[Fot] Grand Prix Cars Vs. F1

[billdentin at aol.com]

In a message dated 01/16/2010 11:47:01 PM Central Standard Time, 
tlizzard at msn.com writes:


> That is what they are after all, even if they are now ugly as sin and do 
> much
> of the work for the driver.
> 
> 

Terry...

I took that same slant, but down a different road one time when I presented 
a question to David Hobbs, who was speaking at a VSCDA banquet I attended.  
As you might know, his family was involved in the manufacture of automatic 
transmissions and they were even used in race cars.  The thought of 
automatic transmissions in race cars fascinated me, since serious arthritis has 
become such an issue in my hips and knees.  But I presented the question similar 
to your take, suggesting modern drivers have cars that do much work for 
them.  Hobbs came back quickly, and without taking a breath.  He said, "At the 
speeds they are going now, they had better have cars that are helping them 
do their work."  

Incidentally, David Hobbs raced against the Tornado (TR3) Thunder Bolt back 
in England in the old days.  And in fact has a picture of it on the wall 
behind his desk at his Honda Dealership here near Milwaukee.  Granted his 
Lotus is in front of it in the picture, but there's the Thunder Bolt right 
behind.

And talking about pictures of our Thunder Bolt, there is a nice one in the 
2010 JAN/FEB issue of VINTAGE MOTORSPORTS as the 'Pick of the Litter' at 
last September's Elkhart Lake Vintage Festival races.  It's a nice little 
article, but NOTHING compared to the feature article in the same issue on Greg 
Sowlow, the Engine Room, Baby Doll(s), et al.  That's a SUPER article.  Kudos 
one and all!  As they hollered when Lady Godiva rode naked and side saddle 
through the streets of Conventry, "Hooray for our side!"

Bill Dentinger
  

Bill Dentinger