Tag Archives: Stewart

Two Time – Lewis Hamilton

Today’s blog will attempt to put Lewis Hamilton’s 2014 World Championship win into perspective.

The 2014 season was of course dominated by the Mercedes AMG F1 team for which Lewis drives with team mate Nico Rosberg.

Lewis Hamilton, MercedesAMGF1

During the season the Mercedes AMG F1 team qualified on pole 18 out of 19 times; Nico started from pole 11 times compared to Lewis’s 6, with Felipe Massa in the Mercedes powered Martini Williams being the only man to break the Mercedes Benz AMG F1 pole monopoly when he qualified on pole for the Austrian Grand Prix.

Mercedes Benz AMG F1 drivers also recorded 13 fastest race laps 7 of which were recorded by Lewis and 6 by Nico. The remaining fastest laps were recorded by Kimi Räikkönen driving a Ferrari, Felipe and team mate Vallteri Bottas driving for Martini Williams, Sergio Perez driving a
for Force India and Daniel Riccardo driving for Red Bull.

Lewis and Nico also won 16 of the 19 2014 Formula One season races; 11 to Lewis, 5 to Nico and 3 to Daniel Riccardo.

Lewis became the 16th multiple Formula One World Champion and the fourth Britain to do so after Graham Hill ’62/’68, Jim Clark ’63/’65 and Jackie Stewart ’69/’71/’73.

The 2014 constructors championship was won by Mercedes Benz for the first time, there were no championships for constructors in 1954 and 1955 when Juan Manuel Fangio won two drivers championships driving for the Mercedes Benz team.

Mika Häkkinen drove Mercedes powered McLaren’s to consecutive drivers championships in 1998/’99 as did Lewis his to his first championship in 2008. McLaren won the constructors championship in 1998, so Mercedes motors have now powered three world drivers champions to six drivers championships, but just two constructors championships.

An interesting aside is that Mercedes Benz bought out the 2009 Constructors champions Brawn GP at the end of 2009 and there is a paper trail at Companies House which links Brawn GP through the Honda Racing F1 Team and British American Racing to the Tyrrell Racing Organisation founded on the 9th of January 1964 with the company number 00787446.

Therefore over the last fifty years the legal entities registered under Company Number 00787446 lay claim to; the 1969 World Drivers and Constructors championships won by Jackie Stewart run by Tyrrell Racing Organisation under the Matra International banner, the ’71 Driver and Constructors Championships won by Jackie running under the Tyrrell Racing Organisation name as was Jackie’s final Drivers title in ’73, the 2009 World Drivers and Constructors titles won by Jenson Button and Brawn GP and now Lewis Hamilton’s and Mercedes Benz AMG F1’s drivers and constructors championships making five drivers championships and four constructors championships in all.

Thanks for joining me on this ‘Two Time’ edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres” I hope you will join me again tomorrow when I’ll be looking at a life times love affair with racing from New Jersey. Don’t forget to come back now !

Scratched Entry – Lola T70 SL70/13

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In 1955 aged just 15 John Mecom Jr went to work for one of the wealthiest independent oil men in Texas and indeed the world, namely his father John Whitfield Mecom Snr. By 1960 Jr had dropped out of University of Oklahoma, but was kept busy negotiating oil deals in the middle east and founding the Mecom Racing Team.

Lola T70, Silverstone Classic

The Mecom Racing Team ran sports cars for the likes of a young Roger Penske and Augie Pabst, a one off open wheel Formula One Lotus for Rob Schroeder in 1962, before running rookies Jackie Stewart and Graham Hill at the Indy 500 in 1966. Graham won the race which had been dominated by Jackie until 8 laps from the end.

Lola T70, Silverstone Classic

Today’s featured Lola T70, which I believe is chassis SL70/13, is one of at least three T70’s that were owned by the Mecom Racing Team. So far as I know the car was driven by Walt Hangsen in qualifying for the 1965 Las Vegas 200 mile race during which Walt crashed and seriously damaged the Ford 4.7 litre / 286 cui powered car after qualifying 6th fastest.

Lola T70, Jones, FIA Masters Historic Sports Cars, Silverstone Classic

As a result of the accident the Mecom Racing Team scratched their entries for this car and the sister chassis SL70/12, which was to have been driven by Jackie Stewart, from the 1965 Nassau Speed Week.

Lola T70, Silverstone Classic

Alongside his racing activities John Mecom Jr founded the New Orleans Saints football, grid iron, team in 1966 and wound up the Mecom Racing Team in 1967.

SL70/13 eventually found its way to the UK where Colin Parry-Williams raced it with a 5 litre / 302 cui Chevy motor in the 1980’s and 1990’s.

Howard Jones is seen at the wheel of SL70/13, now powered by a 5.7 litre / 328 cui motor, about to take part in the FIA Masters Historic Sports Cars race at Silverstone Classic above. Howard acquired the car in 2006.

Thanks for joining me on this “Scratched Entry” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres”, I hope you will join me again for Ferrari Friday tomorrow. Don’t forget to come back now !

Purple Haze – Brighton Speed Trials

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The the skeletal old pier at Brighton was shrouded by a sea haze as I enjoyed an excellent breakfast with local organic eggs at the Lucky Beach cafe on the beach front.

The purpose of my visit to Brighton was to see the 1/4 mile Brighton Speed Trials which earlier this year were saved, with the aid of some GALPOT readers who signed an e-petition organised by Brighton and Hove Motor Club.

Austin 1800 S, Brighton Speed Trials

Among the Brighton and Hove Motor Club members taking part was Andrew Atherton and his immaculate 1970 Austin 1800 S Mk II, also known as a Landcrab, who recorded a best time of 20.77 secs which translates to a final speed of at least 66.55 mph.

Plymouth Satellite, Cheng Lim, Brighton Speed Trials,

Surprisingly Cheng Lim could not better Andrew’s time in his similarly aged General Lim Plymouth Satellite who only managed a best time of 29.67 or 47.49 mph the slowest time of the day.

Porsche 911, Barry Stewart, Brighton Speed Trials,

At the sharper end of the field Barry Stewart managed to record 41st fastest time with a best 12.10 secs approx 112 mph in his Rallycross, off road competition, spec turbocharged Porsche 911.

Allard J2, Jim Tiller, Brighton Speed Trials,

Jim Tiller’s drag spec Allard J2 “The Old Fella” had the largest quoted engine size at 7342 cc / 448 cui but he could only record 14th best time at 10.62 seconds / 127 mph.

Force SR4, Rob Stevens, Brighton Speed Trials,

Like the slowest car the fastest car in the field was painted purple, but the competition Force SR4 powered by a 1300 cc / 79 cui turbocharged motor was driven by 2012 Brighton Speed Trials Winner Rob Stevens who recorded a best time of 9.87 seconds / 144 mph in the top six run off.

Suzuki Hyabusa Turbo, Craig Mallabone, Brighton Speed Trials,

Unsurprisingly 8 bikes managed a faster time than Rob with fastest being Craig Mallabone on his 1300 cc / 79 cui turbocharged Hayabusa powered Suzuki who recorded the only sub 9 second time of the day at 8.94 on his first timed run, seen above, at an astonishing 150.68 mph.

My thanks to those GALPOT readers who signed the Save Brighton Speed Trials e-petition without your support I would not have found myself writing this blog.

Thanks for joining me on this “Purple Haze” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres”, I hope you will join me again for a look at a proto Can Am car tomorrow. Don’t forget to come back now !

120 Years Of Competition – Mercedes Benz

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2014 marks the 120 years of competition for Mercedes Benz, going back to the 1894 Paris – Rouen race and examples of the marque on display at Goodwood included Ben Collins 111 year old Mercedes Simplex 60hp.

Mercedes 18/100, Mass, Croft, Goodwood Festival of Speed

Going back just 100 years, like the lucky birthday boy passenger Basil Croft, was the Mercedes 18/100 of the type which Christian Lautenschlager drove to win the 1914 French Grand Prix. 1975 Spanish Grand Prix winner and 1989 Le Mans winner Jochen Mass is seen at the wheel here.

Mercedes Benz W165, Stewart, Goodwood Festival of Speed

Paul Stewart is seen at the wheel of the slightly smokey 1939 Mercedes Benz W165 of the type which irked the Italians by winning the 1939 Tripoli Grand Prix with Hermann Lang at the wheel.

Mercedes Benz High Speed Transporter, 300SLR Uhlenhaut Coupé, Goodwood Festival of Speed

For their return to Grand Prix racing in 1954 the Mercedes Benz Rennabteilung built a special high speed transporter, capable of 104 mph, using Mercedes 300SL running gear. Sitting on the back of the replica Rennwagen Schnelltransporter is one of two Mercedes Benz 300SLR Uhlenhaut Coupés built on the chassis of the 300SLR roadster of the type Stirling Moss and Dennis Jenkinson drove to victory in the 1955 Mille Miglia with a 300SL Gullwing Body.

Mercedes Benz 300SLS, Franchitti, Goodwood Festival of Speed

It was great to see 3 time Indy winner Dario Franchitti back behind the wheel of a racing car, he was so pleased he even took a selfie of himself behind the wheel while the car was moving ! The car Dario is seen driving here is a replica 300SLS of the type Paul O’Shea drove to many victories for GALPOT contributor Geoffrey Horton’s uncle George Tilp in the USA.

Mercedes Benz 500SL Rallye, Asch, Goodwood Festival of Speed

Moving forward two decades to 1980 and Mercedes Benz were competing in the World Rally Championship with the 500SLC Rallye model, the season highlight was a 1-2 victory in the Ivory Coast Rally shared by Björn Waldegård and Hans Thorszelius in the winning car. Roland Asch is about to find out that the hey bails make a poor substitute for the vehicles brakes.

Mercedes Benz CLK GTR, Ludwig, Goodwood Festival of Speed

Finally two time Le Mans winner Klaus Ludwig pilots a 1998 V12 Mercedes Benz CLK GTR back to the pits of the type that won the 1997 FIA GT Drivers and Manufacturers Championships with Bernd Schneider at the wheel.

Thanks for joining me on this “120 Years Of Competition” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres” I hope you will join me again for Maserati Monday tomorrow. Don’t forget to come back now !

Ringmeister – Maserati 250F T2 #2529

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For the 1957 season Maserati manufactured 3 lightweight versions of the 250F to keep pace with the Lancia Ferrari D50’s which Juan Manuel Fangio drove to his fourth World Drivers Championship title in 1956.

Third of the three T2’s was chassis #2529 which was shared during 1957 between Stirling Moss, Harry Schell and the returning ‘Old Man’ Fangio who despite his success was not overly enamoured by his time at Maranello.

Maserati 250F, by Paul Chenard

Pen&ink and markers on watercolour paper 9″x 7″ © Paul Chenard 2014

Fangio won the opening two championship races of the 1957 season at home in Argentina and in Monaco, the third race of the Championship season was the Indy 500 for which only Giuseppe Farina of the regular World Drivers Championship contenders was entered.

Farina did not start the ’57 Indy 500 which was won by Sam Hanks in the Epperly Special. Fangio then drove today’s featured 250F T2 chassis #2529 to victory in the 1957 French Grand Prix.

Maserati 250F, by Paul Chenard

Acrylic on canvas 10″x 12″ © Paul Chenard 2014

At the British Grand Prix Fangio retired #2529 with an engine problem leaving Tony Brooks and Stirling Moss to share the first championship Grand Prix victory for Vanwall.

Fangio qualified #2529 on pole, with a time 16 seconds faster than he had driving a Lancia Ferrari 1956, for the 1957 German Grand Prix alongside him Mike Hawthorn qualified 2nd in his Lancia Ferrari with the lightweight 250F T2 of Jean Behra and Lancia Ferrari of Peter Collins filling out the front row of the grid.

Maserati 250F, Denise McCluggage by Paul Chenard

1957 German Grand Prix Mural @ 9′ x 18′ © Paul Chenard 2014, with Denise McCluggage at European Motorsports, Lawrence, MA

On a hot day at the Nurburgring on August 4th 1957 the Ferrari’s of Hawthorn and Collins set off into an immediate lead of the 311 mile German Grand Prix, but by lap 3 Fangio had passed both and unbeknown to the Englishmen sailed off into the distance in order to make a large enough lead to enable him to make a scheduled pit stop, having started the race like Behra in fourth on half empty tanks.

During his pit stop Behra lost time when he broke his filler cap off while climbing back into the car. Fangio was even less fortunate spending 54 seconds in the pits after a mechanic had lost a wheel nut. Fangio rejoined the race in third place 48 seconds behind the battling Howthorn and Collins.

Maserati 250F, SIr Jackie Stewart, Goodwood Revival

Over the next 10 laps Fangio broke the Nurburgring lap record nine times seven times in succession passing Hawthorn for the lead on the penultimate lap with two wheels on the grass to record possibly the greatest Grand Prix victory ever, enough to secure “El Maestro” his fifth and final World Championship Victory.

Fangio noted after the race “I have never driven that quickly before in my life and I don’t think I will ever be able to do it again”, and later admitted “Nürburgring was my favourite track. I fell totally in love with it and I believe that on that day in 1957 I finally managed to master it. It was as if I had screwed all the secrets out of it and got to know it once and for all. . . For two days I couldn’t sleep, still making those leaps in the dark on those curves where I had never before had the courage to push things so far.”

As it turned out Fangio would not win any more championship Grand Prix races before retiring mid way through 1958, meaning the car #2529, seen driven by Sir Jackie Stewart at Goodwood Revival above, was the won in which possibly the greatest driver of all time won his last two Grand Prix victories.

Unusually unlike many of the other Maserati 250F’s it’s number was never used on any other chassis nor did it ever carry any other chassis number. Fangio drive #2529 to second place finishes championship races at Pescara and Monza with Harry Schell taking the car over for the GP Modena where he finished 3rd.

Fangio drove the car to 4th with fastest lap in the non championship 1957 GP du Maroc and 4th in the opening round of the 1958 Championship in Argentina. The car was then sold on to Scuderia Sudamericana who entered #2529 for Giorgio Scarlatti and Jo Bonnier who achieved little by way of success apart from a win for Bonnier in a non championship Formula Libre race at Watkins Glen.

Scuderia Ugolini entered the #2529 again for Giorgio Scarlatti in 1959 it’s final championship appearance being in the 1960 Argentinian Grand Prix from which Scarlatti retired with overheating issues.

After spending time in the Briggs Cunningham museum #2529 was bought by Hartmut Ibing in 1988 in a silent auction.

I did not realise it at the time I took the photograph but having Sir Jackie Stewart drive Fangio’s ’57 German Grand Prix winning car at Goodwood was particularly pertinent because Sir Jackie also took a famous win at the Nurburgring, but this time in the rain in the German Grand Prix of 1968.

My thanks to Paul Chenard for kindly allowing me to use reproductions of his artwork in today’s post.

Thanks for joining me on this “Ringmeister” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres” I hope you will join me again tomorrow when for a look at a Bugatti. Don’t forget to come back now !

PS in a fitting tribute to David McKinney who wrote the definitive “Maserati 250F” last weeks featured 250F #2522/16/23/26 now owned by Graham Adelman was present at Davids funeral last week. My thanks to Tim Murray for forwarding this information.

Four Time – Red Bull Renault RB9

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In 1989 Sir Jackie Stewart’s son Paul started a Formula 3 open wheel programme with his own team Paul Stewart Racing which ran two cars. After being consistent championship contenders the team graduated to Formula 3000 and after a season Paul decided his future lay in team management and his team won six Formula 3 championships with Gil de Ferran, Kelvin Burt, Jan Magnussen, Ralph Fairman Jr, Jonny Kane and Mario Haberfeld.

Red Bull RB9, Vettel, Webber, British Grand Prix P2, Silverstone

In 1996 Paul Stewart and his father founded Stewart Grand Prix with Sir Jackie convincing the Ford board in Detroit to underwrite a V10 engine programme with Cosworth. The team one the 1999 German Grand Prix in it’s third season before being sold to Ford who rebranded the team Jaguar for the 2000 season.

Red Bull RB9, Webber, British Grand Prix P2, Silverstone

Jaguar Racing’s only success was two third place finishes in 5 years and Ford concluded there was no point continuing the programme after 2004 when the ambitious Red Bull energy drinks company stepped in to buy the team for the 2005 season.

Red Bull RB9, Vettel, Young Driver Test, Silverstone

In the first four years of operation Red Bull Racing scored just three 3rd place finishes but things started to change once they hired über aerodynamicist Adrian Newey from McLaren for the 2007 season by 2009 Mark Webber and new boy Sebastian Vettel had scored six victories between them and Red Bull Racing finished 2009 second in the constructors championship with Vettel 2nd in the drivers Championship.

Red Bull RB9, Webber, British Grand Prix P2, Silverstone

From 2010 to 2012 Sebastian Vettel scored a further 21 Grand Prix victories and three consecutive World Drivers Championships six further victories for Mark Webber, seen with the green flashes on his airbox camera, in the same period helped Red Bull Racing secure 3 consecutive World Constructors titles.

Red Bull RB9, Vettel, British Grand Prix P2, Silverstone

Clear favourites to win fourth consecutive titles in 2013 the only hiccup to their plans came at the beginning of the season when Red Bull Racing found the mandated tyres did not match their Renault powered RB9 as well as some of the other cars, however after various failures the mandated tyres reverted to 2012 spec and Sebastian and Red Bull Racing never looked back ending the season with 13 Grand Prix wins including the last nine of the season won consecutively to score their 4th consecutive World Championships respectively. Mark managed just five second place finishes before retiring from Formula One to join Porsche’s new sports car programme.

Red Bull RB9, Vettel, Young Driver Test, Silverstone

For 2014 Australian Daniel Ricciardo will replace his Mark Webber as Sebastian’s team mate and the signs from testing are that Red Bull Racing may well struggle to get their new Renault turbo powered RB10 hybrid race car to the finish of it’s first race in Australia on Sunday.

You can follow the fortunes of the Red Bull Racing team on their website linked here, their facebook page linked here and twitter feed linked here.

On testing form the 2014 season could be the most open yet my gut feeling is that the Championships will be Hamiltons’s and Mercedes F1’s to loose but what ever their problems now I expect Red Bull Racing to come back strong towards the end of the season for what should be a thrilling finale with the funny little double dose points.

Wishing all GALPOT readers a thrilling 2014 F1 season over here at GALPOT tyres we are ready to Go ! Go ! Go ! as Murray Walker used to say.

Thanks for joining me on this “Four Time” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres” I hope you will join me again tomorrow. Don’t forget to come back now. iing

Unbelievably Complicated Story – E-M-F Model 30 Semi Racer #43222

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Today’s post features the first of four Edwardian vehicles built in the USA. Reading any standard text on the history of the motor car 1908 is remembered as the year the mass produced Ford Model T went onto the market that it would dominate for nearly 20 years. For those of us born more recently this advent glosses over many other vehicles of that particular age some with no less interesting and almost unbelievable characters. One such is the story of E-M-F which has a strong link to the story of the Model T.