For...
SIR,
What a transformation! The best literary motor racing read I have yet experienced, with cracking articles (Spa 1960 was just exceptional) by cracking writers (Doug Nye, Nigel Roebuck, Alan Henry and David Tremayne on top form).
The £2.75 cover price is perfectly justifiable for what is an exceptional addition to the motor sport magazine fraternity. I say addition because the old MOTOR SPORT had so lost the plot it wasn’t taking part. The decision not concentrate on the current scene is a master stroke since this so well covered by Autosport, Motoring News and F1 Racing. There are so many of us baby boomers weaned on grids of Clark, Hill, Hulme, Stewart, Brabham and Surtees that there just has be a market for a magazine for us. I wish you all the best. Now, about the 1976 BOAC 500…
I am yours etc,
KEITH WARDEN, EDINBURGH
SIR,
As an appreciative reader from my wartime RAF days onward, I did not think that the magazine could be improved and worried that someone might try. How wrong I was.
I am yours etc
W JOHN NETHERWOOD, NEWMIII, HUDDERSFIELD
SIR,
It is rare that anything sufficiently momentous has occasioned me to write to a magazine. But the April landmark issue of MOTOR SPORT is, well, momentous. Congratulations on the contents, the layout, the paper — and to the editor.
I am yours etc
DAVID MORRISON, PARABOLICA MOTORSPORTS, LONDON
SIR,
The new MOTOR SPORT is all that it should be. Over the last few years it lost its way but now I’ve taken out a subscription again after 15 years.
I am yours etc
PAUL BUTIER, CODSALI, SOUTH STAFFS
SIR,
Having bought every edition of MOTOR SPORT since it was edited by Richard Twelvetrees (1925- 1926 -ed) I feel I can bring a longer view than most when reviewing your first re-launched number. Top marks for effort and intention; if you can keep up this standard in the long haul all may yet be well.
I would appeal for you to return to the high literary standards set by WB, DSJ, Baladeur et al who, as well as being experts in their fields, are/were high calibre wordsmiths.
You will earn brownie-points if you issue an edict that any writer using the words ‘mill’, ‘lump’ and ‘tub’ — beloved of the motoring writer yobocracy —will be consigned to Hades in a Ferrari F355GTS (8C, Speed Six or whatever) and locked in a motorway tailback to eternity.
I am yours etc,
STANLEY JOHNSTON, BURTON BRADSTOCK, DORSET
SIR,
The relaunched MOTOR SPORT is only about 50 years overdue, but better late than never. For the first time in its life the magazine has had some real imagination poured into both layout and contents and the result is superb.
I must correct a couple of inaccuracies which appear in your story on the Goodwood Festival: Mercedes-Benz is hyphenated, but Auto Union is not. And there was no such person as Hans von Stuck. Early in his career, Hans Stuck often did the then fashionable thing in Germany and added his mother’s maiden name to his, styling himself Hans Stuck von Villiez. The British motoring press got this wrong and referred to him as Hans von Stuck.
I am yours etc
CHRIS NIXON, EAST TWICKENHAM, SURREY
SIR,
Your April issue confirmed my view that MOTOR SPORT is the best magazine. I could be biased: I have read every issue since joining Brabham in June ’63. MOTOR SPORT remains the epitome of quality writing, with subjects that take me back to those happy (but hard) days when motor racing was a sport and people were friends.
Thanks to all concerned for a quality publication which will be enhanced if you can spare a page or two for the real thing — Indy car racing.
I am yours etc,
NICK GOOZEE, MANAGING DIRECTOR, PENSKE CARS