Gentlemen of Motorsports

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JohnBM01

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JMarine25
GTPlanet, we can talk all day about the best racers in the world. But, there are some racers who truly exceed expectations and possesses a genuine and appreciative manner on and off the track. Why don't we honor men who really exhibited a wonderful and caring personality in racing? This thread is devoted to the men who don't get into frequent trouble, those whom present a likable personality for all to enjoy, and those who really are great racers who are even better human beings. This thread is about the gentlemen of motorsports. Who would you like to honor? It can be someone who is alive or dead. It's all about honoring the heroes and the genuine gentlemen. So, you may begin.
 
Here's two for you:

Dale Earnhardt: on the track he was a hard-charging racer, but off the track, he was a great man.

Tom Kristensen: He continues to break records and shatter the sports car racing world, but is still the fun-loving Character we've all come to know.


Off-topic: this is my 700th post.
 
No question. Tom Kristensen is one of my newest motorsports heroes. With Le Mans, it used to be about Jacky Ickx. If he isn't already a hall of famer, then he should be. Tom Kristensen did more than break Jacky Ickx's record, but he did it with a wonderful winning percentage. So far, he's raced 9 Le Mans enduros and won 7 of them outright. THAT... IS... AMAZING.

Dale Earnhardt Sr. is still missed, but I'm sure he's proud of his son Dale Jr. for his accomplishments.

Anyone else want to nominate or honor any gentleman/gentlemen of motorsports?
 
I got an easy and obvious one: Elliott Forbes-Roninson. I've "chilled" with him on a number of ocasions and there are few better guys out there. Just a genuinely nice guy who seems to know EVERYTHING ABOUT EVERYTHING! Left a great impression on me and I'm sure I'm not the only one!

Rinaldo "Dindo" Capello is as nice as they come. He is a truly fun guy to be around. He is a fairly reserved guy but when he knows you, he is almost a different person.

Also, Bill Auberline is one of my faves. Again a nice guy who is a great competitor, loves to talk to fans and is genuinely in love with what he does.

Notables, who I have heard are nice but haven't had to many experiences with before; Scott Pruett, Max Papis, Max Angelelli and the entire Intersport Lola team.

There are plenty I can't think of now... good topic. I will post a good 999 999 999 999 999 times here.

Finally, John, how come I am so attatched to all your posts, you definitely deserve a quality posts tag.

m.piedgros
 
Ayrton Senna.

Although he got in the face of a number of people, he always did it in the name of honesty and sportsmanship. One of my favorite racing videos is a clip of the '92 Belgian GP (qualifying actually) where Senna pulled over and got out of his car to go help Erik Comas, who had crashed heavily into the wall. While other cars dodged Comas' car and Senna himself.
 
I forgot to mention Johnny O'. My boy Johnny O'Connell! He'd be pissed if I didn't include him. He is a cool guy to, all the qualities you'd want in a person.

m.piedgros
 
Mario Andretti. Hell of a driver, and hell of a man. Example: My sister wrote a letter to him years ago, and the return letter actually addressed what she had written (not a form letter), and it was clearly signed in ink.

Ron Fellows. A renaissance man behind the wheel of any car, and a nice guy off the track as well (He's Canadian, so that might explain it).
 
Peter Brock.. maybe not that well known outside australia.. but not only does his record speak for itself.. (9 bathurst wins, all in HOLDENS 👍) and still always had more then enough time with the fans.. top bloke!!
 
I'm thinking of Kasey Kahne from the American NASCAR series. Hes a pretty calm driver on and off of the track, and he is also doing some work for the President on the transportation board here as well.

Danica Patrick (a gentlewoman?) is also a great example of what a driver should/could be. Super nice both on and off the track, added to that the good looks, shes a contender even as a lady.
 
Sleek Stratos
Ayrton Senna.

Although he got in the face of a number of people, he always did it in the name of honesty and sportsmanship.
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Does that include taking out Alain Prost at Suzuka?
 
m.piedgros
Peter Brock, as in Daytona Coupe... or am I mistaken?

m.piedgros
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Same name, different people. Although both have contributed greatly to motorsports.

Mmmmmmm.....Daytona Coupe....one of my all-time favorites. :)
 
Peter Brock, as in Daytona Coupe... or am I mistaken?
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Funny you should say that as Aussie Peter Brock is building a replica Daytona Coupe using Monaro running gear to use in the Targa Tasmania.

Craig Lowndes is another of the nice blokes in motorsport. He always has time for a chat at meetings and is ALWAYS smiling. I think if he got taken out while in the lead on the last lap at Bathurst he'd still be smiling.
 
daan
Does that include taking out Alain Prost at Suzuka?
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Which crash are we talking about? The one in '89 at the chicane or the one at the beginning of the 1990 GP?
If it's the latter, Senna had gotten screwed at the last minute on the grid position for pole. Prost appeared to go wide approaching the first turn but then closed the door on him. Had Alain kept to the bottom, Senna would have been forced to look to the outside or let up.
The one at the chicane, well, considering it's Ayrton and Prost we're talking about, they were never poster boys for submissiveness when running one behind the other. That doesn't mean they were disrespectful anyhow.

All in all I guess we're just looking at the same thing from different angles. You might say Senna was ill-mannered when dealing with Prost, I say they were just two incredibly hardheaded drivers dealing with each other.
 
Senna admitted later that he deliberately drove into Prost in 1990. "Gentlemen" do not deliberately drive into other cars to remove them from the race.
 
Fine. Did he say why he did it though?

In any case, I can't remember any other incidents where he drove into another car on purpose.
 
The topic is on gentlemen of motorsports. However, it can also pertain to motorsports personalities including race commentators, track promoters, pit crew members, president of operations (for example, Brain Barnhart of the IRL), team owners, and the like.

Whom else would you want to nominate as gentlemen or even gentle-women? I like the Danica Patrick reference. I wasn't expecting that reference in this thread, but nice someone brought up ladies.
 
What about Richard Petty? not only was he very skilled, he was really a fan-centered driver, and fairly calm on and off the track.
 
Mario Andretti. The driver of the century, and he never let it get to his head. To this day, he is still one of the friendliest people you will ever meet on or off the track. And he has been a voice of reason and moderation during the Champ Car/IRL split (which will hopefully come to an end this year if the merger goes through).

Dale Earnhardt Sr. He may have been The Intimidator on the track, but he was always straight with you off the track. He became the veteran every rookie in NASCAR went to for advice.

Mark Martin. The cleanest driver in NASCAR today. I have never seen him use the "bump and run." His behavior on and off the track has earned the admiration and respect of many drivers and fans. And despite the fact that he doesn't use the bump and run, he still wins races and contends for championships. 2006 will be his last full season in the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series. Hopefully, he'll finally clinch his 1st NASCAR Nextel Cup this year and retire as a champion.
 
Schrodes
Wasn't Mark Martin retiring last year?
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Jack Roush asked him to stay another year, and, with his performance last year, it's obvious why. This year, he's in 4th overall; no reason to quit yet.
 
This year, he's in 4th overall; no reason to quit yet.
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Indeed not. Good no him. Brock is copping a fair bit of criticism here for not fully retiring yet. He is building a Corvette to run at some events, the previously mentioned Doytona Coupe replica and a Holden 48-215 for Goodwood. Why step back if you are still fast and enjoying the racing?
 
I think Kasey Kahne is another cool person. he hasn't been around long, but I consider him an awesome guy.
 
Jack Rousch himself deserves an award for the best NASCAR owner, with Joe Gibbs comming in an extremely close second.

If I may nominate another NASCAR driver, Rusty Wallace and his brother Kenny Wallace are both awesome guys as well... Both super nice and really modest, and atleast with Kenny, really funny.
 
YSSMAN
Jack Roush himself deserves an award for the best NASCAR owner, with Joe Gibbs comming in an extremely close second.

If I may nominate another NASCAR driver, Rusty Wallace and his brother Kenny Wallace are both awesome guys as well... Both super nice and really modest, and at least with Kenny, really funny.
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good point about Kenny:tup: and there is Micheal waltrip too.
 

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