by dreinecke » Mon May 20, 2019 10:25 pm
I moved to Germany in 1973. Only a few years later, I was at Nürburgring in 1975 watching him place third. I'd become a HUGE F1 fan upon moving to Europe and was often found rug-racing my F1 Corgi diecast cars with friends. I talked my way into the pits as an 8 year-old, only because the guy at the paddock gate couldn't believe an American kid learned to speak German. My dad was proof as he didn't speak a lick ;) Dad was a big 35mm Minolta guy, and we got dozens of close-ups of all the drivers and cars from only feet away. They were all pleasant and to an 8 year old, larger than life.
We attended again in 1976 when Lauda suffered his terrible crash. I'd already been a huge fan when he won the championship in 1975 and thankfully we were on the other side of the track when it happened.
I followed his career forever as well as Senna when he burst onto the scene later. Hockenheim was now the German GP stomping ground and dad and I attended each of them from 1981-1984.
While not perfect, the movie Rush is in my Top 2 of racing films. I love reliving some of what I remember as a kid. And yes, hunt was that good looking and crazy. I remember seeing topless girls in his pit while touring the paddock...not unusual for Hunt or what I remember of Germany LOL.
RIP Niki. Godspeed and I hope the track where you're at is fast and fun.