X2. Bruce Mclaren was such a good "developmental" driver, much like Donohue. Doesnt get enough credit. Another REALLY great developmental driver who was VERY under-rated is Hap Sharp, of Chapparal fame.
Danny "On the Gas" Ongias could drive anything fast. Ronnie Sox the best 4 speed guy, ever; second place not even worth considering. AJ, PJ, Mario, all super. So many top names to consider!
Yes, I was thinking of Ongias too. Funny, the drag car guys havent mentioned the three best stick guys of the Pro Stock era (till now), Sox, Strickler & Mcandless...
Well everyone so far has named many of the greats . How about a little history or story about what made them great for those who may not be as well versed on these guys.
Enzo Ferrari (used to race for Alpha and was VERY good, the decided that he could do better building) Michael Schumacher (no explanation required) Dan Gurney (ford GT40 win, sprayed the magnum of champagne instead of pouring it, and now it is normal) Tim Lynch ( 6 second 220 mph door slammer, 1/8 mile low 4 second wheel stands, NO FEAR) Mickey Thompson John Force (how many championships are we at now? ) BREEDLOVE! (if you don't know please ask) Don't really know much about those guys cars that only turn left and don't go very fast!
I was always impressed by the skills of Lenord Hughes. ( Candies and Hughes) and also Davy Allison, and Feddy Fryer.
sorry !! BIG DADDY saw him many years ago in columbus , he was , and is the best , and the groundbreaker . he was kickin ass that year , im standing with a very good friend , and i said , who that with all the grease on his face and clothes (while he is getting on a bicycle made in about 1951) and riding through the pits to see what SHIRLEY-DON -ETC.. were doing . down to earth , talented , a pure genius with early hemi (ran 392 with 354 heads _breathed better) and was the fastest "HOW COOL ?" i will someday , hopefully , make it to his museum in florida , and check out all the cool shit , from my hero , big daddy . todd
Barney Oldfield was the first to power slide a race car thru a corner. The first to go a mile a minute on a 1 mile track. The first to do a 100 mph lap at the Indianapolis 500. He was for sure the first great race car driver. A true pioneer of autoracing. . It took a real race car driver to drive this car. over 1100 cubic inches and a tiller.
Nah, a quick shot cleared that up for me....... The one and only, Sir Jack Brabham. Sorry, I'm lazy and this is pretty good............... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Brabham Doc.
A synopsis of Jimmy Clark's career..... <TABLE border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>Jimmy Clark Nationality: British Born: 1936, died 1968 Career record: 72 Grand Prix, 33 poles, 28 fastest laps, 25 wins, 255 points. World Chhampion 1963 and 1965. Debut in Formula One for Lotus in 1960. Won the World Championship for Lotus in 1963. In 1965 he won both the Formula One World Championship and Indy 500 for Lotus. Jimmy Clark was killed in a Formula Two race at Hockenheim. </TD><TD align=middle> Jimmy Clark driving Lotus in Italy 1966 </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE> They say a picture says a thousand words.....
A synopsis of Dan Gurney's career.....<TABLE border=0><TBODY><TR><TD align=middle> Dan Gurney driving Eagle in France 1966. </TD><TD>Dan Gurney Nationality: American Born: 1931 Career record: 86 Grand Prix, 4 wins (French GP 1962, French GP 1964, Mexican GP 1964, Belgian GP 1967) and the 1967 24 Hours of LeMans. He built his own car, the Eagle, and it was the first Amercian built & driven car to win a F-1 Grand Prix. After he ended his Formula One career he concentrated on turning his Indy Cars and sports cars into race winners........ </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
Juan Manuel Fangio started racing in Argentina in the thirties in a home-built Model A based race car (Yes, thats right, a "traditional" hot rod! Run THAT by your elitist F1 teabaggers!) became Argentinian National Champion in a modified '40 chevy based "stock car",Most of these races were on dirt tracks. first F1 race was in 1948 in a Gordini. His first big win was San Remo in 1949 in a Maserati. Was World Champion FIVE TIMES in the 1950s, drove for Alfa Maserati, Mercedes & Ferrari at different times. He also won the Carrera Panamerica which was a famous long-distance race on public roads, and retired on top in 1958. This is a pretty rough sketch, anyone feel free to fill it out more. If I can find time, over the weekend, I will try to do something on Dave Mcdonalds short but illustrious career.
My Vote? Steve "The King" Kinser! 20 World of Outlaw Championships 7 Knoxville Nationals Wins 70-80 races a year on dirt. 56 Years old and still at the top of his game. Yeah! he gets my vote! I invite you to go see the Outlaws and him run even if you don't like dirt track racing! Seen him start at the back and win, seen him start at the middle and win, seen him start in front and win, seen him crash hard one night, came back the next night and won the Kings Royal at Eldora! 1940 Willys Coupe
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