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Post by Carl on Oct 25, 2017 3:33:15 GMT
By my calculations Carl that would have made George Follmer around 51 when he drove the Porsche 956 at Le Mans in 1985 Charles, It was a remarkable achievement and neither of us should have forgotten, but we both managed to do so. He was born on January 27, 1934 and was 52 1/2 when he finished third in the 1986 24 heures de course. Only the greats can drive at that level into their sixth decade. Also driving was fellow American John Morton, an underrated many times SCCA National Champion in the 60s and 70s, who was the junior driver at 44. This clearly means it's never too late and we should organize our own P2 entry for next year. There's little time for sleep, so when we're not doing our stints we'll party with our many camp followers. |
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Post by charleselan on Oct 25, 2017 17:33:23 GMT
John Morton was indeed a very good driver and what a pairing to behold, I bet they made some of the younger generation driver look a little sad in that 1985 Le Mans 24 Hours. There have been very few that have been able to sustain real speed when into their later years Carl and that is the sign of supreme talent in my opinion. Bob Wollek was another who was amazingly fast when well into his fifties, such a tragedy he was taken in that bicycle accident coming away from Daytona.
On the subject of the beautiful Penske McLaren M6B, how is this for absolute proof :-
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Post by Carl on Oct 25, 2017 18:09:09 GMT
It's absolutely beautiful and proof indeed. The attention to detail by Team Penske is remarkable, down to the artistic pin-stripes on the M6B, a gorgeous sports racer.
The buried tires suggest Riverside and the slight greenery suggests recent rain. If my assumptions are correct, the picture shows Donahue exiting Turn 7A on the short course. But I've been wrong once or twice before...
The photograph I attached is Linda Vaughn at her peak of beauty at the 1972 Indianapolis 500
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Post by charleselan on Oct 25, 2017 19:13:48 GMT
I had a feeling that you would spot the venue, it wasn't on the photo caption from where i downloaded the image, so relied on your knowledgeable input Carl.
Sorry I wasn't aware of that lady being Linda Vaughn, Andretti not in tow on this occasion;).
While researching the Can Am photos I came across some wonderful images of Marlyn Monroe, they just seem to fit so well with the 1950/60's motor sport.
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Post by Carl on Oct 31, 2017 2:51:27 GMT
She remains the greatest movie sex symbol. The photo is from my favorite Marilyn Monroe film, "Bus Stop" (1956) A beautiful woman fated never to attain happiness, the Elton John/Bernie Taupin song "Candle in the Wind" so perfectly defined her. Abused as a foster child, her only choice from a young age was to be a sex object. The same may well have been true of Linda Vaughn, who reportedly had relations with many top drivers, including, and according to her the most gentle and kind one, Jimmy Clark. "And it seems to me you lived your life Like a candle in the wind Never knowing who to cling to When the rain set in" Now for a beautiful woman whose childhood was protected and who made her own way never having to spend time with Mario Andretti, here is a photograph of nineteen year old Race Queen Raquel Tejada (later Welch) with driver Don Cameron at a Southern California dirt track in 1959. What a beautiful smile on her face and a great expression of befuddled incredulity on his! Attachment Deleted |
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Post by charleselan on Oct 31, 2017 11:59:21 GMT
Carl,
It is so strange that it is only in recent times that I became aware that Jimmy Clark was a "bit of a ladies man" as I always thought that he was dedicated to Sally. Great to know however that his prowess was not only reserved for driving race cars exceptionally fast.
I must read up more on Miss Vaughn who seems to be a very interesting woman.
Marilyn had such a tragic life but she will remain immortal for the truly beautiful woman and icon she became. Her legs are like all the great Lotus race cars; hope that isn't too none PC!
John Charles
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Post by Carl on Oct 31, 2017 18:34:27 GMT
Surrounded by aluminum in his race cars, he would likely have preferred to be surrounded by Marilyn Monroe instead. All we can say is she was born 30 years too soon!
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