Ecclestone Collection belongs in a museum — Letters
Could Bernie Ecclestone’s racing car riches act as replacement for the Donington Collection?
Motor racing has much for which to thank Bernie Ecclestone, although I wonder if even he sometimes regrets the hysteria and bling of today’s Formula 1 and the passing of a more sportsmanlike age.
The old ringmaster may have retired but perhaps he could perform one last service to enthusiasts. Bernie is planning to sell off his collection of 69 racing cars [see page 76]. I cannot believe he needs to swell further his building society savings, despite a recent eye-watering demand from the taxman. Instead of flogging the cars to a variety of wealthy buyers around the world who will hide them away, could he not donate the collection as the foundation of a national motor racing museum?
Alternatively, with the same aim in mind, he could loan it long-term while he and his family retain ownership. Such a museum would replace – and, hopefully over time, better – Tom Wheatcroft’s magnificent Donington Collection so sadly broken up six years ago. For that, I would even forgive Bernie for the appearance on the startline of ‘celebrities’ whose identities are a mystery to me.
Patrick Welland, Crowborough, East Sussex
F1 and football have much in common these days, with money at its core, says our reader
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In commenting on Lewis Hamilton’s move from Mercedes to Ferrari [F1 Frontline, January], Mark Hughes states, “It isn’t a question of loyalty. That’s not how F1 – or probably any sport – works.” I sense that loyalty within F1 evaporated in virtually direct proportion to F1’s move from being essentially a sport to becoming a commercial enterprise hiding behind a facade.
Just as in football, where players swear undying loyalty to their club (and vice versa) until it no longer suits either party, so in F1.
Tony Gomis, Fulham, London
Was the Hesketh 308E a “heap of junk”? A former Hesketh employee thinks this is harsh
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I was very sad to read Divina Galica’s harsh opinion of the Hesketh 308E, even after 46 years [Off-piste, on-track, January].
Maybe Divina did not have enough testing time in the car, or the chance to give good feedback to the engineers so that the car could be set up to her specific requirements. The number of historic F1 races won by Michael Lyons in his 308E indicates a very sound design waiting to be unlocked. The “heap of junk” comment hurt personally, as I shaped the bodywork of that car with my own two hands, literally, and was pleased with the result.
Bob Curl, Rye, East Sussex
Just finished seeing all episodes of Senna on Netflix. Why was it necessary to show the British fans rooting for Racing for Britain, specifically Martin Brundle in F3, as soccer-type hooligans? I know it’s a story and not a documentary, but it left a nasty taste.
Roy Pagliacci, London
Somewhat belatedly I have received a copy of the August issue which announces the Lotus 49 as the winner of Motor Sport’s Race Car of the Century. Certainly an outstanding car.
Ultimately such a choice will be a matter of debate. While much of the submissions for contenders was based largely around results or their technical contribution, what surprised me was the lack of Cooper-Climax, admittedly in various incarnations rather than a single variant.
It made top-level car racing available to wealthy amateurs, and in so doing kept Formula 1 alive. Have a look at the grids for the 1959 and 1960 British Grands Prix and try and imagine either race without Cooper, and the same would be the case for all F1 races of the period.
Here in Australia all of the top drivers had Coopers, admittedly not all the latest model, and they filled our grids, topped up during the Tasman Series by Brabham, McLaren, etc, in the latest models, which invariably got sold here for the next season.
With few exceptions, the Lotus 49 was a works car only.
Lindsay Taylor, Sorrento, Australia
I notice that in the latest edition some subtle tweaks have been made to the way in which the content is delivered. I like it.
Paul Butler, Via email
The 5sec or 10sec penalty for “causing a collision/forcing another driver off the track” seems unfair: for one driver (the offended) the race might be over, while for the other (the offender) receives a time penalty. Here’s a suggestion to make things fairer: the offending driver loses the same amount of race positions as the offended individual. In the case of the offended driver’s race being over due to damage caused, bring in the offending driver with his race being over too. This might be effective against those who make kamikaze moves but also typically have the race pace to easily make up the puny 5sec or 10sec penalty (not naming any names here…).
Adam Howell, Pennsylvania, USA
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