Articles

  • Morning Qualifying – History Lesson, Part XI

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    With Mercedes-Benz withdrawn from grand prix racing, the 1956 Formula One season would be an inter-Italian skirmish between Ferrari and Maserati.

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  • Morning Qualifying – Wall of Death edition

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    Given the automotive suspension technology of the mid 20th century, circuits with high speed banking were dangerous places for racers to conduct their business.  As I was looking at this photo of Tony Brooks and Masten Gregory dueling at Avus, one of my favorite songs, by Richard and Linda Thompson, popped into my head.  While…

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  • Morning Qualifying – Victory by Gulf edition

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    After winning 7 out of 10 races during the 1969 International Championship for Makes, Porsche sought to defend their title and completely dominate the competition in 1970. They certainly had the right tools for the job; The Porsche 917, introduced in 1969, had been honed into a formidable track weapon thanks to a constant development…

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  • Morning Qualifying – Stratos edition

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    I don’t imagine the car in the photo needs much introduction.  Any major Hoon will tell you that’s a Lancia Stratos HF.  As you know, the Lancia Stratos has its origins as the Stratos Zero concept, designed by Nuccio Bertone, and introduced at the 1970 Turin Auto Show.  Cesare Fiorio, Lancia’s team manager, saw the…

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  • Morning Qualifying – History Lesson, Part X

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    In the span of 3 weeks, in the middle of 1955, motor sport history was irrevocably changed.  On May 25th, the  two-time Formula 1 champion, Alberto Ascari died instantly in a testing accident at Monza.  On May 30th,  two-time Indianapolis 500 winner, Bill Vukovich, died in a freak accident while leading the 1955 Indianpolis 500.…

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  • Morning Qualifying – Whatsa Motto You? edition

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    In yesterday’s MQ comments, the topic of big cars, generally, and Packards, in particular, came up with respect to the original Carrera Panamericana.    As it turned out, the driver of yesterday’s Monte Carlo Rally winning Delahaye, Jean Trevoux, also campaigned a custom bodied Packard in the 1953 and 1954 Carrera Panamericana.  Both, the driver,…

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  • Morning Qualifying – Upper Class Rally Car of The Year Edition

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    Given the twisting roads and loose surfaces that make up most rallying stages, it would be logical to choose a small, chuckable car for such a purpose.   However, in the days before works-backed team and professional drivers, rallying was full of big, luxurious cars….all the better to carry the well-heeled adventure seekers that populated…

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  • Morning Qualifying – insert your Escort joke here edition

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    In 1967, upon seeing a Mk1 Escort being tested, Ford motor sport engineer Bill Meade blurted one of the great phrases in the history of the English language.  “Blimey, one of those things would go like hell with a Twin Cam in it!”  Shakespeare……..stand aside.  Meade’s boss, Ford team manager Henry Taylor concurred, and the…

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  • Morning Qualifying – History Lesson, Part IX

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    As the 1954 Formula One season began, the main constructors, Ferrari, Maserati and Gordini, retained the chassis of the previous season, choosing only to upgrade the engines to comply with the new 2.5 liter formula.  With the reigning champion, Alberto Ascari, unable to race due to contractual issues with Scuderia Lancia, the early season was…

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  • Morning Qualifying – Belle Michèle edition

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    Rallying, more than any other form of motor sport, has always been, for the absence of a better phrase, girl friendly.  With its roots firmly in the amateur tradition, the sport always had women drivers.  Like the male entrants, they were wealthy amateurs who raced as much for the romantic adventure as they did for…

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