9 replies to this topic

[Puntataco]

Dear All,

In my research I came to the informaton that in 1975, prior to the Interlagos race, Peterson almost swapped seats with Pryce.
The informations regarding this whole story are quite nebulous, no real facts.
Does anyone has any information why this didn't happened or what was behind this story?
best regards, from Brazil,

[eldougo]

Are you going to supply the information you say you have ,so we can get to the truth a little sooner ,than getting a bunch of WILD rumours that happen with a statement you have made.

[Tim Murray]

Peterson was unhappy at Lotus. The 76 had been a failure, and it would be a while before its replacement was ready, leaving the team forced to continue running the antique 72s. In addition, John Player had cut back their support to the team due to the economic situation, so Chapman was trying to reduce the amount he paid his drivers. Don Nichols was keen to lure Ronnie to Shadow, and Ronnie was a good friend of Shadow’s Alan Rees. The deal would thus have apparently suited everyone – Chapman would have got a cheaper driver, and Shadow would have got their man. In the end the deal was scuppered by Shadow’s main sponsor, UOP, when its president John Logan declined to put the final rubber stamp on the deal.

(Main source: The Lost Generation by David Tremayne)

[charles r]

Did Pryce have a Manager at this time (or ever)?

[Tim Murray]

Chris Meek was effectively Tom's manager through 1973 and the early part of 1974, but their relationship was apparently never that good and they fell out finally when Tom signed for Shadow (Meek had wanted him to join Hesketh). He doesn't seem to have had a proper manager at any other time in his career.

[LittleChris]

Didn't Alan Henry who was quite close to both drivers break the news in Motoring News ? Certainly that's where I remember seeing it first

[Puntataco]

Thank you all. This statement from David Tremayne's book put a lot of light to the rumours.
I had the news that from sunday to thursday early afternoon, prior to the Brazilian Grand Prix, the deal was almost done and only on thursday afternoon it was "cancelled".
Thank you and regards from rainy and cold Brazil

[Tim Murray]

According to the Tremayne book a Shadow was spotted at Interlagos with Peterson's name on it.

[vintagecon]

According to Swedish "Teknikens Värld" number 7 1975:
On the morning of sunday (raceday) in Argentina Ronnie revealed in confidence for reporter Kenneth Olausson that Chapman had agreed let him go to Shadow in exchange for Tom Pryce, but this should be a secret until arrival in Brazil.
On thursday at noon in Brazil, Ronnie met with journalists in the lobby of Sao Paulo Hilton and told about this exchange and that he was to drive for Shadow. However on the same evening Chapman called Ronnie and said that there was not to be any change this year.

[D-Type]

Ironically, if the swap had taken place then probably neither would have been in the wrong place at the wrong time