The story of one of the most emotive letters in racing started 40 years ago with the BMW 3.0 CSL Coupé and BMW Motorsport GmbH. This video looks at 40 years of passion for BMW’s passion for racing.
Video: A celebration of 40 years of BMW M is a post from Motorsport Retro, bringing you classic motorsport, cars, motorcycles and gear every day.
It all began casually enough. Ken Tyrrell, whose eponymously named racing team would become a major force in 1970s Formula 1 competition, was in Paris attending the 1965 Trophees de France prize-giving ceremony. At some point during the evening he was introduced to Jean-Luc Lagardère CEO of the French aerospace company Matra which had recently begun building single-seat racing cars.
Lagardère was relentless in his pursuit of Tyrrell, as he wanted a top line team and driver to enter his new MS5 chassis in the upcoming European Formula 2 championship. By the end of the weekend Tyrrell had agreed to a test of the chassis with one of his own 1.0 liter BRM F2 engines installed. Tyrrell phoned his F2 driver Jackie Stewart to share the news. The Scotsman, reportedly incredulous at the thought of driving the French car, asked Tyrrell if he’d been given too much to drink.
Stewart’s opinion changed swiftly. After only a few laps around Goodwood in the Matra Stewart returned to the pits and announced to those within earshot that the MS5 was the finest handling race car he’d ever driven. Later a tour of the Matra facilities in Vélizy-Villacoublay convinced the pair that the aerospace firm had both the requisite resources and seriousness of intent. A deal was struck for Tyrrell to enter two Matra MS5 chassis in the 1966 Formula 2 championship.
During this period there were primarily two types of chassis designs utilized for open wheel race cars. One was the tubular space frame favored by Brabham, the other the Lotus-style pontoon monocoque introduced by Colin Chapman in the Lotus 33. Matra, seeking to draw an advantage from its aerospace experience developed an aluminum skinned chassis with robust internal bracing. Matra then sealed all seams and rivet holes with a resin so that the monocoque also could be utilized as the fuel tank. The result was a chassis significant stiffer than its competition – a clear advantage in an era of ever-increasing mechanical and aerodynamic grip.
Lagardère’s sights, though, were set higher than F2. In April of 1967 he secured a $1.2 million loan from the French government to fund the aerospace firm’s move into Formula 1. Lagardère announced to the press at the time that Matra would capture the 1969 World Driving Championship. It’s not known how many of the reporters attending took him seriously.
1968
While Matra had plans for a works team running its own V-12 engine, the company looked to hedge its bets. With fine results and an excellent working relationship with the French firm, Tyrrell agreed to move-up to Formula 1 for the 1968 season. Tyrrell’s team would utilize the dominant Ford-Cosworth DFV installed in its Matra chassis, in lieu of the unproven French motor. The team would be called Matra International in deference to the Anglo-French partnership, and for two seasons it would nearly dominate Formula 1.
For the first championship round of the year, held literally on New Year’s Day, Matra sent a modified MS7 Formula 2 chassis to Kyalami for Stewart’s use in the South African Grand Prix. The race was to be treated as a test session, leading into a longer private test after the other teams had departed.
For the first championship round of the year, held on New Year’s Day 1968, Matra sent a modified MS7 Formula 2 chassis to Kyalami for Stewart’s use in the South African Grand Prix. The race was to be treated as a test session, leading into a longer private test after the other teams had departed.
Converting the F2 MS7 to accept the 3.0 liter DFV engine and Hewland transaxle was a bit of a hack job, resulting in perhaps one of the oddest-looking Formula 1 cars ever to take the grid. While theories abound as to why the hybrid MS7 arrived in South Africa painted green, there appears to be little support for any of them.
Regardless of its appearance the F1/F2 hybrid MS9 was quick. Stewart set the third fastest time in qualifying behind the two Lotus 49s of Jim Clark and Graham Hill. In the race, Stewart lead on lap one and fought for second until lap 44 when a connecting rod failed. Clearly a promising start for the season as the new MS10 chassis, designed exclusively for Formula 1, would be ready for testing the following month.
In the four month break between Kyalami and the next race in the Formula 1 World Championship, Stewart busied himself with preparations for the Indianapolis 500 and the upcoming European Grand Prix season. Unfortunately for Stewart it was all for naught ason the last lap of practice for the European Formula 2 Championship race at Jarama, Spain he crashed his MS7. While otherwise unscathed, he had suffered a scaphoid fracture to his right wrist, forcing him to sit out the Spanish and French Grands Prix as well as the Indianapolis 500.
While Stewart recuperated Hill made good use of the opportunity to open a sizable points lead in the F1 Drivers Championship. By the time Stewart rejoined the series at Spa Francorchamps, Hill has collected an additional 18 points, winning at both Jarama and Monaco.
The Belgian Grand Prix, his first race back from his injury, was one Stewart most certainly should have won. Despite having been in considerable pain from his injured wrist, the Scotsman overtook leader Denis Hulme near the end of the race; the McLaren driver soon thereafter dropped out with a broken halfshaft. This provided Stewart what seemed like an insurmountable 30 second lead ahead of Bruce McLaren. It would not be so easy. On the 27th of 28 laps the MS10 sputtered and a splash-and-go dropped Stewart behind McLaren, Rodriguez and Ickx in the final order. Despite an early DNF for the Lotus leader the opportunity to close the championship gap on Hill by nine points had been lost.
While Ken Tyrrell took responsibility for the Matra starting the race with insufficient fuel to finish, it’s been suggested that the complicated Matra fuel tanks were difficult to read with any reliability. We can image that the irony of the aircraft construction that made the chassis so competitive was also the source of its downfall wasn’t lost in the paddock that day.
All came right two weeks later when Stewart led a Matra one-two across the line at the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort. Second place finisher Jean-Pierre Beltoise brought further joy to the Matra organization by setting the race fastest lap. Stewart, who finished more than a minute ahead of Beltoise, had at one point lapped the entire field. Still in so much pain that he sat out Saturday practice he told The Guardian newspaper “I was doubtful about starting and the right wrist, which I use to change gears, was darned painful. I’m afraid I haven’t done it much good.”
The French Grand Prix, held at Rouen-Les-Essarts, saw Stewart finish third behind Ickx and Surtees, while at British Grand Prix at Brands Hatch, Stewart finished sixth to snag the last championship point. Hill, in turn, retired from both race though he retained his lead in the championship at 24 points with Stewart at 17.
Two weeks later the German Grand Prix was run on cold and wet weekend at the Nurburgring, a race which if often referred to as the greatest Stewart had ever driven. Having driven only a handful of laps so as not to risk damaging the car, Stewart started the race ninth.
Describing the opening laps of the race, Stewart would later share this account: “The spray from Graham (Hill) and Chris (Amon) was just absolutely impossible to see through; on any other circuit these conditions are hellish, but on the Nurburgring you just cannot imagine how bad they are. The track is narrow, the undulations so pronounced, the bends so numerous, that you can hardly remember where you are on the circuit even on a clear day, but in fog and ceaseless spray you just have no idea at all.”
Once clear of the other drivers, Stewart continued to open up his lead, finishing over four minutes ahead of second place Graham Hill, a Formula 1 record margin of victory that stands to this day.
With two consecutive wins behind him Stewart now sat second in points, 26 to Hill’s 30. It’s interesting to note that the standings at that point would have been reversed had the Matra been fully fueled in Belgium.
At the last of the European races, the Italian Grand Prix at Monza, Dennis Hulme brought his McLaren home first while both Stewart and Hill retired. The stage was set for the three North American races to determine the 1968 World Championship.
The Canadian Grand Prix was held that year at the bumpy Mt. Tremblant circuit. Hulme again won while Hill, who suffered mechanical woes throughout the race, stuck it out to collect fourth place and three points. Stewart struggled as well, spending a great deal of time in the pits replacing a cracked front suspension rocker arm. At the end Stewart came in sixth and last among the runners.
By virtue of his two consecutive victories, Hulme now tied with Hill for the championship at 33 points each, Stewart five points back going into the US Grand Prix. But after a commanding victory by Stewart at Watkins Glen, and a DNF by Hulme, the championship points sat at 39-36-33 Hill, Stewart, Hulme. The title would be decided in Mexico.
Hill and Stewart slipped past faster qualifiers and traded the lead in the early laps of the race, with Hulme running third until a rear suspension failure ended his day. Jo Siffert in Rob Walker’s private Lotus 49 slipped into the lead for a few laps, but then dropped out with a broken throttle cable. It looked to all present that the battle between Stewart and Hill for the championship would go down to the checkered. As fantastic an ending that would make, it was not to be as on lap 39 inexplicably Stewart began to slow. On the next lap the gap grew between the two contenders, filled soon with McLaren, Jackie Oliver and Pedro Rodriquez. At the finish, Stewart had dropped to seventh place with 36 championship points. Hill, with 48 points, was crowned World Champion for the second time.
Once gain it was an element of the aircraft construction that spoiled the day for Stewart. The sealant used inside the chassis to make it fuel tight had begun to dissolve, clogging fuel lines and causing the reported misfire.
1969
The next season would be a completely different one for Matra International, for a number of significant reasons. Instead of competing in F1 as a factory team Matra decided to sit out the year and concentrate its efforts on engine development. Tyrrell’s Matra International became, in essence, the works team. That didn’t mean that Tyrrell and Stewart were left hanging. An entirely new chassis, the MS80, was designed to complement Stewart’s incredible car control skills.
1969 Formula 1 World Championship Review
One of the first and most obvious changes made was that the Ford-Cosworth V-8 could be installed as a fully-stressed member in the chassis, as did Lotus and McLaren, and not by the compromise solution of the MS10. Its bulbous mid-section allowed fuel to be carried low and central – minimizing handling changes as fuel was consumed and also to help centralize mass. Other design details included keeping oil tanks, coolers, and other ancillaries low and within the wheelbase to improve responsiveness – unlike so many of its contemporaries.
Perhaps most surprisingly in an era when an F1 chassis might be passed down and raced for years, the MS80 would only be eligible to compete for only a single season, as the 1970 season would require bag tanks to be fitted – a nearly impossible task with Matra complicated aircraft-type monocoque. Clearly Matra took seriously Lagardère’s boast that Matra would capture the 1969 World Driving Championship.
In a season comprised of 11 races, Stewart won six outright, plus set five fastest race laps. Of the races he didn’t win, a broken halfshaft knocked him out at Monaco after starting on pole, while at the Nurburgring he finished second to Ickx, unable to battle due to a balky gearbox and Ickx’s superior Goodyear rain tires.
At the Canadian Grand Prix identical times were set covering second through fourth spots on the grid. The tie was broken by when in the day each time was set, so Stewart would start fourth. Soon into the race he was up running with polesitter Ickx, literally bumping wheels when, as they approached a lapped car, both would spin. Ickx would continue on to win the race, while Stewart would DNF. Engine problems would end his race early at Watkins Glen as well, retiring from the US Grand Prix mid-race after starting third.
The final race of the season was again the Mexican Grand Prix and Stewart qualified third, finished fourth and earned three more championship points. His total that season was 63 points, with Ickx, thanks to his late-season form, finishing second with 37 points. Teammate Beltoise took fifth behind McLaren and Rindt. Further Stewart and Beltoise brought home the constructors’ championship to Vélizy-Villacoublay so Matra International was, in fact, a double World Champion in 1969.
Monsieur Lagardère, no doubt, was pleased.
By Art Michalik
Images: Cahier Archive
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British Racing Blue: The Brief But Extraordinary History of Matra International is a post from Motorsport Retro, bringing you classic motorsport, cars, motorcycles and gear every day.
Historic motorsport is returning to Eastern Beach in Geelong this December, and Shannons is going to be there in support with the inaugural Shannons Insurance Classic Motorshow.
The Shannons Insurance Classic Motorshow will bring together up to five hundred classic cars and be held as part of the Geelong Revival. It’ll run throughout the day on Saturday and Sunday the first and second of December and spectators will be able to soak in the atmosphere and the beautiful classics free of charge.
Read on for the official word from Shannons, and head to the official Just Cars Geelong Revival website here for more.
Via Shannons
Image via Just Cars Geelong Revival
Shannons is staging a huge Classic Motorshow to support the Just Cars Geelong Revival over the December 1 & 2 weekend, with up to 500 cars and motorcycles of all ages on display free of charge on the Geelong waterfront.
The inaugural Shannons Insurance Classic Motorshow will run from 10am – 7pm on the Saturday and 10am – 5pm on the Sunday as a highlight of the return of historic motorsport to Eastern Beach after an absence of nine years.
The original Geelong Speed Trials were staged from 1956-2003 and attracted some of the greatest names in Australian and International motorsport to the Geelong waterfront for timed acceleration runs over a quarter mile section of Eastern Beach Road.
Three times World F1 champion Sir Jack Brabham, Finnish two-time champion Mika Hakkinen, Sir Stirling Moss, four times Australian Grand Prix winner Lex Davison and four time Australian Driving Champion Bib Stillwell were amongst the who’s who of motor racing to compete there.
1980 Formula 1 Champion Alan Jones also made his motorsport debut at the Speed Trials in 1963 driving a modified silver Morris 850. Jones is one of the guests of honour at the reborn Geelong Revival to mark the 50th anniversary of the occasion.
The Revival action begins on Thursday, November 29 with the arrival of the Revival Tour in Geelong. Eastern Beach will then host a list of events across the entire weekend – including the Shannons Classic Motorshow– with up to 300 historic cars and motorcycles competing against the clock on the waterfront course over the weekend.
Spectators will be able to view all of the vehicles on display in the Shannons Classic Motorshow free of charge.
Vehicles can be entered for display only, or for judging, with awards presented at the City Quarter Mile Bar on the Sunday evening.
Shannons Motorshow at Geelong Revival is a post from Motorsport Retro, bringing you classic motorsport, cars, motorcycles and gear every day.
The United States Grand Prix has been run on and off since 1908, and this weekend the event makes a welcome return to the Formula 1 calendar, at a new venue called the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas.
This gallery features images from various US Grand Prix venues including Watkins Glen, Pheonix, Las Vegas and more.
Images: TheCahierArchive©
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Photo Gallery: US Grand Prix by the Cahier Archive is a post from Motorsport Retro, bringing you classic motorsport, cars, motorcycles and gear every day.
IRWIN Racing’s duo Lee Holdsworth and Craig Baird sample the 1.5 lite , four cylinder Ford Cortina GT, driven to victory in the 1963 Armstrong 500 at Bathurst by Harry Firth and Bob Jane.The video is great fun from the 1 minute 10 mark.
Baird and Holdsworth drive the 1963 Bathurst winning Ford Cortina GT is a post from Motorsport Retro, bringing you classic motorsport, cars, motorcycles and gear every day.
A lovely slice of historical footage featuring Jim Clark winning the 1967 US Grand Prix, with severly bent suspension, from Graham Hill and Denny Hulme.
Video: US Grand Prix, Watkins Glen 1967 is a post from Motorsport Retro, bringing you classic motorsport, cars, motorcycles and gear every day.
“In Finland, a man can only be a man if he can drive a car really fast! - Rauno Aaltonen.The Rallymaster!”
Rauno Aaltonen is one of the original Flying Finns, The Rally Professor, and one of the grand masters of rally.
We loved last week’s look at Datsun’s 510 and BRE Racing, so we’re diving back into Datsun’s motorsport history! In this video Rauno Aaltonen provides his unique perspective on rallying and shows us how it’s done in a Datsun Violet GT.
Video: Datsun Rallymaster with Rauno Aaltonen is a post from Motorsport Retro, bringing you classic motorsport, cars, motorcycles and gear every day.
In just a few days we’ll be wandering the pits, paddock and track of Sydney Motorsport Park and soaking up the historic racing atmosphere of the 2012 Tasman Revival.
And one of the highlights of the weekend will be the Formula 5000s. A bumper field of these magic machines will take to the track to duke it out in some seriously competitive racing throughout the weekend, all set to that wonderful thunderous V8 soundtrack.
Read on for the word from the Tasman Revival team, head to their official website here for all the information you’ll need to get set for the weekend, and check out their Facebook page here to catch up on the pit chatter.
Via the Tasman Revival
Images via the Tasman Revival
THUNDER ACTION AT SYDNEY MOTORSPORT PARK
A field of 17 thundering Formula 5000 race cars is set to break the sound barrier at the Shannon’s Tasman Revival race meeting on 23-25 November 2012 at Sydney Motorsport Park.
The crowd-thrilling 5-litre V8-engined machines will relive the 1970-1975 years of the original Tasman Series. When the Series commenced in 1964 eligible cars were based on Formula One type chassis using dedicated racing engines restricted to a capacity of 2.5 litres. The later V8 formula introduced production sourced engines which delivered greater horsepower of around 550bhp and produced roaring sounds which drew fans to the fences.
One of the pioneers of F5000 racing in Australia was Frank Matich who won the 1971 Australian Grand Prix in a car of his own design and manufacture. Matich will be in attendance as Patron of the race meeting and is looking forward to watching Aaron Lewis compete in his Matich A50, a sister car to the Grand Prix winner.
Making his first appearance in a F5000 will be Tom Tweedie in the ex-Team VDS Chevron B24, a car formerly raced by Lewis. Tweedie has raced with success in Formula Ford and Formula 3, and has also sampled Porsche Cup and V8 Supercars.
One of a number of cars coming from New Zealand is the Stan Redmond’s Lola T333 CS, once driven by Warwick Brown who is the only Australian to have won the Tasman Series (in 1975). Brown is among the 20 legendary drivers of the Tasman era who will be in attendance at the race meeting and take part in a drivers’ parade.
Returning from the USA where he is now based is expatriate Australian Bruce Leeson with his McLaren M10B. When these cars first raced Leeson was an accomplished photographer; he now provides the action on track rather than capturing the images.
Other major contenders include Andrew Robson’s Lola T332, Bill Hemmings’ Elfin MR8 and, from New Zealand, Dave Abbott’s Lola T430 and Alan Dunkley’s Lola T140.
On display at the meeting will be the first Formula 5000 driven by dual Australian Champion Kevin Bartlett. The unique Mildren Chevrolet has just been restored and will be on show in the Memorabilia Marquee.
Another ex-Bartlett car competing at the meeting will be Col Haste’s Brabham BT2 twin-cam. Powered by a 1.5 litre engine, the car was driven in the original Tasman Series by David Walker who later went overseas to drive in Formula One for Team Lotus. The well used car contested five Australian Grands Prix between 1964 and 1971.
The Tasman Revival meeting is hosted by the Historic Sports and Racing Car Association of NSW and the Australian Racing Drivers Club. More information can be found at www.tasmanrevival.com.
Feisty Formula 5000s to Bring the Thunder at the Tasman Revival is a post from Motorsport Retro, bringing you classic motorsport, cars, motorcycles and gear every day.
Shannons’ final auction of 2012 is coming up on the 26th of November, and it’s looking to close the year off with a bang.
The auction will put some gorgeous classics up for sale, including a beautifully-restored ’61 190SL and an equally stunning 1953 356 Bent Screen ‘Pre A’ Coupe.
The 356 Bent Screen ‘Pre A’ Coupe has recently received a full restoration and has very low miles on the clock. Its 1488cc engine was rebuilt to 70HP ‘1500 Super’ spec along with the restoration and it’s been professionally converted to right-hand drive, making it as useable as it is stunning and collectable.
These will be joined by big muscle in the form of a rare 429ci alloy block Robnell ‘Cobra’, a 1993 Dodge Viper RT/10 Roadster, a significant 1974 Chrysler VJ Charger E48 ‘Six-Pack’ Coupe and a left hand drive 1970 Ford Mustang Mach I 428ci Fastback.
Only around 154 VJ Chargers are believed to have been built with the E48 ‘Six-Pack’ triple Weber carburetor 265-cid engine, and this particular car comes as an interesting project and a brilliant opportunity to own a piece of Australian motoring history at a great price.
And finally, for lovers of vintage cars, are three stunners from the States; a 1927 Pierce Arrow Model 80, a ’38 Graham 96 ‘Sharknose’ Sedan and a 1947 Packard ‘Eight’ Clipper Coupe.
The auction will be held in Cheltemham, Victoria on the 26th of November, 2012. Head to Shannons’ official site here for more information.
Via Shannons
Image via Shannons
Project performance cars in Shannons summer sale
Shannons have two very different performance ‘project’ cars going under the hammer in their Melbourne Summer Classic Vehicle Auction on Monday, November 26.
Australian Muscle Car enthusiasts have already been excited by the prospect of restoring the 1974 Chrysler VJ Charger E48 Coupe that has been in its present ownership since 1998.
Believed to be one of only 154 VJ-model Chargers built with the E48 ‘Six-Pack’ triple Weber carburetor 265-cid engine, the Charger was sold new by Kew Chrysler fitted with the desirable four-speed manual transmission and mandatory LSD rear end.
It was once used as a daily driver, but in recent times it has seen little use and now needs some TLC to bring its grey metallic paintwork and trim back to its former glory.
Significant and rare as one of the last of the mighty Six-Pack Australian Chargers, this E48 is an important piece of Australian motoring history and would make an interesting and rewarding restoration project.
Shannons expect it to sell in the $18,000-$24,000 range.
Completely different, but also very desirable to own and restore, is a mid-engined 1970 Lotus Europa S2 Coupe in the same auction.
Initially introduced in 1966, the Europa utilised an uprated, 61kW 1.5-litre Renault 16 TL engine and four-speed gearbox, rotated 180 degrees and mid-mounted in a Lotus-designed fiberglass coupe body with a steel backbone chassis.
The Series 2 Europa being auctioned was built in May 1970 and is presented in largely unmodified condition.
Since coming to Australia as kit car, its history includes one owner from 1982-2004 and it has been in the hands of its Tasmanian vendor since 2006.
While the Europa’s interior is correct and tidy, its body would benefit from a full repaint to return it to its former glory. Shannons expect bids in the $12,000-$16,000 range for this now-rare, fun and potentially stunning sports car.
These two project cars are amongst 43 rare and unusual vehicles in the auction, including seven with no reserve.
The auction will also see a number of classic motorcycles – including two very desirable Ducatis – go under the hammer, along with a range of Heritage black and white numberplates, headed by the Victorian triple-digit ‘385’.
For more auction information contact: Christophe Boribon on (03) 8588 0809, or 13 4646 (Option 5), or to view auction results, visit www.shannons.com.au
Stunning Classics Head to 2012 Shannons Melbourne Summer Classic Auction is a post from Motorsport Retro, bringing you classic motorsport, cars, motorcycles and gear every day.
In this video Porsche brings together a collection of their rare and significant historic race cars; from the 1962 804 Formula One to the 356B 2000 GS-Gt, 917/30 Spyder, 2008 RS Spyder and everything in between.
Then they fire ‘em up, give ‘em a blip and enjoy the sound. The presentation itself is in German, but the song of engine notes is universal.
Video: Porsche Museum Soundnacht 2012 is a post from Motorsport Retro, bringing you classic motorsport, cars, motorcycles and gear every day.
Motorsport is a very visual, evokative thing. All bright colours, beautiful shapes and kinetic energy.
And the most compelling motorsport art gets this. It aims to capture much more than a representative image of what happened on a particular day and instead seeks to capture the feel, the energy, the emotion and the atmosphere.
These stunning images from Alex Wakefield are the perfect example. Check ‘em out, and read on for his take on motorsport art.
Thanks to Alex Wakefield for sharing his work.
In my art I do not try to depict the classic wide-view vista with a car simply crossing the stripe under the checkered flag. I always seek to tell a more hidden deeper story visually. Maybe some critical moment that a fan didn’t see or know about, yet it is still invigorating visually in telling part of a legendary racing tale.
The first is of the Gulf-Porsche 908/3, driven by Siffert/Redman that won the 1970 Targa Florio. I sought to depict the juxtaposition of long shadows and Sicilian light. There is a certain look to the way the sunshine is that only Sicily has. The other juxtaposition is in the subject. Combining a sleepy Mediterranean village road with the insane speed of a Porsche 908/3. To the average person racing through tight mountain roads at top speed isn’t normal or safe. That, to me is what it’s all about really.
The second piece is of the Porsche 936 as driven by Jacky Ickx through the Mulsanne Kink during one of his night time lap records he set that night in 1977. I sought to get the vibrance of the light as well as the stark contrast of nighttime on Les Hunaudieres. To me there is something fantastically special about the Le Mans night. The ever growing sound of the car before it’s within sight, crescendoing with a flash of light, scream of sound and rumble that sweeps past you leaving you in a daze wanting more. It’s a brilliant place that every fan should experience and that’s what I’ve tried to do in this work.
The Awesome Automotive Art of Alex Wakefield is a post from Motorsport Retro, bringing you classic motorsport, cars, motorcycles and gear every day.
Photo of the day: Perfect Lines is a post from Motorsport Retro, bringing you classic motorsport, cars, motorcycles and gear every day.
The 2012 Formula One World Championship has been one of the most exciting and closely-contested in a long time. And as we go in to the final, championship-deciding race of the season, we thought we’d take a look back at some of Formula One’s other great finishes.
Going in to the final race of the 1981 season, Carlos Reutemann was leading the championship on 49 points, followed by Nelson Piquet just one point behind. Jacques Laffite was in title contention as well on 43 points, with Alan Jones just out of reach on 37.
The final race of the season was contested in the United States, but, after twenty years on the calendar, not at Watkins Glen. A new track had been constructed on the grounds of Ceasars Palace in Las Vegas, and it was fast.
When it all wrapped up that lone point remained all that separated the top drivers, but plenty had changed. Enjoy the highlights!
Image: TheCahierArchive©
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F1 Championship Decider: 1981 Caesars Palace Grand Prix is a post from Motorsport Retro, bringing you classic motorsport, cars, motorcycles and gear every day.
The eighth and final round of the 1956 season, the Italian Grand Prix, was anything but routine.
Juan Manuel Fangio, in the hunt for his third consecutive world championship title, was fastest in qualifying and took first place on the grid. He was eight points clear of fellow Ferrari driver Peter Collins and Maserati’s Jean Behra.
But it would be Peter Collins and an inspiring act of selflessness that would help him get there.
Image: TheCahierArchive©
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F1 Championship Decider: The 1956 Italian Grand Prix is a post from Motorsport Retro, bringing you classic motorsport, cars, motorcycles and gear every day.
Enjoy this photo gallery by Derek Hanbidge from the 2012 Tasman Revival at Sydney Motorsport Park.
Images: Derek Hanbidge . See more of Dereks work at deejay51.com
Photo Gallery: 2012 Tasman Revival is a post from Motorsport Retro, bringing you classic motorsport, cars, motorcycles and gear every day.
“My name is Alistair Brookman and I make 1:12 scale fully hand-built model Grand Prix Ferraris.”
From the humblest beginnings can come the most extraordinary things.
These models are 1:12 scale works of art, sought after by the most serious of collectors and historic racing fans. They’re built by hand from metal; brass, aluminium, stainless steel and co, with great precision over the course of many months and they drill down to extreme detail like removable body panels and individually-modeled hexagonal heads and rivets.
Alistair’s aim when building them is to create a realistic representation of the original racing car and emphasise its historic significance. What he’s created goes well beyond that. They’re absolutely mind boggling; truly extraordinary recreations of magic machines.
Check ‘em out and make sure to head to his website here for more.
Images via Alistair Brookman
The Magic Racing Car Models of Alistair Brookman is a post from Motorsport Retro, bringing you classic motorsport, cars, motorcycles and gear every day.
Enjoy this whopping 300+ image photo gallery from the recent “Big Bad Sandown” Historic race. Images courtesy Jim Jones, Jamarimaging.net
Photo Gallery: Big Bad Sandown 2012 is a post from Motorsport Retro, bringing you classic motorsport, cars, motorcycles and gear every day.
The streets of Monaco are said to have some of the most efficient and expert marshals in Formula One; able to clear the unforgiving track and get proceedings under way again in record time.
But when James Hunt and Patrick Depailler came together during the 1975 race, leaving Hunt in the barriers, they had a lot more to contend with than a stricken car!
Image: TheCahierArchive©
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Video: Hunt and Depailler Monaco 1975 is a post from Motorsport Retro, bringing you classic motorsport, cars, motorcycles and gear every day.
The 2012 Tasman Revival brought a huge collection of historic racers to Sydney Motorsport Park last weekend for New South Wales’ biggest historic motorsport event.
Everything from the beastly 1971 McLaren M8E Can-Am and ’85 Ferrari 156/85 Turbo F1, to the sweet stars of the ’60s Tasman Series and the raucous Formula 5000s that followed them, to a Lister Jaguar, MG TC Special, Minis, Porsches and everything in between hit the track for a good old fashioned dice.
This gallery takes a leisurely wander through the pits, paddock and dummy grids before heading out to the track to capture some of the historic racing.
Head to the Tasman Revival website here for more, and join in on the discussion on their Facebook page here.
Images courtesy of Seth Reinhardt
Via the Tasman Revival
Photo Gallery: 2012 Tasman Revival by Seth Reinhardt is a post from Motorsport Retro, bringing you classic motorsport, cars, motorcycles and gear every day.
Group B Glory
Photo of the day: Lancia ready for take off is a post from Motorsport Retro, bringing you classic motorsport, cars, motorcycles and gear every day.
