Happy Birthday Mr Andretti

[oldbike54]

 Mario turned 76 today . Arguably the greatest racing driver ever .

 Dusty

[Joliet Jim]

Most famous words in Indy racing. "Andretti is slowing down"  great driver but hard on race cars

My favorite, happy birthday.

[bad Chad]

Mine too.   The cream of the crop!

[Gliderjohn]

Beside his driving skills he just plain has class.
GliderJohn

[kirkemon]

Mario turned 76 today . Arguably the greatest racing driver ever .

 Dusty

I agree.
Some would argue that his F1 team mate, Ronnie Peterson, was actually  the better driver, and only because of team orders did Mario win the championship.

[oldbike54]

I agree.
Some would argue that his F1 team mate, Ronnie Peterson, was actually  the better driver, and only because of team orders did Mario win the championship.

 Yes , there is that . My assessment of Mario is not simply based on his f1 championship . Mario also won in sprint cars , champ cars , stock cars ,and sports cars .

 Dusty

[tazio]

Tazio Nuvolari.
 
  and happy birthday Mr.Mario!

[oldbike54]

Tazio Nuvolari.
 
  and happy birthday Mr.Mario!

 So that's where Tazio came from 

 Dusty

[LowRyter]

First time I saw Mario on the track was the 1985 Indy 500.  Mario was considered the favorite but Danny Sullivan was faster.  Sullivan spun but still won, Mario got "smoked" and finished 2nd.

IMO, Mario was greatest race driver in my lifetime.  He won the Daytona 500, Indy 500, F1 World Championship, Sebring 12 hrs, dirt tracks, Pike's Peak.  If it had a steering wheel, he won: Indy Car, Stock Car, F1 Car, midget, sprint, Championship dirt car, prototype sport cars, Can AM cars, F5000 cars.

IIRC he took Kenny Roberts Yamaha 500 GP bike for a few laps at Laguna and he was  fast enough to qualify for the GP.  (someone might check that).

[LowRyter]

I agree.
Some would argue that his F1 team mate, Ronnie Peterson, was actually  the better driver, and only because of team orders did Mario win the championship.

He and Ronnie were very good friends.  Mario took Ronnie on vacation when he was in America.  Micheal Andretti was very fond of him and was really broken up from Ronnie's death.

I disagree with your statement.  First, Mario developed the ground effect Lotus (the very first ground effects racer) and was lead driver.  Mario was well ahead in the championship.  There was one race that Mario has trouble late in the race and Ronnie followed him for 2nd and preserved Mario's victory.

And tragically Ronnie was killed at Monza at the same race that Mario won the world championship.  Ironically, in 1961 Phil Hill (the only other American World Champion) won his title at Monza after his teammate Wolfgang von Trips was killed there.

[oldbike54]

 John , I have read or heard the Kenny Roberts story . One of those things that might hard to prove or disprove . Anyone know for certain ? Dan Gurney was a very capable rider , and John Surtees is the only f1 car and GP motorcycle champion ... ever . Damon Hill raced vintage motorbikes at a very high level after his f1 career . OOPS , I'll shut up now 

 Dusty

[oldbike54]

 OK , one more thing , Michael Andretti and Nicky Hayden did the corporate vehicle swap when Nicky was still racing Superbikes in America for Honda , and Michael was driving the Honda powered Lola in CART . Kind of a tradition .

 Dusty

[LowRyter]

well how about Marco and Dani?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=10Q8xlIQVRU

[oldbike54]

well how about Marco and Dani?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=10Q8xlIQVRU

 Is that real , or a creation of editing ?

 Dusty