Quote:
Originally Posted by jamesqf
Sure, I was only talking about contemporary racing, where a lot of mechanical things that would give an advantage are banned. Gas turbines come to mind.
|
Agreed, modern racing is mostly about driver skill, with many many exceptions to the rule.
I am fortunate enough to recall when this controversy reached perhaps it's apex. I think it was ABC's World Wide Sports program on broadcast/roof top TV in 1973 when I was 13 years old. Only thing which could have kept me indoors on a splendid summer day back then.
Mark Donohue and the Porsche 911 RSR IROC
Porsche 911 RSR IROC | Mark Donohue | Dutton Garage
Quote:
The IROC
In October 1973, twelve of the top drivers in the world were invited to compete in IROC, the International Race of Champions.
A series of four races were to be held in America and the aim was to reduce all other variables, such as the car, its modifications and fine tuning, so that only one factor remained: the skill, tactics and bravado of the drivers.
The drivers were selected from all four major branches of racing:
Formula One
USAC
NASCAR
SCCA
Selecting the drivers was an easier job than deciding on the car that would facilitate this race of champions.
The drivers chosen for the first race were all title holders at the time:
Mark Donohue
Bobby Allison
Emerson Fittipaldi
George Follmer,
A.J. Foyt
Dennis Hulme
Gordon Johncock
Roger McCluskey
David Pearson
Richard Petty
Peter Revson
Bobby Unser
But a car that could live up to the occasion was now needed.
|
Quote:
|
What Donohue helped steer the development of was a hybrid of the 1973 2.8 RSR and the 1974 3.0 RS.
|
If I recall correctly, the TransAm race series which preceded IROC was similar in nature in that the muscle cars of the era were quite equally matched and with similar flaws and or characteristics.
Interesting to note, and an attempt to swing this discussion to "aerodynamics" is that the era being discussed also begat the
HP Vs Aerodynamics controversy, with Carroll Shelby infamously stating that
"Aerodynamics are for people which don't have enough horsepower".
I cannot seem to find that exact quote on the Internet right now, but it is stuck in my head from somewhere.
EDIT-1
Enzo Ferrari perhaps said something similar?
https://www.pinterest.com/lenshirley39/racing/
