Racing with (nearly) no Rules - CanAm, Goodwood MM 2024
Discussion
How did CanAm come about?
"What would happen if we went racing with no car design rules?"
"Well, that would be daft...you have to have some rules!
OK...the cars have to be designed to carry two people.....errr....and the rear wheels need to be faired in...better?"
"Yup, that'll do"
Well, probably not quite like that, but the end result was the same.
For a few glorious years in the 1960's-70's CanAm was the biggest racing series on the planet.
At this weekends Members meeting there was an astonishing selection of CanAm, many of which ran in a track demonstration - it was tremendous to see, hear and smell these extraordinary cars - for me, especially the Shadows - surely the coolest racing team ever?!
The bizarre 1968 Shadow Lowline Prototype - 10" front wheels, had to be driven splay footed, pop-up aero to assist braking (sadly not working yesterday)
"Do you think that the engine is big enough.....and the rear wing could go a size up surely whilst we are at it?" (radiators mounted on wing!)
"What would happen if we went racing with no car design rules?"
"Well, that would be daft...you have to have some rules!
OK...the cars have to be designed to carry two people.....errr....and the rear wheels need to be faired in...better?"
"Yup, that'll do"
Well, probably not quite like that, but the end result was the same.
For a few glorious years in the 1960's-70's CanAm was the biggest racing series on the planet.
At this weekends Members meeting there was an astonishing selection of CanAm, many of which ran in a track demonstration - it was tremendous to see, hear and smell these extraordinary cars - for me, especially the Shadows - surely the coolest racing team ever?!
The bizarre 1968 Shadow Lowline Prototype - 10" front wheels, had to be driven splay footed, pop-up aero to assist braking (sadly not working yesterday)
"Do you think that the engine is big enough.....and the rear wing could go a size up surely whilst we are at it?" (radiators mounted on wing!)
Hereward said:
For all the grumbling about GRRC's relentless commercial pursuits there are countless priceless moments over the course of the year when the emotional side of one's brain realises the costs are irrelevant.
The Can-Am display was wonderful and watching my son grin from ear to ear as they accelerated away from the chicane was one such priceless moment.
My own personal moment came shortly afterwards, seeing (and hearing) Gerhard Berger's 1989 V12 Ferrari bottoming out causing an eruption of sparks. Being an emotional and nostalgic fool I realised I had tears in my eyes.
Huge credit to Gerhard for giving the 640 some stick (not sure Goodwood would have appreciated this on a 'demo run' but it was spectacular). The car was increasingly blowing blue smoke and unfortunately wasn't able to run on Sunday The Can-Am display was wonderful and watching my son grin from ear to ear as they accelerated away from the chicane was one such priceless moment.
My own personal moment came shortly afterwards, seeing (and hearing) Gerhard Berger's 1989 V12 Ferrari bottoming out causing an eruption of sparks. Being an emotional and nostalgic fool I realised I had tears in my eyes.
Yep, it's very strange, but certain F1 engines do that to me as well..... certainly that Ferrari at the weekend, the Renault V10 in the Williams at FoS a couple of years ago, and it doesn't even have to be 'live' (though that helps!)....this, played LOUD through good speakers / headphones....eish!!
https://youtu.be/7W-hC2HC5Sk?si=uWPToPF-z7ckFgkf
It astonishes me that Honda actually set this up. The logistics of taking car telemetry and translating it into sound and light at the correct location on the track boggles my mind...what a great company!
https://youtu.be/7W-hC2HC5Sk?si=uWPToPF-z7ckFgkf
It astonishes me that Honda actually set this up. The logistics of taking car telemetry and translating it into sound and light at the correct location on the track boggles my mind...what a great company!
Edited by WhyOne on Tuesday 16th April 09:43
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