Wheel Men...Drivers of the Lotus 49

[Lou Drozdowski]

Mr. Monaco...a few more pictures for the 5 time winner. ld

 

[Lou Drozdowski]

6/17/2010...Cops in upstate NY pulled over to question the driver of a Corvette ZR1 that was stopped on the side of the highway. To their surprise, Mario Andretti was the one making the pit stop...
The racing legend told them he had stopped to "stretch his legs" reports the Syracuse Post Standard. After confirming Andretti had a valid ID he jumped back in his car, which, the paper pointed out can get into 205mph, and headed west.

Now, if you were the trooper? what would you say? ....I digress...His tenure although short in the 49 was magical. Putting it on the pole for his first time in the seat at Watkins Glen in 68. He would find greatness with Colin Chapman later in his career, a driver of all calibers, in any type of car, always fast...a Champion. ld     

[Lou Drozdowski]

I wanted to tie in Bill Brack with Mario. As the story goes... Brack, the Canadian importer to Lotus cars and a seasoned racer, (later to be 3 time Formula Atlantic champ) asked Colin Chapman prior to the 68 race in St.Jovite to drive the spare car with Hill and Oliver. After much discussion it was agreed he could for $6000. Come race weekend he was only allowed 5 laps of practice and 5 laps in qualifying. Colin wanted to keep the car in one piece, needless to say he was at the back of the grid. Hill, who was fighting for the championship complained of a rear vibration. The 49's were notorious for twisting driveshaft's and overnight Brack's was swapped into Hill's...resulting in Bill's early retirement. The next race weekend Mario put it on pole. Go figure!  ld 

[Bainford]

Thanks, Lou. Two very neat stories there. Cheers

[Roger]

I see that 49/2 got bent at Monaco  http://forums.autosport.com/topic/193168-lotus-49-r2-crunched-at-monaco/

Shame, but it'll be fixed and maybe this time they'll get the nosecone dead right. It looked a bit "off" before.

[Lou Drozdowski]

I see that 49/2 got bent at Monaco  http://forums.autosport.com/topic/193168-lotus-49-r2-crunched-at-monaco/

Shame, but it'll be fixed and maybe this time they'll get the nosecone dead right. It looked a bit "off" before.

Ouch!...I closed my eyes and tried not to open the link.

[Roger]

I see that 49/2 got bent at Monaco  http://forums.autosport.com/topic/193168-lotus-49-r2-crunched-at-monaco/

Shame, but it'll be fixed and maybe this time they'll get the nosecone dead right. It looked a bit "off" before.

Ouch!...I closed my eyes and tried not to open the link.

You'll hate this then! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e8q2D1S9VM8&list=UUpCTkno8zJfSC6aGgnSqmRA

[Lou Drozdowski]

Roger, Thanks for the Vid...
The crane shot from below showed the tub to be ok but... nose, radiator, uprights and all the other fidly bits $$$$$.
http://www.lotuseuropa.org/LotusForum/Smileys/default/welder.gif
I will post another old story to help me heal. ld 

[Lou Drozdowski]

The same outcome came to mind, at the 1968 Monaco race... Jackie Oliver starting 13th was involved in a start line crash and retired. Here is the car prior to the carnage...ld

[Lou Drozdowski]

Jo "Seppi" Siffert the popular Swiss driver joined the formula one circus as a privateer in 1962 with a Lotus Climax. His F1 career spanned 96 races for Brabham, Rob Walker, March and BRM. A highlight victory in the 49, was his epic struggle in the 1968 British Grand Prix at Brands Hatch, holding off Chris Amon's Ferrari.

The lower photo...Rouen-les Essants 1968, Graham Hill offers his helmet visor to his teammate (Siffert) after Hills breakdown.
The gentlemen days of f1 racing long passed...Multi 21 and the prima donna drivers's of today have a lot to learn! ld 

[Lou Drozdowski]

The 1968 Monaco race saw Graham Hill capture his 4Th win at the historic Monte Carlo venue. With the formula one circus still reeling from the recent deaths of Jim Clark and Mike Spence, safety was paramount after Lorenzo Bandini's horrific crash the year before. Ferrari decided to skip the event over track concerns, reducing the field of entrants. It was Jackie Oliver's short debut in the 49, ending in a first lap crash with Bruce McLaren. The first sprouts of wings appeared with Hill's 49 having a revised engine cover and aero foils attached to the nosecone. ld   

[Lou Drozdowski]

I hope those of you reading my posts are enjoying our journey and fascination of days past. I will share a special story regarding my driving hero Jim Clark. While a sophomore in High school, I had the chance to visit relatives in Italy that summer. It was my good fortune to have my uncle take me to Monza where I got to see  my first F1 race. I remember the spectacle of the track and the Tifosi so passionate...screaming every time a red car passed by. Feeling like and outsider at the time, I fell in love with those green and yellow cars instead.
 As for the race, Clark who had taken pole position had a puncture on lap 12 rejoining a full lap behind...what happened next was perhaps his greatest drive in Formula One. Charging back through the field, Clark lowered the lap record, lap after lap... finally taking the lead on lap 60 and pulling away. It was not to be his victory however, as low fuel pressure saw the 49 sputter only to be passed by John Surtees /Honda and Jack Brabham's /Repco on the final tour.
On the drive back home I recall the quiet conversation, and how mad my uncle was. The Ferrari of Amon finished 4 laps behind. "Vergonia" (shamefull) he blustered!
  I became a fan of the green and yellow on September 10 1967.         

[Bainford]

Great story, Lou. 

[Lou Drozdowski]

Great story, Lou. 

  I would like your comments on this picture...
I'm certain Rindt, Siffert & Hill  were discussing something other than racing. Long leather boots perhaps?     

[Bainford]

I would like your comments on this picture...
I'm certain Rindt, Siffert & Hill  were discussing something other than racing. Long leather boots perhaps?   

...or perhaps short denim shirts