Club Arnage

Club Arnage => General Discussion => Topic started by: BigH on July 10, 2003, 11:28:36 am



Title: Autosport
Post by: BigH on July 10, 2003, 11:28:36 am
As usual, Autosport dropped through my letter box this morning (no euphemisms here). What a complete roll of double-ply bathroom tissue this once great magazine has become. Next week, and from thereon, I'm afraid I'm going to have to set the dog on the knobbly waif that delivers it.
First of all F1. Even a man with a long and dedicated history of high frequency self abuse can see that F1 has been spiralling towards it's own rear end pretty well since Senna met his maker, and yet Autosport seems to reach new, uncharted levels of sycophancy every week. When one of the smug F1 inner sanctum members deigns to be interviewed, it's treated like an audience with the queen, the tricky questions aren't asked and political replies are allowed to be got away with.  Let's have some real journalism for chrissakes, to this reader it seems the Autosport staff are in F1's pockets. And does anyone find Bamber funny? he even manages to make his caricatures of Eccleston and Mosley flattering, again, a*se licking of the highest order. Let's see them try Chris Riddle, Steve Bell or Martin Rowson for a spell...
Closely linked with the kipper-like odour that hangs around their F1 reports (reminds me somewhat of how Motson's voice was used to make the Staring Championships in Big Train exciting) is the way that they have let sportscars and other series down. While fans have been switching off F1, and if they haven't, then the doctor in charge should switch them off, Autosport should have been championing these other series, where real racing is still going on, without the prima-donnas, ridiculous prices, lack of fan access, stupid security etc. It wouldn't be difficult to turn a disgruntled F1 fan into a 'blimey, did you see that!!' sportscar or GT fan.
Unfortunately, their LM report lived down to the rest of their standards. Let's have some imagination here lads, presumably you're paid a salary. LM is the biggest race involving British fans on the calendar, by a long chalk. Yet the track has been gradually emasculated year by year. We've had stupid chicanes, that ridiculous section before the esses (designed no doubt by the bastard cloned spawn of Salvador Dali and Billy Smart), unnecessary concrete walls etc etc. Now the fair, which was an integral part of the whole fixture has been pretty well castrated. Have Autosport made any attempt to give this an airing? My A*se. They should be trying to embarrass the ACO and start telling it like it is.
I could go on, but it's pill time, and then I'm off. This time tomorrow, with a bit of luck, I should be nearing the top of Scafell, ready for a Stella and hopefully not a copy of Autosport in sight...
H


Title: Re:Autosport
Post by: saveloy on July 10, 2003, 11:36:11 am
H
I agree whle-heartedly with your comments, I was under the immpression that Autosport has become more like the sun   (wash my mouth out!!!) on a weely basis. Also it's owned by the git heseltine, once known as 'arzon. As for cartoonist, how about the great Paul Sample. he of Bike mag fame.
SAV


Title: Re:Autosport
Post by: Rhino on July 10, 2003, 11:49:55 am
Yep does seem to be wall to wall F1 drivel


Title: Re:Autosport
Post by: Andy Zarse on July 10, 2003, 12:38:16 pm
You have hit the nail on the head. I did wonder why I got no pleasure from reading the le mans report in Autosport this year. Even tho they changed the cover heading to british racing green, it was very weak journalism. And the annual guide to Le Mans seems to be a reprint of the previous yeras effort. I don't know why I still buy it, tradition I suppose.

Give my regards to good old Scafell, I havent been up it for years, f'nah f'nah. I expect it will be foggy/raining as usual.


Title: Re:Autosport
Post by: Russ on July 10, 2003, 12:52:50 pm
Excellent rant BigH!!!

Just think how much worse you'd felt if you'd had to treck all the way down to the corner shop to pick the Mag up!!!

I can feel your blood boiling at the thought of it!  

The copy I purchased in early June came with two copies of the LM suppliment... It made the purchase a little easier in the value for money stakes... imagine my horror when I realised I'd already read the second copy just moment before! B*STARDS!!!

I hope for MRI's sake that you've never paid them for Hospitality!!

R.


Title: Re:Autosport
Post by: Ruptured Duck Motorsport on July 10, 2003, 02:07:32 pm
For what little good it will do, have you let Autosport know about this?

It may make a difference, or they may suffer from Blair-ism, where they feel that they are above public opinion.  A rare complaint also suffered by a certain Mr Ecclestone  ;D


Title: Re:Autosport
Post by: pretzel on July 10, 2003, 02:16:41 pm
I hope for MRI's sake that you've never paid them for Hospitality!!

I'm hoping that he has (although from BigH's previous posts he doesn't strike me as someone who would use them unless there was no alternative).

The more these agencies are exposed for the poor quality, high priced 'service' they provide the better.


Title: Re:Autosport
Post by: BigH on July 10, 2003, 02:37:43 pm
Use MRI? Good God no!
I was catigated a while ago on 10 10ths for suggesting that they should be dragged yelping like dogs into the middle of the road and horsewhipped. Maybe a little harsh, I grant you.

I can't for a moment believe that they could run out drinks on the Saturday by accident. It was obviously a plan (If it wasn't, should you be letting people at this eye-watering level of incompetance handle your hard earned cash?), and it's an indication of the amount of respect they show the average punter. These b*stards are trying to buy our tickets for next year as we speak.

Didn't some herbert come on this site earlier in the year extolling the virtues and good value of MRI, before teams Zarse and Harper exposed him as a thinly disguised crock-of-sh*t agent of theirs? Some of their proof was a little tenuous (but good enough for me) if I remember correctly, resting somewhat on cunningly constructed codes, algorithms and anagrams.
Where is he now?

That's it, PC off, boots on...
H


Title: Re:Autosport
Post by: Fax on July 10, 2003, 06:41:30 pm
Hi H,
I couldn't agree more about Autosport. I was going to post  something before regarding what a piece of tabloid, fluff, crap, birdcage liner it's become. I subscribed to it from 1979 till 1997 but I couldn't take what it had become anymore. Does someone actually get paid to write that crap? seriously, how many David vows to fight back, David says this is the year, headlines can they use? How about "David just shut up!" It used to be such a brilliant read but its just a waste of paper now. As a good friend of mine, who used to live and work in New York said "I used to read it on the train to & from Manhattan every day, now I would be embarassed to be seen reading it."


Title: Re:Autosport
Post by: Andy on July 11, 2003, 01:10:40 am
the last couple of years have become dumb numb brain journalism. i could write up a better prologue for the teams the event and the atmosphere the autosort mag tries to paint. why cant they write it how it is for the fans. the prequal is a good start, we have better feedback from PM and rick from PQ than than autosport.
are we just buying it for a whos who in what car? i bet we do. there was a time we did have some interesting snipets to get you revved up before our landing at LM.
so all at Autosport read these posts and write something interesting articles on LM and NOT DAILY STAR DRIBBLE


Title: Re:Autosport
Post by: Bobblehat on July 11, 2003, 11:23:07 am
Freinds of mine who work in F1 call Autosport "The Comic" that I think sums it up.



Title: Re:Autosport
Post by: mgmark on July 11, 2003, 07:58:05 pm
Great rants guys - but write and express the opinions to the editor by snail mail or e-mail now - they presumably do not deign to visit the club arnage forum.   Having just done so, the only e-mail contact I can find on the site is the "Ask Nigel" feature, but as that is supposed to be Nigel Roebuck, the GP Editor, it should hit the right spot.


Title: Re:Autosport
Post by: Fax on July 11, 2003, 09:43:31 pm
All of this banter about the decline of Autosport got me thinking.
I've got boxes of old issues sitting in the attic, decided last night to go dig one out to compare to the current rag. just randomly pulled one out. Dated Sept 10, 1981 the cover headline: Lees is F2 Champ. (with photo of Geoff & his Ralt)  The smaller text, full report from Misano, Manx rally preview, Didier Pironi interview.
All dignified stuff, clearly written by adults, for adults.
Fax


Title: Re:Autosport
Post by: Andy Zarse on July 17, 2003, 04:28:59 pm
Jesus! I've just seen todays copy of Autosport in the newsagaent! Have you seen how much it costs for an issue of this increasingly flacid weakly (sic) organ. Have a look and surprise yourself.


Title: Re:Autosport
Post by: Mr. Rick on July 17, 2003, 06:03:44 pm
I can be all smug here and say that I cancelled my sub to Autospurt back in 2001, and yes I wrote to them and told them why (not that they would give a hoot I'm sure).

Things came to a head when, for the first time in about 10 years, there hadn't been a clashing procession of overpaid whingers on the same weekend as Lemons.

Bentley on their return finished 3rd, so I was anticipating a huge splash on the front page, shouting out to the masses in the newsagents around the country about "our" great race.

But no!!! There was a picture of Montoya and Schumi (R.) who apparently had had a row about a cup of tea or something. That was it!!

Threw ALL my toys out of the pram, stamped my little feet and vowed never to buy the useless rag ever again, and I am proud to say that I haven't. Haymarket have an absolute monoply of the printed motorsport press in the UK and they take full advantage, and I totally agree that they are indeed the "Sun" of motorsport journalism (with apologies to my old school chum Gary Watkins, who does his utmost to keep sportscar coverage up to scratch, but I fear the editorial top drawer is filled with bean counters and F1 sycophants.

Bleedin' open-wheeled rubbish!!!

Right, now which cupboard did I get this soapbox out from...........

Cheers

Rick


Title: Re:Autosport
Post by: krt917 on July 21, 2003, 12:05:53 am
I agree with the sentiment here, but - for fear of being shot down in flames - would like to make a couple of points!

Firstly, I think that there are still journalists on Autosport's staff, such as Mr Roebuck, who do realise that there are serious things wrong with F1 and who have said so. Secondly, whether we like it or not F1 is the thing that gets most of the general public excited. Personally, it drives me nuts that F1 is seen as being so important and I've always preferred Sportscars, but most seem to think differently and it's not surprising that Autosport try and cater fore the greatest number.

Having said all that of course, I would love to see a more balanced (more Sportscars, more historics etc.) approach from them and was shocked to see the Bentley having to share front-cover space with the Canandian GP - not even a full cover for goodness sake!

It would probably help if there was a proper World Sportscar Championship again, but I suppose that's another story.... :'(


Title: Re:Autosport
Post by: Kpy on July 21, 2003, 08:18:40 am
Freinds of mine who work in F1 call Autosport "The Comic" that I think sums it up.



Autosport and Motoring News have beeeen called "the comics" for all of the 40 plus years that I've been involved in motor sport. It was an affectionate term then ........... Unfortunately they are aimed at a very young audience these days.
Saveloy - Heseltine has had no connection with Autosport for a VERY long tme - he sold Haymarket when the Tories were still in power. DO keep up dear boy!


Title: Re:Autosport
Post by: JonM on June 04, 2004, 11:46:12 pm
I admit (confess?) that I still religiously buy Autosport every week but I find that large chunks of it remain unread a week later when the next issue is religiously brought home. Until now, I had not really analysed whether my interest in the sport that had declined or whether the mag was simply not such a good read any more. Many of your comments encouraged me to examine the reality for the first time and I have to agree that the standards of journalism and general readability have definitely declined in recent years.
I still rate the writing of Nigel Roebuck but even he is beginning to p155 me off a bit. The political comment (I buy the Daily Mail if I want to read anti-Blair rants), the smokers rights nonsense (what about heroin addicts and glue sniffers rights ?) and the endless “off-the-record” F1 team employee quotes being referred to as murmurs.(“Michael likes to win races” a team member murmured, “Juan Pablo can be a bit wild” a team member murmured, “F1 has become a dull joke” a senior FIA man murmured).
Also, has anyone ever seen them write something critical of the bewigged money-grabbing midget who runs the show. I know that they receive lots if letters about this because my friends and myself write to them on this subject frequently.
So Autosport has become a bit of a joke but what is the alternative ?


Title: Re:Autosport
Post by: smokie on June 05, 2004, 08:47:15 am
Kpy well done for reviving a year old thread!

Although I have a sense of deja vu on reading it...didn't someone start a similar one earlier this week?


Title: Re:Autosport
Post by: BigH on June 05, 2004, 03:34:59 pm
That's a good post Jon,
Do what I did at the date of my first post, and just stop buying the damn rag. After a couple of weeks you won't miss it, honest! Your view of F1 will become more realistic as well, seeing as you won't be taking in the steady drip of weekly indoctrination. I feel much better for it, I really do, and my wedding tackle has also increased in size, as an added bonus.
By 'more realistic', I mean it becomes very obvious what a shambles the whole F1 thing is. The MacDonaldisation of what was a good formula.
And another thing, a more balanced and adult coverage of the sport in general would be bound to help young drivers in the sport. I often think what a shame it is to see some very talented drivers stood in the 'test driver' shadows of F1. Let the prima donnas test for chrissakes, and spread the talent around a bit.
I'm not sure about Roebuck either. Ok, he can spell, and probably doesn't use crayons, but he's much too sycophantic. If he truly feels the way that he sometimes 'suggests' (he never actually comes out with straight to the bone criticism) then why is he still working there? He's part of the whole malaise if you ask me. If he's a mouthpiece, then he should be talking not mumbling.
Ah well, I was in a good mood till then...

But the race!!! 'kinnell we're nearly there!! Like a few others on this site I've some serious midnight oil to burn before I get going, but batsignal-like, I can see that cold beer and far away field in my minds eye (I haven't been able to see out of my Japs eye for years).

Taxing the car this morning, I realised that it will be it's 40th birthday on Friday, so maybe I'll buy it a little pressie, an extra case of 1664 seems a good idea. I'm sure there'll be plenty more 'Browns Lane' action next week...Mind you, a short silence and toast to absent friends (The Commer) will have to be made. And maybe it'll be the time to unveil a bugle solo I've been working on. Just make sure no-one's smoking nearby or dressed in their Sunday best...
Oi, grindstone, p*ss off!!
H


Title: Re:Autosport
Post by: Kpy on June 05, 2004, 04:34:10 pm
Kpy well done for reviving a year old thread!


I didn't - look at the date on my post 2003! Lord knows where that came from.


Title: Re:Autosport
Post by: Robbo SPS on June 05, 2004, 06:22:05 pm
I buy Autosport once a year, and its complete rubbish. Its a waste of paper. If the special handout wasnt there i would demand my money back.



Title: Re:Autosport
Post by: smokie on June 05, 2004, 07:04:58 pm
Oops, Jon was the reviver...


Title: Re:Autosport
Post by: JonM on June 06, 2004, 06:28:25 pm
That's me as sharp and on the ball as ever   :)


Title: Re:Autosport
Post by: Fax on June 06, 2004, 07:39:50 pm
As I've mentioned before I subscribed to it for a couple of decades before finally throwing in the towel on it about five or six years ago.  It went from being a no-nonsense enthusiast read to tabloid garbage.  Most of the current crop of writers know as much about the history of the sport as my friend's six year old daughter.   Regarding Nigel Roebuck.  There was a time when I thought he was one of the best motor racing journalist in world, right there with Jabby Crombac and Jenks but something wierd has happened to him over the past ten years.  He clearly thinks that his opinion on eveything, motor racing related or not, really matters.  And he's never been able to give straightforward unbiased reporting of the sport.  His views are so clouded by who he's in with and more importantly, who's in favor with him.  He used to bleat on endlessly about Gilles Villeneuve mostly because he had his nose so far up Gilles ass he could have checked him for colon polyps.  If you listened to Roebuck, GV was some kind of saint, which he clearly was not.  His villafication of Didier Pironi over the past twenty some years has been nothing short of criminal.  As I said, the drivers who are in favor with him are the greatest guys he knows.  He'll go on and on about what a great bloke Gerhard Berger is but I know several people who know and have worked or dealt with him and to a man they say Berger's one of the biggest ass-holes to ever walk the planet.  Jenks used to be able to give a honest, unbiased view of the sport and the participants involved, Roebuck clearly can't.
 John


Title: Re:Autosport
Post by: mgmark on June 06, 2004, 10:39:19 pm
Go back to Motor Sport days with DSJ.   Now that was real writing from the heart about motor sport by a world champion and Mille Miglia winner!  Shame that today's crop cannot afford to be as honest as DSJ was.