Turbos in F1: Documentary Highlights Its Birth
A fascinating 2-part period-era documentary here from the 1980s focusing on the emerging computerized presence in F1. As the narrator aptly puts it – “Gone are the oily rags and the flat-capped amateurs… Here, computers, rubber, metalogy, synthetics, electronics and aerodynamics consume fortunes…”
Many have sustained that it was this exact movement/moment in F1 when the heavy focus on decimal-obsessed, precisional accuracy replaced the ‘fun’ aspect of racing… Few would argue that it definitely signalled the end of an era and the beginning of a new one that resides to this day though.
At nearly 2 hours in length (in 2 parts), it’s a bit of a long-haul, but I cannot stress how interesting this documentary is in exposing the newfound troubles, clashes and endless headaches that permeated throughout the sport during the ’80s when these technologies were new and fresh yet bewilderingly complicated for their creators…
2012 marks the 25th Anniversary of the very last Ferrari to be built under the watchful eye of Enzo Ferrari himself. At 90 years of age, Enzo passed away one year after the F40′s official debut in the Summer of 1987, marking the lightweight (1100 kg), powerful (471 bhp from a twin-turbo V8) and strategically bare-bones F40 as a fitting ‘last testament’ to the fuelled passions and race-bred visions of Enzo Ferrari.
There have been countless odes to the F40 over the years, both in print and within this electronic medium, so let’s spare the (albeit, worthy) fanfare for another time and instead focus on the images selected for your viewing pleasure – images that span time from period-era rarities right on up to present-day re-interpretations. In short, a celebration of the iconic F40 supercar that, to this day, still tops the list of many a petrolhead and Ferrari enthusiast worldwide as the most exciting Ferrari ever made… »> Click-thru for more rare photos of the Ferrari F40…!
By the time the Apollo 12 crew landed and enjoyed a leisurely stroll on the moon in November 1969 (the sixth manned space flight under the Apollo program but only the second Apollo crew to land on the moon), Astronauts had garnered (and enjoyed) an almost Rock ‘n Roll-like fervor about them, undoubtedly helped along by their psychedelic space-travelling ways. So, what better way to augment this public appreciation (and have fun) in the vehicular sense than with matching, bespoke 1969 ‘AstroVette’ Stingray Corvettes.
Through a special GM lease program, Astronauts were given the privilege of driving any GM car, for a year, for only $1. The Apollo 12 crew of Alan Bean, Richard Gordon and Charles Conrad decided to take GM up on this rather kind offer by obtaining matching ‘vettes distinguished by their Gold and Black paint-scheme and distinctive red, white and blue logos on the front wings reading ‘LMP’ for Lunar Module Pilot.
To this day, sadly, only Alan Bean’s ’Astrovette’ is accounted for and has undergone a full, extensive restoration… In a recent BBC Documentary from Top Gear’s James May titled ‘James May On The Moon’, Alan was reunited with his old Corvette Astrovette after some 40 years… »> click-thru for loads more photos and video..!
Re-built in 1968 on the chassis of a 1929 8-litre Bentley, this Napier/Bentley utilises a 24-litre, 550 bhp, up-to 1400lb ft of torque (!) Napier Sea Lion W12 aeroplane engine to readily transform the rear tires into gobs of smoke and molasses…
I’ve been fortunate enough to witness it in action before – It sounds like Armageddon.
Click-thru for further video-action of this beast…»>
(Source: autoinjected.com)
Sometimes it’s rather difficult to produce the proper accompanying words for an image so personal, poignant and escapist – one that instantly tugs at your motoring heart. Even more difficult if you’ve actually driven the route(s) contained within said image on a previous overseas driving-holiday - the plethora of beautifully visceral memories are right *there*, as if you were subconsciously back in the moment itself, re-feeling, hearing, seeing and smelling the moment in time.
Driving throughout the incredibly stunning Welsh countryside amidst the endlessly gliding, curving and falling roads of the region does that to you – It’s a bespoke landscape unlike anything you’ve ever seen and navigated throughout before, bordering on the dreamlike.
Every year I try my absolute best to hike the trek over to the UK for my necessary dosage of raw, mechanical interaction with something fun and burbly, thereby mixing all of the sensations together to create an escapist elixir that has become almost essential to my well-being and sanity now…
It’s become my ultimate (and expensive) drug of choice.
Photo by: James Lipman
(Source: autoinjected.com)
Very few racetracks invoke genuine fear within racecar drivers and the high-speed Autodromo Nazionale Monza circuit (located near the town of Monza, Italy) is one such track with a lucrative history of legendary speeds and spectacular crashes resulting in many high-profile and unfortunate deaths. From its inception in 1922, 9 drivers and 27 spectators lost their lives within the first 10 years of its existence – the sheer number of crashes alone, was extraordinary.
The high speeds attained on the original design of the track (with little to zero run-off area, mind) pushed both car and driver to the limits of their capabilities, with any major mechanical (or driver) failure linking with road-holding manageability often resulting in a life-threatening crash of an extremely violent nature…»> Continue for more photos and video.
(Source: autoinjected.com)
Today’s POTD focuses on Sir Jackie Stewart and his nemesis: The Nurburgring Nordschleife.
It was Sir Jackie himself who coined the famous term ‘The Green Hell’ towards the demanding and terrifying circuit, yet it was also Sir Jackie who studied it, mastered it and conquered it. And nowhere was this most impressively evident than in 1968 during the German Grand Prix held at the Nurburgring amidst simply appalling weather conditions… »> continue for more plus video as well.
(Source: autoinjected.com)
