John Surtees retired from competitive racing in 1972. Nine years later his unbelievable two and four-wheeled motorsport career was celebrated in spectacular fashion as part of a two-day event at Brands Hatch.
This awesome video was shot on the 24th and 25th of May 1981. The venue was Brands Hatch, and the occasion was the celebration of the amazing career of John Surtees. The two-day festival saw Surtees reunited with friends in the form of racing bikes, cars and people.
The seven-time Motorcycle World Champion actually placed third at Brands Hatch in 1964 whilst driving for Ferrari, the same year in which he would win the Formula One World Championship.
Greats from both two and four wheels were there, including Giacomo Agostini, Phil Read, Roy Salvadori, Barry Sheene and Frank Williams. We hope you enjoy this video, reflecting on the ‘car’ portion of the festivities.
Rich Fowler (enthusiast, founder and editor of Motorsport Retro) explains Motorsport Retro Premium.
In 2008 I started Motorsport Retro as a hobby because I couldn’t find one place showcasing all the bits I loved most about motorsport.
I love the legendary drivers, cars, races and rivalries. I love the human stories, the mechanical marvels, the sporting pursuit and bravery of years past.
Since that start we’ve come a long way, producing and curating amazing stories, photography and video every single day. We feel a wonderful sense of community and shared passion, and revel in your feedback and enthusiasm.
However, as the site has grown, it’s become a significant undertaking, and to be very honest, advertising is neither substantial, or our specialty.
So, we are launching a very, very low cost subscription model, where for the cost of less than one coffee per month you can have our unique combination of curated and exclusive content, with monthly subscriber only offers.
If the commitment is too much we understand, and limited free content will continue, but we hope you can respect our position, our passion, and support us by signing up today, so we can continue to do what we love, which is to bring you the things you love.
Yours faithfully, on full throttle, and a little sideways
Although he raced for Toleman, Lotus and Williams and wore each of their colours with pride, the most enduring image that comes to mind when I think of Ayrton Senna is of him in his signature red McLaren race suit.
This replica from OMP is identical to the one worn by the champion in the 1991 Japanese Grand Prix, and has been made in cooperation with the Instituto Ayrton Senna.
One for each of Ayrton Senna’s Formula 1 victories, just 41 of these replica overalls have been made and each is identical to the suit he wore in 1991 at the Japanese Grand Prix.
Coming in to this race Senna was leading the World Drivers’ Championship, with Nigel Mansell in pursuit. Mansell had to win the race to have a hope of challenging Senna for the drivers’ championship.
Gerhard Berger had qualified on pole, with Senna behind him and Mansell in third. At the start Berger pulled away and Senna kept ahead of Mansell, blocking him as Berger extended his lead. Eventually Mansell made a mistake into turn one, the same turn where Senna and Prost had ended their race the year before, and came to rest in the gravel with his championship hopes dashed.
This left the McLarens in a class of their own, and they enjoyed a memorable afternoon. Berger waved his now three-time world championship teammate through into the lead and the pair ran in formation until the final lap, when Senna let Berger back through to win the race.
Each of the 41 suits is handcrafted, numbered and framed by OMP Racing S.p.A. They’re produced with the same methods and technologies used in 1991 and are an original replica supervised and approved by the Ayrton Senna Institute.
Not many can forget the multi-colours of the iconic Benetton cars, and for very good reason. With a range of motorsport personalities such as Berger, Nannini, Piquet, Schumacher, Herbet, Brundle, Patrese, Alesi, Fisichella, piloting a range of the colours through the 80s and 90s, it would be hard to do so.
In 1990, it was Piquet and Nannini attacking the Formula1 scene in the Ford V8 powered B190. Its goal for the season would be to topple the Mclaren-Honda domination of the past 2 years, a goal shared by many others on the grid.
Designed from the pen of the legendary Rory Byrne, the B190 did away with the signature side intakes beside the cockpit in favor of a single overhead intake to the car’s heart.The B190 was powered by Ford’s new HBA4 V8 which produced approximately 650bhp (485kW), a step up from the older DFR powerplants rated at only 620bhp (462kW) supplied to the other teams sourcing Ford power. Comparing to the top teams’ multi-cylinder engines, the Ford V8 lacked outright power but generally made up for it by being a considerably smaller and lighter package.
The Numbers:
1990 Benetton-Ford HBA4 V8: 650bhp (485kW)
1990 Mclaren-Honda V10: 690bhp (492kW)
1990 Ferrari V12: 680bhp (507kW)
1990 Williams-Renault V10: 660bhp (462kW)
The B190 performed generally well throughout the year, narrowly missing a handful of podiums. It would end the 1990 season on a high at the hands of Nelson Piquet, winning the 2 last races of the in Japan (where Senna and Prost collided on the first corner) and Australia after a narrow miss with Nigel Mansell’s Ferrari (Watch it here).
With strong form throughout the season and clinching the last 2 races, Piquet finished a worthy 3rd in the driver’s championship behind Senna and Prost.
Today, the Nelson Piquet car is owned and driven by John Reaks at numerous historic motorsport meetings and events in the UK. It has been pictured here on Motorsport Retro at the 2014 Lotus Festival at Brands Hatch, looking as good as it did during the 1990 season.
Impossibly perfect 1980s period television commercial demonstrates the prowess of the incredible Electramotive Nissan GTP ZX-Turbo.
The Nissan GTP ZX-Turbo would later become a brutal force to be reckoned with during the IMSA GTP races of 1988 and 1989. It was powered by a highly tuned version of the same VG30DET engine which was found in the Nissan 300ZX sports coupe of the time. It was reported to generate more than 1000 horsepower in qualifying trim.
Right now it’s time to put the racing legacy and technological prowess of the GTP ZX-T aside and drink in this delightful piece of 1980s marketing. Enjoy.
Television celebrity chef James Martin describes what it is he loves most about his Mini Cooper S, and in the process sums up the joys of classic car ownership brilliantly.
It’s no secret that celebrity chef James Martin loves cars, however what we didn’t expect was for him to absolutely hit the nail on the head when it came time for him to explain what attracts him to racing classic cars such as the Mini Cooper S.
Martin takes a few moments out of his weekend at Goodwood to show off his latest purchase. He also explains the thrills of racing in a field of event matched lightweight historic machines, surrounded by a field of top level drivers.
We already know that our community is the most knowledgeable (and good looking) classic motorsport community in the world, so this quiz is just a fun way to test your historic motorsport knowledge.
No pressure.
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He was the first ever World Rally Champion. Today we celebrate the life and amazing rally career of Bjorn Waldegard through photographs.
We were deeply saddened to learn of Bjorn Waldegard’s passing last week, a man who captured the hearts of rally fans worldwide with two-decades of fantastic WRC performances.
When the dust settled on the 1979 WRC season Bjorn Waldegard had become the first official World Champion in rallying, a year which saw him drive for Rothmans, Ford and Daimler-Benz. He’d go on to continue winning rallies right up until the Safari event of 1990, at which he took first placed aged 46.
We’ll keep our words short, and we hope you enjoy this quick collection of our favorite Bjorn Waldegard memories. Rest in peace.
In 1984 the turbocharged Bluebird on the right took pole position at Bathurst. 30 years later Nissan are set to pay homage to that feat with a striking retro livery.
The 1984 James Hardie 1000 saw driver George Fury set a qualifying lap so quick that no Group A touring car would best it until the almighty Nissan Skyline GT-R in 1991. The car he was driving was another, lesser known Nissan beast with half as many camshafts, 50% less cylinders and only one-third as many valves.
It was the Z18 powered Nissan Bluebird. A hand-grenade of a car which became the fastest Group C machine to climb the mountain, taking the pole ahead of Peter Brock, Dick Johnson, Allan Grice, Allan Moffat and Jim Richards on that day in 1984.
Nissan are celebrating the 30-year feat with a retro inspired livery drawn from Fury’s Bluebird. The recipient will be Michael Caruso’s #36 Nissan Altima, and it’s set to run at the 2014 Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 on October 9th through 12th.
It’s the first time Nissan has had a go at the retro livery theme for V8SC, and it looks great!
The Bluebird will also be in attendance for the event, and George Fury will even turn a handful of laps for the pleasure of spectators. What a fantastic moment that will be.
While you’re here, take a look at what’s on offer through our newly released premium content delivery service, Motorsport Retro Premium;
BEST known in his homeland as a combative driver with two Bathurst 1000 wins to his name, Australian Allan Grice stands out as one of the best exports from Down Under on the world stage.
A veteran of 26 Bathurst starts with wins in 1986 and 1990 (with Win Percy for the Holden Racing Team), Grice also achieved plenty overseas. Never afraid to try something different or move out of his comfort zone, Grice proved a dab hand in touring cars, sportscars and even NASCAR!
He took a privateer Holden Commodore to the 1986 European Touring Car Championship and tackled the best the world could muster.
Here’s Grice and fellow Aussie Peter Brock in action at Monza in 1986 ….
A year later and he became the first Australian to qualify for the World 600 NASCAR race at Charlotte.
Here’s Grice being wheeled back to the pits at Charlotte in his NASCAR Winston Cup debut in 1987 ….
Proving his versatility, Grice was also drafted into the Schnitzer BMW squad for the 1987 Spa 24 Hour.
He made two starts in the Le Mans 24 Hour (in 1984 in a Rollei Porsche 956 and 1988 with the factory Nissan team) and joined Percy in the GTS-R works Skyline in the 1988 European Touring Car Championship.
Here’s Grice in action in the factory Nissan in the 1988 ETCC … (check out the wet in-car action at 5m30s!)
Grice made another ‘600 start at Charlotte in 1989 before later become a Member for Broadwater in the Queensland Parliament in Australia for nine years.
He made his last Bathurst 1000 start in 2002 and finished his racing career in the ever-popular local V8 Ute Series.
Shannons is celebrating the career of Allan Grice in its new Australian TV series ‘Legends of Motorsport’. The full programs are viewable at the Shannons website. Here’s a teaser for the Grice episode.
The story of Bob Jane, his mighty Monaro GTS 350, and six consecutive seasons of Sports Sedan racing domination.
Designed as a state-of-the-art racer for Improved Production racing, Bob Jane’s HQ Monaro GTS 350 hit the track for the first time at the 1972 ATCC final at Oran Park with John Harvey at the wheel. Allan Moffat won the race, but Bob Jane had done enough to secure his fourth Australian Touring Car Championship title, and Harvey in the Monaro had left a lasting impression.
From that first outing the car went from strength to strength, sticking to its muscle car roots and fighting intense competition from increasingly well-developed and sophisticated mid-engined rivals. Enjoy its adventures over at the Shannons Club in Holden HQ Monaro: Bob Jane’s magnificent GTS 350.
This Jaguar Mark 2 is what happens when you combine a Jaguar Designer and a team of master restoration craftsman.
What do you do when you’ve got a penchant for the beautiful flowing lines of classic cars, and a need for modern reliability and handing? You get on the horn to your personal bank manager and get in touch with a restoration shop like Classic Motor Cars Limited.
Classic Motor Cars Limited is an automotive restoration and renovation business specializing in the modernization of classic cars. Jaguar designer Ian Callum commissioned them to build this beautiful Jaguar Mark 2, which now features an XK 4.3L engine, five-speed transmission and completely overhauled suspension alongside the stunning aesthetic improvements.
The modern suspension is damper adjustable, has been lowered 3cm and works perfectly with 17-inch wheels.
The beautiful, practical car was debuted this week, and will serve as a personal vehicle of Ian Callum. We want one!
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Soak up the glorious sounds of the Britten V1000 with this terrific multi-camera on bike footage.
This killer video was shot at the 2013 Classic TT, Festival of Jurdy. It features an awesome mash-up of camera angles which allow us to ride along with Bruce Anstey as he pilots the iconic V1000.
One of the most beautiful and evocative motorcycles ever built, the Britten V1000 was hand built by John Britten and friends from his home in New Zealand. It went on to conquer the world.
Banging ripples strips and riding bumpers in a glorious sounding Austin Healey 3000. This is historic racing at its best!
Jump on board and come for a blast around Spa as the pilot of this Austin Healey 3000 attempts to drive the wheels off his machine whilst navigating a pack of slower drivers.
It’s a great example of a classic car being driven at the limit. The driver is Marc Campfield, who muscles his way from the back of the grid by any means necessary.
Campfield’s aggressive driving is great to watch, as are the sights of Spa and of course, the sound being generated by that glorious Austin Healey. Enjoy.
The Ferrari 250 GT Tour De France. A beautiful sports car born during a time when Ferraris raced on dirt.
Only nine Ferrari 250 GT Tour De France vehicles were ever built, making this pristine example a special piece of automotive history. In this video, Chris Harris is lucky enough to jump behind the wheel and have a drive.
Take a moment to soak up the sights of the beautiful alloy bodywork, consider the tubular chassis and revel in the glory of the 240hp (or is that 275?) small displacement Ferrari V12 engine. The Ferrari 250 GT Tour De France was born during an era when race cars were road cars, and race tracks didn’t always consist of perfectly sealed surfaces.
Emerson Fittipaldi and his gas-turbine powered Lotus 56B, Monza 1971.
What you’re staring at is the Golf Leaf gas turbine powered Lotus 56B, tearing around Monza in 1971. It’s a dramatic looking photograph, however Emerson wouldn’t go on to make the podium – he’d finish the race in eight position whilst Peter Gethin, Ronnie Peterson and Francois Cevert took the top three spots respectively. It was the only Formula One World Championship Grand Prix that Gethin would win during his career. Ronnie Peterson was just 0.01 of a second behind.
Although the Gold Leaf Lotus looked fantastic, 1971 wasn’t Fittipaldi’s greatest year. He’d place sixth overall after taking second place in Australia, as well as third in Great Britain and France. This must have been frustrating for Fittipaldi in his first full year of Formula One competition, after winning the USA Grand Prix during his debut half-season in 1970.
As the story goes, 1972 would be the turning point for Emerson, he’d win a huge five Formula One World Championship Grands Prix and win the Drivers Championship outright. It was to be the first of his two World Championship titles. For now however, let’s drink in the sights of that Gold Leaf turbine powered 56B screaming towards the lens at Monza.
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Maurice Hamilton has been a part of Formula One since 1977. He’s a piece of the F1 landscape, and this is his story.
Jack Brabham at the 1959 British Grand Prix – An event which Maurice remembers fondly. (Image – The Cahier Archive)
Maurice Hamilton arrived on the Formula One scene professionally in 1977, and went on to the Observer’s motor racing correspondent for 20 years. With more than 20 books against his name, time spent commentating for BBC Radio and a massive digital following he’s one of the great F1 personalities.
He’s covered more than 500 Grands Prix professionally and has seen the sport change countless times, spending time with many great drivers from many great eras. He’s got a hell of a story to tell, and this is it.
While you’re here, take a look at what’s on offer through our newly released premium content delivery service, Motorsport Retro Premium;
Parabolica, we think you’re perfect just the way you are.
Available in a variety of colours, this t-shirt features a simple and pleasing design celebrating one of Formula 1′s great corners. We hope to see some great action there at the Italian Grand Prix this weekend!
These t-shirts are short-sleeved crew neck cuts made from 100% premium cotton in a soft pre-shrunk jersey knit. Women’s shirts are light weight 150g and made with deluxe ’30s soft style yarns.
With the Formula 1 World Championship making its way to Circuit of Monza this weekend, it’s time to reflect on ten of the wildest moments the Italian venue has witnessed. Shocking, jaw-dropping, inspiring, terrifying, and at times sombre – these events are now part of the landscape that make up the iconic Monza Grand Prix.
1. Peter Gethin’s victory – 1971
The title says it all – Peter Gethin scores his first win in 1971 following the conclusion of an unforgettable slip streaming duel which saw the first five drivers finish within a whisker over a half-second spread.
25 years later this may still be a sore point at McLaren, with Schlesser and Senna coming together in an incident which saw the GP victory slip through Ayrton’s hands, and a clean sweep of the 1988 World Championship denied from McLaren.
3. Second victory for Honda – 1967 – John Surtees
Excitable Japanese narration makes for the perfect soundtrack with which to watch John Surtees secure Hondas second all time win in 1967. The event marked the debut of the 3L, V12 Honda RA300, making Surtees’ victory all the more impressive.
4. Christian Fittipaldi flips ( and finishes 8th!) – 1993
In 1993 Monza played host to one of the most spectacular finishes in motor racing history, when Minardi-Ford team mates Christian Fittipaldi and Pierluigi Martini clipped corners and Fittipaldi ended up performing a perfect backflip before landing on all four wheels and sliding across the finish line before screeching to a halt. The incident saw no positions lost or gained for either driver, and (unsurprisingly) has never been repeated.
5. Derek Warwick – roll and restart – 1990
Three years earlier Derek Warwick wasn’t so lucky, spearing off the course and balancing his Lotus 102 up on its side at the Parabolica before rotating ceremoniously into the exit of the corner. The excitement didn’t end there, as the unhurt Warwick dismounted from the wreck and sprinted through the pits in order to get behind the wheel of a spare car in time for the race restart.
6. Ronnie Peterson crash and subsequent death – 1978
Memorable for all the wrong reasons, accidents such as this one involving Ronnie Peterson in 1978 are important to recognise – for it were the dangers of early motor sport that elevated competitors to heroic status. Peterson survived the accident itself, however lost his life to complications experienced in hospital shortly following. In total, 52 Formula 1 drivers have lost their lives at Monza.
7. Jochen Rindt crash and death – 1970
The inescapable silence of this clip gives it and almost unbearably eerie overtone, which is fitting given that it depicts the accident in practice in which Rindt lost his life.
8. The return of Niki Lauda following Nurburgring crash – 1976
Few videos capture the heroics of Niki Lauda in the same way that this clip from 1976 does. Following a fiery crash at Nurburgring in which Lauda suffered serious injuries, in this video we see him preparing to return to racing at Monza just six weeks later. If only you could cut tension with a knife…
9. Rubens sets Monza lap record – 2004
One of the great on-board F1 cams, and a fantastic way to familiarise yourself with the Monza circuit before the coming race weekend. Watch as Formula 1 legend Rubens Barrichello sets the lap record in 2004.
10. Moss wins for Vanwall – 1957
The final of our ten videos is also the oldest – drawn from the initial decade of the Formula 1 World Championship, the video depicts Sterling Moss taking the win on behalf of Vanwall. We can think of no better way to give this weekends festivities some context, than to view the Monza venue under racing conditions more than 55 years ago.