FEATURE
SPEED IN GRAND PRIX RACING
P64
all, but was dropped from the
calendar in 1977.
Top of the list thereafter were
Spa – especially the old 8.74-
mile circuit last used in 1978
(Yamaha rider Johnny Cecotto's
pole time of 138.169 mph is GP
racing's fastest-ever lap). Aus-
tria's fearsome Salzburgring was
a close second; Hockenheim
was faster, but at least riders
weren't skimming the guardrail
or brushing against rock-faces
there. Several other now defunct
tracks had at least one fifth-or
even sixth-gear corner that set
the heart racing and separated
the men from the boys. They in-
clude the old Assen, Silverstone
and Paul Ricard, as well as turn
one at Imola, and the road track
at Brno. And even the old first
corner at Le Mans. Randy Ma-
mola recalls an awesome race
there in 1979, his second podi-
um as a rank rookie. "It was real
fast – back one gear. I have a
picture somewhere of me pinch-
ing Kenny Roberts on the ass
going through that turn."
But Spa was The Place, and
1977 was The Race.
GP rookie Parrish was Barry
Sheene's teammate on the Su-
zuki, and was fifth after coming
off worst in a battle with Steve
"I'm proud that I raced at
that time – not that I feel
I'm a hero." - Randy Mamola
