Suppose someone wanted to tour Europe during the 1961 season during the summer months, what races would they be able to attend ??
Sports car races 1961
Started by
Keir
, Feb 21 2007 14:41
10 replies to this topic
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#2
David McKinney
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Posted 21 February 2007 - 15:47
How long is a piece of string?
#3
Keir
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Posted 21 February 2007 - 15:59
David,
This piece of string is about the size of a medium work of fiction.
A young lad of 16 goes to Europe with an American backed sports car team running Maserati Tipo 63s. The year is 1961. The only races counting toward the sports car championship that year that took place during the summers months were Le Mans and Pescara.
My question ?? Were there any others?? Championship or not for sportscars.
This piece of string is about the size of a medium work of fiction.
A young lad of 16 goes to Europe with an American backed sports car team running Maserati Tipo 63s. The year is 1961. The only races counting toward the sports car championship that year that took place during the summers months were Le Mans and Pescara.
My question ?? Were there any others?? Championship or not for sportscars.
#4
RAP
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Posted 21 February 2007 - 17:30
I dont thionk this is complete but it gives you some idea - http://wsrp.ic.cz/nonchamp1961.html
#5
Lotus23
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Posted 22 February 2007 - 00:59
Keir, your story line intrigues me. Summer '61, I was a 22/23 yo U.S. Army 2LT stationed in Orleans, France, spectating at whatever motorsports venues my penurious income would allow (not very many, but did include Reims, Montlhery, the Nordschleife and LeMans that year).
I didn't work at LeMans that year, but did so the following two years: for Luigi Chinetti in '62 and Briggs Cunningham in '63.
The access to one's heroes was virtually unrestricted in those halcyon times.
If I can be of any assistance, please holler.
I didn't work at LeMans that year, but did so the following two years: for Luigi Chinetti in '62 and Briggs Cunningham in '63.
The access to one's heroes was virtually unrestricted in those halcyon times.
If I can be of any assistance, please holler.
#6
Ray Bell
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Posted 22 February 2007 - 01:26
Surely the Targa would be included... it was in May, wasn't it?
The Nurburgring 1000kms was earlier, I think, the Reims 12-hour was July. When was the TT held?
The Nurburgring 1000kms was earlier, I think, the Reims 12-hour was July. When was the TT held?
#7
Rob29
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Posted 22 February 2007 - 08:49
Targa Florio was April 30,Nurburgring 100km May 28.TT was for GT cars only at Goodwood in August.I was there,mainly for the supporting FJ races I seem to rememberOriginally posted by Ray Bell
Surely the Targa would be included... it was in May, wasn't it?
The Nurburgring 1000kms was earlier, I think, the Reims 12-hour was July. When was the TT held?
No record of Reims; I think they had dropped the 12hr race by then,only F1 & FJ?
#8
Ray Bell
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Posted 22 February 2007 - 08:55
If they dropped it, it was only temporary...
It ran through the mid-sixties.
It ran through the mid-sixties.
#9
Rob29
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Posted 22 February 2007 - 09:21
Just discovered that this 'fiction' has some reality.Lloyd Casner won the Rouen GP non-championship race in a Camaradi Maserati T61 on 4 June 1961.
#10
Keir
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Posted 22 February 2007 - 16:51
It's always fun when fact and fiction meld together !!
Thanks one and all.
BTW, What helmet manufacturers were around during this era ??
Thanks one and all.
BTW, What helmet manufacturers were around during this era ??
#11
Lotus23
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Posted 25 February 2007 - 03:53
Keir, the state-of-the-art U.S. helmet at that time was a Bell 500TX: I bought mine in late 1960. Very much the "in" thing to have with its "jet pilot" look. I can still remember what it smelled like when it was new.
It was white, and I later spray-painted it gold. You could wear it with goggles or you could buy an optional "fish bowl" face shield. I generally preferred the former, as on cool days the latter was prone to fogging up on the inside from your breath.
ISTR it cost about $30 -- doesn't sound like much now, but damned near a week's pay then!
It was white, and I later spray-painted it gold. You could wear it with goggles or you could buy an optional "fish bowl" face shield. I generally preferred the former, as on cool days the latter was prone to fogging up on the inside from your breath.
ISTR it cost about $30 -- doesn't sound like much now, but damned near a week's pay then!
