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You are in the presence of greatness. A man who has taken on not one, not two, but three Mansells at a kart track ... and beaten the 1992 World Champion!
I know, it sounds ridiculous - it IS ridiculous - but Tuesday was one of the proudest moments of my life. Despite Nige being two seconds a lap quicker and despite him lapping me at least once the timing sheet doesn't lie - he finished a place behind me. OK, he started at the back and slowed down to take on his sons Greg & Leo but still.
I tell you, being lapped by Nigel Mansell was one of the weirdest, funniest moments of my life. Seeing that iconic helmet go whizzing past almost made me pass out. I got him to sign my time sheet.
The event was a media do for Formula BMW - the boys are racing next year after a very good test and Dad (who has always tried to deter them - they are scratch golfers) has agreed to do PR for the series (Webbo did some in the UK last year). The race was at the only kart track in central London, the Raceway behind King's Cross. Crash.net were there too so they may have coverage. The boys are impressive - not spoilt brats. Mum & Dad had almost succeeded in averting motor racing careers but she was seriously ill last year and it made them all re-evaluate their lives. They have done well in karting, all on their own with Nigel engineering. No big money team to take care of everything for them.
I interviewed the Mansells and also Murray Walker and, of course, slipped in Minardi questions at the end. Am unsure how to attach the audio and if I can't I will transcribe - Murray's story about Stoddie is a belter.
Comments
well done, simon!
if you need help with the audio files tell me
Mansell probably is not a genius, but he is a really good chap, lots of laugh, and is one who has never let success get him drunk.
I can guess he did a fantastic job on his boys' karts!:hehe:
I am an unashamed Mansell fan, as you may have guessed. It is funny how certain monikers stick - in his case 'moaning', 'untalented', etc. Neither are true, of course. Anyone who has read his book knows how hard it was for him to get to F1 - he did not come from a wealthy family. Roseanne nursed him through several big accidents and clearly didn't want the boys doing it as well.
His biggest PR problem in the UK was his accent - the Brummie (West Midlands) is widely derided as dull and/or thick. Nige is neither.
And he's driven a Minardi.
Oh, and Quig. Anytime, anywhere.
[Edited on 14/12/2005 by viges]
http://f1.racing-live.com/f1/en/index.html
click on the Walker and Mansell story.
I still feel on my skin the emotions he gave me, the tyre blow up at Adelaide 86, the surpass over Piquet at Silverstone 87 (one of the greatest I've ever seen), over Prost at Jacarepagua 89 (first time with an automatic gearbox...), over Senna at Hungaroring 89 (another classic), over Prost at Monaco 91, plus all that happened in Estoril 89 and 90, plus the whole 91 and 92 seasons, plus the duels with Senna at Monaco 92 and with Alesi at Suzuka 94...., plus all the times he was complaining like a child, or talking like a prophet (him and Senna were unforgettable in this), or making stupid things (remember the accident with Senna at the practice at Interlagos 92...)
Yes, perhaps his talent was not as crystal pure as Prost's, Piquet's or Senna's, he was more of an adrenaline driver, still drivers like him or like Peterson or Gilles or even Alesi have an extraordinary contol of the car, which is another side of talent.
And Mansell was EXTREMELY talented, nobody will ever convince me of the contrary.
Are you going to scan in that timesheet so we can all see ??
I was a mansell's fan as well, he was my favourite in those years and one of my finest F1 memories is linked to him, that amazing victory in Brazil with TOIT... that was one of the last races I wacthed with my dad, I'll never forget it.
Grovel too, you abuser of language!
Down, down!
Great pics Murph - now please contact Motor Sport magazine soonliest motorsport@haynet.com
just send then four of your best paddock stuff
Jumpey - will try to find a scanner.
What next?
Will racing for journalistic deadline ever give the same adrenalin rush again?
Will you swap the pen for a racing helmet?
Spin