Lost Former Formula 1 Tracks
Discussion
Although not limited to F1 or Grand Prix tracks, this is an excellent book for anyone interested in historical motorsport routes which are still (somewhat) accessible today
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Classic-Motorsport-Routes...
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Classic-Motorsport-Routes...
They have flattened out the bumps over the years. Last time was after the VLN race when the Nissan GTR vaulted the catch fencing killing a spectator. Along with other changes made - https://www.bridgetogantry.com/the-seven-nurburgri... Older 1971-1983 changes - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/N%C3%BCrburgring#197...
Vocal Minority said:
That version is a horrifying photo shop/touch up
Shame as the original doesn't need embellishment!
Yes, the person responsible should be hoofed in the goolies.Shame as the original doesn't need embellishment!
Talking about Hockenheim, when it replaced the 'Ring it was derided as characterless and unworthy. Now it's seen as a lost treasure. Hey-ho.
True - but not because we are all hopelessly afflicted with nostalgia. Hockenheim could never be a Ring rival for obvious reasons but I recall relatively few , in period , mourning the Ring's loss. It was too long , too narrow and too dangerous and Lauda's accident only confirmed that . Hockenheim was , and had to be , dull in comparison but it did have its own unique character - the flat out blasts through those Wagnerian sinister pine forests. But take that USP away and it's devalued to worthless anonymity .
Nobody will convince me that some yawningly tedious track like Yas Marina or Singapore (and the rest ) can hold a candle to the allure of a Brands Hatch or Imola . I'll be at Silverstone next week - 47 years after I first saw a GP there. And I will feel the same frustration as I always do now - I am miles from the track , the run off areas are bigger than some counties and everywhere is debris fenced.
'That's for your safety , it's what F1 demands, it's in your interest , yadda yadda ' you say and you're right. But I may have to ask you to step outside if you tell me it's better than the proximity and uninterrupted view we once had , and of long sweeping corners like old Club and Stowe . Bridge was good though , while it lasted , but obviously far too good so it had to go as well ...
Nobody will convince me that some yawningly tedious track like Yas Marina or Singapore (and the rest ) can hold a candle to the allure of a Brands Hatch or Imola . I'll be at Silverstone next week - 47 years after I first saw a GP there. And I will feel the same frustration as I always do now - I am miles from the track , the run off areas are bigger than some counties and everywhere is debris fenced.
'That's for your safety , it's what F1 demands, it's in your interest , yadda yadda ' you say and you're right. But I may have to ask you to step outside if you tell me it's better than the proximity and uninterrupted view we once had , and of long sweeping corners like old Club and Stowe . Bridge was good though , while it lasted , but obviously far too good so it had to go as well ...
coppice said:
everywhere is debris fenced.
As a keen photographer of motorsports, this is a common curse I have to deal with.Unless they've changed anything, I believe the Brands Hatch GP loop is the last remaining track that separates spectators from cars with a three wire 'fence'. Long may it continue. That said, I seem to recall a Seat Cupra Cup car ended up in the spectator enclosure at Stirlings a few years back.
Brands has a special place in my love of motor racing. It was there that I watched my first GP. Marshalled the startling for Rallycross in the late 80s. I can't recall a year passing when I've not gone at least once. As much as I'd love to see the current F1 cars race round there, particularly full chat around Hawthorns, I fear that to bring it up to current requirements would completely destroy the character of the place.
StevieBee said:
coppice said:
everywhere is debris fenced.
As a keen photographer of motorsports, this is a common curse I have to deal with.Unless they've changed anything, I believe the Brands Hatch GP loop is the last remaining track that separates spectators from cars with a three wire 'fence'. Long may it continue. That said, I seem to recall a Seat Cupra Cup car ended up in the spectator enclosure at Stirlings a few years back.
Brands has a special place in my love of motor racing. It was there that I watched my first GP. Marshalled the startling for Rallycross in the late 80s. I can't recall a year passing when I've not gone at least once. As much as I'd love to see the current F1 cars race round there, particularly full chat around Hawthorns, I fear that to bring it up to current requirements would completely destroy the character of the place.
https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/archive/article...
The bikes have had tree issues.
StevieBee said:
As a keen photographer of motorsports, this is a common curse I have to deal with.
Unless they've changed anything, I believe the Brands Hatch GP loop is the last remaining track that separates spectators from cars with a three wire 'fence'. .
Not at all- don't tell anyone but Britain's best track , Cadwell , is fence free and you can almost touch the cars in many places. And our second best track, Goodwood , may cost an arm and leg to get in but it , to, has uninterrupted viewing. as has parts of Mallory , Croft and Oulton - and I suspect there are more. Unless they've changed anything, I believe the Brands Hatch GP loop is the last remaining track that separates spectators from cars with a three wire 'fence'. .
Donington isn't one sadly , at least not if you want to be close enough to recognise the car. More than even Silverstone, Donington , compared to when I first went in '78, has been utterly wrecked. MSV are doing a great job on sorting years of neglect but the glory is long gone .
This version of Silverstone is lost forever, Standing on the roof of the garages looking down into the pits 1975. On the other side the team could be seen working on the cars. When I say "Team" in this case it was Graham Hill working on his own car!
I asked him how it was going, "p
s off" he said, winked smiled and carried on working, probably the nicest rebuff I have ever had.
I asked him how it was going, "p
s off" he said, winked smiled and carried on working, probably the nicest rebuff I have ever had.wobblyweb said:
This version of Silverstone is lost forever, Standing on the roof of the garages looking down into the pits 1975. On the other side the team could be seen working on the cars. When I say "Team" in this case it was Graham Hill working on his own car!
I asked him how it was going, "ps off" he said, winked smiled and carried on working, probably the nicest rebuff I have ever had.
He was dead only a few weeks later I asked him how it was going, "p
s off" he said, winked smiled and carried on working, probably the nicest rebuff I have ever had.
About four months in fact. I was there that day and do you remember Hill being given a lap in his own team's car before the race itself to mark his retirement ? It had been overdue for some years , sadly , and I think we applauded the fact that unlike Jimmy ,and Jochen ,and so many others, he'd survived .
wobblyweb said:
This version of Silverstone is lost forever, Standing on the roof of the garages looking down into the pits 1975. On the other side the team could be seen working on the cars. When I say "Team" in this case it was Graham Hill working on his own car!
I asked him how it was going, "ps off" he said, winked smiled and carried on working, probably the nicest rebuff I have ever had.
This is something that got eroded away in F1, to its detriment. The human / regular guy aspect. I'm a big motorcycle road racing fan these days and yes the risks are high (as recent press will highlight) but the racers are regular guys and you can still chat with them, or get the odd amusing rebuff, and that's a regular spectator's perspective, not a VIP ticket holder or any such like.I asked him how it was going, "p
s off" he said, winked smiled and carried on working, probably the nicest rebuff I have ever had.It really makes the event.
In F1, unless I have had some amazing hospitality deal, in recent years I've had to watch from afar, for a lot of cash, and to be fair it's been pretty dull I'm afraid.
StevieBee said:
As a keen photographer of motorsports, this is a common curse I have to deal with.
Unless they've changed anything, I believe the Brands Hatch GP loop is the last remaining track that separates spectators from cars with a three wire 'fence'. Long may it continue.
I'm afraid I've got some bad news for you.....Unless they've changed anything, I believe the Brands Hatch GP loop is the last remaining track that separates spectators from cars with a three wire 'fence'. Long may it continue.
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