Classic Motorsport Photos

[Liquid]

Modern Photo Alert (!)

But surely worth a post. On this day 21 years ago...

1994 Australian Grand Prix

Drivers: Damon Hill ENG & Michael Schumacher GER
Cars: Williams FW16 (3.5L Renault V10) & Benetton B194 (3.5L Ford V8)
Finished: Ret (Accident damage) & Ret (Accident)

Drivers: Gerhard Berger AUT, Nigel Mansell ENG & Martin Brundle ENG
Finished: 2nd, 1st & 3rd

 

[catamount39]

Modern Photo Alert (!)

But surely worth a post. On this day 21 years ago...

1994 Australian Grand Prix

Drivers: Damon Hill ENG & Michael Schumacher GER
Cars: Williams FW16 (3.5L Renault V10) & Benetton B194 (3.5L Ford V8)
Finished: Ret (Accident damage) & Ret (Accident)

Drivers: Gerhard Berger AUT, Nigel Mansell ENG & Martin Brundle ENG
Finished: 2nd, 1st & 3rd

That is one impressive..........mustache.

 

[marco89IT]

Ronnie Peterson

Mosport 1976; Peterson, Hunt, Depailler, Andretti:

Anderstorp 1973:

Oversteering, again (no wonder Peterson was Gilles Villeneuve's idol):

At Tyrrell, 1977. "Let me see... 6 wheels?! Again?!":

 

[Dotini]

Ronnie Peterson

I recall reading an analysis in Road and Track magazine in which Peterson, Stewart and Andretti were objectively tested on a skid pan, with Peterson being able to generate more G forces the interesting result.

On certain corners he did things in a way that no other driver was doing, no doubt about it.

 

[NISM0_SKYLINE]

The AVS Shadow. Can Am really pushed the boundaries of race cars.

And one of my favorite stories in all of motorsport, George Walkman. Back in 1968 he drove his Morgan down from New York to race in the 24 Hours of Daytona. He had no co driver or pit crew. He'd rest every four hours, to please the FIA, he'd did all his own repairs, although I'm sure he didn't turn away help. Then after he finished, he changed the oil and drove back home. He also did the 12 Hours of Sebring alone in 1963.

 

[TDZdave]

I recall reading an analysis in Road and Track magazine in which Peterson, Stewart and Andretti were objectively tested on a skid pan, with Peterson being able to generate more G forces the interesting result.

On certain corners he did things in a way that no other driver was doing, no doubt about it.

Tragically taken far to soon, along with the others, would've been fantastic to listen to his views, and many others on the post 2000 era of F1,

 

[catamount39]

A Lotus 19.

 

[Dotini]

In 1962 I saw Dan Gurney win the NW GP at Kent, Washington, in a beautiful Lotus 19 - 2.7 Climax sponsored by Arciero Brothers.

Later, Dan commissioned a reinforced 19B to carry the Ford V-8 he used to win the first Daytona endurance race for sports cars, then only 3 hours.

I'm not sure of the provenance of the car pictured above, but many of the early 19's had Ford or Chevy engines replace the Climax.

 

[catamount39]

In 1962 I saw Dan Gurney win the NW GP at Kent, Washington, in a beautiful Lotus 19 - 2.7 Climax sponsored by Arciero Brothers.

Later, Dan commissioned a reinforced 19B to carry the Ford V-8 he used to win the first Daytona endurance race for sports cars, then only 3 hours.

I'm not sure of the provenance of the car pictured above, but many of the early 19's had Ford or Chevy engines replace the Climax.

I believe when I found it it was mentioned to have been a rebuilt model for USCCR or something, indeed with a Ford V8.

 

[Dotini]

I believe when I found it it was mentioned to have been a rebuilt model for USCCR or something, indeed with a Ford V8.

The USRRC, or US Road Racing Championship, began as a West Coast series for Pro and amateur drivers, including current F1 stars, to compete for big money in the Fall after the F1 season was over. There were few limits on design, and indeed it was here that the Chaparral cars evolved. After a few years, it evolved into the fabled Can-Am championship.

By the way, the Lotus 19 was a widened and fendered version of 1960 Lotus F1 car, the race-winning 2.5 liter Lotus 18-Climax

 

[TDZdave]

Chaparral, now that's a name not used frequently today, hopefully when the P2 rules apply in 2017 we some of the Chaparral, Shelby etc names revived over design,

 

[Dotini]

Chaparral, now that's a name not used frequently today, hopefully when the P2 rules apply in 2017 we some of the Chaparral, Shelby etc names revived over design,

I imagine Jim Hall to still be alive, and holding rights to the Chaparral name. I think some replicas are being built under license.

http://www.chaparralcars.com/2e.php

 

[Panoz]

October 1967, the American 500 at Rockingham, North Carolina. The ever hard-charging Wendell Scott is racing side by side with a man making his only start in a NASCAR event, Jim Clark. Clark drove the Holman-Moody prepared Ford Fairlane up to 12th before the engine let go. The engine failure prevented the planned driver change of which Jochen Rindt would've finished the race in the Fairlane. Scott on the other hand finished the race in 18th.

Richard Petty applying some "arm and hammer" to the vinyl roof of his Plymouth during a mid-race pitstop in the 1968 Daytona 500.

After being denied to drive the more aerodynamic Dodges by Chrysler officials, Richard Petty joined the powerhouse Ford camp for the 1969 NASCAR season. Ford's other factory-supported drivers, Cale Yarborough, David Pearson, Donnie Allison, and LeeRoy Yarbrough joins Petty in showcasing the new Boss 429 to combat the Chrysler 426 Hemi.

Four of Chrysler's winged warriors making pit stops during the 1970 running of the Daytona 500. Buddy Baker (#6), Tiny Lund (#55) and Bobby Allison (#22) each drove the Dodge Charger Daytona while eventual winner Pete Hamilton roars out of the pits in the Plymouth Superbird variant.

The inaugural NASCAR race at Ontario Motor Speedway in 1971 featured the field starting the race in Indianapolis-style rows of 3.

 

[NISM0_SKYLINE]

And these are some of my favorite ever. From the 1972 24 Hours of Daytona. The Porsche of Pedro Rodriguez and Jackie Oliver. I forget the story, but they had some problems and lost the front right headlight. So they just taped on a fog light and went on to win.

Then post race you can see where they added a new front air dam and headlight, and just sprayed it all real quick. I love all the over spray on the headlight. It fits the era so well to me. They didn't worry about it being perfect, they just painted it all and went back out.

And the Ferrari of Mark Donohue and David Hobbs also had a big off in the same race and managed to come back and finish third with the car being held together by tape.

 

[Liquid]

Spa-Francorchamps 24 Hours

1931

1948

Lead Car: Škoda

1964

Car: Lotus Cortina

On the Sunday morning. Mass is being held in the background.

1971

Car: Alfa Romeo 2000 GTA

1978

Car: Ford Capri

 

[G_Parrilla]

Targa Florio.

1931, Bugatti.

1953, don't know how this happened.

1961, smile for the camera.

1964, Shelby Cobra.

1971, Porsche accident.

​

 

[Liquid]

Classic British Touring Car Championship

Snetterton, 1959

Drivers: Jack Sears & Gawain Ballie
Cars: Jaguar Mark I (3.4L I6)

Brands Hatch, 1963

Driver: Jim Clark
Car: Ford Galaxie
Finished: 1st

Brands Hatch, 1967

Driver: Vic Elford
Car: Porsche 911
Finished: 3rd

1968

Driver: Frank Gardner
Car: Ford Escort

Brands Hatch, 1982

Drivers: Pete Lovett, Gordon Spice & Jeff Allam
Cars: Ford Capri & Rover SD1
Finished: 1st, 2nd and 3rd

 

[TheBook]

Gordon Spice

Was he affiliated with the Spice chassis constructor that raced in the IMSA series in the '90s?

 

[Liquid]

Was he affiliated with the Spice chassis constructor that raced in the IMSA series in the '90s?

Yes. Gordon Spice is the founder of Gordon Spice Racing and Spice Engineering, which ran cars in the BTCC and raced its own chassis in Group C and IMSA.

 

[G_Parrilla]

Well, I made this. Not particulary a photo but close, it shows an important piece of argentine motorsport history. When Argentina ruled the Nürburgring.

 

[Liquid]

Classic British Touring Car Championship II

1966, Brands Hatch

Cars: Hillman Imp, Austin Mini

1970, Brands Hatch

Drivers: Brian Muir & John Fitzpatrick
Cars: Chevrolet Camaro & Ford Escort
Finished: 2nd & 1st

1973 British Grand Prix Support Race, Silverstone

Cars: BMW CSL, Chevrolet Camaro, Ford Escort

1974

Driver: Stuart Graham
Car: Chevrolet Camaro

1988, Silverstone

A rarity more than a classic; the Holden made a handful of appearances in 1988 and 1989.

Driver: Mike O'Brien
Car: Holden Commodore VL
Finished: 10th

 

[magic_town]

No one can tell me there is anything cooler than old touring car pics.

 

[DK]

Are my eyes deceiving me, or did I see snow in that first pic from Brands Hatch?

 

[Liquid]

Are my eyes deceiving me, or did I see snow in that first pic from Brands Hatch?

It does look like snow. I can only assume that it snowed as early as October or there were races right up until December but it's not unheard of in Britain for there to be snow in April.

 

[marco89IT]

Talking about snow:

April 1970. At Ehra-Lessien test track (with a 9km straight) Porsche is testing its new 917 "long tail", looking for its first Le Mans win.

The driver, Kurt Ahrens, escaped with just minor injuries (3 weeks later he raced at the 1000kms of Monza).

Testing top speeds for Le Mans (top speeds at Mulsanne were really close to 400 km/h in 1970) while it's snowing, in this:

Why not, if you've got this kind of front grip:

(Of course almost all front grip is provided by the aerodynamic, which isn't there when the car is barely moving, but still an impressive picture)


Again, a 917 in the snow, some years and many more wins later, in 1973:

From www.stuttcars.com : "President of West Germany, Dr. Gustav W. Heinemann, had had a dream to experience a 917 around the Nürburgring and the day for the dream-come-true was scheduled for April 3, 1973. Dr. Heinemann was to be seated next to Willy Kauhsen in the 917/10 Turbo. Everything was planned, just that the snow had come down in the night.
Willy Kauhsen knew the track wasn't fully covered with snow and with the car equipped with rain tyres he was ready to go. Dr. Heinemann was also eager to go, but his security guys insisted him not to go aswell as did his wife. Mister president, at the age of 73, was determined and stepped into the car, in the business suit and coat, not in racing overalls. He put the helmet on and off they went. Photoshooting was now forbidden, so there are no photos of the president in the car or on the track. Although the security guys who had entered the track before Kauhsen/Heinemann had landed in the ditch, the 917 guys were able to achieve 280 km/h (~175 mph) on the Döttinger Höhe-Antoniusbuche straight. Kauhsen told, in the competition, he would go there at 350 km/h (~220 mph). Driving in the 'safe mode' the lap time was about 12:30. In the race condition it would be 8:20 in the wet and 7:30 in the dry. Mr. president was so amazed by the experience and sincerely thanked mr. Kauhsen for the experience which he considered the best in life."

 

[Liquid]

Sunbeam Silver Bullet, 1930

Engines: 24L supercharged Sunbeam V12 aeroplane engine. Two of them.

One of the very first vehicles to have adjustable aerodynamic devices for producing downforce. Designed to break the land speed record but it failed to do so. Its top speed was recorded at 186mph (298kph) which was well below the then record of 203mph (325kph), which Sunbeam actually still held at the time.

Before the body is fitted:

 

[catamount39]

Talking about snow:

April 1970. At Ehra-Lessien test track (with a 9km straight) Porsche is testing its new 917 "long tail", looking for its first Le Mans win.

View attachment 485574

The driver, Kurt Ahrens, escaped with just minor injuries (3 weeks later he raced at the 1000kms of Monza).

Testing top speeds for Le Mans (top speeds at Mulsanne were really close to 400 km/h in 1970) while it's snowing, in this:

View attachment 485576


Why not, if you've got this kind of front grip:

View attachment 485577

(Of course almost all front grip is provided by the aerodynamic, which isn't there when the car is barely moving, but still an impressive picture)


Again, a 917 in the snow, some years and many more wins later, in 1973:

View attachment 485581

From www.stuttcars.com : "President of West Germany, Dr. Gustav W. Heinemann, had had a dream to experience a 917 around the Nürburgring and the day for the dream-come-true was scheduled for April 3, 1973. Dr. Heinemann was to be seated next to Willy Kauhsen in the 917/10 Turbo. Everything was planned, just that the snow had come down in the night.
Willy Kauhsen knew the track wasn't fully covered with snow and with the car equipped with rain tyres he was ready to go. Dr. Heinemann was also eager to go, but his security guys insisted him not to go aswell as did his wife. Mister president, at the age of 73, was determined and stepped into the car, in the business suit and coat, not in racing overalls. He put the helmet on and off they went. Photoshooting was now forbidden, so there are no photos of the president in the car or on the track. Although the security guys who had entered the track before Kauhsen/Heinemann had landed in the ditch, the 917 guys were able to achieve 280 km/h (~175 mph) on the Döttinger Höhe-Antoniusbuche straight. Kauhsen told, in the competition, he would go there at 350 km/h (~220 mph). Driving in the 'safe mode' the lap time was about 12:30. In the race condition it would be 8:20 in the wet and 7:30 in the dry. Mr. president was so amazed by the experience and sincerely thanked mr. Kauhsen for the experience which he considered the best in life."

View attachment 485582

I can't imagine driving either of the 917's in the snow. The 917/30 Can-Am was scary on dry pavement, let alone wet...or snow. And the 917k or 917LH weren't anything to sneeze at either.

 

[NISM0_SKYLINE]

I apologize for not having any back story to these. I find them on Tumblr and save them. But I love seeing how far safety has come.

And an epic photo.

 

[Legro]

Formula races in snow.

Eifelrennen 1967, the Sudschleife got snowed on during the F2 race.

1973 BRDC International Trophy, non-championship F1 event, what was expected to be rain turned out to be snow instead.

 

[Liquid]

1993 Italian Grand Prix

Drivers: Pierluigi Martini ITA & Christian Fittipaldi BRA
Car: Minardi M193 (3.5L Ford V8)
Finished: 7th & 8th

Fittipaldi got too close to teammate Martini's rear and did a complete backflip before both cars crossed the line. He was unhurt.