R
Robin van Bergkamp
Guest
As it's the seasonal break in F1 I thought we would have some fun and share our memories of the very first time we witnessed a grand prix. I appreciate that these days one sees more on TV and the cost of attending an event can be very prohibitive so if your first memory of F1 was seeing a race on the box, please feel free to share that too. My first view of a race on TV was very exciting. It was Monaco 1975 but the first time I went to a race was at Brands Hatch for the John Player British Grand Prix.
Tickets were relatively inexpensive in those days and plentiful. I actually turned up on the day and paid around a fiver. Some of the kids from school who had encouraged my interest in F1 would be there but sadly I didn't get to meet up with them. Getting closer to the cars in the race was a lot easier in 1974. I found a vantage point just beyond Clearways and the start of what is now Brabham Straight and around 30 minutes just before the race began, left my ' front row ' spot to get some souvenir matchboxes from the JPS stand. Would you believe I quite easily made my way back to the barrier? If I recall correctly, there was no catch fencing and definitely no major run-off area, just a simple metal barrier. Bernie and the health and safety executive would have a fit today!!!
I remember that the race was dominated by the Ferrari of Niki Lauda who started from pole. For quite a while he held the Tyrell 007 of Jody Sheckter in a sandwich as Clay Regazzoni had made his way up to third on the run down from Paddock, having started from seventh on the grid. A slow puncture would cost Niki the lead on lap 69 as the Tyrrell 007 swept by into the lead just in front of where I was standing. As I was rooting for Lauda, the Tyrrell meant little to me at that time but over the years I came to enjoy the sheer brutish elegance of that car. Gerald Swan took a picture of the winning car of Jody Sheckter which he has kindly allowed me to share with you. I think it captures just about everything from that day in July 1974 and what I like about the Tyrrell 007
You can find more of Gerald's pictures on http://f3history.co.uk/Racingpics/
Have fun Friends and let's enjoy your memories here too!!
Tickets were relatively inexpensive in those days and plentiful. I actually turned up on the day and paid around a fiver. Some of the kids from school who had encouraged my interest in F1 would be there but sadly I didn't get to meet up with them. Getting closer to the cars in the race was a lot easier in 1974. I found a vantage point just beyond Clearways and the start of what is now Brabham Straight and around 30 minutes just before the race began, left my ' front row ' spot to get some souvenir matchboxes from the JPS stand. Would you believe I quite easily made my way back to the barrier? If I recall correctly, there was no catch fencing and definitely no major run-off area, just a simple metal barrier. Bernie and the health and safety executive would have a fit today!!!
I remember that the race was dominated by the Ferrari of Niki Lauda who started from pole. For quite a while he held the Tyrell 007 of Jody Sheckter in a sandwich as Clay Regazzoni had made his way up to third on the run down from Paddock, having started from seventh on the grid. A slow puncture would cost Niki the lead on lap 69 as the Tyrrell 007 swept by into the lead just in front of where I was standing. As I was rooting for Lauda, the Tyrrell meant little to me at that time but over the years I came to enjoy the sheer brutish elegance of that car. Gerald Swan took a picture of the winning car of Jody Sheckter which he has kindly allowed me to share with you. I think it captures just about everything from that day in July 1974 and what I like about the Tyrrell 007
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You can find more of Gerald's pictures on http://f3history.co.uk/Racingpics/
Have fun Friends and let's enjoy your memories here too!!
. sadly I've never been to a 'live' GP as most Sundays we were out racing somewhere. I have vague recollections of James Hunt racing, but my first real memory of F1 is watching the Renault turbos constantly going BANG.
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Hmm… it must be the 'T' car again…