Categories
Track Maps of the Past

Track Maps of the Future: USGP at Austin

Despite my frequent complaints about the degrading state of track map design; this map of Austin, TX’s proposed Formula 1 track that will play host to the new United States Grand Prix isn’t half bad. In fact, I quite like it. It even manages to show the 133 feet of elevation change quite nicely which is something that most track maps fail miserably at. I can forgive the sterility of the execution for it’s video game charm. Thumbs up all around. Now let’s see if the track materializes.

And if it will also host Moto GP (fingers are crossed here).

Of course, they threw in a crappy looking map as well. It must be mandated somewhere.

Categories
Gear

Goodwood Revival Coveralls

I’d love a set of these Goodwood mechanic’s coveralls. But I don’t want to wear them to the Revival. I just want to wear them out to the mall and to happy hour. That would be a good look, don’t you think?

Available at the Goodwood Store.

Categories
Historic Racing Photos

Reader Photos: Back to Havana

Maurice Trintignant in Fangio’s car

A few weeks ago we were fortunate to receive a handful of photos from racing driver Mandy Alvarez of the Cuban road racing scene experienced as a child in Cuba. Our luck has grown, because Mandy has dug back into the archives for another round of marvelous shots of racing on the island.

With Fangio kidnapped by the revolutionaries, it fell to Maurice Trintignant to take the driver’s seat in Juan Manuel’s Maserati. He finished 11th. It’s hard to imagine climbing into the racing seat, now knowing the fate of your teammate, but the show must go on.

de Portago passes Fangio

At the ’57 Grand Prix Alfonso de Portago (#12) passes Juan Manuel Fangio (#2). Fangio later took the lead—and the race—when de Portago pitted and was unable to continue. Man, do those street lamps look awfully close. It’s photos like this that remind us that drivers were a whole magnitude of bravery higher than we see today. Even Monaco is surrounded by walls for the weekend.

  • Testa Rossas lined up and ready
  • Eugenio Castelotti pushed to the grid
  • Fangio and Bertochi on the Saturday of the 1958 GP (prior to the kidnapping)

Thanks again, Mandy!

We’d always excited to share more reader photos with Chicane readers. Drop us a line at tips@thechicane.com.

Categories
Grand Prix Historic Racing Photos

Just Park it on the Beach

Parking for the Monaco GP has got to be a complete nightmare, but this shot from the Wally Willmott collection of the Cooper works transporter parked on the beach is at once ridiculous and romantic. Apparently the space was at such a premium near the pits that the team would take a walk over to the beach to visit the spares truck as needed throughout the weekend. Imagine a contemporary team doing the same today!

More Wally Willmott photos at this fantastic Nostalgia Forum thread.

Categories
Vintage Racing Advertising

Don’t try a Lotus until you have obtained the approbation of your present mistress

“trio Lotus!
Lotus seven America: Leading Lightweight (900 lb) sportscar in the British tradition.
Lotus formula junior: Undisputed world champion of the class, replicas now available to a favoured few in the USS.
Lotus Elite: World’s first and only unit-construction glass-fibre car, legendary speed and handling with unrivaled elegance.
The Lotus Lines is available for your examination at a steadily-widening selection of specialized Dealerships throughout the Country. A word of warning, however—don’t try a Lotus until you have obtained the approbation of your present mistress – a demonstration run will create a desire to possess brooking no delay…”

don’t try a Lotus until you have obtained the approbation of your present mistress!!! I am in love with that line. It has to be the pinnacle of cheesy sportscar copywriting. At least until I find the next one.

Categories
Classic Cycle Video

Abandoned Detroit Velodrome Becomes a Makeshift Board Track

The disused Detroit Velodrome lit up the blogs a few weeks ago when the Detroit Mower Gang decided that the bicycle heritage of the Motor City should be spruced up a bit. A few volunteers later, the half-mile concrete velodrome was cleared of trash, beer cans, and overgrowth. Surely I’m not the only one who immediately thinks of the Green Hell when I see graffiti on a racing surface?

Thankfully I’m not alone in that feeling that it deserved to be raced on again. Some friends capitalized on the opportunity by taking their motorcycles to the track for a scouting run. While it remains a bit treacherous—there’s a large enough gash in the concrete on part of the track to make high speeds too dangerous—it is certainly rideable.

Can underground board track races be far behind?

Here’s hoping…

Categories
Grand Prix Video

A Relaxing Labor Day

Sit back and relax with the Golden Age of GP racing.

Categories
Grand Prix Video

Senna Documentary Trailer Looks Promising

Made with the cooperation of the Senna family and Formula 1, this Japanese trailer for the documentary film titled simply “Senna” looks outstanding. That cooperation looks like has yielded some excellent little-seen footage of the three-times World Champion.

When was the last time you saw film from a GPDA meeting?

Can you believe he was only 34?

Categories
Racing Ephemera

Quarter Mile Miniskirts

Why contemporary fashion photographers and art directors haven’t continued to place fashion in the least delicate of settings, I couldn’t say, but when the editors of Vogue decided to stage this shoot at the Irwindale Raceway for their April ’67 issue they hit upon something magical. The juxtaposition is beyond perfect. Particularly in the mod looks featured here, the contrast of the minimal but space-aged fashions with the madness of the drags cannot be beat.

Complete spread at Just a Car Guy via Bubble Visor. Hot as hell.

Categories
Grand Prix Video

Let’s Build a Cosworth DFV

Or at least watch George Duckett (who built the first DFV) take us through some of final assembly. Something tells me that contemprorary F1 teams would find George’s comments about timing funny, quaint even.

(excerpted from a longer 1981 BBC production, “Gentlemen, Lift Your Skirts”, about the advent of ground effects)