34 replies to this topic

[nigel5]

Hy,

Does anyone have heard about the Gunnar Nilsson Memorial Trophy (3 June 1979) held at Donington ?

I am looking for some PICS of this event and for the result of that formula one race held at Donington park.

I was told that and an english magazine made an article about this event but I never find it...

Thanks

[Geza Sury]

I think you're referring to the report which appeared in Motor Sport. Check out http://8w.forix.com/...son-trophy.html for more!

[Vitesse2]

The original idea was a race, but due to political problems, what was described as "a sort of high speed garden party" was held. There was an Indy-qualifying style shootout, with five drivers each running five laps. Result:

1 Alan Jones (Williams FW07) 61.37sec 144.82mph [not sure that speed's correct!]
2 James Hunt (Wolf WR8) 62.54sec
3 Mario Andretti (Lotus 79) 62.67sec
4 Nelson Piquet (Brabham BT46) 63.61sec
5 Rupert Keegan (Arrows A1) 65.09sec

Note that Piquet was in the fan car!

Other winners (of real races) were Michael Roe in F3, Piquet in a BMW M1, Martin Brundle (BMW County Championship saloons) and Frank Sytner (Sports 2000).

Demo runs were made by Denny Hulme (Cooper-Climax), Dan Gurney (BRM P25), Jackie Stewart (Tyrrell 006) and Juan Fangio in Neil Corner's Mercedes W125 - the Maestro (then 68) drove it "with a relish that was memorable, and had young men like Gurney and Hulme open-mouthed in admiration".

Motor Sport July 1979 has three rather poor B&W pics; one of Fangio, one of Jones and Wheatcroft and one of Hunt in what was actually his last competitive appearance for Wolf. The first two are portraits - only Hunt is seen in a car!

[dolomite]

Originally posted by Vitesse2
Motor Sport July 1979 has three rather poor B&W pics; one of Fangio, one of Jones and Wheatcroft and one of Hunt in what was actually his last competitive appearance for Wolf. The first two are portraits - only Hunt is seen in a car!

Autosport the week after the event had Fangio in the W125 on the front cover, if I remember rightly.

[Ray Bell]

Originally posted by Vitesse2
.....Juan Fangio in Neil Corner's Mercedes W125 - the Maestro (then 68) drove it "with a relish that was memorable, and had young men like Gurney and Hulme open-mouthed in admiration".....

Rather similar, I suppose, to the admiration Jack had for JMF when he ran with him at Sandown Park two years earlier...

As for me, that demonstration, just one small part of it, convinced me that any other driver I've ever seen will forever live in his shadow.

[bill moffat]

..and in the lead up to the event (and to act as a fund raiser for the GN charity) a JPS Lotus 76, rather than a 77 I seem to remember, was drivenpast Charing Cross Hospital (where Gunnar had succumbed to his cancer).

You don't see too many F1 cars on Fulham Palace Rd...

[nigel5]

I am not sure but I think the track used for this "competition" was the 3.149 km one ?

[eldougo]

It sure was a great day ,they had a f3 race, a BMW pro-car race,an the old cars showed them
what a good driver could make them do Fanigo was just great i was leaning over the pit wall
with A J an he said ( the old bloke still got it) as he powered his way past us about 6 times it
was funny to see drivers like HULME - STEWART- ANDRETTI- GURNEY watching the master in
action a wonderfull sight an the SOUND of the MERC could could be heard all around the short
track just amazing.
The old f1 times where 1-26 BRM (1959) Gurney , 1-30 w125 (1937) Fanigo. 1-09 Stewart
006 Tyrrell an Danny in the Cooper 1- 27 (1959).We also had the RED ARROWS fly over.Then
later on MARIO disappeared into the cockpit of the MERC an also put on a great show.I along
with about 20,000 people were spectator to a day of BLISS that only come along once in a while
this was the one of those days for me.

An Fangio has his own personal line to the man upstairs as soon as he arrived at the track
the sun came out on his day to show us how to get around DONINGTON.

REST IN PEACE GUNNAR NILSSION-----------------nearly 33 years ago.

[dolomite]

A rather old and dog-eared Autosport.....

[gdecarli]

GUNNAR NILSSON MEMORIAL TROPHY - Donington Park, June 3rd, 1979
(from Autosprint 23/1979, pages 36-37)

Formula 1

Driver			   Car						 lap 1	lap 2	lap 3	 km/h

-- -------------------  -------------------------  -------  -------  -------   -------

1. Alan	 Jones	   Williams FW07 Cosworth	 1'02"24  1'01"88  1'01"37*  184.722

2. James	Hunt		Wolf WR8 Cosworth		  1'03"15  1'02"96  1'02"54*  181.266

3. Mario	Andretti	Lotus 79 Cosworth		  1'04"02  1'02"67* 1'02"80   180.890

4. Nelson   Piquet	  Brabham BT46 Alfa Romeo	1'05"19  1'03"87  1'03"61*  178.217

5. Rupert   Keegan	  Arrows A1 Cosworth		 1'06"06  1'05"63  1'05"09*  174.165



*: best lap

Each driver made 3 laps. Some practice in the morning.
Jones drove the same FW07 he had driven at Spain GP (not at Monaco, where he drove another one). Andretti should have driven a Lotus 80, but during practice he broke a suspension, so he drove the old 79. During one attempt (I think the third one), he made a little mistake while changing gear.
Piquet drove the old BT46 "fan car". He had problems because it was quite different from BT48 and 1979 tyres are too big, so skirts and fan can't work correctly. Second gear was wrong.
Keegan was suffering because of a wrist hurt at Zandvoort.

Track record before this event was scored by Brian Henton (March F.2), 1'04"91, 174.648 km/h.

Formula 3

• Michael Roe (Chevron B47) 15 laps, 18'13"5, 155.506 km/h
• Guerrero (Argo JM3) 18'16"42
• Bright (March 773) 18'24"80
• Jordan (March 793) 18'26"45
• Iglesias (Ralt RT1) 18'34"39
• Caton (Ralt RT1) 18'41"67

DNF: Thackwell (engine), Achenson (engine).

Fastest lap: Mike Thackwell (March 793), 1'11"71, 158.087 km/h

Qualify:

• First row:
  Pole position: Mike Thackwell (March 793) 1'11"43, 158.706 km/h
  Guerrero (Argo JM3) 1'12"13
• Second row:
  Achenson (March) 1'12"21
  Roe (Chevron B47) 1'12"26
• Third row:
  Bright (March 773) 1'12"50
  Jordan (March 793) 1'12"62
• Fourth row:
  Iglesias (Ralt RT1)
  Caton (Ralt RT1)

BMW PRO-CAR

• Nelson Piquet, 30 laps, 37'49"44, 149.857 km/h
• Bruno Giacomelli 37'52"39
• Manfred Winkelhock 37'57"41
• Hans Stuck 37'59"05
• Hezemans 38'06"59
• Kelleners 38'11"67
• Dieter Quester 38'21"84
• Tom Walkinshaw 38'24"22
• Hobbs 38'24"62
• Elio De Angelis 38'28"26

Fastest lap: Nelson Piquet, 1'14"52, 152.126 km/h

Qualify:

• First row:
  Pole position: Nelson Piquet 1'13"05
  John Watson 1'13"64
• Second row:
  Alan Jones 1'13"80
  James Hunt 1'13"82
• Third row:
  Mario Andretti (no time in official qualify)
  Hezemans 1'13"14
• Fourth row:
  Bruno Giacomelli 1'13"37
  Hans Stuck 1'13"50
• Fifth row:
  Manfred Winkelhock 1'13"76
  Kelleners 1'14"12
• Sixth row:
  Tom Walkinshaw
  Dieter Quester
• Seventh row:
  Konrad
  Hobbs
• Eight row:
  Schutz
  Elio De Angelis

Ciao,
Guido

[Gary C]

wasn't this James Hunt's last outing in a Formula 1 car before his retirement later that week ???

[gdecarli]

Originally posted by Gary C
wasn't this James Hunt's last outing in a Formula 1 car before his retirement later that week ???

Yes, it was. He was not happy about Wolf, so he tried to go to Ligier after Depailler accident. Walter Wolf didn't accept, so on June 7th 1979 he announced his retirement.

Ciao,
Guido

(from Autosprint 24/1979, page 31)

[dolomite]

Originally posted by gdecarli
Yes, it was. He was not happy about Wolf, so he tried to go to Ligier after Depailler accident. Walter Wolf didn't accept, so on June 7th 1979 he announced his retirement.
[/I]

I thought Depailler's accident wasn't until several weeks after that?

[Ralliart]

Monaco '79 was not Hunt's last time in an F1 car as he tested at, I believe, Paul Ricard after Monaco. He did want to go to Ligier to replace Depalier but Peter Warr, I think it was, said no dice.

[Gary C]

Ralliart, I meant that the Gunnar Nilsson Memorial Trophy was Hunt's last competitive outing in an F1 car.
PS.am I also right in thinking that after his passing, Team Lotus ran a 79 in the street outside Charing Cross Hospital in tribute??

[Gary C]

...to Gunnar, I mean.

[gdecarli]

Originally posted by dolomite
I thought Depailler's accident wasn't until several weeks after that?

No. I don't know exactly what day Depailler made his hangglider accident, but article about Nilsson Memorial and his accident were on the same Autosprint, so they happened in the same week.

Ciao,
Guido

[Nanni Dietrich]

I remember an other Gunnar Nilsson Trophy, organised by Marcello Sabbatini director of Autosprint magazine, at Varano circuit in 1979 with all Alfasud TI Trofeo. Autosprint got up a collection for money to build a school, in name of Nilsson and at the end they organised the race.

If I remember well the winner of this race was Arturo Merzario, and there were Laffite, Reutemann, Mass and others great drivers. I think the starter of the race was Bette Hill.

Does someone of you know other things about this fact?

[gdecarli]

Originally posted by Nanni Dietrich
I remember an other Gunnar Nilsson Trophy, organised by Marcello Sabbatini director of Autosprint magazine, at Varano circuit in 1979 with all Alfasud TI Trofeo.

I think you are talking about Una corsa per il Friuli (a Race for Friuli), raced at Varano de Melegari (near Parma, Italy) on Wednesday June 2nd 1976.
In May 1976 Friuli (a region in North-East corner of Italy, close to Austria and Slovenia) had two big earthquakes that destroyed many villages. In few days Autosprint organized a race for collecting some money for build a new primary school. I don't know if this school - when finished - was named after Nilsson.

The race was supported by Alfa Romeo, Ferrari, CSAI (Italian motor racing federation), Fiat, CEA (estinguishers) and some sponsors like Marlboro, Alitalia and Parmalat.

One week before the race, drivers in entry list were: Emerson Fittipaldi, Niki Lauda, Clay Regazzoni, Jacques Laffite, Jean Pierre Jarier, Jody Scheckter, Henry Pescarolo, Hans Stuck, Ronnie Peterson, Gunnar Nilsson, Chris Amon, Patrick Depailler, Vittorio Brambilla, Arturo Merzario, Lella Lombardi, Maurizio Flammini, Renzo Zorzi, Alan Jones, Tom Pryce, Johnny Cecotto (motorbike), Giacomo Agostini (motorbike), Walter Villa (mootorbike) and Renato Molinari (offshore). All drivers used an Alfa Romeo Alfasud.

Moreover, Niki Lauda, Clay Regazzoni, Sandro Munari and Roberto Cambiaghi should have raced also with a Fiat Abarth 131 Rally.

Back to Nilsson Memorial, much money was collected also at Race of Champions 1979.

Ciao,
Guido

[Théodore33]

Originally posted by gdecarli
I think you are talking about Una corsa per il Friuli (a Race for Friuli), raced at Varano de Melegari (near Parma, Italy) on Wednesday June 2nd 1976.
In May 1976 Friuli (a region in North-East corner of Italy, close to Austria and Slovenia) had two big earthquakes that destroyed many villages. In few days Autosprint organized a race for collecting some money for build a new primary school. I don't know if this school - when finished - was named after Nilsson.

The race was supported by Alfa Romeo, Ferrari, CSAI (Italian motor racing federation), Fiat, CEA (estinguishers) and some sponsors like Marlboro, Alitalia and Parmalat.

One week before the race, drivers in entry list were: Emerson Fittipaldi, Niki Lauda, Clay Regazzoni, Jacques Laffite, Jean Pierre Jarier, Jody Scheckter, Henry Pescarolo, Hans Stuck, Ronnie Peterson, Gunnar Nilsson, Chris Amon, Patrick Depailler, Vittorio Brambilla, Arturo Merzario, Lella Lombardi, Maurizio Flammini, Renzo Zorzi, Alan Jones, Tom Pryce, Johnny Cecotto (motorbike), Giacomo Agostini (motorbike), Walter Villa (mootorbike) and Renato Molinari (offshore). All drivers used an Alfa Romeo Alfasud.

Moreover, Niki Lauda, Clay Regazzoni, Sandro Munari and Roberto Cambiaghi should have raced also with a Fiat Abarth 131 Rally.

Back to Nilsson Memorial, much money was collected also at Race of Champions 1979.

Ciao,
Guido

Was it a formula one race ???

[Nanni Dietrich]

Originally posted by Théodore33


Was it a formula one race ???

No, no: that was a race with all Alfa Romeo Alfasud TI Trofeo!

[fines]

Originally posted by gdecarli
GUNNAR NILSSON MEMORIAL TROPHY - Donington Park, June 3rd, 1979
(from Autosprint 23/1979, pages 36-37)

Formula 3

• Michael Roe (Chevron B47) 15 laps, 18'13"5, 155.506 km/h
• Guerrero (Argo JM3) 18'16"42
• Bright (March 773) 18'24"80
• Jordan (March 793) 18'26"45
• Iglesias (Ralt RT1) 18'34"39
• Caton (Ralt RT1) 18'41"67

DNQ: Thackwell (engine), Achenson (engine).

Fastest lap: Mike Thackwell (March 793), 1'11"71, 158.087 km/h

Qualify:

• First row:
  Pole position: Mike Thackwell (March 793) 1'11"43, 158.706 km/h
  Guerrero (Argo JM3) 1'12"13
• Second row:
  Achenson (March) 1'12"21
  Roe (Chevron B47) 1'12"26
• Third row:
  Bright (March 773) 1'12"50
  Jordan (March 793) 1'12"62
• Fourth row:
  Iglesias (Ralt RT1)
  Caton (Ralt RT1)

Ciao,
Guido

Thanks for the results, Guido!

Were there only 8 starters?

[Maldwyn]

Just as an aside there was also the Avis F1 Tennis Trophy in aid of the Gunnar Nilsson Cancer Treatment Campaign. Held at the NEC, Birmingham on the 24th September 1979 participants included Bjorn Borg, Vitas Gerulaitis, James Hunt, Emerson Fittipalidi, Jacques Laffite, Patrick Tambay, Clay Regazzoni, Jody Scheckter, Riccardo Patrese & John Watson.

[Rob29]

Originally posted by fines

Thanks for the results, Guido!

Were there only 8 starters?

yes,a dissapointing turnout for this charity event.Title I have for this event BTW is'FOCA Trophy' Unfortunately there was a European Championship race at Zandvoot on the same weekend.

[gdecarli]

Originally posted by fines
Thanks for the results, Guido!

Were there only 8 starters?

I have no more info.

By the way, I have just edited in my original post a little mistype I made: I wrote Thackwell and Achenson DNQ, while of course they DNF.

Ciao,
Guido

[FrankB]

Originally posted by nigel5
I am looking for some PICS of this event...

Sorry - the photos aren't brilliant, but you might find these interesting...

[teegeefla]

Frank- any chance you have a photo of Dan Gurney's demo laps in a BRM P25? Also, the wsrp site says both Dan and Denny Hulme were supposed to take part in the M1 race but were not licensed. Anyone have any idea if they still did demo laps in the Procars? Thanks.

[Stephen W]

Neither Dan or Denny took part in the Procar race and didn't demo the Procars either.

Line-up for Procars included Mario Andretti, James Hunt, Alan Jones, John Watson, Nelson Piquet, Elio de Angelis, Hans Stuck and Manfred Winkelhock.

As part of the Parade of GP Drivers there were:

Jackie Stewart in the Tyrell 006/2; Dan Gurney in the BRM P25 & Juan Manuel Fangio in a Mercedes-Benz W125.

A very special day.

[FrankB]

Originally posted by teegeefla
Frank- any chance you have a photo of Dan Gurney's demo laps in a BRM P25?

Sorry - no I haven't.

[Rianov]

Gunnar Nilsson Memorial Trophy
Fangio, Mercedes W125


Piquet, Brabham 'Fan-car' BT46B


Dan Gurney, BRM P25


Denny Hulme, Cooper T51


Jackie Stewart, Tyrrell 006


James Hunt, McLaren M23


George Harrison, Lotus 18


Alan Jones, Williams FW07

(Autosport, 7 June)

[Gary C]

George, how we miss you.

[PAUL S]

What a day, I remember it well.

I was only 11 years old, went with my Dad and uncle. Gutted when we saw Hunt being towed back in the Mclaren, and the Fan car buzzing around. Procars were great, even got Noel Edmunds autograph

[arttidesco]

The original idea was a race, but due to political problems, what was described as "a sort of high speed garden party" was held. There was an Indy-qualifying style shootout, with five drivers each running five laps. Result:

1 Alan Jones (Williams FW07) 61.37sec 144.82mph [not sure that speed's correct!]

I think that was supposed to be 184.72 km/h which translates into approx 115.45 mph

[eldougo]

Found these colour pics of the great day at Donnington.


Uploaded with ImageShack.us..Red Arrows.
The FAN car..

Uploaded with ImageShack.us
...GH really enjoying himself


Uploaded with ImageShack.us.Rev up James
...Front row
..Wee jackie

Edited by eldougo, 11 January 2011 - 08:34.

[Obster]

BTW, anyone else notice there is a character named Gunnar Nilsson in Stieg Larsson's uber-popular Girl With the Dragon Tattoo novel?