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 please log in to view this image 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!!
c'mon, admit it, you watched a re-run to refresh your memory . 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.
Funny guy. Actually you're right. I did... but only to check my recollection of the race. I definitely remember the Tyrrell in a Ferrari sandwich. It seemed to go on for an eternity and was most impressive. What I wasn't aware then was that Clay Regazzoni came from 7th place on the grid to bag third place just after Paddock. No big screen in those days and the action was on the other side of the straight to me . I remember the Renaults alright and their debut at Silverstone in 1977 which coincided with the arrival in F1 of the legendary Giles Villeneuve. Needless to say , he was more impressive than the yellow cars.
I have never been to a race <insertsarcasticsmiliyhere> (I am too lazy to describe it but it was cold)
Now that as you know was from around the era of that Tyrrell. Thanks for the kind words guys. It's gr8 fun talking here. Y'all have a nice day now
