Sir Stirling Moss

[TD]

RIP Sir Stirling.  For reasons illustrated in this thread when I hear or think the name "Moss" I immediately think the word "crumpet".

Manta22, those are amazing shots, thanks for sharing!

Tim

[4-barrel Mike]

Posted by Bobby Green on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/p/B-5XQD7pw-H/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link 

Mike

[Jack Gifford]

manta22- Were you a US serviceman in Germany? I was USAF at SpangDahlem 1964-67, just a half hour from Nuerburgring. Shortly before leaving, I checked one item off my bucket list, by driving two laps of the 'ring on a non-race weekend! It was still the 27km course then, about 16 miles. Is your second photo a spot on the western side (looking east)?

[manta22]

manta22- Were you a US serviceman in Germany? I was USAF at SpangDahlem 1964-67, just a half hour from Nuerburgring. Shortly before leaving, I checked one item off my bucket list, by driving two laps of the 'ring on a non-race weekend! It was still the 27km course then, about 16 miles. Is your second photo a spot on the western side (looking east)?

Well, Jack, I was in Germany when I was in the Army in '60 to '63 but I took those pictures when I was there in high school. I was an Army Brat so we lived in lots of places, Japan & Germany as well as all over the US. That second picture was taken just past the North Curve and before the Adenau Bridge.

While I was there stationed in Babenhausen with a Corporal missile unit I drove my '63 VW 1500 notchback around the 'Ring. I did 14:53 scaring myself sh!tless. When I was there in high school (Frankfurt HS) I went up to the 'Ring in a friends '48 Mercury and rode around one lap in it. That was a hoot. The course that you and I drove is not the same as today- shorter, re-paved, Armco barriers replacing trees, etc. I'll bet your experience was memorable, Jack!

That era of GP racing was exciting, the F1 of today just isn't as interesting to me.

[ggl205]

Neil, nothing better than the smell of castor bean oil in the air except maybe, nitro. My introduction was a first visit to the the LA Times Gran Prix at the late Riverside International Raceway (inside turn six).

John

[manta22]

Neil, nothing better than the smell of castor bean oil in the air except maybe, nitro. My first introduction was a first visit to the the LA Times Gran Prix at that the late Riverside Raceway track (inside turn six).

John

Yes, the smell of nitro is wonderful. In the '50s the GP cars did not have to run on strictly approved gasoline so I suspect there was some nitro in the tank. Castor oil and nitro- wow what a smell when mixed together.

[Jack Gifford]

Yes, I was fortunate to have the opportunity. But you got me- I didn't get under 16 minutes with my 4,200 pound '57 Chev station wagon (upgraded suspension and brakes, Pontiac Tri-Power engine). Actually, I was only capable of "pushing it" about 2/3 of the way around- besides being a nervous wreck, I was exhausted (manual steering but with the power steering ratio). I took the caps off the headers for the second lap- which did turn some heads as I power-slid around the dogleg leading to the paddock. If all the turns were that visible- instead of mountains blocking the view- it wouldn't be nearly as nerve-wracking.

[manta22]

I am sorry to report the loss of another icon of racing- John Horsman has died. He was at the pinnacle of sports car endurance racing during it's "Golden Age". John was an excellent engineer and a fine gentleman- and my good friend.

John started work for Aston- Martin after graduation from Cambridge University, working for John Weyer. When Weyer left to go to newly-formed Ford Advanced Vehicles (FAV), Horsman went with him. At FAV, they built and developed the Ford GT40. This led to John Weyer Automotive Engineering (JWAE) where they raced the GT40 and an advanced version, the Mirage. They were remarkably successful, winning Le Mans twice with the exact same car! Porsche approached JWAE to take over their racing program and it became legendary after John Horsman solved the high speed stability problems of the Porsche 917. John Horsman became chief engineer and eventually managing director when Weyer retired. Later John moved to Arizona and designed a series of sports racing cars. John and his wife lived in Tucson and he frequently was invited to various events where he delighted the audience with stories about his career in racing. His book "Racing In the Rain" is a classic and serves as a fitting memorial to a great man.

[WOODY@DDLLC]

Sorry to hear that Neil! 

[fordboy628]

Sorry for your loss Neil.

Well, he'll have good company at the big Race Track . . .

 

[55chevr]

He didnt believe in seat belts for race cars.  He said he would rather be ejected then burn to death