Wheel Men...Drivers of the Lotus 49

[BDA]

Interesting observation, Lou! It's hard to tell for sure without being able to see the edge of the track but it looks like Graham is taking a tignter lne.

It also looks like Graham has something attached (or taped?) on either side in front of his windscreen. I wonder what they are for?

[Lou Drozdowski]

Looking for that extra edge, Graham's duck tail seems to have a bit added on. Like many of our friends, myself included... racers tape works wonders! "Duck it" 

[BDA]

Duct tape and sheet aluminum - when you need just a little more rear downforce! 

[Bainford]

Ah, the age of free experimentation.

[Lou Drozdowski]

Jim Clark OBE  3/4/36...he would have turned eighty four today.

[BDA]

  Jimmy! I wish you were still with us!

[Bainford]

  Jimmy. yes, It would have been interesting to see what he would have achieved in the 70s.

[Lou Drozdowski]

Monaco 1969...

Wings used in practice and ban was instituted for the race...Richard Atwood

[BDA]

I would have thought it might be more dangerous to require a car with a wing to run without it and better to require better bracing, but then those wings were an afterthought on those cars so I suppose it wasn't a problem. But look at the orientation of the car in the hairpin! He certainly could have used some extra downforce!

[Bainford]

I find the progression of wing development in F1 (or racing in general) quite fascinating. Especially the degree to which designers without a good working knowledge of aerodynamics tried to emulate those who did. Sometimes with disastrous consequences, not to mention, frequently comical appendages.

[Lou Drozdowski]

Plenty of time on my hands naturally, need to upload some more photos.

I like this one...

Don't get me wrong, I adore the 49 in all It's forms and changes but, the wing profile in this is fantastic. The car looks like it's already at speed! Jochen Rindt, at Brands Hatch.

[Bainford]

Great photo. That is a cool wing. Interesting pit scene.

[Lou Drozdowski]

Race of Champions...Brands Hatch 1969, way before DRS!

Care to take a guess?

[Lou Drozdowski]

4/7/68... Jim Clark

Career laps led    49%

Fangio                44%
Senna                 35%
Hamilton             31%
Schumacher        30% 

[Bainford]

Led 49%!! That’s a stunning statistic.