| 1970’S FORMULA 1 RACES
This paragraph is the same as on 1970’S TOURING CAR AND FORMULA 2 RACES as it really must start the same way, and for the same reasons. I have long had a fascination for motor racing, but the early 70’s was probably the best from my point of view. It was not unusual for me to pick up the weekly ‘Autosport’ along with my normal ‘Aircraft Illustrated’, where I would check on my favorites for race results, and standings. Formula 1 was really the one for me, but surprisingly, I only went to two races, both of which are covered in this gallery. I found meeting and chatting to the drivers of the day was just out of this world. I do not believe you can get as close to the drivers today as you could back then. All appeared to have time to chat, or time for an autograph, there was just such a good feeling as you walked around the pits taking pix and looking with no harassment from race officials. As can be seen in one of my pix, the rivalry was on the track, not off it as can be seen from two great drivers like Peter Gethin and Mike Hailwood enjoying a laugh together; a great atmosphere. There were the loners, but they were always happy for photographs to be taken. Britain had a lot of talented drivers back then, and something all race fans were proud of; come on Hamilton, bring it back to us. Well done Lewis! You made us all so proud with your win at Interlagos. The last race of 2008. May there be many more. Fantastic! Lewis Hamilton - World Champion 2008! Lorrie and I were at the race when the great, Jo Siffert crashed on the 14th lap at Hawthorns in the October of 1971. I am happy and sad, that I got a photograph of Siffert on his last lap. We could see black smoke rising in the distance, and no one knew what had happened. There was an eerie silence over Brands as the speakers all fell silent. You knew something bad had happened, but you did not know what. No cars came round for what appeared to be the longest time. All the spectators appeared to be checking off the program as cars started appearing one by one. It was soon known, as one car never came round. A very sad end to what was to be a great victory race. My Formula 1 hero was the ‘super Swede’, Ronnie Peterson. Lorrie and I followed his career in the papers and ‘Autosport’ right up to that fateful day on the Monza circuit in 1978. After this, Lorrie and I lost our interest for Formula 1; for we now had just started a new life in Canada. Enjoy the pix, and I hope it brings back some great memories for you also… Caz, November 2008 |
Graham Hill in his Brabham BT34 at Clark Curve. World Championship Victory Race @ Brands Hatch - October 24, 1971 |
Jo Siffert in his BRM P160 at Clark Curve. This was Siffert's last lap proir to his fatal accident on lap 14 at Hawthorns. World Championship Victory Race @ Brands Hatch - October 24, 1971 |
Graham Hill in his Brabham BT34 at Clark Curve. World Championship Victory Race @ Brands Hatch - October 24, 1971 |
Jackie Stewart in his Tyrrell at Clark Curve. World Championship Victory Race @ Brands Hatch - October 24, 1971 |
Ronnie Peterson in his March 711 at Clark Curve. World Championship Victory Race @ Brands Hatch - October 24, 1971 |
Francois Cevert in his Tyrrell at Clark Curve. World Championship Victory Race @ Brands Hatch - October 24, 1971 |
Emerson Fitipaldi in his Lotus 72 at Clark Curve. World Championship Victory Race @ Brands Hatch - October 24, 1971 |
Henri Pescarolo in his March 711 at Clark Curve. World Championship Victory Race @ Brands Hatch - Ocober 24, 1971 |
Howden Ganley in his BRM P160 at Clark Curve. World Championship Victory Race @ Brands Hatch - October 24, 1971 |
Jackie Oliver in his McLaren M19A at Clark Curve. World Championship Victory Race @ Brands Hatch - October 24, 1971 |
Mike Hailwood in his Surtees TS9 trailing a lot of smoke at Clark Curve. World Championship Victory Race @ Brands Hatch - October 24, 1971 |
Peter Gethin in his BRM P160 checking his mirror at Clark Curve. World Championship Victory Race @ Brands Hatch - October 24, 1971 |
