How many people remember this race? British Grand Prix, Silverstone, 1979. Both men at the height of their powers, 5 world titles between them, smashing it out in front of a delirious crowd. Most commentators agree that this was one of the best-ever motorcycle grands prix in the modern era. Look it up on Youtube and see for yourself. Thanks to Jean-Paul Cahier for this photo from the prestigious Cahier archive. Incidentally, have you ever wondered how photographers got such sparkling, close-up shots? Simple, they used a standard lens and stood with one foot on the track. I know ‘cos a mate of mine photographed the Race of the Year at Mallory in 1980 and he told me that’s what they did. Never get away with that these days.
In other news, despite avowing that they wouldn’t “build another Yamaha”, it seems that Ducati is about to do exactly that after being told in no uncertain terms by Rossi that they can’t win with the bike the way it is now. Now that’s strange, Casey was able to win pretty regularly on it, I wonder what that says about the current incumbents?
And it seems that Dani Pedrosa’s injury WAS as severe as the media has been speculating. He has been diagnosed with intermittent compression of the subclavian artery, causing the numbness and lack of strength in his left arm. Pedrosa will undergo surgery again following his participation in the Spanish Grand Prix this weekend to take advantage of the free month in the calendar due to the postponement of the Japanese Grand Prix. Definitely not what he needs at the start of a season where his new team-mate has stamped his authority as the #1 rider in the team after just one race.
Also in this morning, some not-so-good news. American superstar of the 70’s, Gary Nixon, is in hospital with a broken femur (snapped off at the ball) after an accident on his rural property. Apparently, Gary was felling a tree for firewood when it rolled over and trapped him under the trunk. According to Gary, a little more to the left or the right would probably have resulted in paralysis. He’s in Sinai Hospital awaiting treatment and may require a hip replacement. Guess he should have stuck to something safer, like hammering a bike round corners at over 100mph while dragging his left foot on the track! Get well soon, Gary. Once a champion, always a champion.
gearsau says
Phil,
The photographer who took that shot is actually Paul-Henri Cahier.
A very famous F1 photographer, who has been covering motorsport since the late 1960’s. His father was a famous photographer from the 50’s onwards. http://www.f1-photo.com/
Back in those days, the lenses used still would not have been a standard 50mm lens. Even when I started photography back in 1969,and used to stand on the edge of the track, I was still using a 200mm lens. If you had a 300mm lens in those days, you were ” King of the Kids”.
I used to stand about a meter or 2 maximun from the edge of the track at Lakeside and Surfers and the F5000 cars used to go past me at 150 MPH around the sweeper past the DUnlop Bridge at Surfers. That was fun..
Today, you cant do that anywhere, and a 500 or 600mm lens is a must.
All the best…… Peter G.