RE: Time for Tea? Vic Elford and the Targa Florio
Discussion
firebird350 said:
I love "The Speed Merchants" - a tremendous piece of work filmed in the contemporary and an object lesson in how to capture this 'window in time' element which paints such a colourful, anecdotal insight into the race and racing driver legends we now revere and wonder about.
As well as the obvious attraction of period racing footage, the story includes the quiet, contemplative and often very private, philosophical thoughts (and occasional doubts) of the various drivers of the era (Vic Elford, Mario Andretti, etc), given both trackside and in drivers' homes.
All of this adds up to that feeling of 'being there' when you watch this film, something which basic racing coverage itself doesn't ever really achieve.
The "Speed Merchants", in some ways, represents the essence of what Steve McQueen sought (and on the whole succeeded) to capture in "Le Mans".
The slightly haunting piano solo which leads into the film sets the tone for what follows - a very thoughtful production which stays with you after you've watched it, leaving you back there in 1972!
I cannot agree more - very well said. It is the perfect antidote for the more modern in-your-face films about racing and cars in general. As well as the obvious attraction of period racing footage, the story includes the quiet, contemplative and often very private, philosophical thoughts (and occasional doubts) of the various drivers of the era (Vic Elford, Mario Andretti, etc), given both trackside and in drivers' homes.
All of this adds up to that feeling of 'being there' when you watch this film, something which basic racing coverage itself doesn't ever really achieve.
The "Speed Merchants", in some ways, represents the essence of what Steve McQueen sought (and on the whole succeeded) to capture in "Le Mans".
The slightly haunting piano solo which leads into the film sets the tone for what follows - a very thoughtful production which stays with you after you've watched it, leaving you back there in 1972!
I've always wondered about the production of the film - what came first and what involvement Vic and Mario and the others had in the script. Listening to it you cannot imagine that the words were put in their mouth, their thoughts are far too personal for that. I guess the film company got them on board for the season, followed them and accepted that what will be will be. We, as viewers, are fortunate that they recruited two very eloquent and thoughtful and down to earth racers going through an era of great change. A superb film. I know what I'm going to watch tonight...
PS and since this is PH, how stunning is Mrs Ickx...
PPS If you like Speed Merchants, check out Mountain Legend, a documentary on the '65 Targa - another great period piece.
Oh look, here it is in full - there goes the day...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bDvshm_LgvE
Anyone remember the old Clarkson show with the working scale model of the Ferrari 312 PB - tramsmission, gauges, hydraulics everything...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SeUMDY01uUA
I can't decide whether he's a genius or an mentalist. Probably both.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SeUMDY01uUA
I can't decide whether he's a genius or an mentalist. Probably both.
Fantastic! Real racing. It brought back memories too. I had the great pleasure of driving the course in 1999 on a Guild of Motor Endurance event. I was in my 3-wheel Special, hit a pothole, smashed the rear suspension to pieces, and went into a 3 wheel drift for several hundred meters.
I'd love to drive it again one day, but without destroying the suspension this time!
Thank you PistonHeads.
I'd love to drive it again one day, but without destroying the suspension this time!
Thank you PistonHeads.
PaulMoor said:
We need road racing back in cars. Its so much fun on bikes!
I agree. Bring back the Dundrod, Targa Florio, Mille Miglia, Nurburgring 1000km, Copa Acerbo etc... for lightweight sportcars (LMP2) and GT cars. No diesel. No hybrids with electric torque vectoring etc.. If you shoved all of these races along with Spa, Reims, Targa Tasmania etc... into one World Sports Car Championship and it would be the best car championship by far.
Thats a superb bit of film just gives such a strong feeling of how it was back in those days.
Interesting to see the bit from 9min onwards showing how quick Helmut Marko was in his day (before his accident that put him out of F1).
Vic Elfords book Reflections on a Golden Era of Motorsport is one of the best motorsport books I have read (and I've read a lot) I would recommend it to anyone interested in the history of the sport, the man is a legend.
The book goes through his early Rally, Rallycross and Circuit racing days and how he formed an allegiance with Porsche which led to more rallying and then sports car racing, Le Mans, developing the 917 then single seaters, F1, then over to the USA, its a fascinating book to read about his exploits and very well written.
Interesting to see the bit from 9min onwards showing how quick Helmut Marko was in his day (before his accident that put him out of F1).
Vic Elfords book Reflections on a Golden Era of Motorsport is one of the best motorsport books I have read (and I've read a lot) I would recommend it to anyone interested in the history of the sport, the man is a legend.
The book goes through his early Rally, Rallycross and Circuit racing days and how he formed an allegiance with Porsche which led to more rallying and then sports car racing, Le Mans, developing the 917 then single seaters, F1, then over to the USA, its a fascinating book to read about his exploits and very well written.
Peter Windsor ended his Portimao practice video by mentioning there is a Go Fund Me appeal for Vic Elford. Windsor said Elford has cancer and has broken his leg and is not in good shape financially. There's the link from the Peter Windsor video:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/assisting-vic-elfords-m...
https://www.gofundme.com/f/assisting-vic-elfords-m...
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