Magical Motorsport Moments!!

[ToofaneBatameezi]

Decades of Great On-Track Memories


Racing, by nature, creates drama. Some of those dramatic moments are high points in the history of sports: miraculous finishes, extreme competition, cheering the champion, or rooting for the seemingly outclassed underdog. As they used to say on ABC's "Wid World of Sports," "The thrill of victory, the agony of defeat." So much of it happened during our 60 years in business, and mnay of these memory makers were covered in our pages. As we continue our 60th anniversary celebration, here's a look at some of the racing moments, machines, and men and women that stand out.


1. BATTLE ROYALE

In what has become one of the most watched racing videos on YouTube, Gilles Villenueve in his Ferrari battles Rene Arnoux's Renault at the '79 French Grand Prix. Their dogfight lasts several laps, wheel to wheel, each passing the other with both on the razor's edge. The amazing part: They're fighting for 2nd place. Villeneuve prevails, but just.

2. LITTLE ART

Ferrari is dominating Alfa Romeo in the World Championship for Makes sports car series in 1972, but enters only one car in the Targa Florio that year. The diminutive Arturo Merzario is suffering from the flu that day and is competing against four factory Alfas. But as each one fails, "Little Art" feels better, gets faster, and ultimately outruns the last of them to set a lap record and win the second-to-last of the great Italian open road races.

3. BREATHE, NOW PUSH. NOW BREATHE, NOW PUSH

Dan Gurney leads the 1962 Daytona Continental sports-car race (now the Rolex 24), which like most enduros is a timed race. The Eagle Scout parks his ailing Lotus 100 feet from the start/finish line. As time expires and cars fly by just feet away, Gurney pushes it across the stripe to claim the win.

4. STAR-SPANGLED SPECTACULAR

On June 10/11, 1967, Dan Gurney and AJ Foyt win the 24 Hours of Le Mans in a Shelby American-entered Ford Mk. IV. A week later, Gurney takes the Grand Prix of Belgium in his own AAR Eagle racer, becoming the only American driver to win an F1 race in a car of his own construction. This magic week of victories has become one of the greatest accomplishments in all of sports.

5. THE CLOSE(EST) SHAVE

Many Indy 500 finishes have come down to the wire, but none is closer than in 1992. Al Unser Jr. beats Scott Goodyear off the fourth corner of the final lap to take the checkered flag by the narrowest margin in 500 history: 0.043 second. In Victory Circle, a near-tears Little Al says, "You just don't know what Indy means."

6. BRONCO BUSTER

After winning the Indy 500 in 1963 and the Trans-Am championship in 1970, Parnelli Jones reinvents himself yet again, this time as an off-road racer. He and co-driver Bill Stroppe partner to win the Baja 1000 in 1971 and back it up with a repeat victory in '72. Their tube-frame Ford Bronco is nicknamed Big Oly, in honor of sponsor Olympia Brewery.

7. INTO THE FOURS

White-haired, underfunded, 50-years-plus former drag-boat and motorcycle racer Eddie Hill is supposedly over it (the hill, that is). Hardly: On April 9, 1988, he sets the first elapsed time in the four second range (4.990 seconds) at the Texas International Hot-Rod Association Nationals. An on-board computer readout shows he set the record on seven cylinders, as one failed at launch.

8. A STIRLING DRIVE

Stirling Moss never won the world driving title. Nor did he win overall at Le Mans or Indy. But his epic victory in the 1955 Mille Miglia stands as one of the all-time great drives in motorsport. He pilots the famous Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR, with automotive journalist Denis Jenkinson as his co-driver. Moss recently turned 80 and competes in vintage racers as often as he can.

9. THE PASS

Bryan Herta is leading the CART race at Laguna-Seca in 1996, destined for his first series victory. But destiny is a funny thing. Alex Zanardi dives underneath him, off the racing surface and into the dirt, pulling off what has become known as The Pass. Zanardi goes on to win the CART championship in 1997 and '98.

10. FORD (FINALLY) WINS LE MANS

Henry Ford II tries to buy Ferrari in the early 1960s, but is rebuffed. He retaliates by launching Ford's Total Performance campaign, which includes an all-out assault on the 24 Hours of Le Mans, one of Ferrari's most significant stomping grounds. After falling short in 1964 and 1965, the Deuce's boys get it done, finishing 1-2-3 in 1966, then win the race the next three years running.

11. DALE DOES DAYTONA

Believe it or not, there are many who said Dale Earnhardt was somewhat less of a NASCAR driver because he'd never tackled the Daytona 500. The Intimidator shuts 'em all up by winning the Big Race in 1998. He dies trying again in 2001, and then his son, Dale Earnhardt Jr., punctuates the poignancy of it all by winning the 500 in 2004.

12. MAGIC AT MONZA

Mario Andretti has never driven a turbocharged F1 car when Enzo Ferrari personally calls and asks him to substitute for the injured Didier Pironi at Monza in 1982. With minimal practice, the 42-year-old F1 champion puts the car on pole in Italy and is leading when engine trouble relegates him to a 3rd-place finish. It doesn't matter, the tifosi are still cheering.

13. YOU GO, GIRL

On April 20, 2008, Danica Patrick shakes up the boys and rewrites the open-wheel-racing history book when she becomes the first woman to win an Indy Car race (including USAC, CART, OWR, and Champ Car series). And it's not a walk in the park either; the 2005 Indy 500 Rookie of the Year passes for position, makes it stick, and then takes the victory in fine style.

14. NOBODY'S FOOL, INDEED

Paramount Pictures wants to give actor/racer/race team owner Paul Newman a 70th-birthday present, so the studio buys him a ride in the Rolex 24 at Daytona in 1995, sponsored by his latest film, "Nobody's Fool." Newman, Tommy Kendall, Mark Martin, and former MT contributor Michael Brockman finish 1st the GTS-1 category (and 3rd overall), making "PLN" the oldest driver to earn a class win in a sanctioned, professional motor race. This record still stands.

15. CRASH AND (TEMPERS) BURN

At the 1979 Daytona 500, Cale Yarborough and Donnie Allison crash entering turn three on the last lap while battling for the lead. Richard Petty, half a lap back, holds off AJ Foyt and Darrell Waltrip for the win. Cale, Donnie, and Bobby Allison duke it out in the turn three infield as America watches live on CBS. NASCAR goes from racing to entertainment.

16. FANGIO THE GREAT

Many put Juan Manuel Fangio near or at the top of the list of Greatest Drivers of All Time. The five-time F1 champion from Argentina has had enough great moments to fill an article of his own, but his drive at the Nurburgring in 1957 could be called his best ever. At the wheel of his Maserati, even the soft-spoken Fangio admits that he was "in a state of grace."

17. AJ TAKES FOUR

No other name is more associated with the Indy 500 than Anthony Joseph Foyt Jr. AJ cements that connection by winning his fourth 500 in 1977, becoming the first driver in history to notch that amazing accomplishment. Foyt wins the race a fifth time in 1999...this time as a team owner, with Kenny Brack at the controls.

18. LE GIANT KILLER

The Mini was never designed to be a racer, but it sure became one. Paddy Hopkirk, Timo Makinen, and Rauno Aaltonen team to take the overall victory at the 1964 Rallye Monte Carlo. Hopkirk backs it up with another win in 1965, but is denied the hat-trick in '66 when the entry is disqualified by the French officials...over illegal driving lights. Poetic justice: Mini wins again in '67.

19. HE WHO WOULD BE KING

Richard Petty is stuck at 199 NASCAR victories for what seems a lifetime. But it all comes good in 1984 when the King finally notches 200. It's an All-American moment if there ever was one: The race is the Firecracker 400 at Daytona, the date is July 4, and President Ronald Reagan is in attendance, the first sitting president to attend a NASCAR race.

20. CHAMPION AT HEART

Ferrari's Felipe Massa and McLaren-Mercedes wunderkind Lewis Hamilton battle each other back and forth for the 2008 F1 championship. It comes down to the season's last race, in Massa's home country, Brazil. Felipe finishes 1st and takes the championship, but his euphoria lasts but seconds, as just behind him, Hamilton passes Timo Glock, earning the additional point he needs to snatch the driving title from the passionate Ferrari piloto's hands. F1 crowns Hamilton its youngest-ever champion.

21. A SMASHING VICTORY

Daytona 500, 1976. Richard Petty and David Pearson crash on the last lap in turn four, Petty spins and kills his engine. But as Pearson also spins, he stabs the clutch to avoid stalling and limps his battered Mercury across the line to win. The finish, Pearson's first 500 victory, is the slowest under green-flag conditions in Daytona 500 history.

22. 24/7

Driving an Audi, Tom Kristensen is one of the team drivers who win the 2004 running 24 Hours of Le Mans. It's his seventh overall victory at La Sarthe, eclipsing the previous record of six held by Belgian great Jacky Ickx. Kristensen wins again in 2005, raising the bar to eight wins.

23. SPIN AND WIN

Mario Andretti is ahead of Danny Sullivan during the 1985 Indy 500 when the wily vet baits the former taxi driver into a risky banzai pass. Sullivan pulls it off but can't make it stick, spinning a full 360 degrees, yet amazingly not crashing. Blinded in a cloud of smoke, Andretti somehow avoids hitting him. Sullivan recovers, pits for new tires, and goes on to take his only Brickyard victory.

[genius83]

@Toofan
My next 2 videos are a tribute to the safety that motorsports have achieved in last decade or so. If the safety is not at what it is now these 2 drivers could be dead because of these crashes.

First from F1 Robert Kubica's huge shunt at Montreal during Canadian GP 2007.
Robert Kubica's Huge Shunt


Now, from CART series during the 2006 season Katherine Legge has comes out unhurt in a death defying shunt during the RoadAmerica GP.
Katherine Legge's Road America Crash

[UJ_36]

nyce

[RedBull_ar]

Originally Posted by ToofaneBatameezi

[I]

20. CHAMPION AT HEART

Ferrari's Felipe Massa and McLaren-Mercedes wunderkind Lewis Hamilton battle each other back and forth for the 2008 F1 championship. It comes down to the season's last race, in Massa's home country, Brazil. Felipe finishes 1st and takes the championship, but his euphoria lasts but seconds, as just behind him, Hamilton passes Timo Glock, earning the additional point he needs to snatch the driving title from the passionate Ferrari piloto's hands. F1 crowns Hamilton its youngest-ever champion.[LEFT][COLOR=#000000]
[B]

this guy should have been the champion
hamilton didnt pass, timo UNpassed himself

[ToofaneBatameezi]

Genius: I think last year I saw the development of the nose of the F1 car on Nat/Geo after Schumi's accident. I dont exactly remember, but that nose was unbreakble, no m atter what hits it..it just wont break which raised concerns amongst the engineers for a probable side-clash into another F1 car which the nose would break the tub like a spear which was also fatal. But then they figured out something that I can't exactly recall!

But I do remember that in 2008, The F1 cars were told to heighten their cockpit walls by 5 inches and must withstand an impact equivalent to 250 tonnes!!

[ToofaneBatameezi]

Belgian Grand Prix 2000, Man this was one jaw dropping over taking maneuver by Mika.



Here's how it looked from Ricardo Zonta's car



Hardcore stuff man!!

[genius83]

@Toofan
Yes this overtake is equivalent to the The Pass from CART plus this becomes the defining point of Michal Hakkinenn rivalary.

[nightsurfer]

Good to see Massa up there.

[ToofaneBatameezi]

@Genius: No more Mika to for Schumi now? is it?

[genius83]

@Toofan
Although I cannot understand your question correctly but if what I understand is what you are asking then here is the answer otherwise please forgive me for not understanding your question.
This overtaking move becomes the reference point of Michal and Mika rivalary because Schumacher Hakinenn rivalary is been regarded by all the F1 fans as the gentlemen's rivalary as neither of them get involved in suspicious tactics to damage other's race. This rivalary is total opposite of Senna/Prost rivalary of the late 80's early 90's where they both were involved in some incidents which have damage other's race. As for this overtake Mika was trying his best to overtake a lap earlier too but Michal has defended his position as much as possible but on this lap Zonta came in front of Michal and Michal have to slow down and go from the right while in slowing down Michal allows Mika to close the gap and as soon as Michal cross Zonta from the right Mika goes from the left. For me the real hero is Zonta because no one was expecting Mika's move and Zonta knows that Michal is about to pass him from the right as he has move towards his left so when he see Mika coming from the left he doesnot panic other wise a smallest lost of control by him and all the 3 cars will end up in the barriers after colliding each other. Just like this overtake a pic from 1993 becomes the reference point of Senna/Prost rivalary which I will post as soon as possible.

[ToofaneBatameezi]

Genius, Youtube is dead. And no more new stunt videos coming out?!