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Post by René on Mar 2, 2021 14:30:25 GMT
That Ferrari 250TRI is an absolute stunner, very beautiful car. @ Mikael: a wonderful photo indeed but the car does look darker red then it actually was. It's probably a combination of dirt and the lighting that makes it look like this. It was bright scarlet red.
@ JC: Fantastic film! Those Rodriguez boys were something special indeed!  |
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Post by charleselan on Mar 2, 2021 19:23:04 GMT
Not sure if any of you guys read the comments below the films on YouTube, many are truly horrendous and there are some below the film posted above. Talk about sensitive, or more to the point stupidity. There are some who think that Raymond Baxter referring to Pedro & Riccardo as "little Mexicans" is being racist. Words fail me there; so by contrast referring to say Dan Gurney as "the big American" is also racist.
These people really aren't safe out.
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Post by René on Mar 3, 2021 18:15:16 GMT
Not sure if any of you guys read the comments below the films on YouTube, many are truly horrendous and there are some below the film posted above. Talk about sensitive, or more to the point stupidity. There are some who think that Raymond Baxter referring to Pedro & Riccardo as "little Mexicans" is being racist. Words fail me there; so by contrast referring to say Dan Gurney as "the big American" is also racist. These people really aren't safe out. As far as I know Pedro and Ricardo Rodríguez were Mexican and both not very tall! That makes them little Mexicans to me. Nothing racist or derogatory to me. They were fabulous racing drivers and what I've read very nice guys also.
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Post by charleselan on Mar 3, 2021 18:44:37 GMT
I also recall that Jackie Stewart was often referred to as "the wee Scot" as he wasn't very tall either.
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Post by Carl on Mar 3, 2021 18:57:17 GMT
Not sure if any of you guys read the comments below the films on YouTube, many are truly horrendous and there are some below the film posted above. Talk about sensitive, or more to the point stupidity. There are some who think that Raymond Baxter referring to Pedro & Riccardo as "little Mexicans" is being racist. Words fail me there; so by contrast referring to say Dan Gurney as "the big American" is also racist. These people really aren't safe out. As far as I know Pedro and Ricardo Rodríguez were Mexican and both not very tall! That makes them little Mexicans to me. Nothing racist or derogatory to me. They were fabulous racing drivers and what I've read very nice guys also.
My impression is that Pedro emerged well-balanced from a difficult childhood, a balance for which his younger brother had less time. Both were great drivers and loyal sons of a demanding father and this photograph shows Ricardo in 1962, kissing his father's hand in obedience before trying for pole position in Mexico for the sake of national and family pride.
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Post by chrisb on Mar 6, 2021 6:36:19 GMT
That is such a sad photo Carl, as of course minutes later Ricardo was killed trying to do his Father's bidding.
Going back to JC's comments about little Mexicans I wonder what the 'snowflakes' would have us say, as height wise they certainly weren't challenged. but how on earth can that term be seen as racist, the fact the likes of Raymond whose WW2 heroics as a fighter pilot fought fascism - which allows a certain amount of freedom of speech is a mockery of their bravery, pathetic - that really does make my blood boil, so as you say wee Scot, is ok, large American ok, but little Mexican isn't?? what on earth -
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Post by Carl on Mar 6, 2021 18:43:30 GMT
That is such a sad photo Carl, as of course minutes later Ricardo was killed trying to do his Father's bidding. Going back to JC's comments about little Mexicans I wonder what the 'snowflakes' would have us say, as height wise they certainly weren't challenged. but how on earth can that term be seen as racist, the fact the likes of Raymond whose WW2 heroics as a fighter pilot fought fascism - which allows a certain amount of freedom of speech is a mockery of their bravery, pathetic - that really does make my blood boil, so as you say wee Scot, is ok, large American ok, but little Mexican isn't?? what on earth - I read the comments on youtube and the ignorance of the one complainant is front and center. I suppose "tall American" Dan Gurney and "short Mexican brothers" Pedro and Ricardo might pacify the anal retention of political correctness. Little, of course, is exactly correct and not meant to belittle, for Raymond Baxter knew there was nothing little about their great driving talent. On the other hand, the hugely talented Jackie Stewart or another proud Scot chose "wee Scot" as a term of affection. "I'm just a soul whose intentions are good...
Oh Lord, please don't let me be misunderstood"
- Eric Burdon
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Post by robmarsh on Mar 11, 2021 9:21:02 GMT
As far as I know Pedro and Ricardo Rodríguez were Mexican and both not very tall! That makes them little Mexicans to me. Nothing racist or derogatory to me. They were fabulous racing drivers and what I've read very nice guys also.
My impression is that Pedro emerged well-balanced from a difficult childhood, a balance for which his younger brother had less time. Both were great drivers and loyal sons of a demanding father and this photograph shows Ricardo in 1962, kissing his father's hand in obedience before trying for pole position in Mexico for the sake of national and family pride.
The world has gone mad... |
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Post by mikael on Dec 11, 2022 13:11:22 GMT
The Ford Capri RS 2600 - one of the most "charismatic" touring/standard cars of the 1970's, in my opinion. It was even present in the field of Le Mans for a couple of years (1972 and 73, at least).
1972
1973
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Post by mikael on Dec 11, 2022 18:47:52 GMT
Addendum to the previous post in this thread: 1973 - that will be half a century ago this coming summer ... Going half a century back still yet - to 1923 - interestingly, that was the very first version of the Le Mans 24H race. In other words, the Le Mans 24H will celebrate its 100th anniversary this coming summer!
Some words about - and photos from - the very first Le Mans 24H (1923):
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Post by René on Apr 11, 2023 23:04:45 GMT
A supurb quality film report of the 1968 24 hours of Le Mans. Fantastic racing images combined with fascinating atmospheric shots. Enjoy!
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Post by mikael on Apr 13, 2023 17:22:53 GMT
A superb quality film report of the 1968 24 hours of Le Mans. Fantastic racing images combined with fascinating atmospheric shots. Enjoy!
Thank you, René. It's fascinating for sure - a real pleasure to watch.
For sure motor racing at top level was immensely dangerous back then, in the heyday of motor sport. Now, the typical over-employment of the safety car has greatly compromised the excitement and the pleasure of watching. A "golden mean" between then and now might be the way to go ...
To return to the film, interesting that Ford reverted, essentially, to the "old" GT40 Mk. II (the 1966 winner) in 1968, after they had used (and again won with) the much more sophisticated GT40 Mk. IV in 1967. (The GT40 Mk. III was the road car version of the GT40 Mk. II.)
And also interesting ... no, amazing, really, that the Ford GT40/Porsche 907/908 rivalry was repeated the following year (1969), but in a much more "all out" type of fight.
Yes, interesting years at Le Mans!
Another amazing fact: the winning Ford GT40 of 1968 and1969 was actually the one and same car: it was chassis No. GT40 P/1075. (Source: Ronnie Spain: GT40 An individual History and Race Record. Motorbooks 1986/2003.)
The 1969 Le Mans finish.
On another matter: I do think that those two cars - the 1-2 finishers of 1969, are among (if not the) most beautiful racing cars ever made.
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Post by René on Apr 13, 2023 19:30:08 GMT
It is indeed incredible to see all those wrecks right next to the track and the race that continues. Unthinkable in modern times and perhaps too dangerous, but nowadays it is often too safe and too clinical. An element of danger does add something. What will the drivers of that time have thought of the Safety Cars in Australia?   |
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Post by Carl on Apr 14, 2023 16:09:09 GMT
René and Mikael, Thanks for the great film and photographs! The Porsche 908 LH that came so close to victory is a beautiful sculpture. I wonder if Ford chose to revert to the GT-40 to save time overall with better mileage and fewer pit stops. Like Henry Ford II, the 7 litre Mk IV was ponderous and gluttonous.
"Where's the damn caviar buffet?"
The duel between Jacky Ickx and Hans Hermann over the final laps in 1969 may be the best of all time! One day earlier, as the race began and other drivers ran to their cars, Ickx instead walked across the track slowly and deliberately. He made a point but almost lost the race! Cheers, Carl |
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Post by mikael on Apr 14, 2023 21:07:49 GMT
I wonder if Ford chose to revert to the GT-40 to save time overall with better mileage and fewer pit stops. Like Henry Ford II, the 7 litre Mk IV was ponderous and gluttonous.
Carl,
The GT40 history is actually really interesting. Actually (again using Ronnie Spain's book as source of information), Ford chose to withdraw from long-distance sports car racing after the Le Mans success in 1967. At the same time, John Wyer (JWA) ran his own, individual team under Gulf sponsorship. In 1967, at the same time as Ford ran the GT40 Mk. IV's as their factory team, JWA developed and ran a lightweight GT40 called Mirage.
And actually, the cars that ran (and won) in the 1968 and 1969 Le Mans were JWA GT40 Mirage's, rebuilt to resemble GT 40 Mk. II's, for some reason or another (which I probably can find, if I read Ronnie Spain's book carefully). It's a bit curious, actually, this rebuilding, since the Mirage was supposed to be more "aerodynamic". But the gain (compared to a Mk. II) must, most likely, have been approximately zero ...
So the mistake/confusion is my fault - sorry about this! I mentioned the Mk. IV's in my post - but they were already completely out of the picture in 1968.
And thus, the '68 and '69 Le Mans victories were not victories for Ford, but for John Wyer/JWA.
Best,
Mikael
The 1967 JWA lightweight GT40 Mirage ...
... which was morphed into a lightweight GT40 "Mk. II" for the 1968 season: |
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