The "I can't believe they raced it!" Thread.
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It's not so much a car that I can't believe was raced, but an event - the Targa Florio:
http://m.speedcafe.com/2015/02/16/video-ricciardo-drives-targa-florio-in-alfa/
The car is pretty bonkers, too.
http://m.speedcafe.com/2015/02/16/video-ricciardo-drives-targa-florio-in-alfa/
The car is pretty bonkers, too.
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- Italy
- Yellohead
- Clydeyellow
The 1949 edition of the Le Mans 24h is a significant one. It was the first time the classic endurance race was held after the end of WWII, and it was the first victory for a Ferrari. It also saw what was probably the last partecipation of a car of the Czech brand Avio to a major international race. Two Avio Minor Sport 750 finished in 15th and 19th position.
They were powered by an absolutely ridiculous 0.7l flat-2 2-stroke engine, and their sprint-racing brethen looked bonkers.
"LOOK AT ME, I'M SO ANGRY! I EAT DELAHAYE AND BENTLEY FOR BREAKFAST!," you can imagine the little Avio saying with false bravado, in a nasal and somewhat spitty voice. Oh, and did I mention it was also FWD?
The Le Mans version looks slightly less ridiculous, but still... I can't believe it raced at Le Mans, and that it even finished!
They were powered by an absolutely ridiculous 0.7l flat-2 2-stroke engine, and their sprint-racing brethen looked bonkers.
"LOOK AT ME, I'M SO ANGRY! I EAT DELAHAYE AND BENTLEY FOR BREAKFAST!," you can imagine the little Avio saying with false bravado, in a nasal and somewhat spitty voice. Oh, and did I mention it was also FWD?
The Le Mans version looks slightly less ridiculous, but still... I can't believe it raced at Le Mans, and that it even finished!
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- Southampton
- RacingAtHome
No idea if these have been suggested already but I should.
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- MRT_Cinnamon
It's a racecar, and it served it's purpose: Race
Check other cars in the thread and you'll see what I mean with the above statement.
Check other cars in the thread and you'll see what I mean with the above statement.
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People talk about the insanity it was racing sportscar on the 'ring. They never remember the Targa Florio. Here in Italy, saying the Targa wasn't the most insane motoring event in its time in front of a motorsport enthusiast is a mistake you won't do twice. And Quick Vic here is really doing a master job at explaining why the Targa was (and still is) so beloved.
There's been lot of talks to resurrect the race, but the main problem is that nobody is willing to spend the money needed to repair the roads. Generally speaking, the quality of the surface of Italian roads's been steadily decreasing since the 70s. The Targa Florio and the Rally Sanremo were killed off mostly because of this.
And Porsche was very fond of the race. Think of the Targa Florio next time you talk about a car with a "Targa" top, because that's where the name comes from.
But back on topic...
Usually hillclimb racings in continental Europe are a treasure trove for unlikely racecars being raced by madmen, but in this video the cake goes to the #436 Beetle which appears several times, always being driven far too hard and spinning out. It's almost like the blue Reliant Robin that appears in mr. Bean - you know how it's gonna end the moment you see it appear on screen.
The funniest part?
It's run by a belgian Citroen dealer.
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- GranTurismo0517
- RandomCarGuy17
Yeah, I still can't believe the Cavalier was raced.
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- SirDerp175
Wow...that poor thing is ugly even in racing guise.... I feel bad for it but I still hate them.
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- Furinkazen_54
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- Valongo
- Hcclipper
You saying...?
Ah, the lovely differences between different cars with the same names... One Cavalier fell into obscurity, the other won touring car race after touring car race. Again, the power of the BTCC. 👍
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I just look at that picture and think, it may have Vauxhall badges but that's still Opel Vectra.You saying...?
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OMG.
edit:
Searched for more info. It never really worked?
Nope, never worked. I saw it at Laguna Seca and it was completely baffling to me that this idea was even tried, let alone brought to a race to shake down. As far as I know, after that appearance it faded into oblivion. Here's some more pictures and info. The 2J was there too.
http://www.johnkrill.net/canam/macs/mac-01.html
http://www.johnkrill.net/canam/macs/index.html
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vasiliflame
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