Motorsports Trivia Thread!

[TheBook]

I am the only member of the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species who has finished in first place of a NASCAR Grand National stock car race. Who am I?

I am a rhesus monkey, and I drove with Tim Flock to a win in 1953.

 

[Dotini]

I am a rhesus monkey, and I drove with Tim Flock to a win in 1953.

WHO am I? I.e, what is my name?

 

[TheBook]

WHO am I? I.e, what is my name?

Jocko Flocko.

 

[Dotini]

Jocko Flocko.

Well done! Did you already know, or did you somehow research the answer?

 

[Jimlaad43]

I am a rhesus monkey, and I drove with Tim Flock to a win in 1953.

I thought that was the stupidest answer in the history of this thread, but having asked Mr. Google, damn, what a piece of Trivia

 

[TheBook]

Well done! Did you already know, or did you somehow research the answer?

I remembered that Jocko Flocko the monkey won with Tim Flock, but I had to research the exact species and the date.

 

[Liquid]

I think this came up in the Classic Motorsports Photos thread once. Yeah, odd piece of trivium indeed.

 

[TheBook]

Speaking of co-drivers:

I raced and won at Le Mans, but I was kicked out of my car early in by my own father who ran the rest of the race himself. Who am I, and who is my father?

(Bonus points for the year of the win and driving time by both parties).

 

[TenEightyOne]

Well done! Did you already know, or did you somehow research the answer?

You ignored Harold Kite, he's on there too

 

[Dotini]

I'm Jean-Lous Rosier, and I only drove two damn laps before my father Louis took over in the 1950 event and ran the rest of the way by himself.

 

[Dotini]

You ignored Harold Kite, he's on there too

Is the Kite threatened species? Perhaps, but Harold Kite is a human and not on the list, you silly man.

 

[TheBook]

I'm Jean-Lous Rosier, and I only drove two damn laps before my father Louis took over in the 1950 event and ran the rest of the way by himself.

Correct! 👍 Your go.

 

[Dotini]

Disregarding Indianapolis, I was the first driver to lead a world championship F1 Grand Prix in a car other than an Alfa Romeo. Who am I, what was my car, what was the race, and how did I get into the lead?

 

[RazorSharkz]

I think this came up in the Classic Motorsports Photos thread once. Yeah, odd piece of trivium indeed.

I believe I posted that actually.

Disregarding Indianapolis, I was the first driver to lead a world championship F1 Grand Prix in a car other than an Alfa Romeo. Who am I, what was my car, what was the race, and how did I get into the lead?

Jose Froilan Gonzalez, 1951 British Grand Prix, Ferrari. He started on the pole I believe.

 

[Dotini]

Jose Froilan Gonzalez, 1951 British Grand Prix, Ferrari. He started on the pole I believe.

Gonzalez did indeed lead and even win that race. But I led the Alfas in the 1950 season. Who am I, what did I drive, and what was the circuit?

 

[Jimlaad43]

Raymond Sommer, Belgium 1950, Talbot Lago, Took the lead after all the Alfas pitted for fuel.

 

[Dotini]

Raymond Sommer, Belgium 1950, Talbot Lago, Took the lead after all the Alfas pitted for fuel.

Correct! In the previous races when the Alfas had pitted, they had always managed to stay in the lead. But the circuit had been resurfaced, widened and all but one slow corner eliminated, and I was driving superbly in my fuel-sipping Lago-Talbot. I kept the lead for 3 laps. Fangio and Farina got by me, but Fagioli could not, and knowing they would all have to pit again, I kept my foot hard down. I was putting real pressure on the whole Alfa team, and they were sweating profusely! Too bad my engine failed! Toujours c'est la vie

 

[Dotini]

@Jimlaad43
I've got a good one teed up if you're not ready to post.

 

[Jimlaad43]

go for it

 

[Dotini]

To my knowledge, there is only one driver who has won a championship F1 GP in which he was obliged to exit and push his car. Identify the driver, the race and the particular circumstances of this rarity.

 

[Akmuq]

To my knowledge, there is only one driver who has won a championship F1 GP in which he was obliged to exit and push his car. Identify the driver, the race and the particular circumstances of this rarity.

2010 Canadian Grand Prix when Hamilton ran out of fuel after qualifying and pushed home the car?

 

[Dotini]

2010 Canadian Grand Prix when Hamilton ran out of fuel after qualifying and pushed home the car?

A good try, but the question involves the winning driver pushing his own car during the course of the race itself. Hard to believe, but true.

Side Note: I was there, watching in disbelief, when pole man Nigel Mansell leapt from his Lotus and tried to push it across the finish line of the 1984 Dallas GP. Instead, in the 102 F heat, he collapsed in a heap beside the car, and was subsequently hospitalized for heat exhaustion.

 

[daan]

I can only recall 2 drivers pushing their cars during a race and that was Mansell and Prost, and neither of them won.

 

[Dotini]

I can only recall 2 drivers pushing their cars during a race and that was Mansell and Prost, and neither of them won.

I feared this question was going to be too easy, but perhaps it is harder than I thought? If so, I will be dropping clues.

 

[TenEightyOne]

A good try, but the question involves the winning driver pushing his own car during the course of the race itself. Hard to believe, but true.

I recall that there was an incident where a competitor was disqualified for pushing their car on the course. Stirling Moss stuck up for the driver and pointed out that they were off-piste when pushing... that lost Moss the championship.

Mike Hawthorn?

 

[Dotini]

I recall that there was an incident where a competitor was disqualified for pushing their car on the course. Stirling Moss stuck up for the driver and pointed out that they were off-piste when pushing... that lost Moss the championship.

Mike Hawthorn?

No, not Mike Hawthorn. But that was an interesting story from the Age of Heroes you only began to tell.

 

[Ryk]

Graham Hill at Monaco... 1965.

Lapping a slower car had to avoid... went down an escape road... so had to get out and push his car around to get back to the track...dropping from 1st to5th...but like a proper chap he managed to squeak the win. (While Jim Clark was winning some little club race in America)

http://www.grandprixhistory.org/monaco1965.htm

Graham tells it better!

 

[Dotini]

Graham Hill at Monaco... 1965.

Lapping a slower car had to avoid... went down an escape road... so had to get out and push his car around to get back to the track...dropping from 1st to5th...but like a proper chap he managed to squeak the win. (While Jim Clark was winning some little club race in America)

http://www.grandprixhistory.org/monaco1965.htm

Graham tells it better!

Yes! Hill held a narrow lead over his team mate Stewart by lap 25 of 100. But emerging from the tunnel and crossing the brow, he encountered Anderson creeping slowly in first gear approaching the chicane. Back then, the chicane was further back up the track, and Hill had to hit Anderson or go up the escape road. After pushing his car around and getting a push start, he was in 5th, behind teammate Stewart, Bandini (flat 12 Ferrari), Surtees (V-8 Ferrari) and Brabham, who was closing smartly on Surtees. But Stewart spun at St. Devote and meekly allowed Graham by, and Brabham retired on lap 43, leaving Hill to set lap record after lap record to catch, duel and finally pass the flying Ferraris, both of whom fought fiercely. Hill reckoned it was one of his two best ever races, and I agree!

Note: Graham passed both Ferraris on moves down the inside going into Mirabeau. He had (uniquely) perfected a tight line prefiguring the modern swerve to avoid the bump.

 

[Ryk]

Pretty simple but what was the purpose of this step on the side of the 1983 Brabham BT52 (Picture shows the BT52B as it stands out better.)
It wasn't on the initial version of the car then after the first (few?) races it mysteriously appeared... but why?

 

[Dotini]

Was it a vortex generator?