Starting a topic for those wishing to post random articles, links, anecdotal experiences, pictures, stories and more of famous and infamous pro racing legends and renowned race cars. Please add to the collection creating a portal for an easily browsed and fun place to explore pro racing lore!
I'll kick it off with Vic Elford's legendary race-winning Porsche 907 which can be bid on soon per Hagerty. (Pre sale est of $4.5m to $5.5M !)
A quick-look article about Quick Vic and the 907 written by Gavin Braithwaite-Smith, compliments of Hagerty UK:
Hagerty's "In the Moment!" automotive history series, this one highlighting thoughts about what F1 (and other European) racing was like in 1962, focusing on Stirling Moss. Few of us living today can fathom what racing must have been like back then, but this piece by Sam Smith gets the reader a bit closer...
It's worth a few minutes read to familiarize (or re-familiarize) yourself with this marvelous racer and journalist and person. Exceptional is a huge understatement. She hung out and raced with the best and was cherished by all who knew her. Lots of trivia and some good quotes in the article too.
From the Hagery piece written by Jan Schlain: Her best showing in a Ferrari, though, came in 1961. Driving her own Ferrari, she won the GT class at Sebring. Her co-driver that year was jazz musician Allen Eager. She’d tell the story, grin, and say, “I like making men’s fantasies come true.”
About that car: It was an alloy 250 GT SWB Competizione, today worth between $14 million and $15 million, if you can find one. “It was not only the only car I had—it was the only thing I had. I lived in a five-flight walk-up, late Salvation Army furniture, orange crates. But I had a Ferrari. My priorities were straight.”
What a great quote!
Denise McCluggage - race car mud!.jpeg (124.69 KiB) Viewed 188 times
RIP Craig Breedlove March 23, 1937 – April 4, 2023
Craig Breedlove has passed away at age 86. First to drive 500 mph and then 600 mph - in the 60's!
"Breedlove started out as a hot rodder and lakes racer in Southern California. He bought his first car at age 13, a deuce coupe. By the time he was legally allowed to drive he had a ’34, which he piloted to 154 mph running on alcohol fuel on the dry lakes."
"It was a glorious time in motorsports, and one that will never be repeated." "Breedlove's final top speed record was a blistering 606.6 mph."
A little known story of Duntov & Porsche...very cool and interesting look back. The ties in racing are always closer than we think.
"When you hear the sound of a raspy flat-six in a Porsche 911, it’s likely you don’t think of Zora Arkus-Duntov. After all, he’s Mr. Corvette."
"Duntov had a golden opportunity to join Porsche in the mid-1950s after distinguishing himself with two class wins at Le Mans while driving for Porsche. He also solved an engineering issue on the Porsche 356 and had carte blanche to join the legendary German automaker."
Duntov & Porsche (saved 2023-04-27).jpg (806.93 KiB) Viewed 127 times
Duntov racing a Porsche 550 Spyder to victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, June 1955. Bernard Cahier/Getty Images
