In 1984, Niki Lauda wanted to celebrate the re-configured, and much safer, Nurburgring. So the Austrian and Mercedes organized a 12-lap race with 20 racing legends. They included:
- Lauda, of course
- Jack Brabham
- Phil Hill
- James Hunt
- Alan Jones
- Stirling Moss
- Alain Prost
- Carlos Reutemann
- Keke Rosberg
- Jody Scheckter
- John Surtees
Apparently, Emerson Fittipaldi couldn't make it so they replaced him with some no name, Ayrton Senna. They would race in identical 190E 2.3-16s with street tires. Guess who won?
Here is the start. 11 is Senna. 5 is Prost. 4 is Reutemann.
Results:
Skip to 3:32 to watch a preppy Senna in action.
More info and pics here.
Not a bad effort by the oldest driver in the field, Jack Brabham, 58 years old at the time, to come in eighth. The next oldest, Phil Hill, at 57 years old, came in 12th, and Stirling Moss, 55 years old then, came in 14th.
ReplyDeleteIf Fangio was in it, even though he would have been 73 then, he probably would have won. Me, biased?
@Jamie: I just discovered this race yesterday. I don't think there has been any other race that has pitted so many greats against each other in identical cars. Some were certainly past their prime, but what a great event!
ReplyDeleteFangio would have beaten the rest by 3 seconds, at least.
Great stuff, love watching (mostly Senna's) 190E go slightly sideways on the limit.
ReplyDeleteGreat Times.
ReplyDelete3rd place for a retired F1 driver is remarkable.
Carlos Reutemann was an exceptional driver in every discipline he tackled.
Even he did impressible showings at WRC.
PS.
Not biased quality remains