Classic F1... on TV!

[Sparky]

Couldn't sleep the other night, so I started flipping the ol' remote.
Terrestrial TV...? Anglia TV for that matter.. Oh I remember them. They transmit that F1 stuff... But wait..I don't remember it being this good!

The 1976 season final round from Fuji.

James Hunt, Mario Andretti, Patrick Depallier in the six-wheel Tyrell.. Great stuff! Hunt, struggling through the rain on cr*ppy tyres, Depallier spinning and nearly taking him out, Andretti way off in the distance... Brilliant! I couldn't believe the standards at the circuit - the cattle-shed pit buildings, the track surface looked like back roads! I have seen the fifties and sixties, and I started watching in the late eighties, but this period is new to me.
Can I get this stuff, or at least season highlights of the decade on Video..?

Did anybody else catch it?

[Liz]

We get it on SpeedVision under the name "Legends of Motorsport" - usually as a substitute for something that is blacked out here in Canada. The day of the Spanish Grand Prix we got the show you mention above. It is amazing how much better the racing was back then, isn't it?

[Sparky]

Certainly was, Liz.

It's just not fair...

Why can't we have racing like that these days? Mucho mechanical grip, and a token wing for the slightest hint of downforce. That's what we want, that's what the drivers want. I bet if they realised they could make more money, Bernie and co would want it too...

[Jay]

<sigh>

My mother didn't think it was worth the extra money for all of those specialty channels.

Actually, I have to admit that most of those channels are **** (ie "The Golf Channel"?).

Liz, you probably know what I am talking about.

[Liz]

Jay, i sure do. Not only the Golf Channel, but Home and Garden Television? The Food Channel? WOMEN'S Television? Who on earth watches these?

Speedvision is a michegoss in Eastern Canada anyway, as anything worth watching on it is blacked out ... but the good news is, it's usually replaced by either "Legends of Motorsport" or "A Gentleman's Motor Racing Diary", both programs about historical racing and most excellently well done.

[Minardi fan]

I saw that programme a few years back late one night. Why don't they show old F1 races???? T'would be XCELLENT!

[Liz]

They don't want you youngsters to find out what Formula One racing IS SUPPOSED TO BE. Bernie'n'Max are hoping to raise an entire generation who believes that open wheel car racing started with Ayrton Senna.

[Gerard]

I have every Grand Prix since 1978 on video tape, integral.
I could show our younger posters some races that would make them sit on the edge of their chairs.
There wouldn't be time to get a cup of coffee out of the kitchen because of all the things happening on the track.
And then they would really understand why so many people are unhappy with Formula One today.
They would ask: "Is that what Formula One used to be?"
And I would say: "Yep, that's what Formula One used to be!"
And their remark would be: "Wow!!!!"

[This message has been edited by Gerard (edited 22 May 2000).]

[Liz]

Maybe it was more dangerous back then, but so was everything. And most of us lived to grow up anyway.

[Neil C]

Sparks, for James Hunt's account of that race, and the whole amazing '76 season, read his biography: James Hunt, Against All Odds.

Especially interesting is his assesment of his contemporaries, friend and foe alike.

[Sparky]

Thanks Neil! I'll do that.

ISBN number?

[R]

I remember watching seasonal highlights (half-an-hour-programs I think it was) on NBC Super Channel a few years back, spanning the years 1970-80. I also have a video called "Motor Racing in the 70's", with some great footage. It would be great to see an entire race from this period, even if you knew the result! This sure was a great era, before my time, but real racing, that's for sure!

[Redneck]

I have had too many beers since then... I couldn't remember who won them anyway. It would be just like watching them for the first time.

[Neil C]

Here ya are Sparky:
"James Hunt Against All Odds" by Eoin Young and James Hunt ISBN:0-525-13625-8. If you cant find it, let me know, I'll send you mine.

[Sparky]

Blimey Neil! Thanks fella! I'll try the local stores, and the ones in the next town over. If I have no luck, I'll give you a shout.

You Sir, are a gent!