Wheel Men...Drivers of the Lotus 49

[BDA]

Thanks for making me feel old!


He died much too young.


 

[Lou Drozdowski]

Had to dust this one off...a unique picture of the team at the debut of the iconic 49 at Zandvoort. With Hill and Duckworth along 49 R1 in the back round, Jim gets a shove into the pit box from Colin. Can you imagine a team principal in today's F1 resorting to slogging about?...Not hardly!

[Lou Drozdowski]

Drag was the killer...the slim cigar shape was pushing the envelope of adhesion. Teams were looking for a solution to diminish the lift pressure created at high speed. Here we see the first semblance of primitive foils added to the nose of the 49 the high speeds of Spa 1967...

Later developments of the high rear wing were suicidal...but I wanted to show the small wicker added, including the adjustment slots for the front wing planes.

[Bainford]

Great stuff, Lou. The pace of development was astounding throughout this era. I Think it is a suitable commentary for the state and growth of mechanical engineering as a whole during this period of time.

[Lou Drozdowski]

Forever browsing for images...A nice picture /cameo of Jackie Oliver...Test your skill

Check carefully for clues...Where was this?...4 points
                                      Pole lap time?...3 points
                                      Race Winner?....2 points
                                      Team mates? ....1 point per 
           

[Bainford]

Ok, I'll take a crack at it, but I feel I have the location wrong;
#1 Brands Hatch
#2 1:28.9 (Graham Hill)
#3 Jo Siffert
#4 Jo Siffert & Graham Hill

[RoddyMac]

My guess is Monza
Surtees 1 min 26.07 sec
Hulme
Hill and Andretti

[Lou Drozdowski]

My guess is Monza
Surtees 1 min 26.07 sec
Hulme
Hill and Andretti

...Aced it !...outstanding!     Monza 1968, The Honda was fast but, like many others a race of attrition.

 Notables come to mind, Oliver had the fastest race lap, both Andretti (Lotus) and Unser (BRM) were not allowed to race from having competed in another non-sanctioned event in a 24hr. period.

They were the talk of the paddock on Friday with Andretti setting Fastest time just ahead of Bobby...seems they were off to the Hoosier 100 in Indiana, and come then back for the Grand Prix...they never returned!

Johnny Servos Gavin (Tyrell/Matra) Derek Bell (Ferrari) David Hobbs (Honda)...most teams had extra cars.

Hulme was challenged early by Surtees, then watched as the others fell away...only 6 of 24 were classified.
   

Would you like to try another?...same weekend! ....   

[Bainford]

Just curious, was there specific evidence to identify the site a Monza? Or just good educational guessing?

[RoddyMac]

Jackie only ran the number 19 at Monza that year.  For some reason the car numbers changed at every race other than #1.

[Lou Drozdowski]

Just curious, was there specific evidence to identify the site a Monza? Or just good educational guessing?

I thought you would have to look back at some earlier posts for clues...mind you, some pictures can be found in this thread and the first time Zandvoort topic.

The concrete pit boxes with painted circles...see photo...remember, you liked the overalls.

Jacky raced in 68...when was his car wore #19...Mario #18...photo

Babes...Baghetti's girl pal at Monza...photo...er...yep! that's a great clue.

   Cheers! 

[Bainford]

Cheers Roddy. I should have thought to check numbers

And thanks Lou. Never occurred to me to check previous photos. Yes, it all comes back to me now, though surely I can be excused for not focusing on the concrete beyond the legs.

[Lou Drozdowski]

On the last night of his life, Clark was asked by fellow driver Kurt Ahrens to a TV spot with Germany's Sport studio. Jim agreed, and with Kurt in the car... pushed him on to the set. Mistakenly taken as Kurt's mechanic the announcer only later learned of Jim's reputation.

After a photo stop at a local beer house, the Mercedes that Kurt was using, desperately needed some oil. With little funds at their disposal, Kurt persuaded the attendant to accept an autograph from the twice Worlds Champion for payment.

Such was the case for a humble man..RIP

On the F2 grid the next day....Ahrens with is Dad, Carlos Facetti and Beaky Simms. 

[BDA]

Sad to see pictures on Jim's last twenty four hours...

[Lou Drozdowski]

Happy Birthday Jochen Rindt...75 years today, F1's only uncrowned Champion.