F1 Quiz Chain

[Mystery Steve]

You'll have to give me some time to think of a good question. However, for the sake of keeping this thing going, if I don't post a question within 24 hours of this post then I will open it up for anyone who has a good question.

[Mystery Steve]

OK, I'm fairly new to F1 so coming up with a good question is somewhat difficult for me as any information is new information to me. This might be an easy Google, but is hopefully interesting:

What car, developed two scores ago, had a unique layout but was never raced? Why?

[Sebp]

Lotus 56B? It had a gas turbine as power plant.



Colin Chapman had one made for the 1970 Italian Grand Prix. It wasn't raced that weekend. Firstly because Lotus didn't want to jeopardise Jochen Rindt's title hopes and secondly because Rindt tragically died in qualifying.

It ultimately had some race outings in 1971, so I'm not sure.

[Mystery Steve]

Interesting car, but not the one I'm thinking of... you're getting warmer with Lotus, though.

[Sebp]

Lotus 88, twin chassis?
But that was developed only 30 years ago.

[hellworks]

It is the 4 wheel drive version of the Lotus 49 - designated Lotus 63. Designed by Colin Chapman and Maurice Phillip it used the Fergueson designed transmission system.

[Mystery Steve]

Lotus 88, twin chassis?
But that was developed only 30 years ago.

Oops .... bonus points for getting this right despite my inability to do basic math in my head. Yes, the Lotus 88 was a twin chassis with the aero components attached directly to the hubs. The mechanical components were then sprung with much softer springs. The car was protested and banned before it ran.

My apologies for the error. Being 23, you would think I would have caught that one...

[Sebp]

Let's see, I'm trying to phrase this question so it isn't too easy.

There was an odd occurrence that delayed the start of the race I'm looking for. Part of the track had to be soaked with water at the drivers' request to make it safer(!) to race on. Where and when did this happen?

[CMSMJ1]

A fire in the Loews? Hotel at Monaco. The resulting fire fighting antics in the building left leaks into the tunnel..

So, to wash away the extinguisher goo they wanted water on the track.

The when..hmm..before my full time watching as I was too young..so got to guess 1982??


Could google it...but I'll leave that to you other guys

[Sebp]

Not quite what I'm looking for. Didn't know about that story though. I'll drop a hint later today...

[CMSMJ1]

lol..oh well.

I'll have a think on

[Sebp]

So, as promised:
CMSMJ1 is quite close to the answer. Correct track, wrong year. Plus, think about what happens when it really pours in the principality...

[matt21]

Monaco 1981

[Sebp]

It didn't rain in '81.

Is anyone still digging or should I post the answer?

[CMSMJ1]

I cannot recall anything apart from maybe sea on the track at tabac in ..err..hmm..1955??