Scott Mansell

[mabs_nsx]

Is Scott Mansell son of Nigel Mansell?

[BazBarrow]

mabs_nsx, no they are not related. See scottmansell.com for more info.

[jondownunder]

Originally Posted by Kicking-back

A series he needs to dominate to impress - good luck to him

I agree he needs to make an impression, the 3000 Pro Series had only 13 cars last time out, and probably not as strong a field as F3000 Italia (which only has 14/15 cars). If only those two series would come together, Italy would have a very strong F3000 series...

[Bagodonuts]

Originally Posted by jondownunder

I agree he needs to make an impression, the 3000 Pro Series had only 13 cars last time out, and probably not as strong a field as F3000 Italia (which only has 14/15 cars). If only those two series would come together, Italy would have a very strong F3000 series...

You think adding more cars is going to mean a stronger series in terms of competitiveness ? I don't know but I've always referred to the adage "Quality not quantity..." The unfortunate fact is there will always be a few at the front who can win and everybody else is just filler. Same in GP2 and same in F1... although I will say GP2 does have a good group of talented drivers, but they still have a fair share of slugs who will be lucky to be Top 10. So really you can have a field of 10 cars with 3 very good drivers always upfront and always setting the pace... then say you add another 10-15 cars, those same drivers will still be up front setting the pace if they are good...

[Sheila M]

Originally Posted by BazBarrow

I agree kicking back and that is the plan if our budget allows.

It will certainly be a challenge to drive an alien car on an alien track where many drivers will have raced for some time, but having seen the times he has set in direct comparison to Neel Jani, Clivione Piccione, Danny Watts and Alex Lloyd when going directly up against them, I am confident he will surprise many people.

Baz, I'm delighted to hear this. Hope all goes well for Scott at the weekend.

Sheila

[flexible-flyer]

i hope all goes well. i think for once the united kingdom has the most talented drivers coming through the ranks at the moment. more than any other country, and scott mansell has got to be included in that list. good luck to him.

[Sheila M]

Originally Posted by flexible-flyer

i hope all goes well. i think for once the united kingdom has the most talented drivers coming through the ranks at the moment. more than any other country, and scott mansell has got to be included in that list. good luck to him.

And, a thoroughly nice young chap as well. Baz, don't let them ever turn him into a prima donna will you?

Sheila

[ghinzani]

Originally Posted by Kicking-back

The latest is that Scott has three quarters of the budget needed for a World Series seat.

Surely if you have 3/4 quarters of a budget you start the season then rely on your results to sort out the final few races?

[jondownunder]

Originally Posted by Bagodonuts

You think adding more cars is going to mean a stronger series in terms of competitiveness ? I don't know but I've always referred to the adage "Quality not quantity..." The unfortunate fact is there will always be a few at the front who can win and everybody else is just filler. Same in GP2 and same in F1... although I will say GP2 does have a good group of talented drivers, but they still have a fair share of slugs who will be lucky to be Top 10. So really you can have a field of 10 cars with 3 very good drivers always upfront and always setting the pace... then say you add another 10-15 cars, those same drivers will still be up front setting the pace if they are good...

I do agree with what you're saying about just adding more cars, but still, merging those two series would at least combine the "quality" drivers at the front of each... thus making a stronger championship. And naturally people will take a driver more seriously if he/she is beating a full 26 car field. Personally I believe there is a little more quality in F3000 Italia right now, in terms of the depth of talent at the front. Anyway, good luck to Scott, it will be useful experience whatever the case, and hopefully he will progress to GP2 where the competition (both quality AND quantity) should be somewhat stronger.

[gadgit]

Anyone who holds the lap record at Brands Hatch can't be bad. I was there last year on the Race car live event, and conditions were not perfect, but he was close to repeating it then !!

But yes, doing that on a clear track is not racing, but eh ! Give the lad some credit for the record. And who did he take the record off, nis name sake Nigel !

I think someone said he was 17 years old when he broke the record, is that right ?

gadgit.

[gadgit]

Forgot to add, for the person who asked if Scott is the son of nigel.

I asked this nice bloke who had just shown me round the car, at Brands, at Race Car live, He said I hope not, as I'm his Dad !!!!!! as far as I know !!!
gadgit.

[Bagodonuts]

Originally Posted by jondownunder

I do agree with what you're saying about just adding more cars, but still, merging those two series would at least combine the "quality" drivers at the front of each... thus making a stronger championship.

Completely agree, if there are quality drivers in both championships it could only be a benefit. This is one thing many miss out on is that if we had a specific route to the big leagues with one clear step,etc. then all of the best young guns would be forced to race against each other, raising the bar amongst the lot and producing world class drivers. It's no good to go and pi** a championship and not have any competition. You need to get beat or pushed to excel and bring out your own full potential. I think in Scott's case the route he took was good to learn about quick cars and car control but he may have missed out on the crucial race craft which you can only get by jumping in the deep end i.e. UKFF or UK FRenault, etc. Will be interesting to see if he sinks or swims, best of luck to him.

[Sheila M]

Originally Posted by gadgit

I think someone said he was 17 years old when he broke the record, is that right ?

gadgit.

Yes it is

[sceptic]

Well he's qualified 9th (out of 15 drivers who set a time).

Norbert Siedler, who is very good at qualifying, but frankly struggles to get off the line, took pole, 1.7 seconds faster than anyone else.

The next 8 cars were separated by 7/10ths of a second.

Details at www.formula-3000.net/2005_i02_index.php

[Kicking-back]

Pole man 1.7s faster than 2nd in equal cars?

That raises questions about the talent level of this field, I'm afraid.

[Kicking-back]

Actually, I take that back for now - just seen there were changeable weather conditions.

[sceptic]

Yes, seems he was very lucky with crossing the line just at the start of a very sudden and very heavy storm cloud emptying itself.

[jondownunder]

Scott finished sixth today...

Top 8:
1. Norbert Siedler - ADM
2. Max Busnelli - Pro Motorsport
3. Timo Lienemann - Draco
4. Marco Mocci - CEK Team
5. Alessandro Bonetti - Draco
6. Scott Mansell - John Village Automotive
7. Ignazio Belluardo - Pro Motorsport
8. Fausto Ippoliti - ADM

Full results: http://www.gruppoperoni.it/pdf/gara-15-5-2005-11.pdf
Report (Italian): http://www.gruppoperoni.it/promotion...oID=319&t=news

[Mr Jinxx]

John Village will kick some shape into him!

[BazBarrow]

I have just posted images and a race report from Imola at www.scottmansell.com

For a first time in the car and at the track, Scott performed very well.