As you’ll see on page 38, this issue marks the launch of yet another new column. One of my goals, for quite some time, has been to create a column that could offer some tangible, practical advice on how to properly drive some of the trickiest sections of the world’s greatest tracks. The key to achieving this was finding an organization that had the credibility and the depth of knowledge to take on this challenging task. After much searching, I’m very pleased to report that the Skip Barber Racing School has agreed to partner with us on this great project and so this month we present you the first monthly installment of “Hot Laps” presented by Skip Barber.
Editor
In this inaugural column, Barber senior instructor Bruce MacInnes will walk you through the do’s and don’ts of one of the most critical sections at Lime Rock Park, the Esses. In coming months, Bruce and other Barber instructors will give you their expert input on how to tackle everything from Laguna Seca’s Corkscrew to Silverstone’s Woodcote. It’s my hope that not only will you enjoy this new column, but that maybe it will help you lower your lap times, as well!
Movie fans, Rejoice!
While it wasn’t necessarily intentional, last year we embarked on a fairly long thread of articles, interviews, and reader letters addressing the deplorable state of racing-related movies over the years. Now, before you grimace and say, “Crikey! Not again!” don’t worry, I don’t want to retread that thoroughly stomped ground. However, I did recently attend an event that gives me hope that there may be some relief in sight.
Just before the holidays, I was invited to an advance screening of a soon-to-be-released movie entitled The World’s Fastest Indian starring Oscar-winning actor Anthony Hopkins. Now, I’m sure your first question is, “Why is Annis getting invited to a Hollywood screening?” Which was precisely what my wife said as well! However, the producers of this movie were, I think, very smart. The first audience that they chose to show this movie to was a group of motorcycle and automotive journalists and enthusiasts. Judging from the response, it will certainly be a hit with enthusiasts, and most likely the general movie-going population as well.
In the movie, Anthony Hopkins plays real-life Kiwi motorcycle enthusiast and engineer Bob Munro, a man who, despite daunting odds, built an unlikely, custom, 1920 Indian motorcycle that he eventually took to Bonneville in the ’60s and broke numerous speed records with. While there is not enough room here to do Munro’s fantastic story justice, suffice it to say that this is not only an exceptional “racing” movie but a fantastic piece of cinema as well. After my wife and I saw the movie, the words of our own Mike Lawrence came back to me from his column on this very issue last year. Mike lamented the fact that the reason that past racing movies have been such dismal failures is because they were built around racing action not human-interest stories. Fortunately, Producer/Director/Writer Roger Donaldson understood this dilemma because he has created a movie that tells this incredible man’s true story and yet does it in such a way that it is both compelling and true to the sport. The skeptics among us might think, “Yeah, but it’s about motorcycles and land speed racing. That’s really not my interest.” I had some of the same preconceptions coming in, but I can tell you unequivocally, that if you see this film you’ll really enjoy it. Not only is there some fantastic footage of period cars racing at Bonneville in the ’60s, but the action scenes with Hopkins making his speed attempts will so pull you in that you’ll find yourself holding your breath and clinching your teeth! My jaw still hurts!
If it sounds like I’m pushing this film, you’re right, I am. Primarily because it is a great movie that I think all racing enthusiasts will enjoy. But I’m also pushing this film because if it is a commercial success, it will send a clear message to Hollywood that a financially successful, critically acclaimed movie about racing can be made. If that happens, who knows what could be around the next apex for us?
Go see The World’s Fastest Indian. It debuts nationwide on February 3, 2006.
