Categories
Video

Congratulations, Eric.

Friend of the blog, Eric Dean sent me some video from last weekend’s VSCDA Spring Brake at Gingerman raceway; where he took his first-ever victory in the Formula Ford class at the wheel of his ’72 Merlyn 20A.

Eric Dean’s victory photo

Even better: It was a ‘worst to first’ situation where he had to start from the back of the grid. Unfortunately, the rush to make the race meant that he didn’t start his video camera for the winning run. This footage, however, gives us the general equation—string a few good corners together, then a few good laps, then a race.

Congratulations again, Eric, on a well-deserved victory!

Got some onboard footage you’re particularly proud of? Send it along to tips@thechicane.com.

Categories
Event

Have Dinner with Brian Redman this Weekend

The Simeone Foundation is hosting a dinner this Friday May 6 with Brian Redman as part of their Jaguar Racing Legends weekend. Redman is a marvelous storyteller in interviews I’ve seen with him, but have never had the pleasure of seeing him speak live. I always enjoy hearing the tales from drivers of Redman’s era, as much for their exploits off-track as on, and I’m sure Brian’s stories of his travels as well as his successes in sports car and Formula racing.

Even better, admission to the dinner includes your ticket for the following day’s demonstration day at the museum, with some very special Jaguars on display. The museum collection’s gorgeous ’53 C-Type and ’56 D-Type are sure to figure prominently and Jaguar Cars is bringing a special guest from Jaguar Heritage Museum to the party as well: the Group 44 “B” Production class E-Type that was so successful in SCCA events in ’74 and ’75.

I do hope that Simeone will be filming Brian’s presentation—and hopefully throwing it online for the rest of us to enjoy later. Either way, it sounds like it will be a fun weekend in Philadelphia. Be sure to send in some photos if you attend.
Tickets available at Simeone’s site.

Categories
Ferrari Historic Racing Photos

Phil’s Ready

I think Phil is looking for a break in the traffic to enter the race after a LeMans start or reenter from the pit wall, but his expression here seems to say to me, “Hi, I’m Phil Hill; and I’m going to beat you to the finish line.”

Categories
Vintage Racing Advertising

Most Superb Package of Motoring Pleasure a Man Ever Had

The new Lotus +2S 130 is the most superb package a man ever had waiting at his door. Here is all the incomparable roadholding and cornering for which Lotus is the acknowledged world leader. All the style and luxury with which the +2 has always been endowed. And something extra—a new 130 bhp BIG-valve engine and detailed improvements to the suspension and transmission that mean a more outstanding performance than ever. If you want for yourself the most enjoyable driving the world can offer, you want the Lotus +2S 130. Recommended price £2,744. See your nearest dealer now, listed opposite.
Lotus Cars Limited, Norwich, Norfolk, NOR 92W Tel: Wymendham 3411

Dig those bellbottoms.

Categories
Classic Cycle Historic Racing Photos

Best to be First When You’re Boardtracking

Just look at the smoke these things were kicking out! It’s like the smoke screen from a certain DB-5.

Categories
Video

How Fast Will it Go?

Boys of Bonneville is making the film festival rounds, playing the Newport Beach Film Festival next week. Incredible archival footage (remarkably well preserved or perfectly restored) here of Ab & Marv Jenkins and the various incarnations of the Mormon Meteor. Even all this time later, shots of Ab taking notes while making Bonneville runs make my jaw drop.

via Hemmings

Categories
Classic Sportscar Event Grand Prix

Ruedelsarte’s Shots of Gordinis at Montlhéry

I usually think of Ruedelsarte as my destination for air-cooled VW and Porsche pics, so these shots of Gordinis at the Coupes de Printemps at Montlhéry in March caught me pleasantly off guard. There’s something about the particular shade of French Racing Blue that Gordini used in the 1950s that is so enchanting; not quite as dark as Bugatti’s blue, not quite as light as Gulf Blue, not quite as saturated as Mexico Blue. I ask you: is this the perfect blue?

Click on over for the complete set of shots on and off the track.

I’m such a sucker for vintage transporters.

Categories
Grand Prix Historic Racing Photos

Reader Photos: Dick Lees Visits the 1970 Race of Champions

Front row of grid at start. J. Stewart #1 in new March – #16 Jack Brabham and #11 J. Oliver in BRM

A few weeks ago I posted a series of photos from pits of the 1964 USGP and mused about the prospect of wandering the pits snapping photos. I got an email the next day from Dick Lees who had a collection of just the types of photos I’m always rambling on about: close to the action, or just ambling through the pits. No barriers, no velvet ropes around the cars, no security ushering the photographer away from a garage.

  • Jackie Oliver BRM P153 DNF: Driveshaft. Note the band members covering up their ears
  • Graham Hill Lotus 49C 5th due to Gearbox problems.
  • Black Jack Brabham Ignition Problems Finished 3rd

Dick was stationed in England in the late ’60s and early ’70s and had an opportunity to attend many races in this glorious era. These are the first batch (he’s promised to dig into his archives—and I plan to hold him to it :)).

  • Check out the Pink sunglasses. (Glad to see Dick had his eyes on more than just the track!)
  • Bruce McLaren in McLaren M-14A DNF Accident
  • Winner Jackie Stewart with first win for the new MARCH

This first batch is from the 1970 Race of Champions at Brands Hatch. Thanks to Dick for sending these in! Very much looking forward to seeing the upcoming sets!

Categories
Video

GT Racer’s Origins

With the release of the Algarve Special DVD following last fall’s successful Kickstarter campaign, it seems a good time to look back at the roots of Alexander Davidis’ much loved TV series.

Alexander headed out to the inaugural LeMans Classic in 2002 with some period film cameras to take in the action and this short film was the result. It’s not hard to see how this led to the Classic Astons at Spa special and, ultimately, GT Racer. While I’m a fan of the HD footage that GT Racer so beautifully captures, I love the look that these old 1950s era Bolex cameras give to the 16mm footage. Were it not for the contemporary clothing in the pits you could be forgiven for taking this as historic 50s and 60s films.

This short of Alexander’s and the Dikayl Rimmasch film of Lime Rock we looked at last year sure make me want to start digging around antique shops for the old movie cameras that imbue the footage with such atmosphere—of course then it’ll be just the small detail of learning to use them as well as Alexander and Dikayl.

Categories
Event

Formfreu.de Visits the Espíritu de Montjuïc

Hey Buddy! Drop the hammer and step away from the Aston!

Ok. I know I don’t need to panic. Intellectually, I realize what’s going on here in this image from Markus’ photo set of the Espíritu de Montjuïc Catalunya Classic Revival; that this fellow is merely giving the knock-off wheels a wack. Emotionally though, I can only clench my shoulders and wince.

Mark’s eye for capturing the spirit of an event is full effect here. Looks like I’ll have to add the Catalunya Classic to my must-do list of events. Even these less well known events in Europe really seem to draw the exotic racing machines. Just look at all of those Matras!

See the complete set at FormFrau.de FormFreu.de