Jim Roller talks to Ray Evernham about his full and varied career from the early days as a driver in ‘modifieds’ through his big break with the International Race of Champions (IROC) team, to his career defining role as one of the greatest-ever NASCAR crew chiefs. Bruce Jones, Peter Snowdon and Nick Padmore discuss the recent Goodwood Members Meeting and Joe Bradley looks back at the life of journalist and writer Michael Cotton.
Historic Racing News
Joe Bradley, Jim Roller, Paul Jurdand Damien Smith discuss ‘My Favourite BTCC Car’. The choices are wide ranging and Paul Tarsey is faced with some are pretty surprising ideas. Goodwood has asked for our help about what becomes of the famous Tyrrell Shed recently installed at the Motor Circuit and we have a look around the Goodwood Members Meeting test day. Gordon Shedden tells us about some of the cars he is now driving and just why he loves historic racing.
The team talks to Alan Brewer from the Goodwood Road Racing Club about the upcoming Members Meeting and John Pearson from Equipe Classic Racing tells us about their very ambitious 2024 calendar which includes historic F2 cars for the first time. Jim Roller, Paul Jurd, Joe Bradley and Paul Tarsey look into the surprising news that Felipe Massa is suing the FIA because he was ‘robbed’ of the 2008 World Championship and then discuss the surprisingly long history of the Australian Grand Prix.
The team look back on the life of Hugh Chamberlain, who died at the end of February. They also share personal memories and stories about a man described as ‘one of the last great characters of motorsport’. Nick Whale, boss of Iconic Auctioneers, talks about all the behind-the-scenes work that goes on simply to stage the auctions for which his company is famous and Corridors of Power this time is about the inventions of Lotus founder Colin Chapman.
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: THIS SHOW WAS RECORDED ON MONDAY 19th FEBRUARY. DURING THIS SHOW WE TALK EXTENSIVELY ABOUT RACE RETRO WHICH WAS DUE TO TAKE PLACE 23-25TH FEBRUARY. DUE TO HEAVY ON-SITE FLOODING RACE RETRO HAS BEEN CANCELLED. On the show Jim Roller looks at the very buoyant auction scene and Paul Tarsey reviews the Retromobile event in Paris. Paul Jurd has a delve into upcoming events. In the wake of Lewis Hamilton’s defection to Ferrari, Joe Bradley leads a discussion about other champions who have done the same thing (including Nigel Mansell), with varying success.
On a packed programme we hear from Tim Foster who is the man behind much of the resurgence in interest in those fire-breathing Group B rally cars of the mid 1980s which we are looking forward to seeing at Race Retro on 23rd, 24th and 25th February. As usual host Paul Tarsey is joined by the regular Historic Racing News Radio Show team, Jim Roller, Joe Bradley and Paul Jurd who will all, as usual, not hold back on thoughts and opinions. The theme for Corridors of Power is called “My Favourite Motorsport story”. Donald Campbell’s nephew Don Wales tells us about the controversy that has blown up since the wreck of his water speed record breaking Bluebird K7 was raised from the bed of Lake Coniston in Cumbria. There is now a bitter dispute involving family members, the local museum and the man who raised the boat from the depths.
Damien Smith talks about his new book which covers the highs and lows of the Benetton F1 team and tells a few good stories in the process. The HRN team of Joe Bradley, Jim Roller, Paul Jurd and Peter Snowdon talk to Paul Tarsey about their views on the news and Jim makes a poignant tribute to his friend, Porsche kingpin Herbert Linge, who died earlier this month. Plus discussion of the latest ‘Ferrari’ film.
Our first show of 2024 is, as usual, full of chat and witty banter (well we think it’s witty anyway!). Jim Roller talks to Patrick Peter about the many historic events that Peter Auto will be running in 2024 and Jim also discusses with Nick Padmore, amongst other things, driving a Formula One car in the rain round Monaco. Corridors of Power asks which was Ayrton Senna’s greatest race? Not only do Roller and Padmore have their say but Paul Jurd and Peter Snowdon state their cases as well. As usual Paul Tarsey struggles to keep everyone under control.
Jim Roller, Joe Bradley and Paul Jurd wrap up the year in fine style: Everyone talks about their favourite posts which have appeared on the HRN Facebook page and we look at some of the comments and gauge the thoughts of at least some of the one million people who see our posts each month. And finally Paul Tarsey uses the brilliant book new ‘100 Years of Legends’ to test the team on their knowledge of the history of Le Mans. You will be surprised by the result!
Corridors of Power’ this month sees the panel chosing their favourite motorsport movie. There were rather more to chose from than we originally thought and there are some real turkeys as well as the good ones! Joe Bradley, Jim Roller and Paul Jurd don’t hold back in their praise of the their favourites and criticism of the not-so-good. Also Rob Cull and John Pearson tell the guys about their ultra-successful Equipe Classic Racing and their plans for 2024, including an all-Elan race at Silverstone. Paul Tarsey also looks at his choice for the top ten books to go on his Christmas list.