How times have changed for F1 drivers
Discussion
I've been clearing out my loft and I discovered a programme from 1965. It was an international event according to the blurb but is was little more than national. The dramatis personae is interesting.
Driving that day were D. Hulme, J. Rindt, T. Taylor, M. Beckwith, C. Amon, R. Attwood, F. Gardner, J. Sears, G. Marshall, a certain J. Clark, J. Stewart and J. Surtees. A reserve was J. Siffert (should have been driving a Galaxy), and A. Lanfranchi, K. Costello. Not all F1 drivers but famous names at the time.
Jim Clark drove a Lotus Cortina and came second to Gwaine Baille's Mustang.
You could wander around the paddock and see the drivers from 10 feet away.
The following year I just had to see Jim Clark, Graham Hill, Surtees and Stewart at the Grand Prix at Brands. The start of a life-long enthusism.
Driving that day were D. Hulme, J. Rindt, T. Taylor, M. Beckwith, C. Amon, R. Attwood, F. Gardner, J. Sears, G. Marshall, a certain J. Clark, J. Stewart and J. Surtees. A reserve was J. Siffert (should have been driving a Galaxy), and A. Lanfranchi, K. Costello. Not all F1 drivers but famous names at the time.
Jim Clark drove a Lotus Cortina and came second to Gwaine Baille's Mustang.
You could wander around the paddock and see the drivers from 10 feet away.
The following year I just had to see Jim Clark, Graham Hill, Surtees and Stewart at the Grand Prix at Brands. The start of a life-long enthusism.
Do you make it into any of the shots in the film "Grand Prix"?
Were the movie cameras much in evidence?
What always surprises me about the movie is that they show pre and post race activity - but no action from the race. Was that because Brands didn't give them any permission to use the track for filming purposes that weekend?
Were the movie cameras much in evidence?
What always surprises me about the movie is that they show pre and post race activity - but no action from the race. Was that because Brands didn't give them any permission to use the track for filming purposes that weekend?
It's the great question that divides modern (post 1982 or so) dtrivers from their predecessors. Until the early 80s, most F1 drivers were free to try their hand in other categpories of racing. For the past 30 years their non F1 related activities have been severely curtailed due top contract restrictions.
Eric Mc said:
Do you make it into any of the shots in the film "Grand Prix"?
Funny you should mention that . . .I went on the Saturday as well as race day and the crowd was asked to stay behind for the crowd scenes. I wandered into the paddock where the cameras were. They were surrounding an F2 Ferrari and the chap who was in charge of the Ferrari team in the film was discussing something with the young driver. The 'mechanics' were supposed to push the car past the conversation. I pushed my way to the front of the crowd.
I can be seen quite clearly in the shot. I am famous. Unfortunately, only from the waist down. It is obviously me. I was skinny in those days, my nickname was spindle, sometimes spoke. Those were the days in more ways than one.
Earlier on I wandered around the paddock and my father spoke with a chap working on a Cooper Maserati, who just happend to be John Cooper. My dad recognised him. He was very friendly, asked for us to stand clear of the engine as if it fell on us it 'could wipe out everyone in the paddock', a dig at its weight.
While we were chatting there was a small explosion and a cloud of smoke billowed out further down the paddock. My dad said it was nothing and then, out from a caravan, stepped this little bloke who, in a high pitched voice said something like: Oh! It's only the film chaps messing around.'
He sounded very gay in pitch and tone. And he stood with one hand on his hip. I was shocked. This was one of my heroes, Jackie Stewart. My expression must have conveyed by feelings as Cooper said: Don't worry son. He's got a lovely wife.
I was entraced by the whole setup. Rindt walked past us, his strangely shaped nose making him obvious. Clark drove past us at one time and was blocked by a press photographer so he parked the Lotus on the camerman's foot and got out.
Ferrari were the only team who were not friendly. It put me off them for a number of years. 46 so far.
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