Hi:
In discussing Grand Prix Legends with my brother a few days ago, he
goodnaturedly pointed out that I'm probably one of the few sim racers
who actually attended a Grand Prix race in 1967. I was thinking of
this last week as I drove to Toronto and, on a whim, turned north at
Bowmanville and headed towards the track. I hadn't visited Mosport
since the last Canadian GP to be held there (1977), but between 1967
and 1977 I had attended every Grand Prix and Can-Am race to be held at
the circuit along with numerous other events, both as a spectator and
as a marshall.
Upon reaching the track, I was amazed at just how little it had
changed in the 20 years since I had last been there (although I could
have sworn there used to be a grandstand across from the pits!). As
someone who is not a particular fan of most of the present day GP
circuits with their innumerable chicanes and second gear corners, I
could only shake my head in amazement at the memory of GP and Can-Am
cars actually racing at Mosport; armco everywhere, very few run-off
areas, and some extremely challenging and treacherous turns.
The place was deserted on this particular day, so I set off to do a
lap of the circuit on foot. And the memories came flooding back.
Turn One, and there's Stewart and Peterson battling for the lead in
the 1971 GP in the fog and pouring rain, both of them absolutely on
the limit in deplorable conditions. Turn Two, and Cevert and
Scheckter get all tangled up and go spinning off at the bottom of the
hill in 1973. As one of the first marshalls to arrive at the scene, I
recall having to restrain Francois as he was absolutely livid at
Jody's actions and wanted to kill him. Unfortunately, he had a badly
twisted ankle so he couldn't walk very well or he may well have done
so. (Ironically, Cevert was killed in the next race at the Glen, and
Jody was the first driver to stop at the scene...). Uphill towards
Turn Three, and a young Formula Atlantic driver by the name of Gilles
Villeneuve smacked the armco and broke his leg in the summer of 73.
Oh, and on top of the Turn 3 hill, the tent in which I lost my
***ity the night before the 1972 Grand Prix (Jackie Stewart wasn't
the only one who scored maximum points that weekend!).
Under the bridge and through Turn Four and the incredible sight of a
young, relatively unknown Jody Scheckter in the 1000 hp Porsche 917
hurtling this beast sideways through the corner lap after lap. Around
Turn Five and up the hill, a pretty substantial climb when you're
walking! The flat out right-hander at the top of the hill, and I
remember feeling extremely vulnerable while marshalling on the inside
of the track during practice for the 1972 GP. Lap after lap, Ronnie
Peterson in the JPS would come through the turn in a perfect four
wheel drift, and I swear he was aiming for me as a reference point to
get through the turn!
I returned to the pits, and sat there and drank a couple of beers and
remembered working as a pit marshall, sitting on the same pitwall
chatting with Nora Tyrrell and Helen Stewart, and Helen introducing me
to her husband. And I remember getting my knuckles rapped for
suggesting to Colin Chapman that he tell his ***y driver (Emerson
Fittipaldi) to slow down when entering the pits after he almost bowled
over a group of marshalls and mechanics. The pitroad at Mosport is
extremely narrow, and in those days there were no speed limits.
It was a simpler, more innocent, era, without the overwhelming
security present at modern day Grands Prix, and looking out at the
grid I recall jumping the fence at Turn One and walking back up the
hill towards the start/finish line just before the start of the 1969
GP. Managed to hang about on the grid until just before the start of
the race and get autographs from Graham Hill, Bruce McLaren, Denny
Hulme, and Jacky Ickx.
I've been around the track in various vehicles both as a driver and a
passenger, but perhaps the most memorable was in my 1967 Cougar with
Niki Lauda in the passenger seat during a private Firestone/BRM tire
test session in the summer of 1973. Niki wanted to see where the
track had been resurfaced, and I was only too happy to oblige. I
wasn't going to let him drive my car though!
To be honest, I don't recall a whole lot about the 1967 Grand Prix,
except that it rained, and my hero Jimmy Clark didn't win. My main
memory of this event took place a few days before the race when Jimmy
showed up for an autograph session at the Yorkdale shopping centre. I
was absolutely in awe at meeting the Great Man, and the only thing I
could think of to say to him was that I was born in Scotland too.
There were only a few dozen fans present that day, and I can only
wonder how many would show up in 1998 for Schumacher or Villeneuve!
As you can imagine, as soon as GPL is released, the first track I'll
visit will be Mosport. I look forward to seeing how well Papyrus have
recreated the circuit, and I'll probably drive a couple of slow laps
just to look around (and to try and pick out a certain campsite at the
top of Turn Three).
Just had to share this,
Ian McIlroy
Proud Member of the Hawaii Ace League
Thomas Enterprises Racing Series
on Nascar Racing Online
Great post! Yes, you are right about the grandstand across from the pits.
Quoted text (96 lines)
>Hi: >In discussing Grand Prix Legends with my brother a few days ago, he >goodnaturedly pointed out that I'm probably one of the few sim racers >who actually attended a Grand Prix race in 1967. I was thinking of >this last week as I drove to Toronto and, on a whim, turned north at >Bowmanville and headed towards the track. I hadn't visited Mosport >since the last Canadian GP to be held there (1977), but between 1967 >and 1977 I had attended every Grand Prix and Can-Am race to be held at >the circuit along with numerous other events, both as a spectator and >as a marshall. >Upon reaching the track, I was amazed at just how little it had >changed in the 20 years since I had last been there (although I could >have sworn there used to be a grandstand across from the pits!). As >someone who is not a particular fan of most of the present day GP >circuits with their innumerable chicanes and second gear corners, I >could only shake my head in amazement at the memory of GP and Can-Am >cars actually racing at Mosport; armco everywhere, very few run-off >areas, and some extremely challenging and treacherous turns. >The place was deserted on this particular day, so I set off to do a >lap of the circuit on foot. And the memories came flooding back. >Turn One, and there's Stewart and Peterson battling for the lead in >the 1971 GP in the fog and pouring rain, both of them absolutely on >the limit in deplorable conditions. Turn Two, and Cevert and >Scheckter get all tangled up and go spinning off at the bottom of the >hill in 1973. As one of the first marshalls to arrive at the scene, I >recall having to restrain Francois as he was absolutely livid at >Jody's actions and wanted to kill him. Unfortunately, he had a badly >twisted ankle so he couldn't walk very well or he may well have done >so. (Ironically, Cevert was killed in the next race at the Glen, and >Jody was the first driver to stop at the scene...). Uphill towards >Turn Three, and a young Formula Atlantic driver by the name of Gilles >Villeneuve smacked the armco and broke his leg in the summer of 73. >Oh, and on top of the Turn 3 hill, the tent in which I lost my >***ity the night before the 1972 Grand Prix (Jackie Stewart wasn't >the only one who scored maximum points that weekend!). >Under the bridge and through Turn Four and the incredible sight of a >young, relatively unknown Jody Scheckter in the 1000 hp Porsche 917 >hurtling this beast sideways through the corner lap after lap. Around >Turn Five and up the hill, a pretty substantial climb when you're >walking! The flat out right-hander at the top of the hill, and I >remember feeling extremely vulnerable while marshalling on the inside >of the track during practice for the 1972 GP. Lap after lap, Ronnie >Peterson in the JPS would come through the turn in a perfect four >wheel drift, and I swear he was aiming for me as a reference point to >get through the turn! >I returned to the pits, and sat there and drank a couple of beers and >remembered working as a pit marshall, sitting on the same pitwall >chatting with Nora Tyrrell and Helen Stewart, and Helen introducing me >to her husband. And I remember getting my knuckles rapped for >suggesting to Colin Chapman that he tell his ***y driver (Emerson >Fittipaldi) to slow down when entering the pits after he almost bowled >over a group of marshalls and mechanics. The pitroad at Mosport is >extremely narrow, and in those days there were no speed limits. >It was a simpler, more innocent, era, without the overwhelming >security present at modern day Grands Prix, and looking out at the >grid I recall jumping the fence at Turn One and walking back up the >hill towards the start/finish line just before the start of the 1969 >GP. Managed to hang about on the grid until just before the start of >the race and get autographs from Graham Hill, Bruce McLaren, Denny >Hulme, and Jacky Ickx. >I've been around the track in various vehicles both as a driver and a >passenger, but perhaps the most memorable was in my 1967 Cougar with >Niki Lauda in the passenger seat during a private Firestone/BRM tire >test session in the summer of 1973. Niki wanted to see where the >track had been resurfaced, and I was only too happy to oblige. I >wasn't going to let him drive my car though! >To be honest, I don't recall a whole lot about the 1967 Grand Prix, >except that it rained, and my hero Jimmy Clark didn't win. My main >memory of this event took place a few days before the race when Jimmy >showed up for an autograph session at the Yorkdale shopping centre. I >was absolutely in awe at meeting the Great Man, and the only thing I >could think of to say to him was that I was born in Scotland too. >There were only a few dozen fans present that day, and I can only >wonder how many would show up in 1998 for Schumacher or Villeneuve! >As you can imagine, as soon as GPL is released, the first track I'll >visit will be Mosport. I look forward to seeing how well Papyrus have >recreated the circuit, and I'll probably drive a couple of slow laps >just to look around (and to try and pick out a certain campsite at the >top of Turn Three). >Just had to share this, >Ian McIlroy >Proud Member of the Hawaii Ace League > Thomas Enterprises Racing Series > on Nascar Racing OnlineQuoted text (11 lines)
> Hi: > In discussing Grand Prix Legends with my brother a few days ago, he > goodnaturedly pointed out that I'm probably one of the few sim racers > who actually attended a Grand Prix race in 1967. I was thinking of > this last week as I drove to Toronto and, on a whim, turned north at > Bowmanville and headed towards the track. I hadn't visited Mosport > since the last Canadian GP to be held there (1977), but between 1967 > and 1977 I had attended every Grand Prix and Can-Am race to be held at > the circuit along with numerous other events, both as a spectator and > as a marshall.Thanks, for a great post! And say hi to HAL for me!
Pete
Ian,
I'm only 21, but have marshalled at Mosport for the last 4 seasons. (Why did
you stop going?). It is a fantastic track, but has, like many others, had
its problems. The last few years have seen chaos with track ownership
changing hands (Mr. Don Panoz currently holds the LEASE - ownership is
another question..), but plans are in the works to get Mosport back to its
former popularity of the glory days (I've heard that before!).
What I would give to go back and watch a race back in 1967.. I've marshalled
Regional races (amateur), Trans-Am, IMSA SportsCar, Professional SportsCar,
a 24hr race, Canadian Superbikes, Ferrari Challenge, and others at Mosport.
Whenever I marshal a Vintage race, I get a chance to imagine what it must
have been like back then.. but unfortunately the number of 1967-era Formula
One cars that come out are few and far between. Watching an entire field of
F1's race down turn 1 as you described, turn 2, and into 3, then 4, 5....
(every corner is a dream!) is obviously something that you proudly cherish.
I'm not sure when, but they moved the flagging area at turn 5 to the
driver's left side of the track. It must have been pretty scary back then..
actually, it's still pretty scary today, as you are directly in front of the
drivers at the top of the hill (time to pray that the brakes don't fail!).
As you might have noticed, they have cut away a large section of trees on
the infield at 5 to improve the sightlines, and to create a large run-off
area (on driver's right between 4 and 5).
Other recent changes include the "shaving" of the hump on the backstraight
(station 7). They did this to meet IMSA safety standards for the World
SportsCars a couple of years ago (so they go even faster into turn 8!!).
The grandstands came down 4 years ago, I believe (I know they were there at
the beginning of my first year marshalling, but believe they came down part
way through the season). This was due to 1) safety (they were old), and 2)
Harvey Hudes, the track owner (now deceased) thought that it would enhance
the atmosphere (I dunno about this!). So the stands on the Mario Andretti
Straightaway and the pit straight were torn down. (The number of fans has
dropped since, I believe).
You're right though, the track has remained virtually unchanged. It will be
a thrill to drive once GPL is released, and will most definitely be the
first track I attempt. Hopefully, Papyrus has jammed the infield with
spectators, like it was back in 1967. (I've seen pictures from 1967, and the
crowds there were incredible compared to anything I've seen there).
Thanks for your memories, Ian.
doktorB
Great post Ian!! Oh, Doktorb? Is that tent still at turn 3? LOL (hint)
>Ian,
>I'm only 21, but have marshalled at Mosport for the last 4 seasons. (Why did
marshalled
the
the
>crowds there were incredible compared to anything I've seen there).
>Thanks for your memories, Ian.
>doktorB
Quoted text (7 lines)
>you stop going?). It is a fantastic track, but has, like many others, had >its problems. The last few years have seen chaos with track ownership >changing hands (Mr. Don Panoz currently holds the LEASE - ownership is >another question..), but plans are in the works to get Mosport back to its >former popularity of the glory days (I've heard that before!). >What I would give to go back and watch a race back in 1967.. I'veQuoted text (15 lines)
>Regional races (amateur), Trans-Am, IMSA SportsCar, Professional SportsCar, >a 24hr race, Canadian Superbikes, Ferrari Challenge, and others at Mosport. >Whenever I marshal a Vintage race, I get a chance to imagine what it must >have been like back then.. but unfortunately the number of 1967-era Formula >One cars that come out are few and far between. Watching an entire field of >F1's race down turn 1 as you described, turn 2, and into 3, then 4, 5.... >(every corner is a dream!) is obviously something that you proudly cherish. >>The flat out right-hander at the top of the hill, and I remember feeling >>extremely vulnerable while marshalling on the inside of the track >>during practice for the 1972 GP. >I'm not sure when, but they moved the flagging area at turn 5 to the >driver's left side of the track. It must have been pretty scary back then.. >actually, it's still pretty scary today, as you are directly in front ofQuoted text (21 lines)
>drivers at the top of the hill (time to pray that the brakes don't fail!). >As you might have noticed, they have cut away a large section of trees on >the infield at 5 to improve the sightlines, and to create a large run-off >area (on driver's right between 4 and 5). >Other recent changes include the "shaving" of the hump on the backstraight >(station 7). They did this to meet IMSA safety standards for the World >SportsCars a couple of years ago (so they go even faster into turn 8!!). >The grandstands came down 4 years ago, I believe (I know they were there at >the beginning of my first year marshalling, but believe they came down part >way through the season). This was due to 1) safety (they were old), and 2) >Harvey Hudes, the track owner (now deceased) thought that it would enhance >the atmosphere (I dunno about this!). So the stands on the Mario Andretti >Straightaway and the pit straight were torn down. (The number of fans has >dropped since, I believe). >You're right though, the track has remained virtually unchanged. It will be >a thrill to drive once GPL is released, and will most definitely be the >first track I attempt. Hopefully, Papyrus has jammed the infield with >spectators, like it was back in 1967. (I've seen pictures from 1967, andI'll have to take a look next time I'm there.. hope she's cleaned up since
Ian, though!! :o))
doktorB
>Great post Ian!! Oh, Doktorb? Is that tent still at turn 3? LOL (hint)
Many thanks for this post...you've singlehandedly convinced me to buy GPL
when it comes out :)
Sieg
Quoted text (11 lines)
>Hi: >In discussing Grand Prix Legends with my brother a few days ago, he >goodnaturedly pointed out that I'm probably one of the few sim racers >who actually attended a Grand Prix race in 1967. I was thinking of >this last week as I drove to Toronto and, on a whim, turned north at >Bowmanville and headed towards the track. I hadn't visited Mosport >since the last Canadian GP to be held there (1977), but between 1967 >and 1977 I had attended every Grand Prix and Can-Am race to be held at >the circuit along with numerous other events, both as a spectator and >as a marshall.A wonderful tale and beautifully written, Ian.
Thanks for stirring up the nostalgia in me as I, like you, am also from
the same era!
At least WE won't have to stretch our imaginations too much with GPL as
we will be able to call on memories! :o)
> Hi:
> In discussing Grand Prix Legends with my brother a few days ago, he
> goodnaturedly pointed out that I'm probably one of the few sim racers
> who actually attended a Grand Prix race in 1967.
--
Regards,
Bruce.
----------
The GP Legends Historic Motor Racing Club is located at:-
http://www.netspeed.com.au/brucek/legends/
Interesting if she was now his wife! :)
Quoted text (8 lines)
> I'll have to take a look next time I'm there.. hope she's cleaned up since > Ian, though!! :o)) > doktorB > >Great post Ian!! Oh, Doktorb? Is that tent still at turn 3? LOL (hint)>Interesting if she was now his wife! :)
Hell, I don't even remember her last name <g>. Dawn
Something-or-Other.
I always think of her whenever I hear Jethro Tull's "Thick as a
Brick", which I assure you is no reflection on her intellectual
capacities or her physical attributes; it just happened to be the
8-track (remember those?) that was playing while we were, uh, doing
the deed <g>
Ian
Quoted text (8 lines)
>> I'll have to take a look next time I'm there.. hope she's cleaned up since >> Ian, though!! :o)) >> doktorB >> >Great post Ian!! Oh, Doktorb? Is that tent still at turn 3? LOL (hint)Hey Ian,
Sierra should hire you for sure.Your post is the best marketing GPL could
have.Congrats.
Rafael
Quoted text (24 lines)
> >Interesting if she was now his wife! :) > Hell, I don't even remember her last name <g>. Dawn > Something-or-Other. > I always think of her whenever I hear Jethro Tull's "Thick as a > Brick", which I assure you is no reflection on her intellectual > capacities or her physical attributes; it just happened to be the > 8-track (remember those?) that was playing while we were, uh, doing > the deed <g> > Ian > >> I'll have to take a look next time I'm there.. hope she's cleaned up since > >> Ian, though!! :o)) > >> doktorB > >> >Great post Ian!! Oh, Doktorb? Is that tent still at turn 3? LOL (hint)Ian, I think I remember her! They wrote a song about her after you
were done! Dell to Dawn if I recall! Or was it Farmer in the Dell with
Dawn! :-)
Pete
I didn't get the original post here but I think I read the whole story.
Beautiful Ian. You really brought this fan back to a more personal time in
motor racing.
--
mark
>>Hi:
>>In discussing Grand Prix Legends with my brother a few days ago, he
>>goodnaturedly pointed out that I'm probably one of the few sim racers
>>who actually attended a Grand Prix race in 1967.
