From: kevinh@hslrswi.hasler.ascom.ch (kevinh)
Subject: Re: I had a (F1) dream...
Originator: kevinh@mira
Reply-To: kevinh@hslrswi.hasler.ascom.ch
Organization: Ascom Hasler AG
Date: Fri, 4 Sep 1992 07:43:12 GMT


In article <Bu0two.AK6@news.cso.uiuc.edu>, tvp53202@uxa.cso.uiuc.edu (Toby Vaughn Padfield) writes:
|> brims@bnkl01.astro.ucla.edu (George Brims) writes:
|> 
|> >In article <1992Aug31.154928.18072@fang.att.com> agwiii@fang.att.com (Grayson Walker (660-7949)(12/92)) writes:
|> >>shaman@cix.compulink.co.uk writes:
|> >>>I had a Formula 1 dream...and it DIDn't include:-
|> >>>it was wonderful. 
|> >>
|> >>Me too! And the cars were painted in national colours.
|> >>-- 
|> >>Grayson Walker         
|> 
|> >The usual American fascination with nationalism is creeping in here.
|> >Do you really think Senna is racng for Brazil or Mansell for Britain?
|> >They are racing for themselves and their team (and the love of racing).
|> >Keep nationalism out of sport. (They should start the Olympics with
|> >a flag-burning ceremony - all of them!).
|> 
|> >George Brims
|> >Just my .02 ECU.
|> 
|> 
|> 	So there is no nationalism in Alain Prost's desire to create a
|> team of French drivers, designers, sponsors, and management. Or Renault
|> wanting a Frenchman to drive for them. Why do the Peugeot WSC cars run
|> with Michelin tires, instead of Goodyear, Bridgestone, Pirelli, etc????

There was an excellent article in this months CAR magazine criticizing
the effect Mansell has had on Motorsport in the UK and the yob element
that support him, and his continued encouragement of this element via
the gutter press (tabloids) in the UK, and the nationalism that he
condones. The author believes, as do many others in print, that his attitude
may have permanently harmed motorsport (particularly F1) in the UK simply
because of the fan element that he's introduced, you know, lets go to
Silverstone for a few beers, a punchup with the (insert most hated counties
occupants) and then throw the beer cans at Ayrton as he goes by (ok this 
was when the Jags were at Le Mans - but you get the idea!). I don't actually
believe Mansell has any interest in Nationalism but uses it as a reason to
gain support/fans to get himself known as THE greatest British driver etc. 

There was also a quote from Prost which came after a French
reporter congratulated him on his World Championship in 198? and what
a great day it was for France etc. He replied saying he'd won in a 
British car with a german engine sponsored by Saudi Arabia and the only
french bit (himself!) lived in Switzerland!! - great answer to all this
nationalistic crap!

Whilst I think Mansell is an excellent racer but I wish he'd keep his
mouth shut off the circuit and refuse to give interviews and stop
playing political games in motorsport.

|>  Why has there been
|> such a big discussion about whether or not Americans could build a compet-
|> itive open-wheel car????

I seem to remember that it came from a discussion about how boring Indy car
racing was and why is it so popular compared to F1 etc etc.

|> Or why there is no U.S. G.P.

Why isn't there any more, no suitable track? or is nobody interested?

|> or American drivers
|> in F1.

No F1 culture, no desire to race in F1. Indy car/ Nascar etc is the
popular motorsport and the thing to aim for when you start your career
I suppose and probably no sponsorship from US companies etc.

kevinh@hasler.ascom.ch
Newsgroups: rec.autos.sport