Comments on: Thrillseekers should head for Copse

By: David

David — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 23:54:48 +0000

H&S has nothing to do with smoking.

If H&S had anything to do with motorsport it would ban flat bottomed cars that immediately fly when they are tilted, open wheeled racing series because of the unacceptable risk of wheels touching, stupid F1 refuelling and pit lane practices, idiotic gravel traps that cars and bikes just glide over at any significant speed, the FIA, Max Mosley, old Uncle Tom Cobbly and all!

By: rwiddows

rwiddows — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 13:03:29 +0000

Dear Mr Strike, and others
I should perhaps make it clear that I do not advocate breaking the speed limit.And I fully appreciate that other people's cigarette smoke can be extremely unpleasant.
I was simply suggesting that the emphasis on "health & safety" and regulations to "protect the individual" have gone a little too far, become a touch oppressive.
Watching the Grand Prix cars at Copse, Maggots and Becketts last weekend was as thrilling as ever, I'm pleased to say.I always hesitate to give this kind of advice.
RW

By: David Strike

David Strike — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 19:21:38 +0000

I consider myself to be a motor sport fan of some 30 years standing; I can remember the days when the spectators were really next to track. However, I feel that Mr. Widdows’ article can not pass without some comment.
In saying ‘assuming that we get as far as Silverstone without being fined or photographed for speeding, or smoking, or both’ he is surely making the mistake so common amongst the Clarksons and Hockneys of this world of equating a risk that an individual takes and that affects only them with a risk that can affect others.
Smoking in private or driving fast on a race track have consequences which fall on the risk taker alone. However, speeding on public roads or obliging others to inhale cigarette smoke involves taking risks where the consequences can fall on others. Long may we rejoice in drivers ’who have either not read, or ignored, the risk assessment’, taking risks is a right; imposing them on others is not.

By: Leigh Arms

Leigh Arms — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 12:53:47 +0000

During testing last week it was interesting to see the cars not quite flat through Copse due to the strong wind.

At one stage during the afternoon we had Alonso, Hamilton and Raikonnen, arguably the three best drivers in F1 at the moment, out on track together. At Stowe it was noticeable just how much more aggressive Alonso was, almost putting his left rear wheel on the grass as he turned in. It was astonishing just how late they braked in to Stowe. In fact it barely looked like they did brake.

One doesn't appreciate how that little incline at the end of the Hangar Straight really helps the drivers to take speed in to the corner. Although a totally different corner from the original Stowe, it is approaching it for sheer speed alone now!

I recently watched a re-run of the 1983 British GP at Silverstone, co-incidentally the first I attended as a 7 year old bedazzled urchin. The footage from that year is incredible with Prost (the eventual victor), Piquet and Arnoux completely on the limit at the old Stowe. It wasn’t a classic race but as they say you never forget your first time. I can still remember the load bang from Raul Boesel's Ligier as it detonated coming in Woodcote. Le Boom!

Mansell also put in a stonking drive in that lovely Ducarouge Lotus Renault. It may in fact have been the first race of the new car. I seem to recall that they started the year with a particularly gruesome creation!

Mansell's early British GP's are interesting aren't they. 1981 DNQ with the 88, 1982, struggled after Montreal wrist injury. It really only came right for him in 83 and that was with a fighting 4th place. Amazing to think that he became that weird patriotic standard bearer in his later career.

By: Robert Bruce

Robert Bruce — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 16:03:10 +0000

I agree about Copse. I always tell everyone who is seeing F1 for the first time to go there. The entry speed and commitment of the driver makes a perfect reminder of how dramatic this sport is. Those people who watch on TV and constantly bang on at how boring it is should spend an hour there, it changes peoples conception totally.
It was thus very disappointing at the recent F1 test that it was only open to invited guests, a real shame. It has always been open in previous tests.

By: Neil Stretton

Neil Stretton — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 08:23:58 +0000

Oh, yes, Silverstone has become such a "sterile" track over recent years, so much so that it resembles many of the recent Tilke-computer-designed tracks we see on the F1 calendar. Give me a "street race" any day…"up close and personal".

By: Eric Dunsdon

Eric Dunsdon — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 14:08:54 +0000

I agree, Silverstone is a pretty dull place to spectate at these days. I started off at Copse in 1952 with a few straw bales, a strip of grass and a drooping length of rope beneath us and the cars. Later on Becketts became our favourite vantage point, by that I mean the 'real' Becketts where Fangio spun in 1956 and Masten Gregory flew over the safety bank to join us in 1958!. The current Becketts By-Pass is a poor shadow of what used to be as is the rest of the circuit. I still go there every couple of weeks though!.

By: r.widdows

r.widdows — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 10:34:49 +0000

Dear Claudio

Great to hear from you! I've never been to the circuit at Buenos Aires but I always wanted to! The old circuit looked great on the TV but, as you say, so many of the modern tracks are very boring.
Hope you enjoy Silverstone – the weather forecast is not good so there may be some surprises and it's been an exciting race in recent years.
The home crowd will probably be worth a tenth or two for Mr Hamilton in qualifying.

By: Hamilton Tharp

Hamilton Tharp — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 10:14:41 +0000

I must agree about the Health & Safety Brigade becoming out of control. In Britain if you want to take a photograph in a public place, say of a cathedral or a statue, you stand a good chance of being challenged by a policeman or some council employee with delusions of adequacy. Apparently you may be compiling information likely to aid terrorism! It is only a matter of time before this ban is extended to motor racing as well. Take your shots while you may at the race track: the H&S Gestapo is waiting to pounce.

By: Claudio Navonne

Claudio Navonne — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 22:33:43 +0000

I agree whit you, and with Sir Sirtling Moss that a motor race must have some element of danger, some raw sense of drama, for both driver and spectator. Here in Buenos Aires we had a great track for F1, the Nº 12 of the Autodromo de Buenos Aires. The F1 raced there until 1981, then for the security and bla bla bla, the F1 raced from 1995 until 1998 in the awful and dull Nº6 – almost a karting track. You have some nice and breathtaking corners in your track. I¨ll be in front of the TV next weekend watching the British Grand Prix at Silverstone.
Regards, Claudio.