Clive James goes to Las Vegas to cover the inaugural 1981 Formula One World Championship motor race that was held in Vegas.
Well as one disgruntled journalist put it. A go kart track built in a parking lot. A temporary structure at the Caesars Palace hotel. Taken down as soon as he cars depart the desert.
A deal brokered by F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone. Formula One was a largely European affair. So both the team mechanics and the sports journalist were put off by the enthusiastic security in operation.
Mechanics were not allowed entry to work on the racing cars. A journalist was handcuffed at gunpoint for not having a pass. Bernie had to initiate his diplomacy.
Clive James meshed together motor racing, glitz, gambling and the number of documentary crews in Vegas. Each documentary crew wanted to cover the arrival of F1 in America. As well as gambling and gaudy hotels.
Only Clive does it better. He interviews some of the racers. He is at home with fellow Aussie Alan Jones, the Formula One champion who had decided to quit while ahead.
Clive also talked to Canadian Gilles Villeneuve. He should had quit as by the time this was broadcast. Gilles had died in a motor racing accident in 1982. A reminder that even in the 1980s, this was a dangerous sport.
It was noticeable just how much Vegas has changed. Many of the hotels are gone. The late 80s heralded new hotels with more glitz and glamour. Some with more theming such as the Paris or Planet Hollywood.
As for Formula One. It is now a global affair, it does not always need the USA. Although it later returned to Vegas as a street circuit race.
F1 Cars are different, they are still a work of art but no tobacco sponsorship these days. Clive would have approved of that.