Motor Racing at the BBC: That Petrol Emotion

~Mike~ · 18 Mar 2013 at 14:35

Already mentioned by Nismo in the Off Topic thread but might have been missed.

New series starting tonight on BBC Four.

Archive series celebrating the glory days of British motor racing, buffing up some of the BBC's most memorable coverage from the sport's earliest days.

Tonight 8pm

Episode 1

Episode 1 of 5
DURATION: 30 MINUTES
The glory days of British motor racing are celebrated in this sleek archive series, which buffs up some of the BBC's most memorable coverage from the sport's earliest days. The opening programme concentrates on the 1950s, when British drivers Stirling Moss and Mike Hawthorn took on the dominance of the great Argentinian driver, Fangio - all presided over by the chummy commentating presence of Raymond Baxter, fresh from a fight of his own as a Spitfire pilot in World War II. From track to paddock to a changing Britain beyond, and driven by a powerful period soundtrack, this is Formula One's 'Rock 'n' Roll Years'.

Next Monday 8.30pm

Episode 2

Episode 2 of 5
DURATION: 30 MINUTES
Formula One's archive series continues by charting how the oily rag pioneers of British motor racing emerged from the garages of rural England to take on the slick, Italian marques. A mixture of inspiration and perspiration led teams like Vanwall, Cooper and Lotus to dominate the sport for over a decade from the late 1950s onwards. Former mechanics Jack Brabham and Graham Hill became world champion drivers, John Cooper revolutionised the sport by moving the engine from front to back, and Colin Chapman, the genius of Lotus, created the aerodynamic racing shape we know today.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01rhvc7

Nismo · 18 Mar 2013 at 14:50

I'd actually forgot about this!

~Mike~ · 18 Mar 2013 at 15:28

Nismo said:
I'd actually forgot about this!

Good thing I posted it again then.

Kevin Clark · 18 Mar 2013 at 16:08

If you miss it, it's repeated a couple of times according to the sky guide.

Tue 19 Mar, 12:15am BBC FOUR

Thu 21 Mar, 2:15am BBC FOUR

Sun 24 Mar, 9pm BBC FOUR

Nismo · 18 Mar 2013 at 16:12

I'm sure it will be on iPlayer too

Duke · 18 Mar 2013 at 17:17

Thanks for the heads up.

Glaucus · 18 Mar 2013 at 17:19

Thanks, would never of spotted this. I wish we were allowed official tv announcing threads.
All set to record.

smr · 18 Mar 2013 at 18:04

Thanks, sounds excellent

Housey · 18 Mar 2013 at 18:24

Never even heard about this, thanks for the heads up.

Skeeter · 18 Mar 2013 at 20:40

Some great old footage and stories, but I think they missed a trick by not having a narrator.

~Mike~ · 19 Mar 2013 at 10:54

Maybe a narrator would have been better than the subtitles but it was great seeing that footage. They where amazing racing drives in the 50's, driving those cars at those speeds was just incredible considering the fact there was very little room for error and very little safety in place.

Marvin · 19 Mar 2013 at 12:21

Damn, can't believe I missed this after seeing this thread and placing a mental note to watch. Actually I can see how I missed it...

Anyway, it doesn't look like it'll be on iPlayer - showing as "Not Available" rather than "Coming Soon" which might mean staying up for the 2:15 am showing on Thursday.

~Mike~ · 28 Mar 2013 at 12:12

I forgot to watch Episode 2 on Monday

but it's repeated on this Sunday BBC 4 21:05

Lunatic Dreyfus · 30 Mar 2013 at 18:48

Finally got around round to seeing the second episode. I did love that sketch Colin Chapman knocked up. 'Here is my latest creation.... a 180mph petrol can. And no, it's not a death trap!'

I don't really know what a narrator would've bought to this to be honest. It's kinda like the Rock and Roll Years for F1.