and tbh I don't want to see the record put out of reach for others by a specialist machine but just think it's a shame the sport doesn't get a chance to show itself at this event and wow people with quick runs. Its great fun and one of the most accessible forms of motorsport so a real shame people can't be introduced and encouraged to get involved themselves. Personally I don't see any kudos in a particular car holding the record as I don't think thats what its about. Rather its about people giving it a shot. Justin Law has been a highlight for me every year, ( as was peter hardman in DBR1 ), and whilst I'd love him to break the record its watching him give it his all that's the important bit.On the one hand, I think that Goodwood doesn't really need the BHC regulars turning up to shatter the record. I don't doubt that Scott Moran could probably dip below 40secs and I just know that Wallace Menzies would be a crowd favourite with that ludicrous soundtrack.
Saying that, part of what made Nick Heidfeld's run so extraordinary was the sense that he wasn't an expert in that field and the car wasn't intended for the task at hand. He was a car which had, just the year previously, won the F1 world title, pilotted by an F3000 driver nobody had heard of. It was bucking and weaving and looked absolutely heroic. We all knew how special that run was - the whole crowd arose in spontaneous applause as he crossed the line. I get goosebumps to recall it.
I just think that the Festival doesn't need the record to be lowered by a specialist and the cogniscenti all know what Moran could do. It's an enormous feather in Goodwood's cap that the record is held by a McLaren F1 car. Short of Loeb in the 208, what else carries such kudos.
As for Loeb, he was denying going for the record ferverently. Lord March apparently unilaterally made the claim in the press. I actually think, rev limiter aside, the run on Sunday looked quite conservative. Certainly his speed through Molcombe, where I was watching, didn't look spectacular. Let's not forget that Justin Law has done multiple 44sec runs in an XJR-9 - unequivocally an unsuitable old beast for such a stage. I reckon Loeb in the 208 could break the record. Whether he ever will, I guess we'll just have to wait and see.
Either way, let's be honest, Goodwood doesn't need to lower the record and its mystic only grows with time. I feel blessed to have witnessed it.
I love Goodwood but like all of us there's little bits I'd change which others may be quite happy.
Simes205 said:
Loeb's car wasn't set up for Goodwood, it was bouncing off the limiter going past the house.
Pleased to say I saw NH set the record back in 99 and Loeb this year.
GG got 43? seconds a few years back, it would be great to get him back.
AS many have said though the event has lost its real competitive element some years ago with only a handful of runs now timed.
I seem to recall that the same year Heidfeld posted that time another driver dragged a Tyrrell P34 up the hill in around a 44.5s, which we all remarked at the time was probably an even more incredible drive considering that not only was it a 25 year old GP car, but it must also have been 2ft wider at the rear track than the McLaren!Pleased to say I saw NH set the record back in 99 and Loeb this year.
GG got 43? seconds a few years back, it would be great to get him back.
AS many have said though the event has lost its real competitive element some years ago with only a handful of runs now timed.
But the record will never go now. "The accident" pretty much put paid to that and rightly so.
nerdhaton
/nerdhatoff
corozin said:
I seem to recall that the same year Heidfeld posted that time another driver dragged a Tyrrell P34 up the hill in around a 44.5s, which we all remarked at the time was probably an even more incredible drive considering that not only was it a 25. 38 year old GP car, but it must also have been 2ft wider at the rear track than the McLaren!
But the record will never go now. "The accident" pretty much put paid to that and rightly so.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tyrrell_P34But the record will never go now. "The accident" pretty much put paid to that and rightly so.
/nerdhatoff
Oilchange said:
23 years old at the time then /mathshatoff
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