The highlight of my year thus far was lunch in a supermarket café. Not the gastronomy, though I did capitulate at the offer of an absurdly rich pudding, but the company I was keeping.
My friend Robert Dean is an engineer, a mechanic, a racer of vintage cars and generally one of the good eggs of our universe. By our universe, I mean that which is inhabited by those of us who are just crazy about racing cars. Or just crazy. Robert’s role in life, apart from a being a doting father, is to look after a collection of racing cars owned by one Bernard Ecclestone.
I mention this because last year in the desert of Bahrain I did two things I never imagined I would. I slid down into the cockpit of a Ferrari 312 and I perched on the seat of a BRM V16 Mk ll.
For me, these were Big Moments – not only a pleasure, but also a privilege. As a child, I watched Ken Wharton and Ron Flock hart racing this BRM at Goodwood and, while the memory is hazy, I remember the noise and I know it must have left a big impression on me. I know this because I later joined the BRM Supporters Club, proudly wearing the enamel badge at every possible opportunity. There was something about a BRM, so very British in that dark racing green, and so often the underdog until Graham Hill came along and won the World Championship in 1962. By that time you couldn’t keep me away from the racetrack.
Then there was the Ferrari, this the very car raced in 1966 by Lorenzo Banding and John Surtees. You probably remember the cockpit of the 312, that wonderful black leather cladding, and that snaking nest of white exhaust pipes on the glorious V12 engine. Take a look at pictures of Banding in this car, or Ludovico Scarfiotti (who won at Monza in ’66) and if they don’t stir your blood then you won’t get what I’m going on about. The car is so comfortable, the cockpit hugging your sides. Close your eyes and you could be coming down to the Parabolica – if you were brave enough. No belts, remember, and fuel tanks all around you. Eventually I stepped out, but I didn’t want to.
So, thanks to Mr Dean, I have taken a seat in the theatre of dreams. The point, however, of these ramblings is that it is days such as these that remind us why we fell in love with Grand Prix racing.
In recent years I have sometimes struggled to maintain my enthusiasm. They all look the same, they all sound the same. They can’t overtake each other unless there’s a thunderstorm and Lewis Hamilton has a red mist inside that yellow helmet. Wandering among the cars collected by Bernie reminded me that simplicity is good – big fat tyres, tons of power, not very much grip and lots of nice engineering that you and I can understand.
No, I am not bogged down in the past. And yes, I will be watching the Chinese Grand Prix. I’m not giving up on this thing after six decades but I do believe that something radical needs to be done to improve the sheer spectacle, the drama of motor racing at its highest level.
BRM is long gone, but there will be Ferraris on the grid in China. All is not lost.
You’ve said it Rob. My first F1 race was the 67 race at Watkins Glen. Those cars were spectacular. Not to mention that they were driven by Gods- Clark, Hill, Gurney, Surtees, Stewart etc. No aero, passing and sliding everywhere. I didn’t go back again until the early 70s big wing cars were in vogue and the reduction in the quality of racing was extremely noticeable. I keep going back to F! races and watching on the tube but its never been the same.
Great commentary, Rob, as always!
I too have struggled mightily these last few years to maintain any enthusiasm for today’s “F1″. Whenever I pop in a video of classic events or seasons gone by, that old passion comes right back to the fore, and I find myself “jonesin’” for racing again. Something about the eras that you mentioned really does it, though those days were before mine.
Interesting bit of synchronicity (or just random connecting of dots…) I was listening to Ray Davies’ masterpiece “The Village Green Preservation Society” this last weekend, and it reminds me of how I feel on reading this. Thanks Rob, for the reminder of how things were, and for letting us know about master craftsmen/artists such as Robert Dean who helps keep these wonderful relics alive for us.
So, in addition to all the great things Mr. Davies sang about here:
“God save strawberry jam and all the different varieties
Preserving the old ways from being abused”
God save all the lovely old cars and God Bless all the old drivers, caretakers, and fans of these wonderful times.
ahhh yes the 1966 Ferrari Tipo 312. what a remarkable piece of machinery, fast and yet fragile. this is the GP car of my dreams also, the car Jean-Pierre Sarti drove to his untimely end in the movie Grand Prix, the very movie that at age 11 I watched and became hooked forever on GP racing. I just love those three slats on the cowling for….probably aesthetic appeal more than any type of cooling. Great piece Rob, enjoyed every word.
Rob yes history can teach us all something however Mr Moseley chose to ignore it when doing his deals with Ferrari and now we are left with standard engine configurations that leave no car with an individual note although the last Honda did sound especially horrible. My memory was recently stirred when watching a video of Senna’s first McLaren test on You Tube and listening to the note of the DFV, that’s how racing cars should sound. My favourite engine note from my youth was the BRM 2 litre V8 that ran in the Tasman Series here in 1966 and 1967, it really howled but I’ll never forget seeing my first Grand Prix at Brands Hatch in 1976 where the variety of car shapes, engine notes and racing has seldom been replicated since that infamous season. While the evolution of the computer has brought about a revolution in communication (who would have thought 30 years ago that you wouldn’t buy music in records or CD’s but download it from something called the Internet)it has also allowed geniuses like Adrian Newey to develop and refine ideas that could never be developed previously. Notwithstanding that F1 obviously needs to do something to allow greater overtaking opportunities, the trouble with F1 at the moment is that there are too many vested interests concerned for a genuine resolution to this problem to be found amongst the teams, perhaps it is time for M. Todt to exercise some authority?
Nice piece Rob, As always. Reading this article reminded me of the first race meeting I attended as a teenager. It was the ’65 Tasman race at Warwick Farm in Sydney where Jim Clark made, I think, his first appearance in Australia in a Lotus 32. To see that great driver in the green and gold Lotus alongside the likes of Brabham, Graham and Phil Hill started a lifetime interest in car racing. Back in those days the cars were far more fragile than they are today so there was always a sense of anticipation that something might happen to stop a runaway victory. The cars always looked like they were on a knife edge unlike todays where they look like they are on rails. Then the driver’s car control could be seen and appreciated (Clark being the best of all of them). I have said before the look of the cars from the 60′s were the best (like the aforementioned ’66 Ferrari). Cut back the wings and have more power than grip and maybe we will see overtaking again
I wish I could have seen that…
I have to settle for videos…
Hi everybody and thanks very much for your kind comments and yes, God bless Ray Davies – one of the best ever writers of popular songs. Somewhere in the dim, distant past I was a huge fan of The Kinks. Ah, nostalgia…………………..
Anyway, here we are under a cloud of volcanic ash, and how strangely tranquil it is without any aircraft in the sky. So this is what it was like. Ah, nostalgia………
Meanwhile in China, the cars are out again and I suspect the others will be closer to the Red Bulls as we progress through the early part of the season. I suppose that if the Icelandic volcano had erupted a little earlier the race would have been cancelled. It takes a very long time to get to Shanghai by train from northern Europe.
Must go. On my way to Silverstone to look at the “new, improved layouts” of the circuits ahead of the Grand Prix in July. I am expecting the old place to feel a little more upbeat with a 17-year contract in its pocket. Full report in the magazine in a few weeks time.
Nice photo of the Ferrari at Monaco, huh? Pity they have to be so small. But no doubt you will all have books to refer to when it comes to the old days.
RW
Ahhh, nostalgia indeed.
Beautiful photo of the Ferrari, and thankfully I have access to many printed works, but I’m not sure I have that one in any of the books or publications in the archive. Lovely stuff, for sure.
friday evening- tears well up- ohh nostalgia – after another wonderful week of watching the politicians waffle for their profit and i didn’t mean last night- to have such memories stirred by your comments Rob, i watched Jimmy et al in 1964 and 65 and have lasting happiness as a result- sadness that they are not with us – joy because we witnessed such greatness – and today – i still get the buzz to watch in soem hope and anticipation- normally disapointed [strangely Hendrix is playing on the radio] ah well- but yea that’s good for a friday night – must be a beer time….
Rob,
I think that Lorenzo Banding had a Ferrari seat back in the ’60s right about the time that much missed Edgar Jessop was a real ‘hot shoe’ in both F1 and CanAm ;-). (You might have to consult GK, Roebuck or Alan Henry for fore info there!)
You might want to ask your mate Robert Dean about Gauge 1 and go and enjoy some ‘steamy’ time with him sometime.
David Morgan-Kirby
Ottawa
I think “Lorenzo Banding” is Bandini…right? I don’t know if that’s a nickname or something, but I’ve never heard of “Banding”
Seeing the shot of the Ferrari at Monaco reminds me that I missed it by just two years. My first ‘overseas’ GP was 1968 when Graham Hill won superbly from Richard Attwood. My only disappointment was that Jackie Stewart did not race as I seem to remember that he had hurt his hand at the previous GP. Having watched the Chinese race today and read some of the comments about overtaking, we just need to add a little water to each one, stir the pot a little in qualifying and see what develops. Thanks to Rob for some fantastic memories.
Thank you Rob. Left me feeling like you had ‘said it all’.
First things first.
The man’s name was Lorenzo Bandini. That’s just for those who are less challenged by advancing years.
Meanwhile, in Shanghai, some events occurred which made me smile. And let’s face it, there was lots going on.
First, the McLarens – with their Mercedes engines – are comprehensively putting one over on the works team. This will go down very badly indeed in Stuttgart where they no longer wish to be a part of the McLaren empire. Imagine, though, the joy for Ron Dennis who wants nothing more than to beat the works Mercs. Expect improvements from Ross Brawn and Co at Barcelona.
Next, imagine the joy for Jenson Button. Not only is he beating the cars that were so recently his Brawns, and from which he so suddenly divorced himself, but he is beating his much-vaunted team-mate. This reminds me sharply of Prost and Senna when they were teamed together at McLaren. Mister Aggression versus Mr Calm & Tidy. This is such a fascinating dynamic within a top team.
Now, I am not saying that Button will romp to another title, leaving Hamilton in his wake. No, far from it. We know that Hamilton is a match for any man. But I do see the beginnings of a situation that some did indeed predict. In changing conditions Button is using not only his considerable talent but also his experience and intelligence. While Hamilton is scything and sliding his way through the pack, not to mention dicing in the pitlane, Button is calmly picking his lines, nursing his tyres and using lessons learnt the hard way.
The parallels with Prost and Senna are inescapable. Let’s just hope the two current incumbents at McLaren don’t descend into rows, sulks and fisticuffs. Together they will be a major force. In opposition they could let it slip away.
If it was anything, the GP of China was an indication of a superb season ahead of us.
See? I am not parked in the last century!
RW
wel i perhaps am in some ways [parked in last century] RW- except for the constant tragedies that befell our sport – the tragedy that happened to Lorenzo- as i said in Ed’s thingy – awful- and so gut-wrenchingly uneccessary
yes its all smiles and support with Lewis and Jens as we speak- how long will that last?
i think there are major differences between these two and Alain and Senna – namely the pre-meditated planning to destabilise Alain in order to be number one- what i am seeing with Jens is a realisation of ability and confidence – knowing that he will win more than Lewis by being clever not balls-out every lap – actually reminds me more of ferrari in 1979 in other ways-
all-in-all great though
Ahh yes! O.R.M.A. (Owen Racing Motors Association, or BRM Supporters Club) I still have a key fob with the enameled badge somewhere about the house. As a fascinated 18 year old I once travelled up to the works at Bourne for an open day and was surprised at the conditions that the cars were prepared in, not at all like the clinically clean McLaren in the mid 80′s. The 1.5 litre V8′s were quite jewel-like though.
I’m surprised that in this wallow in the past no one has mentioned the great Girling Foss, surely the best driver to have appeared in F1 and so far only our second motor racing Knight. It was a chance viewing of the ’66 Monaco Grand Prix that got me hooked on F1. Even in black and white Stirling’s sheer artistry in the Rob Walker Lotus was utterly mesmerising. With side panels removed you could see his completely relaxed style; here was a man driving on the edge and controlling the car by correcting what it was about to do, not what it had just done, simply sublime.
As far as the Jenson v Lewis thing is concerned don’t you think that Lewis will learn and improve his racecraft? I reckon he will, and quickly. One thing I love about him is he’s like Mansell was; put him in a fast car and he gives it 110% which as a fan is just great to see. Jenson may yet retain his title by being wily and making the right choices, can’t wait for Spain!!
Doh! For ’66 Monaco GP read ’61. I think the rain is getting in the wooden bit on top!
Apologies for being late in picking this up. I agree with RW’s original note, and also his follow up note. The old days wern’t as good as we remember, and things today aren’t as bad as they may appear. Without talking about the racing specifically, my real issue is with the homogenous nature of todays grid, due to the straight jacket of regulations which have successfully outlawed any advance or variation which may provide any technical interest.
This brings me my bone of contention, in RW’s initial note he refers to “lots of nice engineering you can understand”
Well of course you could understand it – because it was declared openly and published every week in the likes of Autocar etc. Lovely sectioned drawings of chassis, engines, suspensions etc, illustrating the latest advances on this weeks GP cars – in fact for some of us it was at least as interesting as the racing, and whetted our interest sufficiently to take up engineering for study, and eventually have a long and interesting career in the car industry.
How would anyone get interested inengineering today?
The cloak of secrecy surrounding the technical nuances within the engines etc is more robust than anything protecting national security – why?
I would suggest that each team, annually, should publish SAE papers on all aspects of the F1 car they were developing say 3 years ago – it’s current enough to be really interesting to people, but old enough to be of no use to competitors. Now that really would be interesting.
It is sad however that all the engines are mandated to the number of cylinders, and specified materials, and this that and the other, when a few years ago we had V12, V8, V6, 4 cyl, V16, H16, V10 Nat asp, turbo etc etc.
The magazines today are full of political and personality hogwash to fill the vacuum created by all this secrecy – let’s get back to what it about – being inventive, with regulations that allow initiative and a variety of different solutions, and the means to share that knowledge and spawn the next generation of engineers.
I feel better now – bed time in Australia – night night…
Bryan K
I enjoyed your sensible and interesting comments Bryan from Australia. Thanks for joining in.
You say my point was a bone of contention but what I was trying to say was pretty much what you have said here at greater length. Many of us were inspired by those cars and by the technical drawings and yes, I miss them too. One of the problems is of course the dreaded secrecy but it’s also the complexities and the ‘mysteries’ of the dreaded software. The secrecy is partly a result of the intense rivalry and the recent cases of ‘spying’ between the top teams. But then it was ever thus,
And yes, of course, the much mooted single engine for Grand Prix racing is really the last straw. Grand Prix racing will begin to resemble one-make racing, not to mention the fact that 4-cylinder turbocharged engines do not usually sound very thrilling.
Yet again, however, I will be watching in Turkey this weekend. I just can’t get it out of my system despite the fact that it’s all been watered down over the decades.
In passing, I should perhaps draw your attention to the chat with Patrick Head on our new podcast.
As well as making us laugh (a lot) Mr Head is typically forthright and interesting about developments in F1 engineering. Few are better qualified to speak on this complex subject.
OK, Williams is not what once it used to be. But the cars are beautifully crafted and P.Head is, and always was, a mighty good engineer.
RW