Inspirational, powerful and moving; Countdown To Victory looks at the men and women who push machines on and offroad to the limit and hang it all on the line for glory, and victory.
Few words, a decent helping of engine noise and four minutes of footage of the masters doing what they do best. Great stuff.
Video: Countdown To Victory is a post from Motorsport Retro, bringing you classic motorsport, cars, motorcycles and gear every day.
Keeping it real
Photo of the day: Ferrari Garage 12B is a post from Motorsport Retro, bringing you classic motorsport, cars, motorcycles and gear every day.
This painstakingly researched, built and maintained race-ready ’74 International Race of Champions spec 1976 Porsche 911 Carrera is a lot of car, expertise and design for the money.
With just 21,000 kilometers on the clock since a bare shell rebuild by PR Technology, it’s in stunning condition.
The car features an IROC body with RSR coil-overs to match Roger Penske’s IROC series cars. This is pushed around by a 400 horsepower 3.8 litre motor based on an ’89/90 case and crank, which is connected to the rear wheels by a 915 gearbox with WEVO gate shifter, internals and LSD.
It comes equipped with a fully CAMS-approved roll cage, making it a great option if you’re looking to hit the track or go tarmac rallying. A second motor is available; a 3.2L replica of the 73/74 RSR style built by Jerry Woods in San Jose based on a ’76 turbo case and putting out 350 horsepower, at additional cost.
It’s also road-registered, making it a very versatile machine.
This ’74 IROC RSR Spec 1976 Porsche 911 Carrera is incredibly well thought-out and prepared, stunning and ready to go racing again, and you can check it out over on Carsales here for much more detail on its build and design.
Via Carsales
Images via Classic Throttle Shop
For Sale: ’74 IROC RSR Spec 1976 Porsche 911 Carrera is a post from Motorsport Retro, bringing you classic motorsport, cars, motorcycles and gear every day.
Check out these pics from the recent Easter Historics at Mallala by Warren Edwards.Check out more of his work at Freelance-Images.com
Photo Gallery: Easter Historics from Mallala is a post from Motorsport Retro, bringing you classic motorsport, cars, motorcycles and gear every day.
Enjoy this photo gallery of the Group 5 BMW 320 Turbo from the crew at Stanceworks.
This little beauty pumped out 650 HP from its 2 litre turbo engine. The car pictured was driven by David Hobbs in the 1977 and 1978 Camel IMSA GT Series, racking up 7 wins.
For full details and more photos are over here at Stanceworks
Photo Gallery: IMSA BMW 320 Turbo is a post from Motorsport Retro, bringing you classic motorsport, cars, motorcycles and gear every day.
Check out this cool video that wonderfully captures the atmosphere at the 2012 Zandvoort Historic GP from MotorsportMedia.nl
Video: Zandvoort Historic Grand Prix is a post from Motorsport Retro, bringing you classic motorsport, cars, motorcycles and gear every day.
Image: The Cahier Archive
The Long Beach Grand Prix was the Formula 1 dream in the eye of founder Chris Pook, who felt in the mid 1970s there was space for a “Monaco on America’s West Coast”. There was, and 38 years on it maintains its now glorious place on racing’s calendar in the United States. It wasn’t always glorious.
By Andy Hallbery. Photography Tony di Zinno
Chris Pook’s dream became reality in 1975, with the first ‘Grand Prix’ run for F5000 cars. Formula 1 arrived in 1976, and was an instant success. Long Beach, about 40 minutes south of Los Angeles, was known mainly for its port – apart from that it was a slum that tourists had early heard the advice “stay away from”. Stabbing was the city’s main sport.
Image: Tony di Zinno
The F5000 event proved a race could happen, the track based along Shoreline Drive, with a paddock inside a sports arena. This was just the start of Pook’s dream, a scratch on the surface if you like.
Eight Formula 1 Grands Prix took place on the West Coast streets, the final one being in 1983 when John Watson famously came from the back to win in. Another memorable moment was produced by Keke Rosberg who spun from second place in the opening laps, without losing a place!
In 1984 the race became an Indycar event, which it remains today. The track has been through many evolutions, but Shoreline Drive is still there. The extremely 1960s round building still fills the camera frame, as does the moored Queen Mary. It has also grown left, right and centre, and each year attracts upwards of 200,000 and remains the longest running street race in the States.
Image: Tony di Zinno
In 2012, ace photographer – and locale – Tony di Zinno took on a commission for Motorsport Retro. Freshly back from a project On the Streets of Afghanistan (‘chalk and cheese’) spring to mind, he and I wandered the spectator areas, the pits and paddock with no other brief than to capture the flavour of the 2012 Grand Prix in black and white, and intersperse it with colour images from the F1 years of the late 70s and early 80s. Our day was me asking “Is this building still here?” him, “Yes… What about Linden Avenue?” We had a blast, soaking it up ourselves to share with you this year.
Image: The Cahier Archive
The colour F1 images are from Sr di Zinno’s good friend Paul-Henri Cahier and his father Bernard’s archive.
If you have a motorsport bucket list of events to visit, add Long Beach to it, and experience Chris Pook’s dream first hand.
Follow @MotorsportRetro and @Hallbean on Twitter and join in the Motorsport Retro discussion on the site’s page on Facebook
Check out the Cahier archive, www.f1-photo.com
Take a look at Tony di Zinno’s non-profit project “Streets of Afghanistan” at http://www.streetsofafghanistan.org/#!__photography
Photo Gallery: Long Beach Then and Now is a post from Motorsport Retro, bringing you classic motorsport, cars, motorcycles and gear every day.
Ayrton Senna’s Formula cars from 1981 – 1994
Illustration: Ayrton Senna’s formula cars is a post from Motorsport Retro, bringing you classic motorsport, cars, motorcycles and gear every day.
This 1965 Rickman Metisse is genuine, complete with a letter from Rickman confirming the frame’s manufacture date, and in great condition. It’s up for sale over at Godin Banks.
The bike employs Triumph power in the form of a 500cc motor, which received a full rebuild by a BSA/Triumph specialist as recently as 2011 and has only had minimal minor mileage put on it since.
Rims are Borrani alloys and the bike features Ceriani front forks. The body work has also recently received a fresh coat of paint and is in good nick.
This machine is a fine example from one of British motorcycle racing’s great names and you can pick it up for £6,995!
Check out Godin Banks’ website here for more.
Via Godin Banks
Images via Godin Banks
For Sale: Rickman Metisse Triumph 500cc is a post from Motorsport Retro, bringing you classic motorsport, cars, motorcycles and gear every day.
Ride along with Jim Pace in the Heritage Motorsports Lola T70 Spyder at Sebring International Raceway. Turn it up!
Thanks to Craig S for the video.
Video: Onboard in a Lola T70 Spyder at Sebring is a post from Motorsport Retro, bringing you classic motorsport, cars, motorcycles and gear every day.
Featuring this video is a slight departure for Motorsport Retro, as there are no classic racing vehicles or people in this post. However there is just something wonderful about the way Shinya talks about his motorcycles, that I’m sure many of us can relate to.It is the same passion and emotion that we feel towards classic racing cars and bikes. That strong emotional connection to the form and function of a racing machine. And like us racers Shinya is not satisfied just wth form…… “A bike should look good on its own, but its not complete until someone rides it”. A kindred spirit.
You can check out Shinya’s work at Chabott Engineering
Thanks to Adam M for the tip
Video: Shinya Kimura – Custom motorcycle builder is a post from Motorsport Retro, bringing you classic motorsport, cars, motorcycles and gear every day.
500 drivers competing in eight different championship gathered in the weekend of April 20th and April 21st on the Hockenheimring in Baden Würtemberg to celebrate the 9th edition of the Bosch Hockenheim Historic – the Jim Clark Revival. The two-time world champion was tragically killed in an accident at the Hockenheimring on April 7th 1968.
Around 15.000 spectators could enjoy spectacular racing from the tiny ‘Battle of the Dwarfs’ to the very fast and loud single seaters of the BOSS GP Series. The event kicked off with a presentation of historic single seaters from RaceHistoryonTrack, a representative organization of historic single seaters, including former F1, F2, F3 and F5000 cars.
NK HTGT
The Dutch NK HTGT, a national championship for both historic gt’s and touringcars had their first race of the 2013 season in Hockenheim. Around 40 cars found their way to Germany including some guest drivers. The true battle for the lead was fought between the Ford GT40 of Georg Stummeyer and the Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport of Dutchman Michiel Campagne. In the beginning Campagne could keep the lead but despite great driving skills Stummeyer’s Ford proved to be far too quick. On Sunday their second race proved to be a demonstration of the sheer power of the Corvette as Campagne raced a lonely race, as Stummeyer had to park his Ford after just three laps. No one had an answer as Campagne finished first creating a gap over 50 seconds in front of the Bizzarrini of Michael Ehrlich.
Battle of the Dwarfs (Kampf der Zwerge)
Tiny touring cars from the 1960s and 1970s up to 1300 cc find their way to several European tracks competing in regularity tests. Partner associations are the ‘Abarth Coppa Mille’, ‘British Car Trophy’ and the ‘NSU TT Trophy’. A large field of 51 Mini’s, Fiat Abarth and NSU TT’s competed in two regularity tests on Saturday and Sunday.
ADAC Graf Berghe von Trips Bokal
The German ADAC Graf Berghe von Trips Bokal is a series established in 1982 and open to historic Formula cars. Wolfgang Reichsgraf Berghe von Trips was a German racing driver, participated in 29 Formula 1 Grand Prix races. He was the first German ever to win a Formula 1 race. Von Trips tragically lost his life during the 1961 Italian Grand Prix at Monza after colliding with the Ferrari of Jim Clark. Von Trips crashed into a side barrier, throwing him from the car and killing fifteen spectators. Around 25 historic single seaters found their way to the Hockenheim track such as the Brabham BT28, Lotus 69, Merlyn, Delta and Royale. Mats Andersson from Sweden won the first race in a March 722/10 F2, Ian Foley (UK) finished second, Stuart Boyer from the UK scored a third place both in a Reynard SF79 FF2000. On Sunday it was Falk Künster from Germany winning the race in a GRD 374 F3. Ian Foley managed again second place as Bruno Huber from Switzerland gained a third place in an Argo JM1 F3.
STT H&R Cup
For the fans of cars from the modern era the German STT & HR Cup was present including a large field of high performance GT’s. Cars like the Dodge Viper, different Porsches, BMW’s etc drove two 25 minute sprint races that saw some tough battles keeping spectators warm suffering from light rain, a strong wind and quite low spring temperatures. German Ulrich Becker claimed victory in race 1 with his Porsche 997 GT3 RS, as Pertti Kuismanen from Finland finished second in his Chrysler Viper GTS-R. Rene Aeberhardt from Switzerland finished third in a BMW Z4 GT3. On Sunday it was Edy Kamm from Switzerland in a former Audi DTM beating Pertti Kuismanen with a 12 second gap claiming his first win. Daniel Schrey crossed the finish line third in a Dodge Viper GTS-R.
Super Sports
Just three former CanAm Big Banger V8’s found their way to Hockenheim but had to battle it out with a bunch of very fast 2.0 and 3.0 litre sports cars. It was great to see that the smaller 2.0 litre sports cars like the Osella as well as the 3.0 litre Lola T292 could make a difference competing against cars like the huge 8.0 liter McLaren M8. In race 1 on Saturday spectators could see a breath taking fight between the McLaren M8F of Peter Hoffmann, Lola T292 of Michele Liguori and the Osella of Silvio Kalb. In the end two 2.0 Osella´s of Silvio Kalb and Werner Frenz claimed the top spots as Alexander Lienau in his McLaren M6b had tot settle for a third place. During the second race on Sunday nobody could answer the sheer power of Peter Hoffmann´s McLaren as he celebrated his first victory of the season. Michiel Campagne claimed second spot (McLaren M8F) as Werner Frenz finished third in his Osella.
BOSS GP
By far out loudest and quickest cars of the weekend were the single seaters from the BOSS GP series. Big Open Single Seaters series are open to former Formula 1, Indycars, Champcars, GP2 as well as Formula Renault 3.5 cars from the World Series of Renault. An interesting and very strong battle was fought between Marijn van Kalmthout (Benetton B197 F1), Ingo Gerstl (Dallara GP2), Bernd Herndlhofer (Dallara GP2) and Gary Hauser (Dallara GP2). The Benetton was more powerful but in the wet the Dallara from Gerstl could keep up with the pace, and even attack for the lead. After a breathtaking fight for the lead it was Marijn van Kalmthout claiming victory in race 1, just 0.560 seconds ahead of Ingo Gerstl. Bernd Herndlhofer finished third. In race 2 the battle was even tougher as van Kalmthout and Gerstl battled it out once again. Van Kalmthout claimed his second victory of the weekend, just 0.294 seconds ahead of Gerstl. This time Gary Hauser from Luxemburg finished third.
FIA Lurani Trophy
The well known FIA Lurani Trophy was the very first historic formula series to be revived in 1975. In 1995 is was the first FIA Championship to be permitted by its own group. Historic single seaters such as the Lotus 22 and 27, Brabham BT2, Lola Mk.3, Lotus 18, Stanguellini and many, may more could be seen on the Hockenheim track, tributing the early days of single seater racing in Europe. In race 1 on Saturday the close battle for victory was fought between Urs Eberhardt from Switzerland and John Fyda from Scotland. Eberhardt crossed the finish line first in front of Fyda, Tommaso Gelmini from Italy finished third. In race 2 the man to beat was once again Eberhardt, but now he had to fight against his fellow countryman Marc Amez-Droz. In the end he claimed his second consecutive victory of the weekend. Amez-Droz finished second in front of Gelmini who scored his second podium finish of the weekend.
Youngtimer Touring Car Challenge
The Youngtimer Trophy from the Netherlands gathered the largest field of classic GT and touring cars, from the powerful Porsche 935 and BMW M1 to the small Trabant 601RS. Eyecatchers were the mighty Porsche 935 K3 of German Daniel Schrey and a rare BMW-March M1 IMSA from Dutchman Jan Bot. The 935 K3 however proved to be too much of anything for the other opponents, as German Daniel Schrey took victory in both race 1 and 2. Jan Bot scored a second place in race 1, Frenchman Marc Louail proved to be a very tough competitor in his Ford Falcon. Frank Metzger finished second during the second race on Sunday in a Cesca GRAC sports car, in front of Gotthard Mayer in a BMW M1 Procar.
We´re looking forward to the 10th edition of the Bosch Hockenheim Historic to be held in 2014.
© Marcel Hundscheid/Speed-O-Graphica.com
Photo Gallery: Bosch Hockenheim Historic – The Jim Clark Revival 2013 is a post from Motorsport Retro, bringing you classic motorsport, cars, motorcycles and gear every day.
Check these great shots from the guys at Speedhunters of Godzilla, the 1992 Bathurst 1000 winning Nissan Skyline GTR Group A Touring Car
Images and more info at Speedhunters.com
Specifications:
Gibson Motorsport BNR32 Nissan Skyline GT-R Group A
Chassis: Steel/alloy
Engine: Nissan Group A-spec RB26DETT, 2.6L DOHC 24V inline-six, twin Garrett T25 turbochargers
Driveline: Holinger 6-speed H-pattern dog box, tuned ATTESA E-TS
Power: 600hp (470hp with boost pressure restriction in ’92)
0-60mph: 3 seconds
Standing 1/4 mile: 10.99 seconds
Photo Gallery: Godzilla – Nissan Skyline GT-R Group A is a post from Motorsport Retro, bringing you classic motorsport, cars, motorcycles and gear every day.
“Bags, you must be a bloody genius to sell that sh**. And we’re going to do something about it.” Alex Cunningham
Thought at the time to be the last all-Australian Holden, the LH SL/R 5000 Torana was victim to an internal structure that made producing good cars for the local market more than a little difficult.
And its story is an interesting one – ultimately giving us the LX Torana A9X and bringing about significant change in Holden and their relationship with GM. You can check it out in full over at the Shannons Club here.
Via the Shannons Club
Image via the Shannons Club
LH SL/R 5000: Torana the Not So Great is a post from Motorsport Retro, bringing you classic motorsport, cars, motorcycles and gear every day.
This 1953 Ferrari 340/375 MM Berlinetta ‘Competizione’, by Pinin Farina, is one of the three works 375 MM competition cars entered into the 1953 24 Hours of Le Mans and is heading to auction at RM Auctions’ Villa Erba sale.
Its racing history is illustrious, having been driven by three world champions; Hawthorn, Ascari, and Farina, played an integral role in Ferrari’s Manufacturer’s Championship in the 1953 World Sports Car Championship, contested the 24 Hours of Spa, the Carrera Panamericana, and secured a win in the 12 Hours of Pescara and going on to show and win at events like Pebble Beach and the Goodwood Revival.
It’s exactingly and beautifully restored, fastidiously documented, incredibly significant and up for sale at RM Auctions’ upcoming Villa Erba sale on the 25th of May.
Images thanks to RM Auctions, by Hardy Mutschler.
Via RM Auctions
For Sale: 1953 Ferrari 340/375 MM Berlinetta ‘Competizione’ by Pinin Farina is a post from Motorsport Retro, bringing you classic motorsport, cars, motorcycles and gear every day.
The fastest of all time.
Video: Tribute to Gilles Villeneuve is a post from Motorsport Retro, bringing you classic motorsport, cars, motorcycles and gear every day.
Head back to the early 1930s, and this MG K3 Magnette would be one of the most desirable rides in sportscar racing. It’s the Earl Howe 1933 MG K3 Mille Miglia works team car, and it’s heading to the Auction block at the end of this month at RM Auctions’ Villa Erba sale.
MG’s supercharged six-cylinder racers were a dominant force in pre-war racing, with success in the 1,000-mile Mille Miglia, 1933 Coppa Acerbo Junior, 1933 Tourist Trophy, Brooklands 500 Mile Race (which Eddie Hall won by a not-inconsiderable 28 minutes) and a class win and fourth overall, MG’s best ever performance, in the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
And the K3 Magnette was the ultimate example of these racers, generating 124 horsepower from its supercharged six-cylinder motor. This power was delivered via a Wilson pre-selector box, which could handle more power and faster shifts while simultaneously being easier to work on and slower to wear. It allowed the driver to select a ratio in advance, with the change itself only occurring when they pressed a gear select pedal.
This car has an extensive, illustrious and well-documented pre-war racing history, with great providence as a works machine driven by Earl Howe.
It was restored in the late ’90s and is in stunning condition. Since its restoration it’s been successful at historic events such as the Goodwood Revival, Monaco Historique Grand Prix and the Le Mans Classic, and it was part of the 75th anniversary of the K3 at MG’s Silverstone International Meeting in 2008.
It’ll head to auction on the 25th of May at RM Auctions’ Villa Erba sale, where it is expected to fetch between €580, 000 and €700, 000. Head to RM Auctions’ page here for more info.
Photos by Tom Wood thanks to RM Auctions
Via RM Auctions
For Sale: 1933 MG K3 Magnette is a post from Motorsport Retro, bringing you classic motorsport, cars, motorcycles and gear every day.
1968 Honda RA301
Photo of the day: Honda V12 power is a post from Motorsport Retro, bringing you classic motorsport, cars, motorcycles and gear every day.
Back in the 1960s and 70s it was common for drivers to fraternize and many developed deep friendships. Annual events like the Tasman Series where F1 drivers were essentially on an end of season holiday, also provided plenty of off track down time. However in the modern Grand Prix era genuine friendships between Formula 1 drivers appear to be rare.
So isn’t it nice to see this video and the rapport between Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso and Red Bull’s Mark Webber. In this clip the two provide a retrospective of their 200 races and talk about some of the things that haven’t changed, such as the joy of good hard wheel to wheel racing, the ecstasy of winning and the fear that comes from a big shunt.
Video: Webber & Alonso interview each other about winning, crashing and 200 Grand Prix races is a post from Motorsport Retro, bringing you classic motorsport, cars, motorcycles and gear every day.
Enjoy this fascinating documentary recalling one of the greatest eras in motorcycle racing history. The Unrideables tells the tale of the legendary riders of 500cc Grand Prix bikes of the 1980s.
Video Documentary: The Unrideables is a post from Motorsport Retro, bringing you classic motorsport, cars, motorcycles and gear every day.
