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The Monaco Grand Prix and The Indy 500
The Monaco Grand Prix and The Indy 500 As I wrote the Danica Patrick Exposed post I had written some about my introduction to auto racing. But the Danica post got a bit long so here is the part about me. My first exposure to auto racing was watching the Indy 500 on ABC’s “Wide World of Sports” when I was like 10 or so (mid to late 60s). You remember “Spanning the globe to bring you the constant variety of sport... the thrill of victory... and the agony of defeat... the human drama of athletic competition.” and that poor schmuck who, every . . . friggin . . . weekend, bounced down the same ski run and past your TV screen as Jim McKay said “and the agony of defeat”. I recall sitting up close to the TV (probably a black and white at that time), so I could see as much as possible of the cars and the drivers. I still get up close, even to a 60-inch TV, to see a replay of a pass or other action. I’ll try to analyze what happened to cause a shunt (accident). I recall a lot of talk about A J Foyt and how independent and “his way” he was – see my Sinatra post. The cars fascinated me because they were nothing like the ones I watched speed around the curves of Sunset Blvd which was close behind our house. I knew most of the street car makes and models because they had distinct shapes, lights and “faces”. But not the Indy cars, they all looked quite similar – no fenders or lights, no trunks or tail lights and no roof. The cars had names like; Lola, Lotus, Eagle, Coyote and McLaren. The engines had different names too, the one I recall most was “Offy” (Offenhauser). I wanted and eventually sorta got an Offy engine. I had a street/drag engine built for my first car (a 1964 Chevy Impala SS). It was a 327 with “3 deuces” (3 2-barrel carbs) on an Offenhauser manifold. It was friggin fast. Eventually, probably a few years later, I saw my first Formula 1 race – The Grand Prix of Monaco – always on the same weekend as the Indy 500. I had zero idea where or what Monaco was – but there were RACE CARS racing on the streets there. They looked and sounded similar to the Indy cars of that period – at least to my untrained eyes and ears back then. These guys were turning left . . . AND RIGHT, they were going up and down hills, and they drove through a friggin tunnel and came out right next to the ocean, then they drove around a pool. The turns weren’t numbered they had names; San Devote, Casino and Rascasse among others. I sooo wanted to do that stuff. The driver names were mostly different; Stewart, Rindt, Hill and Lauda. Some of the race car names were the same; Lola, Lotus, and McLaren – others not; Matra, Brabham and Tyrell – others I knew from street cars; Ferrari and Ford. I became practically obsessed with racing – it is a sport and an addiction. Again, as in many, many years past these 2 races are on TV again, on the same weekend again. Far as this weekend and Danica Patrick go, she has qualified very well (7th) so getting caught up in a potential early laps mess is lessened . . . some. She also seems to have a very good car and team – very valuable assets. She could sure make some history. I’ve watched a lot of Indy 500s and know enough to know picking a winner is pretty much impossible. The track is wicked fast and unforgiving; the weather can change quickly, and something as inconsequential (like a hot wrapper) can change the race. That plus the speeds and the length of the race and number of pit stops, make for way too many variables for almost any pick to be a reasonable one. And then there is always one lady who is in every race and who often has a hand in determining the outcome. Her name is . . . Luck. 2018 Indy Car 1968 Formula 1 car - a Lotus driven by the great Jim Clark When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro. The only thing we have to fear is fear itself. |
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You're welcome When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro. The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.
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I can see the interest in the Monaco Grand Prix. I've always loved motorcycle road racing, but drag and dirt track racing had no appeal to me. I'm a road racer at heart, cars first, but I have a bike I want to build for Vintage motorcycle road racing - just takes time and money. Do you get to COTA at all? When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro. The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.
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6/3/2018 3:48 pm |
I can see the interest in the Monaco Grand Prix. I've always loved motorcycle road racing, but drag and dirt track racing had no appeal to me.
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Or that. When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro. The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.
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OR . . . no talking quilting or racing "Sometimes the most productive thing you can do is relax." – Mark Black
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So true racing is such a wonderful sport, I used to be involved in it very much so, as my parents worked at our local track. I did enjoy being a trophy girl once, I hope you enjoy your Memorial Day.. When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro. The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.
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I watched the Monte Carlo race yesterday with my grandson....exciting stuff but looks mighty dangerous to me. When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro. The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.
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I find Formula 1 over commercial these days, too far removed from real life. The Indy500 seems to be a bit more approachable though? When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro. The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.
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I'll talk quilting and you can talk racing... When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro. The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.
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So true racing is such a wonderful sport, I used to be involved in it very much so, as my parents worked at our local track. I did enjoy being a trophy girl once, I hope you enjoy your Memorial Day..
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I watched the Monte Carlo race yesterday with my grandson....exciting stuff but looks mighty dangerous to me. ~~Anais Nin~~
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I find Formula 1 over commercial these days, too far removed from real life. The Indy500 seems to be a bit more approachable though?
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Thank you . . . wanna get passionate? I'll talk quilting and you can talk racing... "Sometimes the most productive thing you can do is relax." – Mark Black
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I love just about all kinds of cars except most of the cookie cutter cars that are made now. Like you said; the shapes (real designs), the speed and power speak for themselves. I'm a big Steve McQueen fan so I know about the car you mentioned. It was the primary car from the filming (I believe there were 3) that had been "lost" afterwards. It was found stashed in Mexico. He raced cars and motorcycles. 2 of my motorcycle projects are copies of what he raced in the desert. When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro. The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.
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I love the image of a 10 year old so enamored with a sport that he learns everything he can, and that becomes his passion for the rest of his life. People sharing their passions...that is what makes life interesting. Very very cool. When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro. The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.
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Yes, the Monaco Grand Prix is certainly unique. It's probably the most eagerly awaited race in the calendar for Grand Prix enthusiasts.
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I know where you will be today! Glued to the big screen. I was in Monaco in 2011 a few weeks after the Grand Prix. We drove down some of the streets of the race course. It was really kind of cool. I'm not a super race fanatic but enough to know that is kind of a big deal! There are some pretty tight curves on those streets! Classy, Sassy, and a little Smart-Assy Sine Metu CN
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I know where you will be today! Glued to the big screen. I was in Monaco in 2011 a few weeks after the Grand Prix. We drove down some of the streets of the race course. It was really kind of cool. I'm not a super race fanatic but enough to know that is kind of a big deal! There are some pretty tight curves on those streets! Classy, Sassy, and a little Smart-Assy Sine Metu CN
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I love the image of a 10 year old so enamored with a sport that he learns everything he can, and that becomes his passion for the rest of his life. People sharing their passions...that is what makes life interesting. Very very cool. "Sometimes the most productive thing you can do is relax." – Mark Black
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wouldnt it be great if danica could go out a winner? of course she already is one in my book... When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro. The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.
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wouldnt it be great if danica could go out a winner? of course she already is one in my book... woop woop
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Luck be a Lady today When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro. The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.
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