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Post by robmarsh on Mar 14, 2022 9:33:07 GMT
Sad to see that Vic Elford has passed away from cancer on 13 March 1922. A brilliant sports car and rally driver that I think could have been fairly successful in F1 given the right car at the right time. RIP Vic Elford
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Post by René on Mar 14, 2022 10:46:37 GMT
Thanks for posting, Rob.
Another famous name has left us.
Rest in peace Vic Elford.
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Post by charleselan on Mar 14, 2022 14:17:53 GMT
Sad news indeed about the loss of Vic Elford one of the true great allrounders. His F1 debut looked very promising when he brought the Cooper BRM into fourth place at the wet and tragic French GP in Rouen, but the teak were in the decline and in their last season of Grand Prix racing. He ended up driving for Colin Crabbe in the Antique Automobiles Cooper and later the much handed down McLaren M7A with the side paneer tanks. Vic deserved better.
I did read a while back that they were trying to Crowd Fund his treatment for cancer as he lived in the USA.
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Post by René on Mar 14, 2022 17:26:40 GMT
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Post by Carl on Mar 14, 2022 23:46:50 GMT
Vic Elford / Sir John Whitmore / Christabel Carlisle and Steve McQueen at Brands Hatch saloon event. Whitmore and McQueen may each have had a hand in the apparent embarrassment of the young woman.  |
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Post by mikael on Mar 15, 2022 17:16:48 GMT
In 2005 I bought Vic Elford's autobiographical book "Reflections on a Golden Era in Motorsports". I found (and still find) it very interesting, his recollections of the great rallies he participated in - and won - in particular. To go 200+ km/h on snow and ice in a very tricky-to-drive, rear-heavy Porsche 911, in the night, in the Rally Monte Carlo - to just imagine this; it's really "mind blowing". And then to think about that this happened in the mid/late-60's, when there were very few thoughts about safety.
Sad news about his passing; but to have been a front-runner in international motorsport in a very dangerous era and still get 86 good years - I guess one can hardly ask for more, then ...
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Post by René on Mar 15, 2022 18:24:36 GMT
You're right, Mikael. Those were the real heroes!  |
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Post by charleselan on Mar 15, 2022 19:20:25 GMT
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Post by Carl on Mar 15, 2022 22:27:23 GMT
You're right, Mikael. Those were the real heroes! I've seen this photograph before and never forgotten how very telling it is about the level of concentration required in top-level rallying and motorsport overall. Elford's eyes reflect the external flash of light, but he is unaware of anything beyond his driving and his navigator's calm guidance. Total concentration! |
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Post by robmarsh on Mar 16, 2022 8:39:03 GMT
I think the photo first appeared in Motorsport Magazine. I want to say March 1970 edition but could be a year or two earlier. Probably courtesy of LAT.
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Post by mikael on Mar 16, 2022 20:16:16 GMT
The photo is from the 1968 Rally Monte Carlo - the first major rally of the '68 season - which Elford won.
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Post by chrisb on Mar 17, 2022 9:04:18 GMT
when people talk of versatility and being an 'all-rounder' quick Vic was it, I always felt he was one tough hombre who had little time for the bs that seems to surround motor sport, rest in peace Vic
Mikael, I looked Vic's book up on several sites - it is selling for around £170 - which was a bit of a shock but obviously worth it
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Post by mikael on Mar 20, 2022 19:38:03 GMT
Mikael, I looked Vic's book up on several sites - it is selling for around £170 - which was a bit of a shock but obviously worth it Chris,
Interesting that the trade value of that book has soared up to such heights. I wonder if the price level jumped up just after Elford's passing, or if it the book has been in demand for a longer time.
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Post by chrisb on Mar 20, 2022 21:49:54 GMT
Mikael - In truth I don't exactly know but am guessing it's monetary value has increased since Vic's passing,
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Post by robmarsh on Mar 21, 2022 8:25:20 GMT
Mikael/Chris I had a copy of Vic Elford's book which I sold last year on Amazon for more than twice what I paid for it and my price was the cheapest by at least GBP20. The price increase was well before his death due to rarity but I am sure will go up even more now.
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