The ‘tache is back, as British Formula 1 hero Nigel Mansell promotes Moneysupermarket’s car insurance comparison service in their latest TV advertisement.

Nigel shows the difficulties he has haggling for the cheapest car insurance policies over the phone while playing on his Scalextric. At the end of the clip comic Omid Djalili shows the 31 time Grand Prix winner the error of his ways buy sticking a moustache back on his mug.

Nige is obviously getting a bit restless of late with his dramatic early exit from Le Mans, his appearances as an F1 steward, and his starring role in this campaign.

However it’s always great to see what Nigel is up to and his popularity will no doubt be good for Moneysupermarket

Made with the cooperation of the Senna family and Formula 1, this Japanese trailer for the documentary film titled simply “Senna” looks outstanding. That cooperation looks like has yielded some excellent little-seen footage of the three-times World Champion. When was the last time you saw film from a GPDA meeting?

Can you believe he was only 34?

Harlo

via: TheChicaneBlog.com

I have just visited Hell for Leather Magazine and read a great excerpt from Mat Oxley’s new book “An Age of Superheroes”

The book tells the tale of Grand Prix racing’s golden era, 1988-1993, from a rider’s perspective.

Here are three of more than 20 snippets from the story.

“GARDNER ON LE MANS AND HONDA’S BIG SECRET: ‘It was real hot and Suzuki had their awning rolled up, right over the way from where my motorhome was parked. I told the Japanese, “Hey, you should take some photos”. So one of them came in with a big lens and spent all day there behind the mirror windows taking rolls and rolls of film. Then they went back to Japan, blew up the shots and laid them over shots of an NSR. After that the penny dropped, they realised they had too much weight low down. The Suzuki engine was much higher in the frame, so they realised maybe they should go that way. All of a sudden Honda worked out how to make a bike handle and it took off from there. To cut a long story short, they didn’t have a fuckin’ clue until then.’

SCHWANTZ ON CRASHING PORSCHES: ‘After the race in Austria, Eddie and I decided to do a lap and honest to God, we didn’t do it fast. We just drove around and talked about the race, but when we were done there was this security guy, about eight feet tall, and he’s like “What are you doing? You’re not supposed to do that”. He goes to pull me out the car but I had the seatbelt on, so he couldn’t. Eddie’s laughing now and that pissed the guy off, so he’s slammed my door, shattered the window and the glass cuts my face. There’s blood gushing out, so we both unclip and go after this guy. He’s running, because there’s two guys half his size out to kick his ass and Eddie kicks him in his nuts as hard as he can. After that we went into town. We came back to the paddock at three in the morning, we’d probably had just a little bit too much to drink, and Eddie stuck his Porsche in the ditch, with my coaching.’

DOOHAN ON HIS LEFT HAND: ‘When I crashed at Phillip Island I could see the bone, and the tendon had been torn away. By Laguna the fingers were just starting to grow a film of meat when Gardner ran into me; then at Jerez I tried changing up another gear through the fast rights behind the paddock. The thing just spun up and sent me straight into the hay bales. That didn’t do the hand any favours. First time I met Eddie he told me a lot of people can go fast on a 500 straight away. Then they have one crash, two crashes, three crashes and they take a big backward step. I’ve never heard a truer word. My confidence had been knocked about and I actually feared hopping on the motorcycle.’

“An Age of Superheroes” is a 240-page hardcover coffee table book packed with Schwantz, Rainey, Lawson, Kocinski, Doohan and Gardner telling the story of their golden age in their own words. The forward is written by another man who needs no first name: Valentino Rossi, who describes his awe at watching his heroes tame the evil two-strokes. “Superheroes” is packed with stunning period photographs of both the racing and the playboy lifestyle.”

The book’s available to buy on Amazon right now

Read the full excerpt at hellforleathermagazine

Images: hellforleathermagazine

It’s 32 years since Kenny Leroy Roberts hit the world 500 championship, shaking it from its previous Euro-centric axis.

Roberts was 26 — a cocky, race-savvy, mentally tough twice AMA national champion from a dusty part of California. Against most predictions, he won the 500 crown at his first attempt in 1978.

Kenny returned in 1979, after a crash on Yamaha’s test track nearly killed him, and did it again. He made it three in a row in 1980 and went within two points of a fourth crown in 1983 – when he and Honda’s Freddie Spencer won six races each.

The more deeply you examine the 1978 season, the more impressive Roberts’ first title win over Suzuki’s Barry Sheene becomes. The calendar included two public-road circuits and the old Nurburgring. But he made himself finish in the top three at Spa-Francorchamps and the Ring.

Moreover Roberts in ‘78 came with just one Yamaha 500. Factory number one Johnny Ceccotto had two better bikes. What Kenny did have was a team manager in Australian Kel Carruthers who knew European racing and could organise master strokes like mid-race wheel change in the 1978 British GP that was three times faster than rival Sheene’s stop.

However, Roberts’ lasting impact exceeded his record of 22 victories in 500 GP, two in 250 GP and seven Formula 750.

Kenny in blunt dirt-track bred style challenged the blue-blazer FIM hierarchy on safety and overall professionalism. He led the 1979 World Series breakaway movement that while stillborn doubled prizemoney for 1980.

Roberts went on to run a highly innovative and successful race team, winning three championships with Wayne Rainey. Many pundits would group King Kenny with Mike Hailwood and Valentino Rossi in the all-time top three of road racers.

Don Cox

Sydney’s Eastern Creek Raceway will once again play host to Australia’s largest gathering of racing muscle cars from as early as the 1960s – Muscle Car Masters.

Muscle Car Masters is a celebration of Australia’s rich motoring heritage and a tribute to the drivers who raced.

Held on Father’s Day, 5 September, this year’s Muscle Car Masters celebrates 50 years of the Australian Touring Car Championship.

The event will feature a one-off 50th Anniversary handicap race that will see the best muscle cars from the 1960s, ’70s, ’80s and ’90s pitted against each other in a race to settle the old argument – just what era of racing was the best?

Chief executive of the Australian Racing Drivers Club (ARDC) and Eastern Creek Raceway Glenn Matthews said this year’s Muscle Car Masters would be the biggest yet.

“Now entering its sixth year, Muscle Car Masters has become a must-see event in Australia’s motor racing calendar,” said Mr Matthews.

“Each year the event attracts more competitors, exhibitors and most importantly fans.

“Muscle Car Masters is a motor racing event for all ages – giving Dads an opportunity to relive the racing of old and introduce it to their sons,” said Mr Matthews.

“Muscle Car Masters prides itself on offering something for everyone, be it a racing fan, car enthusiast or an owner who wishes to show off their pride and joy,” Mr Matthews said.

Other events scheduled for Father’s Day recreate the traditional battles of old as Ford Falcon GT-HOs compete against arch rivals in the form of Holden’s Monaro, XU1 Torana and the Valiant R/T Charger.

Further racing will include the Touring Car Masters, Group C and Group A Bathurst Touring Cars and Historic Touring Cars from the 1960s and ’70s.

Racing legends appearing on the day will include Bob Jane, Colin Bond, Allan Moffat, John French, Harry Firth, Leo Geoghegan, Alan Grice, Kevin Bartlett, Jim Richards, Barry and Glenn Seton, John Harvey, John Bowe, Murray Carter, Bob Morris, Bob Holden, David Parsons, Wayne Gardner, Neil Crompton and Jim and Steven Richards.

Off-track activities include a show-and-shine display featuring Australia’s best road-registered muscle cars along with trade sites offering race fan merchandise.

Tickets are available at the gate. For further information visit www.musclecarmasters.com.au

What: Muscle Car Masters
When: Father’s Day, Sunday 5 September
Where: Eastern Creek Raceway
Tickets: Adults $40, Concession $25, Children 12-and-under free

Free track side parking
Free entry to competitor paddock
Free entry to grandstand

In this clip Murray Walker chats to three time World Champion, Niki Lauda.

His is a fabulous story. Niki takes out a large loan to go racing and isn’t considered to have much potential by the racing community. He believes in himself and ends up buying a ride in a March F1 car, but has a shocking season in 1972. He then borrows more money to race for BRM in 1973 where he shows good speed and on the recommendation of Clay Regazzoni is invited to join Ferrari in 1974.

Lauda takes his first Grand Prix victory driving for Ferrari in 1974 and then takes the Championship in 1975. He nearly dies in his well documented crash at the Nurburgring in 1976. He returns to racing six weeks later and still leads the title chase going into the last race at Fuji. Lauda qualifies third, but withdraws after two laps due to the torrential rain. Hunt wins the World Championship by a point. Ferrari is displeased.

Niki takes his second Championship for Ferrrari in 1977, but then joins Brabham for $1 million in 1978. He retires on the spot at Canada in 1979 saying he is sick of “driving around in circles”.

Niki goes off and set ups Lauda Air, but returns to Formula One with McLaren in 1982. He wins the third race of the season and has a solid year winning twice. He then famously goes on to win his third and final World Championship in 1984, by defeating Alain Prost by half a point.

A legend.

Ride along with former IMSA GTP racer Rick Knoop as he pushes his big cat hard during the 2010 Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion. The immaculate Group 44 XJR-5, built in 1985, produces the most glorious sounds of all the cars from the GTP era. Listen in as Knoop winds the 6.0L V12 to the redline.

Via: ColdTrackDays via GrandTouringPrototype.com

Check out these great pics of Miss Hurst Golden Shifter, Linda Vaughn.

Here is what the guys at The Selvedge Yard had to say

“Linda Vaughn, the lovely, leggy, legend of the auto racing scene from the 60′s through the early 80′s was better known as– Miss Hurst Golden Shifter. She was a trophy queen whose voluptuous looks and charm often stole the show at auto racing events she attended– SCCA, NASCAR, Indy & Formula One, among others.  Linda has been knocked by many for setting Women’s Lib back with her busty displays, but her passion for the sport ran deep and she had a major impact– not just in promoting the sponsors, but also in advancing women’s racing.  Vaughn earned her SCCA competition license at the Bob Bondurant School of High Performance Driving and then got behind the wheel and raced.”

Images via: The Selvedge Yard

It seems that Formula 1’s two most recent World Champions have a healthy respect for the sports history.

In the clip Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton visit  the world’s greatest garage containing McLaren’s F1 cars of the past. Amongst the hundreds of historic cars, they are stopped in their tracks by Ayrton Senna’s legendary 1.5 litre turbo machine, the Mc Laren MP4-4.

The Gordon Murray and Steve Nichols designed car took Senna to his first world title and dominated the 1988 season, winning 15 of 16 races.

Two of the most exciting touring cars ever to race in Australia will be back on track at Queensland’s legendary Lakeside Park over the weekend of 7-8 August in the hands of their original drivers.

Touring car veterans Jim Richards and Mark Gibbs will step back in time when they drive demonstration laps in their original Nissan R32 Skylines at the 2010 Lakeside Classic Speed Fest, which is being sponsored by Shannons.

Held over two days, the Speed Fest is a multi category event featuring racing, sprints, regularity, a mini hill climb and the Shannons Show and Shine. Up to 30 Group A and Group C touring cars from the 1970s to early 1990s are expected to grid up.

Decked out in their period livery with Winfield and GIO signage, the two Nissan GT-Rs will bring back memories of a time when they turned the Australian Touring Car Championship on its ear with their fire-breathing turbo-charged sixes and all wheel drive handling.

Many Queensland motor-racing fans will remember round four of the Australian Touring Car Championship at Lakeside in April 1991, when Richards planted the Skyline on pole and went on to blitz the field. Richards and teammate Mark Skaife crossed the line for a one-two finish, with Richards lapping the entire field up to fifth position!

The two mighty ‘Godzillas’ will also be driven by their current owners, Terry Ashwood and Rod Markland in the Group A & C touring car race category at the Lakeside Classic Speed Fest, giving fans a chance to see the famous machines in all their glory once again.

Other touring car classes to take you back in time include Group N and the ever-popular Australian Trans Am Championship. Group N will see titanic tussles between Aussie legends such as Falcon GTs, XU1 Toranas, Ford Escorts and Holden Monaros, while the Trans Am series unleashes the fattest group of American muscle this side of Detroit.

The Lakeside Classic Speed Fest also features trade stalls, the Shannons Super Rig and the Queensland Motorsport Museum. Circuit entry costs just $20 per day with free entry for children under 13.

Lakeside Classic Speed Fest

Lakeside Park – Lakeside Road, Kurwongbah

Saturday, August 7 & Sunday August 8, 9am – 4pm

Entry is $20 Saturday, $20 Sunday, $30 weekend pass, children 12 and under free, students 13-16 and pensioners $10 each day, payable at the gate.

Lakeside Park is on Brisbane’s outskirts and is 10 minutes’ walk from Dakabin railway station