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Lola T-70 first race


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#1 harryglorydays

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Posted 22 November 2005 - 15:08

I am currently finishing a book on the 1965 Sebring 12-Hour race. In that race, run on Saturday, March 27, John Cannon drove a Mecom Lola T-70. I am sure that this was the first US appearance for the T-70, but I am unsure if this was the first-ever race appearance. I have seen references that the first race for the T-70 was in "late March" in England, but can find no dates. considering that Sebring was run on Saturday and that most other races are usually held on Sunday, there is a chance that this Sebring could have been the first competition outing.

Anyone out there have the answer? Thanks in advance.

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#2 HEROS

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Posted 22 November 2005 - 16:29

After some searches, I can say that the first race of a Lola T 70 was on March 20, 1965, during the Senior Service 200 at Silverstone where John Surtees finished 2° behind Jim Clark on a Lotus 30.

#3 humphries

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Posted 22 November 2005 - 16:43

Yup, I was there, soaked to the skin, and saw Surtees spinning it like a top.

#4 Reyna

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Posted 22 November 2005 - 17:12

Originally posted by HEROS
After some searches, I can say that the first race of a Lola T 70 was on March 20, 1965, during the Senior Service 200 at Silverstone where John Surtees finished 2° behind Jim Clark on a Lotus 30.

Posted Image
1965 Senior Service 200. © Unknown.

#5 raceannouncer2003

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Posted 22 November 2005 - 17:12

To confirm, Anthony Pritchards' "The Racing Sports Car" says:

"The T70 made its debut in the BARC 18-lap race at Silverstone on 20th March, 1965 and in torrential rain Surtees with his 5.4 litre Chevrolet-powered car took second place to Jim Clark's Lotus 30..."

Vince H., Victoria, B.C., Canada

#6 Reyna

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Posted 22 November 2005 - 17:29

When Surtees lost the first position...
Posted Image
Source: Auto Italiana.

The second T70 (Hobbs).
Posted Image
Source: Auto Italiana.

#7 harryglorydays

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Posted 22 November 2005 - 19:04

Thanks everyone! that was what I was looking for. What a tremendous resource to have TNF!

#8 Gerald Swan

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Posted 22 November 2005 - 19:13

Hi guys, just to let you know we will be doing a bit of a feature on the T70 on the Lola Heritage site in a couple of weeks with a write up on the T70 and some great pictures I've got from the Lola Archive which feature the construction of the first T70 that this thread is all about, there are pictures of the car being built at the factory, the first pictures of the finished car taken outside the factory, and to finish it off pictures of John Surtees giving it it's first run.

Gerald.

www.lolaheritage.co.uk

#9 Manfred Cubenoggin

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Posted 23 November 2005 - 03:22

Reyna:

That's an interesting pix of the diked Hobbs Lola. On the blowup, two other cars have likewise shunted off in harmony.

An interesting point on the Hobbs Lola T70. My recollection from the Canadian GP of 1965 was that his car was officially entered with power by Studebaker, albiet just a re-badged Chevy, IIRC. One for the history of the marque. I could not confirm this in a search here at TNF nor this source:

http://wsrp.wz.cz/canadasc1965.html

...however, that's something you don't forget. Anyone with confirmation? raceannouncer2003?