So, What Is Your Favorite Era in Racing?

[DAVE]

'50s and '60s sports cars and prototypes. But my favorite class is Can-Am.

[baford1]

The era I love is the 1960's & 1970's all cars in all forms of motor racing just seemed to have more style & character back then also the drivers back then were more classier & pioneers of the sport

Richard

[Lotus56]

Indy cars 1909 and beyond.............

[chappy]

Do you think the drivers back in the eras we've talked about, 60s and 70s were as popular and more approachable than todays , hate to say it but millionaires.
Not that they are bad people, just a different breed that I think portrays in a more distant type of personality.
Bob

[Ember]

Drivers then were there purely on talent, not the amount of money they could bring to the party. They were not being constantly told by PR agents and Managers how wonderful they were. They didn't think the world owed them anything.

Massive difference in attitude between drivers then and drivers now. But there is also a massive difference in attitude of regular people then and now.

[TsgtRet]

[chappy]

That is a very good point TsgtRet.
What message are they sending to fans and the new young impressionable ones.
Oh sure they have this charity and that foundation they support and the cameras catch all, the visits etc for the cameras and the script, as arranged by their PR people or the various race associations,,,,but where are the personalities of the important formative years of motor racing. It seems that the racing organizations that are lets say trying to keep going, ie American Lemans , Grand Am etc are much more approachable and personable to the general, public than say the big orgs like F1 and Nascar. Such a shame. Like you I can remember Mosport back in the late 60s, Can Am , F1, Whatever, and when you said hello to a driver or a team owner you got a positive reply.
Bob

[munter]

[DAVE]

Totally indicative of the difference between the era when they raced for sport and when they
started racing for money. Most race enthusiasts have stories about Mario Andretti. I was spectating
at his last Cart race at Road America when his car expired on the hill between turns 5 and 6. He
climbed out of the car, casually tossed his helmet on the seat, and walked around the fencing and
found a spot in the crowd to watch the race, near I was standing with my group of friends. He took
up conversation with the group, telling us about an I-Max movie he was making about racing. He
was very excited about it, and acted as though he was just another race fan. There are many other
old time racers I know who are just like that, including some very famous drivers.

[waaytoomuchintothis]

I love that story.

[dreinecke]

As a kid I talked my way into the pits several times at Hockenheimring. The drivers (Lauda, Hunt, etc) talked to those that were near them in the area. I've got great up-close pictures of them. They may not have been best buddies with you, but they were decent as I remember.

[masmojo]

#1 - 1953 to 1965 Sports cars
#2 - 50's-60's F1
#3 - Can Am
#4 - 70's Le Mans
#5 - Trans Am

:auto-driving:

[BIG E]

I believe we've been through this before, but I'll just say all forms of racing from roughly 1955-1975.

Interesting to read everyone's favorites... Ernie

[Cjent]

I grew up as a kid with a father who was an SCCA member from 1949 on until his death in '87. Have made a lot of races and loved Can Am and F5000 the most in the 60's and 70's, but I find that looking back is not my thing. I love today's racing. GT, Le Mans prototypes, IndyCar, F1,.... anything on a road course are all great even with the perceived "faults" of the cars and series. :D

Oh, yes! And after 16 years in Indiana, USAC & WOO racing at the local bullrings. Most of the 16 years we were less than 2 miles from Bloomington Speedway and "neighbors" to many of the drivers and families involved including the Kinser's. Great fun and fellowship. :clap:

[ElSecundo]

Hey Chuck, what years were you in Bloomington? I didn't live far from the speedway, either ('89-'92).

WoO is great, but I never did get to see it in Bloomington.