F1Weekly Podcast # 961
CLARK AND NASIR BEGIN TO PREPARE FOR THE USGP WHERE FERRARI AGAIN MUST DO SOMETHING! MOTORSPORTS MONDIAL IS FIRED UP AND THE HOST REPORTS ON THE VELOCITY INVITATIONAL AT WEATHER TECH RACEWAY LAGUNA SECA LAST WEEKEND.
THE VELOCITY INVITATIONAL KNOCKS IT OUT OF THE PARK!
The VI of 2022 was the place to be if you love cars and racing the cherry on top was Mario Andretti in the MP4-28a, Mika Hakkinen in the title winning 1985 McLaren-Tag MP4-2B of the great “Le Professor” aka The first Machismo! (did I mention I’m freaking out) Charlie Nearburg in the McLaren MP4-23 of post Fernando 2008. And Pat O’ward driving Senna’s McLaren MP4-5b of 1990 The sound of these cars alone was enough to make any F1 fan’s day!
The Host and founder of F1Weekly.com asking Mario Andretti on his laps around Laguna Seca in the 2013 McLaren MP4-28. Photo: Dan Gentile.
On top of that!… the rest of the field was a great spectacle on its own! From Rag time racers with that lovely clicking of the exposed valve tappets. Then we had the hyper cars of Czinger, Guntherwerks, and Zenvo and of course McLaren of all designs.
Aston Martin DP214 was a prototype sports car developed by Aston Martin for use in grand touring-style racing, including the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Photo: Dan Gentile
The extremely rare 1962 Aston Martin DP214 at first often mistaken for a green Ferrari 250 GTO no no no. Our 1971-72 Champion John Morton standing next his number 46 Datsun 510 haven’t seen him in years!
Bruno Senna’s GP2 of 2008 powered by Renault ( Fernando favorite ) Photo: Clark Rodgers
The collection of race cars even blew my mind when encountering Bruno Senna’s GP2 Dallara with its infamous GP2 engine AHHHHH!..Thank you Mr. Machismo!
The Alfa’s the Escorts the Porsches the American stock cars what a package and what a delivery! And it goes on…The Group B rally Lancia, the WRC Peugeot 206, the Fugly MG Metro the early 2000’s were a great era! And to have Alister and Max McRae show us how it’s done!… was another “La cerise sur le gateau” moment.
The last Ferrari V8 2013 Photo: Dan Gentile.
Seeing the F1 cars of Schumacher, Senna, and Hamilton I was over the moon. And let’s not forget all the goodies that were available! Food, Wine, souvenirs truly a good time for all but the “Pieces de Resistance” was Mario Andretti the most successful American driver of all time suiting up and getting into the 2013 McLaren at 82 years of age was simply fantastic!
“My bucket list is pretty much satisfied,” Andretti told RACER after the session. “Anything that we do after this will be icing on the cake.”
I also liked the uncluttered look that is often associated with the Motorsports Reunion. Keeping the larger semi-trucks away from the paddock and the RV’s gave them the room to make a really impressive showcase of the entire participating cars. It did bring a nice level of elegance to the entire affair. I certainly would suggest to the Reunion to perhaps give this formula a try. Looking forward to next years VI.
Play Podcast: 10-17-22f1weekly961.mp3