3 replies to this topic

[eibyyz]

I can understand Gurney leaving since he was on the way to starting his own team. But how did Bobby Johns bend Chapman's ear enough to get the second car?  Was it a buy-a-ride using Ford money?

[Collombin]

Ford wanted an American, and Chapman did not want a superstar in case Clark hit trouble and needed to take over the car - Johns had the added advantage of being the same size as Jimmy!

An early faux pas did not make for an auspicious start, but eventually Johns came to acquit himself extremely well to the point that Lotus came knocking on his door again for the next couple of years I think.

[eibyyz]

Ford wanted an American, and Chapman did not want a superstar in case Clark hit trouble and needed to take over the car - Johns had the added advantage of being the same size as Jimmy!

An early faux pas did not make for an auspicious start, but eventually Johns came to acquit himself extremely well to the point that Lotus came knocking on his door again for the next couple of years I think.

 

Thanks, I appreciate your reply! 

[jimclark]

An early faux pas did not make for an auspicious start, but eventually Johns came to acquit himself extremely well to the point that Lotus came knocking on his door again for the next couple of years I think.

 

I remembered it was Hill in '67 (both burned pistons early) but couldn't remember who in the wreck start '66. it was Big Al (Unser....crashed out)

 

'68 , STP/Lotus, Hill, Leonard, and Pollard; '69, STP/Lotus, and last for Lotus at Indy (though that was the hub withdraw year to boot) Mario (in the hawk for the race); Hill, Rindt went home.

Edited by jimclark, 22 May 2019 - 00:41.