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US '83 sounds tasty

Yup - US 83, before my time so be good to see it :-)

Another vote for Long Beach '83 here.

US 83 for me too

Portugal 85 please, be nice to see Senna's legendary drive...

Estoril 85, please. Though I conceed that USGP (West) 83 was a great race too.

US 83.

Estoril 85 for me, I miss the Portugese GP.

Would have gone for San Marino 05 if we had a longer highlights reel, Alonso's driving that day was out if this world.

Long Beach 1983 for me, though I wouldn't complain too much if Argentina 1980 was shown in full aswell. Both classic circuits that could, if required, still be used for F1. Can see a few politics getting in the way of that happening though.

I'd say John Watson was a sort of David Coulthard of his day with Nigel Mansell's racer qualities. Very very good on his day, but generally not good enough over the course of a full season. An awesome attacking driver, could teach a few drivers a thing or two about overtaking today!

1985 is a great drive by Senna but not a particularly thrilling race in my opinion. 2005 is a cracker, but it's short highlights only (hope the 2nd and 3rd last laps are in this highlights edit in full-that's the bit we missed at the time when ITV went for THAT ad break.

1983 long beach please

for the bbc archive of races online.

I thought it would be between 1983 and 1985, I haven't seen much of Long Beach apart from YouTube clips so I would also pick Long Beach 1983. Don't mean to be a bore going on about Freeview, but if you could get this week's selection on Freeview that would be great.

It's a hard choice, I'm gonna vote for..

1985

Maybe forget those and go for Hockenheim 2004 a great race.

To choose between 83 and 85 is so hard,,,, but am going for 1985

Argentina 1980 please. Would love to see the old Buenos Aires layout. I won't complain if it's '83 or '85 mind ...

1985 on Freeview please.

my vote is for last years Chinese race which combined with the wet conditions and the great layout led to a jam-packed race (in my top 5 of the 2009 season)

2005 San Marino or 2009 China. I wasn't alive when the other races were on.

Normally I'd say the earlier the better. But re-watching Wattie storming to the win in a McLaren would be wonderful.

US '83 gets my vote.

It looks like it won't win the vote anyway, but not San Marino 2005. We get short highlights for all these races anyway, so if this one wins, it just means that we don't get any extended highlights. It would be a winner in name only. This mistake was made for the Malaysian choices (we could have had 2009 extended highlights as it was on the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ).

John Watson's win would be a good one, as it shows there was a time when overtaking happened, and it's not just people looking through rose-tinted spectacles. That race could not happen now. Overtaking is not like scoring a goal in football where being able to take one chance might be enough - it needs to be more attainable than that, or it excludes the possibility of a driver coming through the field.

I'll go for 1980, it's high time F1 returned to Argentina

i think 2005 is good imola is a great track
but probably estoril if only got short highlights for 2005

please play the long beach race.

Argentina 1980, as I believe that ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ's footage is the only known footage of this race up to date.

1980 Argentine GP please, but the other two from the 80s would be great as well. Please can you try to get them on Freeview, even if it's just one showing at two in the morning? I could live without seeing the Malaysian selections, but these races are genuine classics.

1985 Portuguese GP please

But surely there were SOME classic Imola races during the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ era...?

I would just LOVE to see Long Beach '83, if nothing else to see Keke Rosberg driving like a bull in a china shop! :-)

Let's see Jonesy in 1980. A much underrated Champion who should have been WDC in 1981 too (but for a misfiring Cosworth in a couple of races).

Second choice, Long Beach 83 if only for Keke's 360 degree spin!

swrcsky - There definitely were some decent San Marino GPs. I think the 1985 race was pretty decent - a close race up front between Senna, De Angelis, Alboreto and Prost in the early stages and Stefan Johansson coming from behind to nearly win only to run out of fuel. The race was marred somewhat though as it was decided off the track when Prost was disqualifed for being underweight.

Has to be San Marino 05 - one of best races i have watched since started following F1!

silverstone 2008 for me!

#31, silverstone 2008 isn't an option.

1983 for me!

#18: "I wasn't alive when the other races were on."

How on earth does that prevent you from voting for them? It seems even more reason to select them.

1995 was a good San Marino grand prix. Think it had rained pre-race so that made it things interesting.

I read somewhere that India will join next year, then Bernie wants New York and Russia in 2012 and 2013. So that begs the question-what's Bernie going to cut out to make room in the calendar? It can't be Silverstone or either Spanish race, because they've all got very long contracts to run. Monza has just renewed its deal too, and I think Hungary is guaranteed for a few years yet. So in Europe at least that leaves Germany and Spa as the two most likely casualties. I don't want to see them go, and in my opinion it would be worse for the sport if two more classics went the way of San Marino and France, and BE hopefully knows that too.

So in that case I'd maybe put China and Turkey at risk too, just because of the low crowd numbers they seem to get there, and probably Canada, who seem to negotiate on a year by year basis. Out of those 3 I'd only miss Canada.

Any other thoughts?

The German GP has been a dumbed down affair since Tilke butchered a perfectly good track in 2002. I wouldn't miss the current ghost of Hockenheim in the slightest, but one can guarantee that the tracks of the future will be equally as bland, just like China and Bahrain and Turkey and Abu Dhabi and Singapore and Valencia have proven to be.

Andrew, I was just wondering what the earliest race in the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ archive is with live commentary? The earliest ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ live race that I have seen is the 1973 British Grand Prix. Are there any old Monaco races that can be used when it's time?

thanks
Huw

Fantastic selection, Andrew!

It HAS to be 1983 Long Beach.

John Watson won the race starting from 22nd place.

On top of that you get Gilles Villeneuve and Keke Rosberg having a terrific battle. You simply can't ask for more!

And don't worry, unlike the 1982 South African GP the TV director in Long Beach managed to actually catch the action.

Long Beach is my vote, but I'm looking forward to all of these.
Please could you show them on the Red Button TV listings page?
It was good of you not to mention ITV's infamous ad break during the climax of that Imola race! I hope the new rules bring some finishes like that one this year.

I think U.S. 05 because there were only six cars on the grid! two ferrari cars two jordan cars and two minardi cars!

if not that one i'd go for any french gp because i miss france

Portugal 85' please. San Marino 82' should've been one of the choices as well (I would love to see that race).

Long Beach '83 please! Although I've got to admit I hope there's a dead heat in votes and we get full highlights of all three races from the 1980's...Go on save yourselves the hassle of editing those 3 down and just wack the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ ident on the front of those 3 race highlights. Job done. ;)

Never been a fan of the American races, except Watkins Glen, but will vote for 1983 at Long Beach as i have never seen full footage of it, but have read lots about the race.

(Also looking forward to seeing San Marino 05 in the highlights section, a truly classic race. Hopefully you'll be able to show more San Marino Footage throughout the season - a truly great track in its original layout).

**Hopefully you'll be able to wedge these on Freeview too.**

Can't believe it, 40+ posts and no one's wondered off topic as yet. Could this be a first for the Classic Grand Prix blog!!

pacific 1995 would be my third choice!

another one could be ausria 2002

Hello Andrew hello everyone. I would like to see Portuguese grand prix of 1985. Ayrton Senna first win of his career in terrible wet conditions. It looked like he was driving on a river. In a era when there was no safety car going round drying the track.

I will vote for Imola 2005, on the condition that the last 3 laps of the race are NOT cut out.

That was frustrating!

US 1983 for me.

Orb (#40, 44, and 45). Please use your eyes before typing, and read, because the options are clearly stated. None of the races you put are options.

US West '83, Portugal '85 or Argentina '80, please. Don't mind which. All worthy choices and a full 'Grand Prix' programme to boot. Smashing!

Ah yes....2005.

Schumacher blows away 3rd place Button (even though the latter's car is underweight) and with 12 laps to go comes out of the pits right behind Alonso. He's over a second a lap faster than everyone else. I think most people, me included, are thinking "Ferrari's first win of the season".

And the laps count down....and down....and down....Alonso's hanging in there...

...and then ITV put in an advert break.

And, if memory serves me well, not even a short one. A break that seems to go on forever...

...muppets!

Long Beach 1983 please :)

Another one here who'd like to see Wattie's epic drive at Long Beach.

I'll vote for Argentina '80 in the hope that we get full highlights for this and Long Beach '83....

I agree wholeheartedly with LeighJW, Jones graced the sport with some stunning drives 78-81; possibly overlooked due to limited success in a short career, aside from his championship year.

Great choices this time around, thanks very much.

1983 sounds great

1985 Portugal if possible please.

Indianapolis 2007. Lewis versus Alonso.Lewis's second win.

yeah! maybe a mexico 1990

#57 and #58 need to learn how to read the opening post CORRECTLY.

D_M_N_ ignore orb, fairly sure they're doing it on purpose to annoy. If not, please read paragraphs three and four of the blog for instructions orb.

I'm too young to have seen the first three but going on the descriptions I'd quite like to see US 1983. Imola 2005 got a bit tedious and China last year was by no means a classic.

I'll be happy with any of these but i agree with #25 - PLEASE make sure these (and future Classics) are broadcast on Freeview, however late/early. It's too good a service not to continue with this series.

oh i get it! one of them three! i'll go for san marino 05!

USA please. I agree, being too young to remember a race is a great reason to want to see it.

Hi, My vote is for the 1983 US GP please.
On another note slightly off-topic, when are we going to see the 1981 to 2002 F1 Season Reviews on DVD? Do the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ have the rights to publish these? I along with many many F1 fans would love to see these reviews on DVD. You can get the execllent 1970 - 1980 seasons on DVD, but the 1981 to 2002 (with the exception of 2000) are only availabel on VHS and they are almost impossible to get! This must be a potential gold mine for whomever publishes these on DVD!
Thanks for the execllent blog.

Tempted by '85 for some Brazilian brilliance but it has to be '83 at Long Beach. Can't remember that one and it sounds like a cracker.

Damn hard choice as they all sound great, but I suppose 83 is the one that sounds the most exciting... So 83 is my choice :-)

Ooh, I could be greedy and ask for both '83 & '85 to be given the extended highlights treatment, but if you had to twist my arm it would have to be the '85 Portuguese GP - Senna on the path to becoming a legend, showing amazing car-control in treacherous conditions (much like another legend - Herr Schumacher) and doing so for one of the great F1 marques in the country of his forefathers must have been a really special moment in a monumental career. Long Beach is for my money is one of the great street circuits, so it would be nice to be reminded that it used to be great F1 circuit as well and what a place to win your final GP before Watsons career sadly declined (BTW whats happened to John and Andrews appearances on Inside F1?). This should act as a reminder to Bernie that F1 really needs a GP in the States and banish memories of the Indy '05 debacle.
Finally, please tell Rocco - ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Sport and the Red Button scheduler/s at least one showing on Freeview would be GREATLY appreciated and if anyone is unhappy with the poor Freeview coverage get in contact with ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Sport at:-

Many thanks :-)

Well both 1983 and 1985 are fantastic. The 1983 USA West Grand Prix gets my vote though. A magnificent John Watson drive. Portugal 1985 is my second choice. Estoril is one of my favourite GP circuits and it's a shame that it's no longer part of the F1 calender.

US 1983 please! Was following Formula 1 at the time but never got to see it, plus I was a Wattie fan.

Imola 2005. What a race! Alonso produces a mega drive to hold off Schumacher until ITV decides its time for a break! Can't remember the last time I screamed at the TV so much, idiots. Thank you ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ for bringing F1 home. :)

I quite like it when we have choices like this one that don't have to be at the country where the next race is. But in reality that's only because all the Chinese GPs were used up last year. I think it's a shame that there is a bias towards the countries that currently have races. Places like San Marino, Austria, USA etc. only get occasional chances to have a look-in. But since this is supposed to be about classic races I don't see why there needs to be a connection to the races currently on the calendar.

Also, Liam (#70) and anyone else thinking of saying San Marino 2005, don't! Read #20. We will get short highlights of this race anyway. And because it's an ITV race, we will still only get short highlights if it wins. It just means we will be depriving ourselves of long highlights at one of the other choices.

US '83 please, I wern't around to remember that one!

It has to be 2005 san marino gp.I mean come on look how Michael started hunting down the other cars.They were completely sitting ducks.If we clearing listen to commentary,Michael was 2 secs a lap faster than any body.Alonso could survive becoz he was the best after Michael and San Marino is a kind of track where overtaking is virtually impossible.Michael overtook 12 cars after producing series of qualifying laps.Even Alonso could not overtake Michael in the same race the very next year.I would rate this race as one of Michael;s finest race.

It has to be Long Beach 83, thanks for asking Andrew. These classic races are brilliant. Would love to see them re-run during down-time on ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ 3 or 4, as I think we all do, but I won't be too ungrateful as it's great to see them online.

1985 Portuguese Grand Prix, please. It sounds great to see the brilliant Ayrton Senna in action again and getting his first victory in F1.

I think Long Beach '83 should be the one. Apart from a reminder of how good the underrated Wattie could be, seeing some real overtaking would be an eye opener for some of our younger fans who have not seen very much of this phenomenon!

Estoril 1985. Also the site of David Coulthard's first F1 win ten years later.

Hi Andrew

This has been a hard choice, as you have listed three races that I have not seen. 1980 Argentina, 1983 US and 1985 Portugal.

I'm going to choose 1983 US.

Thanks for this.

Lordwoz

Few proposals for when this situation occurs again in Turkey. Estoril 1993 would be good, Hakkinen's first race in a McLaren, and what a race it was. The 1995 race was a good one too, Coulthard's first win as Mark Rogers mentioned above (did he put a stunning 2-in-1 overtake on Schumacher and a lapped Minardi that day? Or was that Villeneuve the year after?
Others I'd like to see:
Austria 1987-last GP on Osterreichring- 3 restarts due to startline crashes-pretty much the reason it lost its race.
San Marino 1982-always see the battle at the end but nothing before it.

Finally(sorry to go on), a question Andrew: Does the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ have any of the old non-championship F1 races that used to be held, like the Daily Express trophy? I've never come across any of them and it would be good to see them if you're ever struggling to find some classics that counted for the championship!

1983 US Grand Prix please!

Tough choice. Tempted by Argentina 80, and would be great to see Senna's amazing drive at Estoril in 85 but im gonna go for US 83, waching Watson and Lauda carve thier way through the feild would be cool.
Cant wait to watch em

Thanks
Chris

Portugal 1985, although Senna led most of it, it was a very good race with plenty going on due to the torrential rain and it was brilliant victory for a first win, completely outclassed all his rivals, it was a sign of things to come and something that had been on the cards since he joined Lotus.

1983 please. I'm not a McLaren fan but it sounds like a great race (I started watching around 1984/5...)

Thanks for offering us so many older races - spoilt for choice this time around.

I have a feeling that the 1957 german grand prix isnt on archive, but that is still probably the greatest drive in history.

83 US Long Beach sounds great, but I'd also love 2005 if it was in the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ era

I'm an Australian who has only ever seen Alan Jones driving V8 touring cars (and not particularly well either). I'd like to see him at his peek!

Otherwise I'm just as keen on US West '83 as everyone else. Though if we were picking our favourite US GP from the 80s, I'd love to see Martin Brundle's drive in the Tyrrell to 2nd in Detroit, where he was unjustly disqualified.

Long Beach '83 sounds good to me too

Sorry if this has been answered in a previous blog, but what's to stop the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ from broadcasting all the full highlights packages from ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ era races instead of selecting one out of three like in this instance? Surely this would considerably reduce editing time and keep viewers happy - even if it takes away the voting aspect!

STN, I've often wondered that too. It might be an agreement with Bernie and FOM and they've only paid to show a certain amount, or it could be a bandwidth thing. But they keep adding new races all the time and it's a drop in the ocean compared to the whole ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ site, so it probably isn't the latter. But I think there was at least one occasion where they let us have two full highlights (I think it might have been Australia 1994 and 1986).

The disadvantage to lumping the classic races together like this is that the standard of race is likely to be higher when they're not limiting themselves to races at the country of the next race. So Long Beach 1983 and Portugal 1985 might have both won in a normal contest, but one of them will be consigned to short highlights for ever as I doubt that a race that doesn't win the long highlights will ever be be put back into the competition again.

2005 San Marino Grand Prix.

I vote for '83 and it's clear that this race is going to win the vote. So therefore as '85 has a clear and notable second place, could this race be shown as well please?

US 83 thanks :)

I'd love to see 2005 Imola again for that classic encounter between Fernando and Michael, the former showing that he was now indeed the new top dog. My enjoyment of this race was ruined by the advert break and probably marked the death knell for ITV as a serious F1 broadcaster - just a pity it took another 4 years really!

Having said all that my vote would have to be for 1983 Long Beach. It's not often these days that we get to see a street race where two drivers fight their way from the back of the field to finish 1st and 2nd. Long Beach was a great street circuit for F1 and wouldn't it be great if Bernie decided to bring this back instead of lumbering us with yet another new street circuit in New York where overtaking is impossible and the race just totally dull, a la Valencia.

....of course I meant to say another 3 years! It seemed a whole lot longer than that when I was popping out to make half a dozen pots of tea during every GP!

US '83 sounds good. Always keen to see anything from the 80's or earlier and this looks like the best of the pick.

Argentina 1980 is by far the best of this bunch. From a statistical perspective the 1983 Long Beach GP may be more impressive, but Mclaren's win was more to do with the relative qualities of tyre compounds between manufacturers and between McLaren's qualifiers and their race tyres than any fantastic driving - there were lots of incidents, but it wasn't a great race. Senna's win at Portugal in the wet was hugely significant and a really brilliant drive in truly appaling conditions, but it was a pretty slow boring race. San Marino 2005 had an exciting couple of laps at the end but its nothing compared to Mansell & Senna at Monaco in 1992

Dijon '79

Monaco '83

Long Beach 83 please :)

Long Beach 83 looks like the best of that selection.

People have been talking about classic Estoril and Imola races; Estoril 97 was where Villeneuve got Schumacher around the outside of the final turn and got Murray all excited. I'd love to see that one again sometime this season.

I am also strangely curious to see Imola '94 highlights again. So much has been said about that day, but I can't remember the last time I actually saw the race. I understand if the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ won't show it for sensitivity reasons, tragedy that it was, but it is a huge event in F1 history and it would be interesting to see the coverage from the time. You may or mat not agree with me, but please don't interpret this as my wanting to 'enjoy' seeing that race again.

Or was it Estoril 96 actually...?