Formula Chilton v F1
So, after a few pots of coffee this morning I came up with an equation for the Greatest Motorsport Spectacular of all Time. And it goes something like this: A1GP + DTM + Le Mans + Formula One + GP Masters = Formula Chilton.
First, I'd lift World Cup of Motorsports vibe
from the A1GP series because the essential concept of nations going head-to-head is sound and should, if handled correctly, arouse some patriotic fervour among the spectators.
Next up. The drivers. Ferrari aside, fans follow drivers - not countries. Look at Ferrari, with all those Italians following that German with as much patriotism as the Pope, imagine that Italians liking the germens!
So there's little point in having a country vs. country format if the drivers are unknown. This is where we add a snifter of GP Masters into the mix. Representing each country should be an acknowledged, but retired or inactive, motorsport 'name'. Nigel Mansell for Great Britain or Niki Lauda from Austria, for instance. These drivers will share their car with a 'young-gun'. This means pitstops and driver changes, like Le Mans, and the associated human-interest story that comes with the master/apprentice vibe.
The car will be something overpowered, undergripped and capable of withstanding some serious bumping-and-barging. Single-seaters, while ultimately the quickest cars on the planet, tend to break when they get involved in a scuffle with another car, so it's got to be some kind of saloon car - like a DTM racer but without all the wings and fins and fancy gearboxes.
We want manual 'boxes, around 600bhp, rear-wheel drive and no traction control. The new V8 BMW M3, race prep'd, comes to mind. BMW might be persuaded to get involved; the M1 Procar series back in the late 70s for then-current F1 racers was a massive huge success.
It's a pity that the only thing we can steal from F1 is the calendar, but that's what I'm suggesting here. Formula Chilton will be a support package for F1, if Bernie can be convinced. A qualifying race (note 'race' not qualifying laps) will take place on the underused Friday session, with a sprint race on Saturday and a feature event on Sunday.
Just think of the poster:
'Damon Hill for Great Britain vs. Michael Schumacher of Germany.
Equal cars.
Rookie teammates.
75 laps of the legendary Monaco circuit.
One winner.'
Anyone got Bernie’s Ellecostone number?