10 replies to this topic

[socman56]

My name is Preston Lerner. I'm a writer in Los Angeles (well, Burbank) who often covers racing, especially racing history, mostly in magazines but also in several books. I've long lurked on this forum and been amazed by the knowledge of the historians and enthusiasts who post here. So I'm wondering if anybody would be willing to share their erudition on this subject.

 

I'm writing a book about racing from 1964 to 1973, roughly bounded by the deaths of Joe Weatherly at Riverside and Francois Cevert at Watkins Glen. Safety will be the overarching theme of the book -- how attitudes and technology changed, how the safety industry developed, etc. But I'll also be covering the many factors that influenced safety, from aerodynamics and Nomex to tobacco sponsorship and driver unions.

 

I'm planning to devote two chapters to television. I have a pretty good handle on what was happening here in the States but I'm woefully uninformed about the state of play in the U.K. and, especially, continental Europe. Seems like there was virtually no live coverage in Great Britain during this era. But I've often read about live broadcasts of Lorenzo Bandini's death at Monaco, presumably on French television, and Roger Williamson's at Zandvoort (on Dutch TV?). But I have no idea who was actually filming these races -- or any other races, for that matter -- and how the broadcasts were disseminated. If anybody can provide any information about this subject, I'd be greatly appreciative because, to be honest, I'm almost totally in the dark here. Yet it's clear that the reach of television, which brought racing to a far, far wider audience that would ever see it in person, played a crucial role about changing attitudes about what was and wasn't acceptable in terms of racing safety.

 

For the record, I'm focusing on Formula 1, Indy car, NASCAR, sports prototypes, sprint cars and drag racing. Sadly, I'm limited by the fact that I can speak and read only English. But insofar as I can, I'd love to include material from the perspective of non-English-speaking countries.

 

Thanks in advance for your help!

 

Preston

 

 

[Vitesse2]

Welcome, Preston. Your reputation precedes you! We have a long-running thread which may provide some answers, although there are not necessarily any easy 'one size fits all' solutions to your questions. In general however, the answers involve the individual national broadcasters and co-operation via the European Broadcasting Union aka Eurovision, which - in its current form - has been a thing since 1950: https://forums.autos...overage-thread/

 

In Europe, we saw very little of American racing in that period - generally only brief recorded highlights of the Indy 500, several days later, although (at least in Britain) in the mid-1960s there were sometimes live satellite feeds of the 500 screened in cinemas.

[Rupertlt1]

I can recall watching the French Grand Prix of 1961 on British television.

Rheims, broadcast Saturday 1 Sunday 2 July 1961. I was nine years old.

At the house of a friend from primary school. We didn't have a television at home.

One of the earliest on TV I can remember.

Also one of the most exciting.

In black and white of course.

I think historic TV listings will be a source.

I'll have a look.

BBC:

2.25-3.00—MOTOR RACING. The start of the French Grand Prix.

4.15-4.50—MOTOR RACING. French Grand Prix continued.

Described by Tom Wisdom as "one of the greatest motor racing duels of all time."

The British Grand Prix was featured in Summer Grandstand, Saturday 15 July 1961.

Similarly Monaco Grand Prix shown Sunday 14 May 1961, 4.00-4.30; 5.30-5.50. Not live?

Seems like there was virtually no live coverage in Great Britain during this era.

Not sure this will stand up but coverage may have been recorded?

Monaco: Light Program Radio, Saturday 9 May 1964, 4.55-5.00; 5.45-6.00.

BBC 1 TV: Sunday 10 May 1964, 3.10-3.35 the start; 5.50-6.00 the finish.

French Grand Prix: BBC 1 TV, Sunday 28 June, 2.55-3.30; 5.00-5.35.

British (European) Grand Prix, Saturday 11 July 1964:

"The European Grand Prix from Brands Hatch is the big event

for armchair sports fans.

This motor race comes at a vital stage in the battle for the

world championship and B.B.C. cameras will be dotted around

the course to keep you up to date with the latest position (B.B.C. 1.40)."

Italian Grand Prix: BBC 1 TV, Sunday 6 September, 5.45-6.00.

"The final stages of the Italian Grand Prix direct from Monza."

American Forces Network radio (AFN)?

I seem to recall Anthony Marsh, the commentator, did some work for them?

Monaco Grand Prix, Sunday 30 May 1965, BBC 1 TV, 4.15-4.45; 5.15-5.35. 

French Grand Prix, Sunday 27 June 1965, BBC 1 TV, 5.00-5.25.

THE start and finish of the French Grand Prix will be screened live direct from the mountain circuit at Clermond Ferrand, in the Auvergne, on B.B.C. Television on Sunday. It will be the fourth race in this year's World Championship series. 

Saturday 10 July 1965: MOTOR RACING, Silverstone (ITV. 1.50 , 2.35, 3.5, 3.40). The British Grand Prix will give Jim Clark the chance to increase his lead in the world championship.

Dutch Grand Prix, Sunday 18 July 1965, BBC 1 TV, 3.05-3.30; 5.05-5.25.

RGDS RLT

Edited by Rupertlt1, 20 November 2024 - 11:08.

[Blue6ix]

I can recall watching the French Grand Prix of 1961 on British television.

Rheims, broadcast Saturday 1 Sunday 2 July 1961. I was nine years old.

At the house of a friend from primary school. We didn't have a television at home.

One of the earliest on TV I can remember.

Also one of the most exciting.

In black and white of course.

I think historic TV listings will be a source.

I'll have a look.

BBC:

2.25-3.00—MOTOR RACING. The start of the French Grand Prix.

4.15-4.50—MOTOR RACING. French Grand Prix continued.

Described by Tom Wisdom as "one of the greatest motor racing duels of all time."

The British Grand Prix was featured in Summer Grandstand, Saturday 15 July 1961.

Similarly Monaco Grand Prix shown Sunday 14 May 1961, 4.00-4.30; 5.30-5.50. Not live?

Seems like there was virtually no live coverage in Great Britain during this era.

Not sure this will stand up but coverage may have been recorded?

Monaco: Light Program Radio, Saturday 9 May 1964, 4.55-5.00; 5.45-6.00.

BBC 1 TV: Sunday 10 May 1964, 3.10-3.35 the start; 5.50-6.00 the finish.

French Grand Prix: BBC 1 TV, Sunday 28 June, 2.55-3.30; 5.00-5.35.

British (European) Grand Prix, Saturday 11 July 1964:

"The European Grand Prix from Brands Hatch is the big event

for armchair sports fans.

This motor race comes at a vital stage in the battle for the

world championship and B.B.C. cameras will be dotted around

the course to keep you up to date with the latest position (B.B.C. 1.40)."

Italian Grand Prix: BBC 1 TV, Sunday 6 September, 5.45-6.00.

"The final stages of the Italian Grand Prix direct from Monza."

American Forces Network radio (AFN)?

I seem to recall Anthony Marsh, the commentator, did some work for them?

Monaco Grand Prix, Sunday 30 May 1965, BBC 1 TV, 4.15-4.45; 5.15-5.35. 

French Grand Prix, Sunday 27 June 1965, BBC 1 TV, 5.00-5.25.

THE start and finish of the French Grand Prix will be screened live direct from the mountain circuit at Clermond Ferrand, in the Auvergne, on B.B.C. Television on Sunday. It will be the fourth race in this year's World Championship series. 

Saturday 10 July 1965: MOTOR RACING, Silverstone (ITV. 1.50 , 2.35, 3.5, 3.40). The British Grand Prix will give Jim Clark the chance to increase his lead in the world championship.

Dutch Grand Prix, Sunday 18 July 1965, BBC 1 TV, 3.05-3.30; 5.05-5.25.

RGDS RLT

 

For the 1961 Monaco Grand Prix, it could have been a live coverage depending on it's race time so I think it could have been a partially live coverage for the later stages.

[Blue6ix]

I can recall watching the French Grand Prix of 1961 on British television.

Rheims, broadcast Saturday 1 Sunday 2 July 1961. I was nine years old.

At the house of a friend from primary school. We didn't have a television at home.

One of the earliest on TV I can remember.

Also one of the most exciting.

In black and white of course.

I think historic TV listings will be a source.

I'll have a look.

BBC:

2.25-3.00—MOTOR RACING. The start of the French Grand Prix.

4.15-4.50—MOTOR RACING. French Grand Prix continued.

Described by Tom Wisdom as "one of the greatest motor racing duels of all time."

The British Grand Prix was featured in Summer Grandstand, Saturday 15 July 1961.

Similarly Monaco Grand Prix shown Sunday 14 May 1961, 4.00-4.30; 5.30-5.50. Not live?

Seems like there was virtually no live coverage in Great Britain during this era.

Not sure this will stand up but coverage may have been recorded?

Monaco: Light Program Radio, Saturday 9 May 1964, 4.55-5.00; 5.45-6.00.

BBC 1 TV: Sunday 10 May 1964, 3.10-3.35 the start; 5.50-6.00 the finish.

French Grand Prix: BBC 1 TV, Sunday 28 June, 2.55-3.30; 5.00-5.35.

British (European) Grand Prix, Saturday 11 July 1964:

"The European Grand Prix from Brands Hatch is the big event

for armchair sports fans.

This motor race comes at a vital stage in the battle for the

world championship and B.B.C. cameras will be dotted around

the course to keep you up to date with the latest position (B.B.C. 1.40)."

Italian Grand Prix: BBC 1 TV, Sunday 6 September, 5.45-6.00.

"The final stages of the Italian Grand Prix direct from Monza."

American Forces Network radio (AFN)?

I seem to recall Anthony Marsh, the commentator, did some work for them?

Monaco Grand Prix, Sunday 30 May 1965, BBC 1 TV, 4.15-4.45; 5.15-5.35. 

French Grand Prix, Sunday 27 June 1965, BBC 1 TV, 5.00-5.25.

THE start and finish of the French Grand Prix will be screened live direct from the mountain circuit at Clermond Ferrand, in the Auvergne, on B.B.C. Television on Sunday. It will be the fourth race in this year's World Championship series. 

Saturday 10 July 1965: MOTOR RACING, Silverstone (ITV. 1.50 , 2.35, 3.5, 3.40). The British Grand Prix will give Jim Clark the chance to increase his lead in the world championship.

Dutch Grand Prix, Sunday 18 July 1965, BBC 1 TV, 3.05-3.30; 5.05-5.25.

RGDS RLT

 

For the Monaco Grand Prix 1961 there is at least one another schedule for the race or it's live segments coverage and they were aired possibly supplementing already formentioned parts at 14.30-15.05 o' clock for the start and opening laps and for the finishing parts with eventual final lap and chequered flag at 17.30-18.10 o' clock.

Edited by Blue6ix, 20 November 2024 - 15:52.

[RAP]

I was a young enthusiast in UK in the 60s. Most British F1 races would be covered in the Saturday afternoon sports programme, either on BBC or ITV depending on who had the contract with the circuit. Either way it was usually showing the start, then to horse racing, a mid-race report, then a horse race and then, if the horse racing had not overrun, the finish.

Quality was poor. There was a mid-week sports programme that would (usually) mention the previous GP with, perhaps, a very short film clip.

The occaisional European GP was shown (I remember the 1962 Dutch) via Eurovision but it was few and far between. In the late 70s 30 min GP highlights programmes started on BBC then full race coverage in the early 80s.

 

In terms on impact I suggest that far more significant was the National news bulletins that would mention the GP if a British driver won and would give extensive coverage to any big crashes that were caught on film eg Courage's Zandvoort crash.

 

RAP

[Sterzo]

I can confirm (though admittedly only from dodgy memory) RAP's version. Coverage included the several non-championship F1 races in the UK in this period. As I recall, there was a Saturday afternoon sports programme with no absolutely fixed times for most of the segments. They wouId switch from one sport to another. and back again. I recall watching F1 at Snetterton (possibly the Lombank Trophy), and it was mid-race when an announcer cut in to say there wasn't much happening at Snetterton so we'll go over to women's hockey at Wembley... (I shall recover one day).

 

Another memory (so not evidence, but maybe a lead to follow) was of watching the 1956 British Grand Prix. I think, but cannot be sure, that it was a live broadcast - again, just short segments.

 

Blue6ix is the man to work magic on this question.

Edited by Sterzo, 26 November 2024 - 20:08.

[Gary C]

Hi Preston, nothing to do with your question, but I have an archive of motorsport stills (and movie film) which is available for books, magazines etc., take a look at www.superchargedcollection.com All the best!

[Blue6ix]

I was a young enthusiast in UK in the 60s. Most British F1 races would be covered in the Saturday afternoon sports programme, either on BBC or ITV depending on who had the contract with the circuit. Either way it was usually showing the start, then to horse racing, a mid-race report, then a horse race and then, if the horse racing had not overrun, the finish.

Quality was poor. There was a mid-week sports programme that would (usually) mention the previous GP with, perhaps, a very short film clip.

The occaisional European GP was shown (I remember the 1962 Dutch) via Eurovision but it was few and far between. In the late 70s 30 min GP highlights programmes started on BBC then full race coverage in the early 80s.

 

In terms on impact I suggest that far more significant was the National news bulletins that would mention the GP if a British driver won and would give extensive coverage to any big crashes that were caught on film eg Courage's Zandvoort crash.

 

RAP

 

This is a interesting claim.

 

But I'm interpreting/assuming that this is a depending question also depending of the season in question?

 

This could heed quite many answers in your question, but I try to keep it only about two messages long:

 

So, if something is not fitted here then it could be fitted in next one:

 

However as an example,,,

 

Some important races that I know were televised in the 1960s either by BBC or ITV and provided and offered by Eurovision are or more precisely were....

 

1962: Dutch GP/Zandvoort, Monaco GP/Monte-Carlo, French GP/Rouen, British GP/Aintree, Guards Int Trophy at Brands Hatch three races (a Mike Parkes benefit), Italian GP/Monza, Tourist Trophy from Goodwood, Oulton Park International Gold Cup, Le Mans 24 Hours and Thousand Guineas Race from Mallory Park

 

1963: Monaco, Zandvoort, Silverstone, Oulton Park, Tourist Trophy Race, Monza and Le Mans 24 Hours

 

1964 to 1966: Well, basically any International Gold Cups or any similiar motor racing event usually races from the Oulton Park Circuit, Brands Hatch or Silverstone from the British F1 Grand Prix, Italian GP:s from Monza, Monaco GP:s from Monte-Carlo and any Le Mans 24 Hours race as well

 

Grand Prix Programme started in the 1978 season from the Monaco onwards and even on it's first year they had a live coverage and in the seasons of 1978-1980 it was most likely always from either of Monaco or Brands Hatch/Silverstone.

 

Starting from the 1981 they gradually begun to show more other races live, but BBC prefered to show mostly only European races live. Sunday Grandstand Programme begun in that year more regularly around the Belgian Grand Prix from Zolder and before that had some very, very rare and limited test broadcasts during the years of 1978-1980 and before the fateful date of 17.5.1981 even in the year of 1981 too.

 

And eventually they really always meant to broadcast all European races live although any French Grand Prix or almost any French Grand Prix had to sadly clash with Wimbledon or similiar other 'important' sport event for quite a too many years.

 

And any so called long distance race excluding any possible surprise coverage were otherwise seen even longer times than European races ever did as in highlights or with many and sometimes really confusing Re-runs back then.

Edited by Blue6ix, 06 December 2024 - 04:17.

[Blue6ix]

I was a young enthusiast in UK in the 60s. Most British F1 races would be covered in the Saturday afternoon sports programme, either on BBC or ITV depending on who had the contract with the circuit. Either way it was usually showing the start, then to horse racing, a mid-race report, then a horse race and then, if the horse racing had not overrun, the finish.

Quality was poor. There was a mid-week sports programme that would (usually) mention the previous GP with, perhaps, a very short film clip.

The occaisional European GP was shown (I remember the 1962 Dutch) via Eurovision but it was few and far between. In the late 70s 30 min GP highlights programmes started on BBC then full race coverage in the early 80s.

 

In terms on impact I suggest that far more significant was the National news bulletins that would mention the GP if a British driver won and would give extensive coverage to any big crashes that were caught on film eg Courage's Zandvoort crash.

 

RAP

 

Here is another example message that I left out from the previous message just only to keep that message more shorter.

 

It's originally from the other thread and that was an answer to another member when that particular member were also claiming that supposedly there weren't that much F1 on TV back in the 1960s.

 

Once again it depended so much from season to season back then.

 

So what I answered then can be repeated in here too.

 

Here it comes:

 

''But as an and for example in '66 it was possible on the BBC to see live segments of 6 out of 9 World Championship rounds, with a 7th as race highlights (the German GP), and 5 out of 11 as live race segments in '67 (ITV covering the British GP), with a least two more as race highlights.  Of course '68 was a different story with Winston and Imperial Tobacco entering the scene...

 

And also for the '76-'77 because of the Durex and Penthouse...

 

Out of interest once the tobacco sponsors arrived, it is interesting that Rex Hay paint his Tom Tom models cars in a teams sponsor colours but without any decals, i.e. red and white with a gold band for GLTL's cars.

 

It was always ingenious and fascinating thing to do.

 

Once the tobacco sponsors arrived as mentioned before...

 

The 49's for Telly, either Beeb or Anglia's Pride were in the correct colour scheme but also devoid of sponsorship decals. Each season every constructor apparently gave Rex Hays a mini sample of their paint in order that he could produce perfect replicas in the appropriate shade of whatever needed/asked for. This was very commendable given the fact that the majority of the race output for the onlookers at home was broadcast in black & white and colour broadcasts were still mostly at best only color test broadcasts!

 

It is also interesting to know that in the UK color television sport broadcasts were intented to and possibly were carried out and up right after or from the same day when the 1967 German Grand Prix were being held.

 

However for the years of 1967-1971 mostly all sports programme with eventually to decreasing degree, were a colour test broadcasts.

 

Regular colour broadcasts for the F1 coverage and as for my knowledge in the UK, did begun at the 1971 British Grand Prix from the Silverstone race onwards with Jackie Stewart winning the race!''

[Blue6ix]

I can confirm (though admittedly only from dodgy memory) RAP's version. Coverage included the several non-championship F1 races in the UK in this period. As I recall, there was a Saturday afternoon sports programme with no absolutely fixed times for most of the segments. They wouId switch from one sport to another. and back again. I recall watching F1 at Snetterton (possibly the Lombank Trophy), and it was mid-race when an announcer cut in to say there wasn't much happening at Snetterton so we'll go over to women's hockey at Wembley... (I shall recover one day).

 

Another memory (so not evidence, but maybe a lead to follow) was of watching the 1956 British Grand Prix. I think, but cannot be sure, that it was a live broadcast - again, just short segments.

 

Blue6ix is the man to work magic on this question.

 

Thank you very much!

 

So, here is some magic from me about those time schedules and from the 1956 British Grand Prix and unless it really had a different start time, I really think that it was a live coverage with some really long live segments or alternatively some more, but shorter live segments as usual during that era depending of the schedule, but here is a one variant of them:

 

1956 Silverstone

 

12.15-14.40 o' clock before the break because of the Athletics Championship including start of the race and long, long viewing time of intense action of the race and finally after of the Athletics Championship another part including latter part of the race, closing laps and finishing parts with eventual final lap and chequered flag at 14.50-15.30 o' clock.

 

Alternative schedule or another variant depending of the newspapers telling about the matter had three different timeslots with shorter amount of airing time and also including one odd break in the afternoon during the race which I really think if not for F1 race were otherwise quickly filled with other programmes during that fateful day. Possibly including not just Athletics Championship, but possibly Cricket Test Match too. Though if so their parts were seen earlier than expected.

 

Even with that schedule it had 110 minutes or 1 hour and 50 minutes airing time provided to it on TV.

Edited by Blue6ix, 06 December 2024 - 05:38.