Media shows bad example

[phredden]

Exactly, George. I apologize and certainly meant no offense to Stacy et al, and certainly wasn't talking about 15-20 yr old track cars. Few can afford newer ones than that, and that absolutely includes me! As George mentioned, I was referring to the vehicles Jim was discussing in his original thread...all that wonderful, gorgeous eye candy from the 50's and 60's that Alad deC. keeps dangling in our faces. But vintage car racing using 40-50 yr old vehicles on modern circuits, with modern tire compounds, tweaked motors, etc., at speeds never approached in their original trim, can be as dangerous as it is expensive. Don't get me wrong...I love heading out to Lime Rock on Labor Day to watch the vintage events. But most of those are relatively affordable MGs, Triumphs, Healey's, etc., all very grass roots and fun. But still, I'd rather (choose two: spin, roll, end-o) at the top of the uphill in a 1987 911, than a 1955 Morgan.

But to Jim's original thread's intent, yes, it's a shame that shows don't push harder to keep helmets on drivers. I'm sure it's related to image/star
issues with the talent....not necessarily Alan deC, but his producers and handlers.

Althou, if I had that much hair, I'd show it off too!

[beerkat]

Most of the time that I have seen Top Gear show they do not wear helmets either. And if you want to talk about creating bad driving habits just take a look at some of the new Mustang adds.

[GRMChris]

Originally Posted by billy

I didn't like the Porsche one, too much on the older cars or LeMans cars.

I loved the Porsche one. With out the cars in the past, Porsche wouldn't be where it is today.

With that, the Porsche one could stand to be longer to get into some of the modern era cars. But, oh well.

[trackrat]

Sorry, I misunderstood the tone of your post. No harm.

From what I've seen, vintage racing in this area consists of MGs and old Mini's, Stangs, Vettes, 911's and a couple of BMW M1's. The Vintage event at Tremblant has seen a field of old F1 cars, CanAm cars, Ferrari GTO, 1930's Alpha's. Good stuff

Jimmy and I will have to disagree about Alain's helmetless drive, but I do think someone should slap him for turning around to look into the camera while driving.

Originally Posted by phredden

Exactly, George. I apologize and certainly meant no offense to Stacy et al, and certainly wasn't talking about 15-20 yr old track cars. Few can afford newer ones than that, and that absolutely includes me! As George mentioned, I was referring to the vehicles Jim was discussing in his original thread...all that wonderful, gorgeous eye candy from the 50's and 60's that Alad deC. keeps dangling in our faces. But vintage car racing using 40-50 yr old vehicles on modern circuits, with modern tire compounds, tweaked motors, etc., at speeds never approached in their original trim, can be as dangerous as it is expensive. Don't get me wrong...I love heading out to Lime Rock on Labor Day to watch the vintage events. But most of those are relatively affordable MGs, Triumphs, Healey's, etc., all very grass roots and fun. But still, I'd rather (choose two: spin, roll, end-o) at the top of the uphill in a 1987 911, than a 1955 Morgan.

But to Jim's original thread's intent, yes, it's a shame that shows don't push harder to keep helmets on drivers. I'm sure it's related to image/star
issues with the talent....not necessarily Alan deC, but his producers and handlers.

Althou, if I had that much hair, I'd show it off too!

[billy]

Chris
Thats how I felt, he didn't cover the new cars. Looking at the reaction to Fernandos 997 GT3 at MAM, they may be back but it's sad you need to buy a GT3 to get a solid car from Porsche.

[jstecher]

Originally Posted by billy

Chris
Thats how I felt, he didn't cover the new cars. Looking at the reaction to Fernandos 997 GT3 at MAM, they may be back but it's sad you need to buy a GT3 to get a solid car from Porsche.

Come on man you don't really believe that do you? Porsche (and I am really sucking in my pride here commenting) has a lot of nice cars that it produces today. Do they have the soul that Lobo's car has or some of the older brasher 911's no but they are still VERY nice cars. Frankly the GT3 doesn't capture me...it looks just like another Porsche.

As far as VBD goes I love that show and Alan is awesome! My friends love him and his style quite a bit. I don't like some of the video where he is whipping around without a helmet but then again its on closed roads and he is the only one on the track and surely at speeds less than possible. I also know he does wear a lid when it counts as I have watched him run at the historics at Laguna many-a-times.

[JimLill]

Boy, this thread as gone off course............ (and don't call me Jimmy!).........

The intent was all about giving the wrong impresion to the impressionable. Children (of any age) need to see race cars used properly. So whether it's an old or new car, at speed or not.... someone in a race car should wear some kind helmet. Remember, this thread was about showing the right example.

I don't know how many of you have ever landed on your head etc, but I had broken helmets in both bicycle and motorcycle accidents, so taken helmet wearing pretty seriously.

[phredden]

Hear ya, JIM. I have two smashed bike helmets in the basement as a reminder. The second one was during a sunny afternoon ride, down a steep hill, hauling ass, when I was rammed broadside by a very large, mildly demented black lab at full tilt....blew the chain right off the crank. I went down so fast it was incredible...smashed the helmet, knocked out cold. Alive today as a result. Amen.

[trackrat]

OK, I take back my "not a bad example" comment. Not because of the lack of helmet, but because I just watched the Ford VBD and I don't think he was wearing a seatbelt in the Daytona Coupe or the GT.

Don't get me wrong, I have my own collection of destroyed bicycle helmets, and my 3 year old knows he not allowed on his bike without a helmet. But no seatbelt