Nowadays we talk a lot about the pace of change in all walks of life. It seems to me, though, that the era when there was the greatest amount of change in automobile racing was the 70s. I am basically talking about the tremendous volume of changes that had a lasting effect on racing.
Commercially, there was consolidation of sponsorship in Formula 1 and all other disciplines of racing. In 1970, a good number of GP teams had some form of commercial sponsorship, however, all teams were sponsored by 1979. Commercial sponsorship not only provided money to teams, but also made racing commercially interesting and sellable on TV, and TV made things more interesting to sponsors. Broadcasting also expanded greatly during the decade, especially in the third world. Thus, by the end of the decade, Bernie Ecclestone in F1 and NASCAR in F1 had began to expand live TV coverage of racing events. The early days of cable TV also provided more outlets and programming needs.
Turbocharging, although widely used in Indy car racing in the USA, began to be used in European racing on the early part of the decade. By 1979, a Renault powered F1 car had won its first event, by which time turbo engined cars were the rule in prototype and sports car racing.
It was also during the decade that circuit safety was taken seriously, through the efforts of many GP drivers such as Joakin Bonnier, Jackie Stewart and Emerson Fittipaldi. This lead to the death of the Nurburgring's Nordschleife as a GP venue. Additionally, the long Nurburgring was not suitable for TV coverage. This affected circuit design, and greatly reduced the number of motorsport deaths in the decades to come
In the USA, the old style USAC racing gave way to CART, which was founded in 1979. The new style Indycar racing, which lasts to this day, lessened the importance of oval tracks in American single seater racing.
Talking about old style, during the 70s, the Targa Florio was finally removed from the World Championship of Makes, although the race continue to be staged for a few more years. True road racing became a thing of the past, although rallyes thrived.
A lot of traditional races such as Vila Real in Portugal, and Chimay in Belgium, became things of the past, and in fact, a lot of old style circuits, such as Crystal Palace in London and Tulln Langelebarn in Austria were closed for racing, while a number of modern circuits sprouted all over Europe and Worldwide, patterned after Paul Ricard, in France. The Tasman series, which achieved such prominence in the 60's, morphed into a regional series, which did not attract much in terms of international talent.
Formula 1 reached Asia for the first time in 1976, and Brazil became a force in racing, with a world champion (Emerson Fittipaldi) and a world Championship round. Non-championship Formula 1 races, fairly common early on the decade, also diminished into almost oblivion by the end of the decade.
Technologically speaking, the first steps in computer aided design were taken, these also being were the first day's of telemetry. The importance of aerodynamics in race car design also increased during the decade, and so did the use of wind tunnels. Whereas early on the decade cars were mostly designed by a single man, late in the decade design by committee was used in some corners.
In 1970, GP drivers' earnings were not very substantial, which lead them to accept as many engagements as possible. By 1979, many drivers were paid hefty retainers in Formula 1, and could actually afford to race exclusively in the category.
Commercially, there was consolidation of sponsorship in Formula 1 and all other disciplines of racing. In 1970, a good number of GP teams had some form of commercial sponsorship, however, all teams were sponsored by 1979. Commercial sponsorship not only provided money to teams, but also made racing commercially interesting and sellable on TV, and TV made things more interesting to sponsors. Broadcasting also expanded greatly during the decade, especially in the third world. Thus, by the end of the decade, Bernie Ecclestone in F1 and NASCAR in F1 had began to expand live TV coverage of racing events. The early days of cable TV also provided more outlets and programming needs.
Turbocharging, although widely used in Indy car racing in the USA, began to be used in European racing on the early part of the decade. By 1979, a Renault powered F1 car had won its first event, by which time turbo engined cars were the rule in prototype and sports car racing.
It was also during the decade that circuit safety was taken seriously, through the efforts of many GP drivers such as Joakin Bonnier, Jackie Stewart and Emerson Fittipaldi. This lead to the death of the Nurburgring's Nordschleife as a GP venue. Additionally, the long Nurburgring was not suitable for TV coverage. This affected circuit design, and greatly reduced the number of motorsport deaths in the decades to come
In the USA, the old style USAC racing gave way to CART, which was founded in 1979. The new style Indycar racing, which lasts to this day, lessened the importance of oval tracks in American single seater racing.
Talking about old style, during the 70s, the Targa Florio was finally removed from the World Championship of Makes, although the race continue to be staged for a few more years. True road racing became a thing of the past, although rallyes thrived.
A lot of traditional races such as Vila Real in Portugal, and Chimay in Belgium, became things of the past, and in fact, a lot of old style circuits, such as Crystal Palace in London and Tulln Langelebarn in Austria were closed for racing, while a number of modern circuits sprouted all over Europe and Worldwide, patterned after Paul Ricard, in France. The Tasman series, which achieved such prominence in the 60's, morphed into a regional series, which did not attract much in terms of international talent.
Formula 1 reached Asia for the first time in 1976, and Brazil became a force in racing, with a world champion (Emerson Fittipaldi) and a world Championship round. Non-championship Formula 1 races, fairly common early on the decade, also diminished into almost oblivion by the end of the decade.
Technologically speaking, the first steps in computer aided design were taken, these also being were the first day's of telemetry. The importance of aerodynamics in race car design also increased during the decade, and so did the use of wind tunnels. Whereas early on the decade cars were mostly designed by a single man, late in the decade design by committee was used in some corners.
In 1970, GP drivers' earnings were not very substantial, which lead them to accept as many engagements as possible. By 1979, many drivers were paid hefty retainers in Formula 1, and could actually afford to race exclusively in the category.
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