English Chess Forum

My favourite driver at the moment is Daniel Ricciardo. One of the reasons being that he always has a smile on his face.
My favourite driver of all time was Ayrton Senna.
My favourite racetrack is Spa in Belgium.

Don't get me started...

There's a clamour in some quarters to knight Lewiff H despite his despicable track record that includes losses to HM Treasury and skullduggery such as -

"19/11/2020 · Lewis Hamilton loses three-year trademark battle with firm who sold 'Hamilton' watches since 1892... "

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2020/1 ... ller-sold/

My least favourite circuit is Suzuka - it's a prolonged deafening roar on the soundscape. Then again aren't they all.

I prefer the Nürburgring but it fell out of favour post 1985.

I have competed at Donnington, Silverstone, Brands Hatch, Goodwood and Thruxton and have held an FIA International B licence granted by the RAC MSA.

I have also competed on The Manx International Rally, The Pirelli International etc, heaps of events in Wales and Scotland.

I've competed in various cars were including Ford Cosworths (Group A), Peugeot 106 S16, 205, 306, 405, Subaru Imprezzas : the list is too large to recall right now. Apologies for talking about cars.

Spa-Francorchamps is a favourite of tyre suppliers but not drivers uncomfortable in the rain, or more importantly, variable track conditions throughout the day and throughout the track.

A circuit purpose made for Ayrton Senna da Silva and Jim Clark and any pure natural talents such as those two.

Jim Clark was the best I thought. However, his Lotus Team Manager thought Fangio was better. In recent years, safety has improved (which is obviously a very good thing) but automatic gearboxes, traction control etc. have reduced the skill aspect. Having said that, keeping the thing on the road at very high speeds is not easy. I don't bother to watch any more as the pit stop strategy is the main factor deciding the result.

Kevin Thurlow wrote: ↑

Sun Dec 06, 2020 1:14 pm

Having said that, keeping the thing on the road at very high speeds is not easy.

I am keen to hear of your personal experience in these matters.

The Pirelli International use the forests of Kielder amongst others. Driving at 100mph+ on a forestry commission tracks which are shaped like an inverted U with huge log filled ditches either side is hilarious.

It does not pay to catch the car in front since your radiator and windscreen will be destroyed and vision will drop to a few feet.

I once had to stop on the 26 mile stage in Kielder as a car we were catching fell into a ditch hitting the log pile head on. The helicopter was scrambled to get the crew to hospital. Very unpleasant.

John Upham wrote: ↑

Sun Dec 06, 2020 10:16 am

I prefer the Nürburgring but it fell out of favour post 1985.

I have competed at Donnington, Silverstone, Brands Hatch, Goodwood and Thruxton and have held an FIA International B licence granted by the RAC MSA.

Having only raced at one circuit I don't feel qualified to comment on the merits of different circuits as a driver.

As a spectator, for a good view of a lot of the track, I'd say Donnington Park is best, followed by the Brands Hatch short circuit (although I've never been to Goodwood or any circuits North of Donnington).

Ian Thompson wrote: ↑

Sun Dec 06, 2020 3:18 pm

Having only raced at one circuit

Was it the M25 by any chance?

I thought the M25 was a giant car park. Although the proposed Lower Thames Crossing should relieve some of the congestion.
A couple of racetracks I remember on TV were Laguna Seca in California and Bathurst in Australia.

John Upham wrote: ↑

Sun Dec 06, 2020 3:42 pm

Ian Thompson wrote: ↑

Sun Dec 06, 2020 3:18 pm

Having only raced at one circuit

Was it the M25 by any chance?

If it had been the RAC MSA would have taken my license away for not going fast enough.

George Russell demonstrated today just how many pinches of salt we should take when discussing whether LH is one of the best ever drivers. The problem with F1 is that too often one make of car is way superior to the others, although Bottas does his best to disprove this.

I thought George Russell was desperately unlucky. Whether Lewis Hamilton has more competition next year, we will have to wait and see. The return of Fernando Alonso should make things interesting.

The Australian and Chinese Grands Prix which were due to be the first and third on the 2021 Calendar have been postponed because of Covid-19 restrictions.
The season is now scheduled to begin with the second race, in Bahrain, on 26th-28th March.

Simon Rogers wrote: ↑

Sat Dec 05, 2020 7:43 pm

My favourite driver at the moment is Daniel Ricciardo. One of the reasons being that he always has a smile on his face.
My favourite driver of all time was Ayrton Senna.
My favourite racetrack is Spa in Belgium.

Arguably the best F1 documentary was the one named after Senna.

Favourite driver Mansell
Favourite circuit Spa