Comments on: Ask Nigel http://www.motorsportmagazine.com The original motor racing magazine Wed, 08 Feb 2012 21:05:46 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: AlwynKeepence http://www.motorsportmagazine.com/ask-nigel/comment-page-1/#comment-130959 AlwynKeepence Wed, 08 Feb 2012 12:11:14 +0000 http://www.motorsportmagazine.co.uk/category/ask-nigel/#comment-130959 Dear Nigel, In the January edition of Motor Sport, you described the current IRL Formula cars as having too much downforce & not enough power, and that this is the reason why the category has lost favour with spectators. I agree, and that is exactly the reason why the Australian scene is today completely dominated by "V8 Supercars". The last major category for racing cars in Australia was "Formula Holden". This formula called for cars to use the 3.8 litre Holden V6. It was obviously an effort to return to the successful and spectacular Formula 5000 cars of the seventies, and it started off well enough. The engines made good horsepower when built up with a steel crankshaft, which allowed the engine to reach high revs. But then the Confederation of Australian Motor Sport (CAMS) ruled that the standard production spec Holden crankshaft must be used, which severely limited the engines ability to rev and thus reduced the power output of the pushrod V6 engine. The chassis used were mostly modified European Formula 3000 cars with advanced aerodynamics. So we had cars with fantastic grip, capable of coping with the power of a 3 litre Cosworth, but with an engine of half that power. As you noted, this combination leads to boring processions and the crowds turned away. Within a couple of seasons Formula Holden died and hasn't been replaced. In Australia today, it is V8 Touring cars or nothing. They even have support races for things called "Br-UTES" which are pick-up trucks based on the Holden Commodore & Ford Falcon! And they wonder why we miss the "good old days"! Dear Nigel,
In the January edition of Motor Sport, you described the current IRL Formula cars as having too much downforce & not enough power, and that this is the reason why the category has lost favour with spectators. I agree, and that is exactly the reason why the Australian scene is today completely dominated by “V8 Supercars”. The last major category for racing cars in Australia was “Formula Holden”. This formula called for cars to use the 3.8 litre Holden V6. It was obviously an effort to return to the successful and spectacular Formula 5000 cars of the seventies, and it started off well enough. The engines made good horsepower when built up with a steel crankshaft, which allowed the engine to reach high revs. But then the Confederation of Australian Motor Sport (CAMS) ruled that the standard production spec Holden crankshaft must be used, which severely limited the engines ability to rev and thus reduced the power output of the pushrod V6 engine. The chassis used were mostly modified European Formula 3000 cars with advanced aerodynamics. So we had cars with fantastic grip, capable of coping with the power of a 3 litre Cosworth, but with an engine of half that power. As you noted, this combination leads to boring processions and the crowds turned away. Within a couple of seasons Formula Holden died and hasn’t been replaced. In Australia today, it is V8 Touring cars or nothing. They even have support races for things called “Br-UTES” which are pick-up trucks based on the Holden Commodore & Ford Falcon! And they wonder why we miss the “good old days”!

]]> By: Hamish Goddard http://www.motorsportmagazine.com/ask-nigel/comment-page-1/#comment-130749 Hamish Goddard Mon, 06 Feb 2012 17:44:53 +0000 http://www.motorsportmagazine.co.uk/category/ask-nigel/#comment-130749 Hi Nigel. Will you be going to the Goodwood Festival of Speed in 25 years time to look at a 2012 Ferrari..? I won't... With thanks Hamish Hi Nigel.

Will you be going to the Goodwood Festival of Speed in 25 years time to look at a 2012 Ferrari..? I won’t…

With thanks

Hamish

]]> By: Jon Pollak http://www.motorsportmagazine.com/ask-nigel/comment-page-1/#comment-130561 Jon Pollak Sat, 04 Feb 2012 19:44:51 +0000 http://www.motorsportmagazine.co.uk/category/ask-nigel/#comment-130561 Having seen the care,detail and concern that Ron Howard seems to be putting into his new film 'RUSH',might it be possible to get him on your fantastic MotorSport podcast in the near future? All the best Jp Having seen the care,detail and concern that Ron Howard seems to be putting into his new film ‘RUSH’,might it be possible to get him on your fantastic MotorSport podcast in the near future?

All the best
Jp

]]> By: Andy Burdett http://www.motorsportmagazine.com/ask-nigel/comment-page-1/#comment-130530 Andy Burdett Sat, 04 Feb 2012 14:38:43 +0000 http://www.motorsportmagazine.co.uk/category/ask-nigel/#comment-130530 Just thinking today - did Bruce Halford write an autobiography or was a biography written - now that would be a good read Just thinking today – did Bruce Halford write an autobiography or was a biography written – now that would be a good read

]]> By: Michael Green http://www.motorsportmagazine.com/ask-nigel/comment-page-1/#comment-130465 Michael Green Sat, 04 Feb 2012 00:19:18 +0000 http://www.motorsportmagazine.co.uk/category/ask-nigel/#comment-130465 Can you help. I own an Aston Martin Vanquish & have just been reading David Malsher's article on the DB4GT & Vanquish from the January 2002 publication - very interesting read! I was wondering if it's possible to obtain any copies of Ian Dawson's photos taken from the photoshoot of the 2 cars. Grateful for any help. Kind regards Michael Green Herts UK Can you help.
I own an Aston Martin Vanquish & have just been reading David Malsher’s article on the DB4GT & Vanquish from the January 2002 publication – very interesting read!
I was wondering if it’s possible to obtain any copies of Ian Dawson’s photos taken from the photoshoot of the 2 cars.
Grateful for any help.
Kind regards

Michael Green
Herts
UK

]]> By: Don Service http://www.motorsportmagazine.com/ask-nigel/comment-page-1/#comment-130416 Don Service Fri, 03 Feb 2012 09:58:58 +0000 http://www.motorsportmagazine.co.uk/category/ask-nigel/#comment-130416 Hi Nigel As a 30 plus year fan of F1 and amateur track designer, it is great to see a bit more imagination going into the design and layout of up coming tracks like austin, new jersey and India. Elevation changes, fast challenging corners that don't always have a constant radius should be a part of all tracks, they certainly are on my designs. Anyway, with soulless boring circuits like china, korea and the new hockenheim failing to inspire anybody, is there a corner or track that use to, or still makes the hairs on the back of your neck standup as you watch cars go through them? And do you think Bernie will ever let someone else have a crack at challenging the best drivers with some great corners? Here's to a great season, I hope you enjoy it. Regards Don Hi Nigel
As a 30 plus year fan of F1 and amateur track designer, it is great to see a bit more imagination going into the design and layout of up coming tracks like austin, new jersey and India. Elevation changes, fast challenging corners that don’t always have a constant radius should be a part of all tracks, they certainly are on my designs. Anyway, with soulless boring circuits like china, korea and the new hockenheim failing to inspire anybody, is there a corner or track that use to, or still makes the hairs on the back of your neck standup as you watch cars go through them?
And do you think Bernie will ever let someone else have a crack at challenging the best drivers with some great corners?
Here’s to a great season, I hope you enjoy it.
Regards
Don

]]> By: Ian Gowland - Jones http://www.motorsportmagazine.com/ask-nigel/comment-page-1/#comment-130356 Ian Gowland - Jones Thu, 02 Feb 2012 16:38:08 +0000 http://www.motorsportmagazine.co.uk/category/ask-nigel/#comment-130356 If Vettel runs away with the crown once again like in 2011. what does this mean for F1? I wonder if F1 could withstand another Shumacher era. Interest is at an all time high, but i suspect Vettel's skill could be his downfall. Your opinion would be most interesting. Yours sincerely Ian Gowland - Jones If Vettel runs away with the crown once again like in 2011. what does this mean for F1? I wonder if F1 could withstand another Shumacher era. Interest is at an all time high, but i suspect Vettel’s skill could be his downfall. Your opinion would be most interesting.

Yours sincerely

Ian Gowland – Jones

]]> By: Robert Gilbey http://www.motorsportmagazine.com/ask-nigel/comment-page-1/#comment-130271 Robert Gilbey Wed, 01 Feb 2012 16:25:30 +0000 http://www.motorsportmagazine.co.uk/category/ask-nigel/#comment-130271 Having just seen the new McLaren for the 2012 season with it's terribly complex (ugly) front wing, I wonder what F1 cars would look like if the FIA banned front wings altogether? Having just seen the new McLaren for the 2012 season with it’s terribly complex (ugly) front wing, I wonder what F1 cars would look like if the FIA banned front wings altogether?

]]> By: Rick Benson http://www.motorsportmagazine.com/ask-nigel/comment-page-1/#comment-130265 Rick Benson Wed, 01 Feb 2012 15:17:57 +0000 http://www.motorsportmagazine.co.uk/category/ask-nigel/#comment-130265 Dear Nigel, I have wondered if the middle order teams would do better with a clear 1 and 2 driver. Pay for the best no.1 you can afford and get the no. 2 who can pay you the most. The second car could be used as a test bed all season. Two cars just out the points is still no points. Any thoughts? Rick Benson Dear Nigel, I have wondered if the middle order teams would do better with a clear 1 and 2 driver. Pay for the best no.1 you can afford and get the no. 2 who can pay you the most. The second car could be used as a test bed all season. Two cars just out the points is still no points. Any thoughts?

Rick Benson

]]> By: Pasha Shahini http://www.motorsportmagazine.com/ask-nigel/comment-page-1/#comment-129825 Pasha Shahini Fri, 27 Jan 2012 16:48:46 +0000 http://www.motorsportmagazine.co.uk/category/ask-nigel/#comment-129825 Dear Nigel Will Formula One ever go back to V10's and wider suspension cars? They were just gorgeous back in the day. regards Dear Nigel

Will Formula One ever go back to V10′s and wider suspension cars? They were just gorgeous back in the day.

regards

]]> By: michael band http://www.motorsportmagazine.com/ask-nigel/comment-page-1/#comment-129716 michael band Wed, 25 Jan 2012 19:18:15 +0000 http://www.motorsportmagazine.co.uk/category/ask-nigel/#comment-129716 hi nigel.just thought i may jog your memory on eau rouge overtaking;if mine serves me correctly I'm sure that alesi and herbert had a real good fight on lap 1 in 1995. I'm pretty sure they were side by side down the hill,into eau rouge,out the other side until herbert got alesi into les combes. i was out of my seat for sure!its 1 ill never forget,unless that is the old rose tinted specs are playing tricks on me! thanks,mike. hi nigel.just thought i may jog your memory on eau rouge overtaking;if mine serves me correctly I’m sure that alesi and herbert had a real good fight on lap 1 in 1995.
I’m pretty sure they were side by side down the hill,into eau rouge,out the other side until herbert got alesi into les combes.
i was out of my seat for sure!its 1 ill never forget,unless that is the old rose tinted specs are playing tricks on me!
thanks,mike.

]]> By: Alan Jenks http://www.motorsportmagazine.com/ask-nigel/comment-page-1/#comment-129697 Alan Jenks Wed, 25 Jan 2012 12:38:23 +0000 http://www.motorsportmagazine.co.uk/category/ask-nigel/#comment-129697 Nigel, First of all,I have followed GP racing for many years and I think your contributions and opinions are equal to the great DSJ's, and I look forward to your article every month in Motor Sport. My question is - I am worried that in the current economic climate, Formula 1 is quickly pricing itself out of the market. Already some races are asking for reduced fees (South Korea, Valencia). Do you think that Bernie is concerned about this or do you think he will continue pushing towards new venues in places like the Middle East and abandon Europe where most of the fans and great tracks are? Keep up the good work. Regards Alan Jenks Nigel,

First of all,I have followed GP racing for many years and I think your contributions and opinions are equal to the great DSJ’s, and I look forward to your article every month in Motor Sport.
My question is – I am worried that in the current economic climate, Formula 1 is quickly pricing itself out of the market. Already some races are asking for reduced fees (South Korea, Valencia). Do you think that Bernie is concerned about this or do you think he will continue pushing towards new venues in places like the Middle East and abandon Europe where most of the fans and great tracks are?

Keep up the good work.

Regards

Alan Jenks

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