USGP AUSTIN - 2014

[cosworth151]

Indy had open, free autograph sessions with all of the F1 drivers. Also, there was an entrance to the paddock that was used by most of the F1 personnel. It was a great place to hang around early in the morning. A number of the pictures I took there are in the Gallery section. Many of the drivers would stop and talk. So would people like Charlie Whiting, Christian Horner and other F1 brass.

[John S]

That along with the fenders on the cars

Care to translate for us Brits Dare?     

I thunk that word 'fender' meant the chrome metal bars found at the ends of cars,
we call them 'bumpers' in Britland.     
However I don't remember seeing crash protectors stuck on both ends of Indy cars 
      - but then I ain't watched any Indy races for about 18 months. 

[Jericoke]

That along with the fenders on the cars

Care to translate for us Brits Dare?     

I thunk that word 'fender' meant the chrome metal bars found at the ends of cars,
we call them 'bumpers' in Britland.     
However I don't remember seeing crash protectors stuck on both ends of Indy cars 
      - but then I ain't watched any Indy races for about 18 months. 

Indycars have the wheels partially enclosed by a structure designed to prevent wheels interlocking and flinging a car into the air (as the crash that killed Dan Wheldon, who the chassis is named after.  Similar to Gilles' crash)

They aren't really bumpers but do function like them.  They aren't really fenders (the top of the tire is visible), but they look like the fenders on sports cars. 

[cosworth151]

We Yanks use the word "fenders" for what you Brits call "wings."

[John S]

We Yanks use the word "fenders" for what you Brits call "wings."

Yeah that makes sense now in respect of what Dare, and then Jeri, is describing. 

But what the hell do you call the bumpers then?   

[Dare]

We Yanks use the word "fenders" for what you Brits call "wings."

Yeah that makes sense now in respect of what Dare, and then Jeri, is describing. 

But what the hell do you call the bumpers then? 

front bumper and back bumper and in my eyes Indy
cars have what I pertain as fenders....case closed John

[lkjohnson1950]

And the rear bumper/fender proved remarkably ineffective at preventing Dario from being pitched up and over and into the fence at Houston.

 

[cosworth151]

But what the hell do you call the bumpers then? 

We call them "bumpers."   

Or, if you're into stock car racing, "the chrome horn."

[J.Clark]

Returning to the topic of Austin's event, I must say that I don't know about all of the other circuits and admit I have only been to a couple of European race weekends, Canada and Indy.  This show in Austin is hard to beat, no matter what other venues may have as an agenda.

http://music.blog.austin360.com/2014/10/16/f1-fan-fest-releases-schedule-including-set-times-for-free-de-la-soul-joan-jett-shows/

[cosworth151]

The USGP at Indy was usually the same week-end as the Indy Jazz & Blues fest. I remember seeing live, free race day concerts at The Speedway by John Mellencamp, The Commodores, Patti LeBelle and others. Local bands played constantly all four days of the weekend in the Pagoda Plaza. In 2005, our race tickets got us free admission to the Raphael exhibit at the Indianapolis Museum of Art.

My favorite "show" of every race weekend was watching all of the classic cars cruising 16th Street & Georgetown Road. Everything for 60's muscle cars to modern supercars to 250 and 330 series Ferraris.

[John S]

I remember the great spectacle of F1 cars at Brands Hatch funnelled after the start into the big drop round Paddock Hill bend, then uphill to the 180 Druids turn and dropping back down the hill to Bottom bend (latterly called Graham Hill bend). Sensational to watch and hear, either at the track or on TV.

Sadly Brands will never stage another F1 GP in my lifetime  and no amount of waxing lyrical will change that. The boring flatlands of Northampton won over the marvellous topographic ups and downs of the Kent track.       

Time and commercial pressures change both tracks and where GPs are located, how many circuits from the 50s' 60s', 70s or 80s retaining an F1 GP are still as they originally where? None as far as I'm aware, even Monaco has been altered. 

Sorry Cossie but it's time you let go of this concept that Indianapolis is the only real USGP track, however good your memories are, like mine - they're just memories.   

Us Brits are used to the expression 'the King is dead, long live the King' - so Viva Austin!   



 

[cosworth151]

There were 7 points races in the first F1 season back in 1950. The first three were, in order, Silverstone, Monaco & Indy. Spa & Monza were also on the schedule that year. The other tow were Reims (France) and Bremgarten (Swizerland).

Indy is by far the best USGP venue, and will still be around long after COTA has gone the way of Texas World Speedway and Ontario International. Some day, hopefully soon, Bernie will depart, the darkness will lift and the glory that used to be F1 will return.

The King still lives, and the rank usurper shall not long triumph. 

[Ian]

Aah John, Brands Hatch, what a circuit that is, I never saw F1 there but I used to be there regularly for my 1st love at the time, BIKES, used to stand on the bank at Bottom bend, you could see them enter Clearways, all along Top Straight into Paddock, then out of Druids and back round in front of you at  Bottom Bend, what days they were.   

[Scott]

I'm with Cos on this one...Indy will outlive Bernie, and when whoever takes over F1 realizes that the fan experience is more important than impressing the Paddock Club guests, F1 will return to Indy.

[Monty]

I also remember F1 at Brands Hatch (although I can't remember which was the last one I saw - I know it was the European GP that year). I still go and watch historic GP cars there and they still sound fantastic. It is also my favourite track to drive. I started there when I was riding superbikes and the negative camber & steep drop of Paddock Hill Bend really strengthens certain muscles (those in the cheeks of your bum!)