| Author | Message | ||
| Andreas Forrer (Tifosi12)
Intermediate Member Username: Tifosi12 Post Number: 1894 Registered: 10-2002 |
Mark, great report, many thanks! Got my question answered right away. Never mind. Nor surprised he picks Alonso. IMHO a future WC, no doubt. | ||
| Wayne Ausbrooks (Lwausbrooks)
Moderator Username: Lwausbrooks Post Number: 2299 Registered: 8-2002 |
Jim, I just had a similar experience this past weekend. My wife was seriously disappointed that she wasn't able to get any driver autographs at Laguna Seca on Saturday but, as soon as we entered the Pebble Beach Concours on Sunday morning, one of the first people we ran into was Jackie Stewart. We were absolutely elated and managed to hold back our enthusiasm long enough for a brief chat before we caved in and asked for autographs. He was happy to ablige. As we turned and stepped away from Jackie, I was commenting on how disappointed she had been the day before and how lucky we were to run into Jackie. Then I looked up and there was Sterling Moss standing right in front of us. This time we went straight for the autographs! | ||
| Andreas Forrer (Tifosi12)
Intermediate Member Username: Tifosi12 Post Number: 1892 Registered: 10-2002 |
Mark, absolutely awesome! Stupid question from my part: Did he ever drive for Ferrari? I know he didn't in F1, but maybe outside of it? Anyway, can't wait to read your full report. | ||
| Mark Moon (Enzomoon)
Junior Member Username: Enzomoon Post Number: 232 Registered: 4-2002 |
Guys: My wife and I had dinner with Mauro and his lovely wife last night. It was a remarkable 3 hours that I will never forget!! I am going to post my comments about it on the General Discussion section as more people might appreciate reading it. Regards, Mark | ||
| James Dunne (Audiguy)
Junior Member Username: Audiguy Post Number: 215 Registered: 6-2003 |
Andres, Jim is into aerobatics now. I saw him in his 7/8 scale P51 aerobatics plane several years ago. I am from out in West Texas and used to go(sneak in to) to his test track in Midland (Rattlesnake Raceway). I remember seeing him testing the Chaparral with the high wing for the first time. It was quite a site. And those GM engines sounded like Ron Fellows does in his Corvette GTS now. Never got a chance to see the vacuum cleaner car up close. I wish I had. | ||
| Andreas Forrer (Tifosi12)
Intermediate Member Username: Tifosi12 Post Number: 1886 Registered: 10-2002 |
Great story James! Just made me feel so much better about my Phil Hill blunder: With a few friends we were having lunch in a hotel in Maranello. In the back sat the F1 team (no drivers, 'just' the mechanics) and next to our table Phil, whom I did not reckognize. As he was leaving, the folks at another table stood up and took his picture and asked him for his autograph. After he left I went to them and asked them who that was (thinking it might have been a local VIP like the mayor). They showed me the sig and my jaw dropped. I felt so incredibly stupid and kicked myself for the longest time. Problem is, if you haven't seen a recent picture of these guys, how would you recognize them? However fate was nice to me and at Goodwood I saw him again, this time realizing who he was (not too many other folks noticed him though) and went for the 'kill'. Got his picture and autograph. However I did another blunder: He was talking to Jim Hall, founder of Chapparal and inventor of the wings for racecars. I didn't recognize him and made sure I cut that 'fan' out of the picture. I'm a hopeless case... BTW: I think I did see Stirling in Goodwood as well, but didn't get a chance to talk to him. Mario I would have recognized in a heartbeat though. The guy never changed. | ||
| James Dunne (Audiguy)
Junior Member Username: Audiguy Post Number: 213 Registered: 6-2003 |
Mark, Ask him how he likes driving for Giuseppe Risi (Risi Comp). When working at FoH before I went to Dallas, I was in the showroom one morning and in walked an older gentleman and a very proper looking lady. We had the 333sp that had won its class at LeMans in 1998 on the showroom and he began to look it over. I walked over and thought I would dazzle him with how much I knew about this car (remember, I had been working with Ferrari for two weeks at this point). He said he did not like the sequential gearbox but would rather have the gated shifters. I asked him if he had done any racing and he told me he had been in a few races. I asked him if it was SCCA related. He said he had never participated in an SCCA event. I said "was it autocrossing you did"? He answered "no, I have never participated in that particular phase of the sport". After talking with him for several minutes I began to see that he knew an awful lot about racing. I asked him where he had driven and he said "mostly on the continent". By now I was sure he knew a lot more than he was letting on about. I had not introduced myself and apologized to him and extended my hand saying "I am sorry, in talking with you I have completely forgotten to introduce myself. My name is James Dunne". He extended his hand and grasped mine firmly and said "I am quite pleased to meet you James. I am Stirling Moss". Have you ever had to mentally pick yourself up off the floor? Here I was, shaking hands with a legend and did not even recognize him. I asked if I should call him Sir or Lord Moss. He said to just call him Stirling. We continued to speak for about another five minutes or so. He was in town for the Houston GP Cart race and to present the award for lifetime achievement to another great driver. I was introduced to him a few minutes later when he walked into the showroom to meet Mr. Moss. He said, "James, I would like to introduce you to Mario Andretti". Needless to say, I was totally blown away and probably strangely silent for about the first time in my life. Meeting Stirling Moss and Mario Andretti within ten minutes of each other. And to be introduced to Mario by Stirling Moss. I still look back on it in amazement and that was four years ago. | ||
| Andreas Forrer (Tifosi12)
Intermediate Member Username: Tifosi12 Post Number: 1884 Registered: 10-2002 |
Get his sig! A couple times for all of us here...  A similar thing happened to me once in Moscow: Having breakfast at the hotel and in walks one of the N'Sync boys. He too was shocked that somebody 'out there' would recognize him. OTOH I ate in Maranello this year and at the table next to me sat Phil Hill and I did not recognize him. Shame on me. | ||
| Jon P. Kofod (95f355c)
Member Username: 95f355c Post Number: 914 Registered: 8-2001 |
Mark, Mauro Baldi drove for Arrows, Afla Romeo and the defunct Spirit team in F1. He also was the World Sports Car champion in 1990 and won LeMans in 1994. Ask him what he thinks of the switch from LMP Prototypes in Grand Am (24 Hours of Daytona) to the cheaper Grand Am Prototypes. Considering he has driven some of the fastest LMP cars I would think the new Grand Am cars seem like buggy's to him. Have fun on vacation. Make sure you visit the Bitter End Yacht Club on VG. Regards, Jon P. Kofod 1995 F355 Challenge #23 | ||
| Mark Moon (Enzomoon)
Junior Member Username: Enzomoon Post Number: 231 Registered: 4-2002 |
What a small world! We have been vacationing at Little Dix Bay on Virgin Gorda in the BVI for the last few days. Last night I had to get my Fchat "fix" so I logged on here. I read about the Mosport results with interest. Imagine my surprise this morning at breakfast to see Mauro Baldi walk into the dining room!! We had a nice chat and he was shocked that I recognized him. Hopefully, I will get to talk Ferraris with him some more over the next week. Can someone correct me if I am wrong but I believe he actually drove in F1 for a brief stint years ago? If anyone ahs any specific questions for him let me know and I will pass those on as well. Well, back to the beach! Regards, Mark |