1993 NIGEL MANSELL INDIANAPOLIS 500 ROOKIE ORIENTATION TEST

[@chrisallison4175]

Couldn't agree more. I met him at Laguna Seca in 1994, last race in his short CART career. He was one of the friendliest drivers I have ever met. He was outside his RV eating a sandwich before qualifying and a crowd of fans began to gather. He said to someone from his security staff who was trying to disperse the crowd - "Open the damn gates and let these people in." With a genuine smile, he welcomed each and every person waiting to see him. He asked each person their name and handed each an autographed, beautiful glossy Newmann-Haas print. While eating his sandwich and keeping the line of fans moving along, he was happy to chat or answer a question or two. He was just a really friendly personable gentleman. I was trying to get Mario's autograph on the same flyer all day. Let's just say it was the complete opposite of my experience with Nigel and leave it at that.

[@brandspro]

1992 British Grand Prix, everyone - but the mechanics - were gone, but Mansell was in the paddock playing with the children of fans and having a great time laughing with them. Finally he set off on his paddock bike to the camping site on the inside of Stowe where his caravan was. That’s where he stayed for the GP weekend…in a little caravan in the infield.

[@mailson4526]

It was so interesting see a F1 World Champion going to Indy to a top team and build up so much tension and antecipation for his performance. 1993 was a great year for Indy.

[@AlonsoRules]

then 3 years later, it turned into a disgrace

[@ostihpem]

1993 was maybe the peak year for Indycars. From there it could have had conquered the world.

[@chrisallison4175]

Truly Great year.

[@walnutpearl]

i love how they call a former F1 king a rookie

[@kellienicolebrooksschettin6598]

I as a racer, and a fan of Nigel I tend to forget what he did here in America,I was off racing motocross,he one me as a fan for his F1 racing skill,but I can't tell you how much mental strength it took to get into a new situation,car ,Indy 500 oval for ,not to mention his back injured sewed up with 60 stitches,cool as can be like Nigel always...that is what made me a fan...from the first race interview,I said this guy is quiet,and his character is modestly saying,with that smile bring on,I'm ready what's next,inspirational...that's all.SCUDERIA,

[@Tj930]

Do feel Mr Mansell isn't always given the full credit he richly deserves.

[@trident1314]

To be fair he didn't help himself sometimes

[@maxmulsanne7054]

He certainly gained respect with his well rewarded career. At least in the racing community. It's only the nitwit, casual race fans here in the US that didn't have a clue who he was before he came over here. The same types that thought Michael Andretti would conquer the world of F1.

[@healthyone100]

He really took to Indy cars FAST almost won the 500 and did win a championship Great driver!

[@kers80bhp]

I also noticed the american commentators also called mansell the world champion or the reigning world champion, you would never get a f1 commentator calling a champcar champion or indycar champion that they hardly mention their achievements I think winning the indy 500 (andretti,fittipaldi,villeneuve & montoya) is a massive achievement

[@robertchinnock8017]

love seeing him in australia on the gold coast and kicked ass..

[@afenijmeijer9027]

Just loved watching this man race. Never a dull moment, fearless and blindingly fast. If Senna was still around he would tell you the same. They were peas in a pod but totally different characters.

[@jsd5670]

That 93 car was great

[@1Esprit93]

Humility, confidence, determination, and skill

[@BoilerBloodline]

It’s pretty crazy just how much different each type of racing is. Just playing each type on a simulator is significant...so I can’t imagine trying the real thing. These men & women are a different kind of athlete for sure.

[@robminmonaca]

Then 3 years later Tony George screwed it all up.

[@TheSwanlake2009]

Yep the split permanently destroyed indy cars and cart it was such a wonderful series

[@FOH3663]

@@TheSwanlake2009 IndyCar was mammoth in the late 80's and until '95 ... It sure screwed things up ... but permanently destroyed isn't true. IndyCar is VERY strong at the moment... after a long struggle back. Nascar, had no such split, and their popularity plummeted a few years ago from what it once was.

[@amjan]

@@FOH3663 IndyCar is quite strong with rising popularity, although I'm not sure it's doing as well financially.

[@FOH3663]

@@amjan Agreed IndyCar = Roger Penske Covid non-attendance cost Penske untold millions. I've heard a number but who knows... it's a lot. IndyCar owners otoh, are doing OK. Should be ample pent-up demand, combined with a positively trending direction pre-covid, this season should be fine. I'd be very surprised if we don't see full house attendance at Indy, and healthy attending of multiple events.

[@deanhirasawa1414]

Yup in the mid-1990s the CART PPG IndyCar World Series was on the verge of arguably becoming a legit competitor to the F1 World Drivers Championship. Yes CART was mismanaged at had its issues BUT the drivers and the cars were sooo fantastic! Then along came the IRL - what a disaster for American open wheel racing!

[@seikenflyer]

1993 Indy 500 was epical.

[@radiator0]

If it wasn't for that final yellow he'd have won that race....

[@FOH3663]

... says many 2nd place finishers over the years

[@motorsportministries7843]

Did they change the rear wings between oval and road races? This rear wing looks so awesome, but different from the one in road races that year.

[@danpearce4547]

Minimum wings and therefore drag for ovals. The cars are only just (and sometimes not) hanging on with mechanical grip. DW12 indycars now only produce around 700HP compared to F1's 900HP+ (peak output with ERS etc.) but still hit 240MPH, which is something like 20MPH faster than an F1 at Monza.

[@FOH3663]

Yes, it's a different wing package for super speedway. Oftentimes, they're running negative rear wing angle at Indy, because the car generates significant downforce at speed via the ground-effects tunnels of the undertray.

[@Sarge-R1]

240 mph crazy

[@TheSwanlake2009]

A time when Indy cars actually gave F1 cars a threat

[@AlonsoRules]

then Tony George screwed it all up

[@carlomikhailreid4365]

Never

[@jasonwiggins6137]

@@carlomikhailreid4365 In the 20's and 30's American open wheel cars were faster than European open wheel cars. It happened again in the 50's and 60's, and for a short time in the 90's. Fact.

[@413TomaccoRoad]

It should be 4:3 aspect ration.

[@DTM45]

Good days!

[@bragee]

idol

[@ostihpem]

I wonder why Mansell never tried to win the Indy 500, doing more starts there.

[@trident1314]

He fell out with everyone in 94!

[@jackharle1251]

Did Mario try to block the cameraman trying to film him from the front. Mario, the dirtiest most over-rated driver EVER.

[@juliomazariegos8796]

they don't let him win that race

[@kers80bhp]

julio mazariegos that's why they called the safety car out with a few laps to go so he would lose on the restart

[@ohiopower]

Lynn St. James broken down car by pit entrance was the reason for the caution.