For those who aren’t sick of this Story!
Yeah, if you’re still reading my No Fenders
tome about Father and son racers, Y’all know it’s time to put this story to
Bed! As here goes the last handful of names I thought of when beginning this.
Which by All means, is not complete! Since I’m totally Overlooking some of
Roundy-rounds greats, i.e.; Earnhardt’s, Petty’s and Allison’s for starters. Or
Gurney and Hill, as in both Phil and Graham Hill, Oh Never Mind!
Jan Magnussen, better known as MAGS’, is
probably far better known for His long, illustrious Sports Car career. Becoming
synonymous with Corvette Racing’s Uber’ successful GT racing efforts, including
four Class wins at Le Mans. And now is winding down His racing career in LMP2
prototypes.
Yet MAGS’ actually began as a Formula 1 Pilote
racing briefly for McLaren, followed at Stewart Grand Prix. Before switching
Stateside to drive Indy Cars for El Capitano’, nee Roger Penske’s Marlboro Team
Penske outfit. Then moving to Hogan Penske Racing and capping off His brief IndyCar
spell at Patrick Racing.
MAGS’ son Kevin Bacon’ Magnussen is currently
in what presumably will be His final year with the Haas F1 Team’s second spell.
Having replaced the Fired Nikita Mazepin, also known as MazaSpin’, Youch! For
the 2022 Formula 1 season.
Kevin began His F1 career driving for McLaren
during His rookie campaign in 2014, before spending the following season as the
team’s Test and Reserve Driver. Then moving onto Renault for 2016, and His
first stint with Haas between 2017-20. Spending the 2021 season driving for
Chip Ganassi Racing’s IMSA Sports Car team, which I’d expect Kevin will return
to Sports Cars in 2025. Arse-sumedly in FIA World Endurance Championship or
IMSA GTP…
Gilles Villeneuve is a legend with a brief and
fiery F1 career, albeit losing His life behind the wheel of His iconic No. 27
rosso Ferrari at Zolder. Having just concluded another Grands Prix on Il Notre
Dam at circuit Gilles villenueve…
Whilst Gilles son Jaque Villeneuve is one of
only three drivers I can think of to have won both the Formula 1 (1997) and
IndyCar Championships! (1995) Along with winning the 1995 Indianapolis 500. And
then much later racing in the Daytona 500 and the FIA World Endurance
Championship.
Oh Yeah, how could I forget one of “Jaque
Vanilla”, a la Jacques Villeneuve’s biggest Arch nemesis? Michael and Mick
Schumacher, Eh? Uhm, I suppose since Der Terminator’, nee Michael Schumacher’s
been Asleep at the Wheel for over a decade now. Having just read that Michael’s
wife Corina’s spending an estimated $7.0 million Euros per year to care for
Michael, and continue having a glimmer of “Hope” that He’ll recover. What can I
say or write about Herr Schumacher, eh?
As Michael’s son Mick Schumacher still clings
to Dreams of returning to a Formula 1 cockpit after a brief stint with Haas F1
as Mazepin’s teammate. With Mick currently serving as Mercedes F1 Test and
Reserve driver, along with racing for Alpine in the FIA World Endurance
Championship. (WEC) Racing alongside Nicolas Lapierre and Matthieu Vaxiviere in
the No. 36 Alpine A424 (LMDH) Hybrid.
Whilst I believe that Michael featured as the
mystery Stig’ driver during one season of Top Gear? As in Stig Blomqvist, the
World Rally championship champion in 1984.
With son Tom “the Bomb!” Blomqvist, a being a rookie
IndyCar this season, albeit having been “Parked” following His first lap
accident in this year’s Indianapolis 500. Being replaced by David Malukas
beginning at Laguna Seca. And will apparently sit-out the remainder of the
season before returning to MSR’s rumoured Sports Car return next year…
And speakin’ of Rallying legends, I suppose I’d
be remiss for not mentioning el Matador’, aka Carlos Sainz, who at age 61, just
broke His previous record for Oldest winner of the Dakar! His fourth Dakar
victory, along with His two WRC titles!
Whilst His son Carlos Sainz Jr is currently
racing for la Scuderia in Formula 1. Although Sainz Jnr will be replaced by
Lewis Hamilton at Ferrari next year. While we wait to learn where the young
Spaniard lands next year in F1, albeit the Doors are closing quickly on 2025
options…
Alas, I’m afraid this riveting No Fenders post
could go on and on. Especially since when I first began typing this. I’d just
learned when recently completing my American Open Wheel Racing ladder feature
about Nicolas Giaffone, winner of the 2023 USF Juniors Championship. Whose
father Felipe Giaffone was the 2001 IRL Rookie Of the year. (ROY)
Whilst I most fondly recall Felipe being at an Indianapolis Mall the Babys R US store me Thinks? Shopping for son Nicolas when A.J. foyt called Him to qualify a third Foyt entry for the 2005 Indianapolis 500. Which He successfully bumped Arie Luyendyk Jr. from the field.
