Hey, How Many Tried, How Many Failed

[Dick Ralstin]

Formula I has named a World's Driving Champion since 1950.

Since 1950 how many Formula I World's Driving Champions have tried to win the Indianapolis 500??????

Name those who tried, and FAILED to, win the Indianapolis 500.



There are only three things in life worthwhile, a cocktail before and a nap afterword.

[grogg]

Jack Brabham
Alberto Ascari (sp)
Pedro Rodriguez (failed to make the race)
Jackie Stewart
Jochen Rindt
Dennis Hulme
Nelson Piquet
Nigel Mansell

[Doctorindy]

I never take part in these trivia threads (wouldn't be fair ), but I'll try this one...

The one who won are easy...these did not win

Alberto Ascari
Jack Brabham
Jackie Stewart
Denis Hulme
Jochen Rindt
Nelson Piquet
Nigel Mansell

[Niseguy]

what about Mario?? He won before being F-1 champ.

Fangio came one or 2 years and didn't make the field.

[ZOOOM]

You guys missed the most prominent:

Fangio!
He tried in a Ferrari, and I believe a Mercedes W125 owned by Don Lee of Cadillac fame........
Didn't Farina also try to qualify?
ZOOOM

[Dick Ralstin]

Gentlemen, as of 4:05 pm mdt no one has come up with answers to the questions: How many World's Formula I Driving Champions have tried to win the Indianapolis 500??????

Name those who have tried and FAILED.

My poor old cigarette and alcohol ridden brain tells me there have been 14 World's Formula I Driving Champions who have at least practiced for the Indianapolis 500.

Only five Formula I World's Driving Champions have managed to ever win the Indianapolis 500 --- which means The answer to the past part will contain nine names ---- I think, at least I hope.



There are only three things in life worthwhile, a cocktail before and a nap afterword

[D-Type]

Something wrong there:

(1) A Mercedes Benz W125 had a 5.66 litre supercharged engine so it wouldn't have been eligible.
(2) In 1950-51, Fangio drove for Alfa Romeo, in 1952-53 for Maserati and in 1954-55 for Mercedes Benz - all rivals to Ferrari. I cannot see any of them releasing him to drive for Ferrari.
(3) The only factory Ferrari at Indianapolis was the Ascari car in 1952. There was a later Bardahl sponsored Ferrari-based car, but this was a very privateer effort which fangio never came near.

In 1957 Fangio was the subject of an article in Life magazine where he said that Indianapolis was so specialised and the cars so different from road-racing machinesthat it would be difficult for him to race there competitively without a great deal of practice, which his busy schedule would not allow. This prompted Floyd Clymer to make what has been described as a vicious attack on him in that year's Indianapolis yearbook.

The following year the 47-year old Fangio passed his Rookie test with a lap at 142.8 mph, a speed comparable to that year's qualifying speeds, in a Dayton Steel Foundry Special. He was not satisfied with the standard of preparation of the three year old car and considered it unraceworthy. He therefore took advantage of conflicting fuel contracts to withdraw his entry.

He was entered for the Monza Two Worlds race in a Dean Van Lines Special where he set a 171 mph qualifying lap as compared to Musso's 174 mph pole speed. Due to mechanical troubles he was only able to start the third heat but soon retired when two pistons broke up.

I also read somewhere that it later turned out that the Dayton car had a cracked chassis which explained its poor handling. Can anybody confirm this?

I don't know enough about the Floyd Clymer comments and fangio's response to commentonit, all I can say with any certainty is the bare facts listed above.

[3-wide]

Nino Farina, the 1950 champion, made two attempts to make Indy and failed both times.

I also recall that another (pre-1950, I think) world champion tried to make Indy and was seriously injured in a crash and that Tony Hulman provided his home for the driver to recover and it led to a life-long friendship.

Was it Rudolph Carraciola?

[Dick Ralstin]

Hey D-Type,

So what is your problem, Fangio passed his rookie test and ran enough laps to find the car was unsatisfactory.



There are only three things in life worthwhile, a cocktail before and a nap afterword.

[Norman J Crump]

Nino Farina, the 1950 champion, made two attempts to make Indy and failed both times.

I also recall that another (pre-1950, I think) world champion tried to make Indy and was seriously injured in a crash and that Tony Hulman provided his home for the driver to recover and it led to a life-long friendship.

Was it Rudolph Carraciola?

The World Championship only began in 1950, Farina was the first champion.

In answer to Dick's question, our 9 World Champion failures have all been mentioned, haven't they?

Farina
Fangio
Ascari
Stewart
Hulme
Rindt
Mansell
Piquet
Brabham

Of course, the 5 successes were Hill, Clark, Andretti, Villeneuve and Fittipaldi.

[Dick Ralstin]

Hey Norman J. Crump,

You have just hit one over the fence and out of the ballpark.

Congratulations, of course this just means your answer coincides with mine, and, believe it or not, I have been known to make a mistake ---- I believe the last one I made June 14 or 15 in 1954.

Anyhow I'll bet we get someone who will disagree and if so I'll tell them to contact Norman J. Crump, if that's alright with you.



There are only three things in life worthwhile, a cocktail before and a nap afterwrods.

[STAND E]

How many attempted the Indy 500 after becoming F1 champion and how many attempted before?

[drtuba]

How many attempted the Indy 500 after becoming F1 champion and how many attempted before?

After becoming WDC:

Farina
Fangio
Brabham
Hill
Fittipaldi
Piquet
Mansell

Before becoming WDC:

Ascari
Stewart
Rindt
Villeneuve

Both before and after:

Clark
Hulme
Andretti

Ascari (1952), Clark (1963), and Hulme (1967) made their first attempts at Indy the same year they won their first championships.