[windowlicker]

Originally Posted by windowlicker ↗

Jo Schlesser crashes an early Ford GT40 while testing at Le Mans in 1964. The early cars were very aerodynamically unbalanced as Jo found out, the developments of this car went on to win in 1966, 67, 68 and 1969.

Original post from page 207.


A couple more photo's of Schlesser's lucky escape...

[windowlicker]

The Martini Rossi Racing Porsche 917K after it blew its tyre and hit the wall on the Daytona banking during the 1971 24 hours race. The car was being driven by Helmut Marko and Rudi Lins and had qualified 11th.

[jaybo]

gt40 was a outstanding & successful car

[mtakala]

Has the one-off Marcos Mantis XP survived in a museum?

[windowlicker]

The Marcos Mantis XP is owned by the Morris family in the US.

The car did actually qualify for the Spa 1000km, in 38th and was allowed to start the race getting as high as 21st even after stopping in the pits to have holes cut in the floor to allow the rain water out. It finally retired on lap 17 with alternator issues.

The car was designed by Dennis and Peter Adams and its central monocoque was constructed from plywood, the car only weighed around 650kg. The car was fitted with a Jack Brabham acquired Repco V8 from his F1 team. The XP's distinctive body had been designed chiefly for the long Mulsanne straight at Le Mans, but it would never get to France.

The Morris family from Los Angeles used it as a roadcar before getting it restored and shipping it to the UK for Marcos' 50th anniversary celebrations and to run it at the Goodwood Festival of Speed before returning it to the US.

[Photoplay]

Originally Posted by windowlicker ↗

The car was being driven by Helmut Marko

Off topic I know. Helmut Marko not my most favourite person in the world.
His constant abuse toward Webber riled me.

[windowlicker]

Originally Posted by Photoplay ↗

Off topic I know. Helmut Marko not my most favourite person in the world.
His constant abuse toward Webber riled me.

Vettel was a driver that Helmut nurtured as part of the Red Bull driver development programme, as Webber wasn't he never did fit into Marko's 'Red Bull Family.'

Marko was a skillful driver in his prime before losing his eye when a large stone broke his visor during the French GP 1972. The first two photo's are from that race, held at the magnificent Clemont Ferrand track.

Helmut took part in nine GP's, never in top class equipment, but only retired twice and had three top ten finishes with a best of eighth at the wet Monaco GP in 1972 driving a BRM.

He won Le Mans in 1971 in a Porsche 917 after finishing third in 1970, was runner up in the 1972 Targa Florio after a fantastic drive and was also successful in Touring Car Racing. He then managed a number of Austrian drivers and set up F3 and F3000 teams under the Red Bull name.

[Photoplay]

Thanks for the info RE: Helmut Marko
I didn’t know that he finished third in 1970. Nice to see the photographs.
Love talking motor sports.
Not discrediting his driving ability at all and I thank you for reminding me of that and indeed he deserves respect. He is not a silly man. He knows what has to be done and does the job.
Totally hear what you saying Red Bull Family and heck Vettel showed his success with each chequered flag and continual record breaking.
I’m female and hence I’m a shamed and red faced to admit but there are two sides of racing for me. The teams, the drivers, the tracks, the rules, the wins, the DNF, the pit stops, THEN the politics and gossip of motor racing which I find fascinating.
The strangle hold on F1 as a sport that Bernie Ecclestone [former Grand Prix Driver 1958 season and CEO] has never ceases to surprise me and his trial on allegations of bribery I will follow.
That Helmut Marko [motor racing consultant] could be viewed by some unfavorably [snigger]
What teams are doing what, whose the Mechanical Engineer? Who got the sack and why. Who married who and who divorced who and how much they earn a season.
That Webber was a favourite with me
That when Gilles Villeneuve died my heart missed a few beats and I had to sit down
When Jacques Villeneuve arrived as a driver, I had a tear in my eye
When Piquet hit Salazar and I laughed.
When Alan Jones won, I felt proud.
That I’m excited to see how Daniel Ricciardo will go.
That 2014 season I think we will see Hamilton and team Mercedes excel.
Still love it when I see Niki Lauda in the pits, giving advise
But as I said I have been known to thrive on gossip and be bias. Lol
And I’m really happy there is an Indy/Formula One thread on DR

[windowlicker]

The Porsche Salzburg 917 of Vic Elford and Kurt Ahrens, a puncture destroying the bodywork at the Monza 1000km 1970.

[windowlicker]

Originally Posted by windowlicker ↗

The Belgium GP 1960 at Spa has gone down in history as one of the most tragic Championship Grand Prix ever. By the end of the race two drivers were dead and two seriously injured.

The first incident took place on Saturday when Stirling Moss lost a wheel from his Lotus at Burneville, the car went into a violent spin, hit a bank and threw Striling out of the car sustaining serious leg, nose and back injuries. Stirling was lying in the dirt unable to see or breath properly when other drivers stopped to help.

This is what Moss said about the crash, "I was holding the car in a sweeping right hand bend when the left wheel snapped off. I did the only thing possible under the circumstances. With the wheel gone the rear of the car slid out left, I threw the steering hard to correct, and stood on the brakes. I reckon I took 50mph off the top. I remember looking back and seeing that the wheel wasn't there anymore. The car spun I think twice and hit the embankment backwards. I think my neck snapped back and that knocked me out."

Bruce McLaren was following Moss, "It hit the left side of the road, rocketed across to the right and bounced wildly in the air. I had the brakes on hard and slid to a stop as the Lotus came to a rest. I raced back to the wrecked car and to my amazement it was empty!"

Original post from page 81.

A new photo of the Stirling Moss crash at Spa 1960, shows just how lucky he was being thrown from the car at high speed...Moss can be seen on the left hand side, his car on the right.