Random internet images

[SteveH]

More Lotus pictures here (https://imgur.com/a/0DzWMUm)

[jimclark]

More Lotus pictures here (https://imgur.com/a/0DzWMUm)
Thanks again. :)



( BTW,
The good old days weren’t Yes they were. Sometimes ya' gotta' take the good with some bad I'm afraid; even to this day.... ;) )

[jimclark]

Also btw, I haven't seen F1 cars live (wrong, historics, yes) but seeing the two 56Bs in those photos, reminds me of seeing the 56 Indycar at Trenton in '68.
'Don't want to bore you, but this (myself) 14 year old kid, while getting autographs prior to the race at Trenton, New Jersey after The 500 (Sept. 1968), was invited to sit with the 56 driver, Art Pollard (started 7th, finished 10th; 'never in the hunt), in his personal station wagon. He enjoyed my interest and knowledge of racing so gave me some of his time.
I inquired about the two "fuel pump shaft failures" on his and Joe Leonards turbines (Hill having crashed out earlier) right near the end of the race. I told him I didn't beleieve it was true, just as I didn't believe Jones' "bearing failure" in his Wallis/Pratt & Whitney STP "Turbocar"car the year before. "Turbines have thousands, maybe millions, of hours on 'em without fuel pump shaft failures," I said, "two failed at the same time, with less than 3 hours on them???"
He didn't say a word, 'just gave me a sheepish, knowing smile for the question. And then, a slightly sad, telling smile...
From that moment I knew I was right about both years. They couldn't/weren't allowed to win by USAC (the Indy 500 sanctioning body at the time), just as Jimmy/rear engined Lotus wasn't in '63. I was sad to hear on the radio that Art died in a practice crash at indy in '73. :(

Additionally, I went to the NY auto Show in '69 (early in the year) and the Lear steam car designed for that year's 500 was on display. I asked the presenter how they were going to do at Indy, and his reply was "If we're to slow we can't win; also, if we're too fast we can't win either....." More of the same dinosaur mentality by USAC. They never entered as it turned out.....

[WickerBill]

That's a heck of a story. Thanks for sharing.

[SteveH]

Black & Gold: The Story of the John Player Specials (https://motorsportcollector.com/cart/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1_39&products_id=10178&utm_source=January+29%2C+2019++Email+Update&utm_campaign=January+29%2C+2019+Email+Update&utm_medium=email)

Will be in stock soon.

[jimclark]

That's a heck of a story. Thanks for sharing.
'Welcome. :)

I see you're nearly 115 yo !!! :eek: I do that on many profiles also. :)
Seriously, however, were you following back then? Granatelli got his (STP's) exposure, for sure. But at what price (as in personal respect..)??? He lost mine. :thumbdown:
I respected Lear for their decision not to take the deal and enter. :thumbup:
'Why as much as I liked Mario, I couldn't be as happy for his win as I would have been as he was driving for the big G.
'Also was very sad for a tearful Lloyd (Ruby during an interview right after) who was leading by more than a lap just after half way when he tried to exit his pit a hair to early (fuel leaking from the busted fuel tank), with the hose still attached. :(
My heart went out for him as I was watching live via closed circuit at an RKO theatre in NY. (Which was fantastic on the old big screens. No commercials; great coverage, announcers, and interviews. My dad and I did it from '66-69 before it was dropped near us thereafter.)



Black & Gold: The Story of the John Player Specials (https://motorsportcollector.com/cart/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1_39&products_id=10178&utm_source=January+29%2C+2019++Email+Update&utm_campaign=January+29%2C+2019+Email+Update&utm_medium=email)

Will be in stock soon.
TY for the heads up. :)

[WickerBill]

I am not old enough to remember those times. My father took me to the track every year starting in 1976. I was riveted to every second of action at the speedway from that point until 1995, save for one brief spell after I watched Gordon Smiley die right in front of me and I was put off for the rest of that month.

[jimclark]

'Never been to Indy.
There have been some horrific wrecks at Indy...heck....in all venues of a speed sport in essence. Comes with the territory I'm afraid. ;(
In no way minimizing Gordon's demise, but, at least it was quick.
Before your time and 'not one for finding such things enjoyable to watch, but purely as an example of one of the most distressing incidents to me was that of Zandvoort, 1973 (2 months after Art's, Swede's and Armando's at Indy); Roger Williamson's crash and David Purley's valiant but heart breaking effort to save him. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AQa3PWNlSp0 I don't, in the least, blame the Nomex-less course marshalls.

My first exposure to Indy (actually, now that I think of it, to the sport of auto racing period) was late '50s, little, round screened television. I was 4 or 5 years old. My dad called me from my room to "come watch this." It was the 500, and I remember all front engined cars. A few minutes in, he asked "wouldn't you like to build one of those?". (Even early on, I was mechanically inclined...'got it from him I guess...'always watching, and bugging him with questions, as he worked on whatever he was working. :))... "Nah," I answered quickly "I'd like to drive 'em." my eyes still glued to the tv.
My passion was set.
'Love the technology and can communicate with engineers with understanding, but driving was/is definitely it; having an understanding of the tech and physics helps that also, of course.
'Did some racing (a lot actually if one includes running, bicycles, slot cars (1/32 home tracks and more importantly, scratch built 1/24 inter/intra hobby store tracks; one slot car store with 4 tracks was called "Indy 500", coincidentally :)) , R/C cars, karts...heck even making believe in my red wagon. Sorrowfully, and shamefully, 'never acquired the funds to make a true run at the big time. I did however, have the memorable opportunity to do The 24 Hour Pepsi Challenge (as it was called at the time, now The Rolex 24 at Daytona) in a small, family run team's lowest class (GTU) 911. 'Broke both years. :(

'Sorry, I get carried away at times.... :o

[TravelGal]

'Sorry, I get carried away at times.... :o

OK by me. I loved reading every word of it. :thumbup:

[SteveH]

1965
https://i.redd.it/cbz2muh8eae21.jpg

[Lux Interior]

Spectator safety was of the utmost importance in 1965. :D

[SteveH]

Bruce McLaren, Monaco, 1969

https://i.redd.it/9c3j4kpwlle21.jpg

[SteveH]

Jim Clark Lotus 25, Oulton Park 1963

https://i.redd.it/o9pc9wydxie21.jpg

[Elmo T]

1050

[datachicane]

1050


"It is better to go into a corner slow and come out fast, than to go in fast and come out dead."

-Stirling Moss

[TravelGal]

"It is better to go into a corner slow and come out fast, than to go in fast and come out dead."

-Stirling Moss

:D:D

[jimclark]

The sea was angry that day, my friends - like an old man trying to send back soup in a deli.

Ah-ha! Two Seinfeld episodes in one. "The Hole in One", and, "No Soup For You!" ;)

[RTKar]

'Never been to Indy.
There have been some horrific wrecks at Indy...heck....in all venues of a speed sport in essence. Comes with the territory I'm afraid. ;(
In no way minimizing Gordon's demise, but, at least it was quick.
Before your time and 'not one for finding such things enjoyable to watch, but purely as an example of one of the most distressing incidents to me was that of Zandvoort, 1973 (2 months after Art's, Swede's and Armando's at Indy); Roger Williamson's crash and David Purley's valiant but heart breaking effort to save him. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AQa3PWNlSp0 I don't, in the least, blame the Nomex-less course marshalls.

My first exposure to Indy (actually, now that I think of it, to the sport of auto racing period) was late '50s, little, round screened television. I was 4 or 5 years old. My dad called me from my room to "come watch this." It was the 500, and I remember all front engined cars. A few minutes in, he asked "wouldn't you like to build one of those?". (Even early on, I was mechanically inclined...'got it from him I guess...'always watching, and bugging him with questions, as he worked on whatever he was working. :))... "Nah," I answered quickly "I'd like to drive 'em." my eyes still glued to the tv.
My passion was set.
'Love the technology and can communicate with engineers with understanding, but driving was/is definitely it; having an understanding of the tech and physics helps that also, of course.
'Did some racing (a lot actually if one includes running, bicycles, slot cars (1/32 home tracks and more importantly, scratch built 1/24 inter/intra hobby store tracks; one slot car store with 4 tracks was called "Indy 500", coincidentally :)) , R/C cars, karts...heck even making believe in my red wagon. Sorrowfully, and shamefully, 'never acquired the funds to make a true run at the big time. I did however, have the memorable opportunity to do The 24 Hour Pepsi Challenge (as it was called at the time, now The Rolex 24 at Daytona) in a small, family run team's lowest class (GTU) 911. 'Broke both years. :(

'Sorry, I get carried away at times.... :o

Great story, keep getting carried away , I don't mind. My dad was a race fan too, I fortunate enough to see Indy cars race at a very young age starting in '63 at Milwaukee and Indy via closed circuit TV at the local theater. Within 10 years I witnessed the last of competitive roadsters to rear engine cars with wings. It was such an interesting period in open wheel racing.

[jimclark]

I fortunate enough to see Indy cars race at a very young age starting in '63 at Milwaukee and Indy via closed circuit TV at the local theater.
Aaahhh yes. I was also fortunate enough to see the 500 via closed circuit at two diff RKO theatres '66-69!!! In my 60 years of "spectating", I have decided that was the very best way of doing it. Maybe 'cause I was young and impressionable, but I had already been to live events at Islip, Freeport Speedways (LI, NY) , Trenton, NJ, and Langhorne, PA, and nothing has compared since since.
The BIG screen (not li'l multi-plexers back then; I know you know), great camera work and announcers. The "not so many" viewers that were there were REAL fans (who else would spring for it? :)). I wasn't bored for a minute during the opening '66 crash delay. So many interviews and replays...
Lucky enough that '67 was rain delayed as my father had to work that day ('was listening on the radio though....). He let me stay home from school the next day and we drove 50 miles to see it at the only other theatre that showed it that year. Phew!!! I got to see "Silent Sam" PJ's (turbo-car) after all!
'Was hopin' to see Clark win again in the Lotus 56/turbine....'devastated when from the window, my sister called to me, playing outside, that Sunday in April when she heard the sad news and knew I'd want to know. Jim was my "man"....'always was....'always will be.... (:) and :( at the same time...). The disappointment tho' of the 3 turbines...PJ's '67, Leonards, Pollards (Hill crashed out) '68s.....late race "failures".....(Have you seen my tale of sitting with Art later at Trenton? If not, PM me and I'll tell you.)
I could never respect Andy G. after that, and was unhappy that Mario won for him in '69; 'specially as it should have been Ruby's year.

[RTKar]

Aaahhh yes. I was also fortunate enough to see the 500 via closed circuit at two diff RKO theatres '66-69!!! In my 60 years of "spectating", I have decided that was the very best way of doing it. Maybe 'cause I was young and impressionable, but I had already been to live events at Islip, Freeport Speedways (LI, NY) , Trenton, NJ, and Langhorne, PA, and nothing has compared since since.
The BIG screen (not li'l multi-plexers back then; I know you know), great camera work and announcers. The "not so many" viewers that were there were REAL fans (who else would spring for it? :)). I wasn't bored for a minute during the opening '66 crash delay. So many interviews and replays...
Lucky enough that '67 was rain delayed as my father had to work that day ('was listening on the radio though....). He let me stay home from school the next day and we drove 50 miles to see it at the only other theatre that showed it that year. Phew!!! I got to see "Silent Sam" PJ's (turbo-car) after all!
'Was hopin' to see Clark win again in the Lotus 56/turbine....'devastated when from the window, my sister called to me, playing outside, that Sunday in April when she heard the sad news and knew I'd want to know. Jim was my "man"....'always was....'always will be.... (:) and :( at the same time...). The disappointment tho' of the 3 turbines...PJ's '67, Leonards, Pollards (Hill crashed out) '68s.....late race "failures".....(Have you seen my tale of sitting with Art later at Trenton? If not, PM me and I'll tell you.)
I could never respect Andy G. after that, and was unhappy that Mario won for him in '69; 'specially as it should have been Ruby's year.

I saw the Pollard story, great stuff. Interesting that the whole turbine story hasn't come out. USAC & the Speedway were known for manipulation.

[SteveH]

Jim Clark Lotus Cosworth 49 to pole position for 1967 Belgian Grand Prix
https://i.imgur.com/XBBzwiK.jpg

[SteveH]

Ronnie Peterson Nurburgring 1971

https://i.redd.it/f6v4l6qrug2a1.jpg

[SteveH]

German GP Nurburgring 1967
https://twitter.com/Bertie23574627/status/1596868863693451266?s=20

Green Hell indeed

[SteveH]

https://twitter.com/F1_Images/status/1600089240682889216?s=20&t=LxGRi-hBLebiny0T6f-ONQ

[datachicane]

:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:

[SteveH]

https://twitter.com/NetoDemetriou/status/1608418319991816195?s=20&t=BH6pS_5UkAOr1ik5Kb76Ig

[WickerBill]

https://twitter.com/NetoDemetriou/status/1608418319991816195?s=20&t=BH6pS_5UkAOr1ik5Kb76Ig

WOW.