It’s not F1, and the FIA didn’t block it (the embarrassed Porsche factory team pressured the ADAC to after May’s private ebtry had out-qualified the factory cars.) but Michael May’s pre-Chaparral Porsche, the most influentially innovative racing car of the 20th Century, got banned from the 1956 Nurburgring 1000km.  

Two thoughts:

Because Japan is inscrutable. 

Paul Newman was an excellent driver. He was serious about it and he drove (successfully) over a sustained period. Newman unarguably was a more successful driver than McQueen. I meant to cast no shade on P.Newman. He, Garner, Dickie Smothers and others were part of a Hollywood crew that got interested and serious about…

You people are morons. Steve McQueen. Steve fucking McQueen: 2d OA at Sebring 1970 1964 ISDT

I think it unfair to simply call the Lotus 43/BRM H-16 a bad car. The chassis was what was needed to carry that preposterously insane Bourne boat anchor of an engine. But what a magnificently misbegotten idea that H-16 was. It was a triumphantly unsuccessful exercise in more “more is more” from the boffins who brought…

“Actually, Nigel, I say:’You’re good enough. You’re smart enough. And doggone it, I’m not gonna let some empty-headed, pygmy-handed narcissist screw up the opportunity I’ve been handed.’”

1st Gear Trade War

I like airplanes too. That would be OK, I guess.

Will there be motorcycles? His past shows had motorcycles. I like motorcycles.

Back when I did honest work (mid 70s to early 80s) the idea of a short-bed pickup was inconceivable. What prevented the 3/4 CDX sheets from falling out?

I just dug out an Oct (?) 1970 Road & Track to find an article by Karl Ludvigsen: “Racing by the BTU.” Mr. Ludvigsen and you are of like minds.

Decades ago, my wife and I shared a vacation cottage with another couple and their toddler. They awoke early; we slept in. Many mornings I was greeted by the toddler, bursting with pride, pointing to an obviously-used potty chair: “Thim, Thim (he had a lisp) yook what I made!!!” Dutifully, I praised each…

My take: The “Golden Age” of F1 was when I was in my late teens (Yeah, I know, everybody’s Golden Age was when they were in their teens. Shut up.)

It was all in the stretch

“biological life.  .  .”

I miss Graham and Jimmy. 

That’s all very well and good. But I’d prefer one with a few fewer PS and one more pedal. Because that would be more fun to drive.

Note to Self: