6 replies to this topic

[O Volante]

This time I'm looking for more details and results of the "Grand Prix of Volkswagen", held at Nassau in late 1965.

The winner of the race to receive the "Hubert Brundage Trophy" was Chris Amon. Bruce McLaren came second, both driving Beach Vees.

The story is Bruce was not there for the qualifying heats, so Chris qualified his own car by winning the first and Bruce's with a fifth place in the second heat. Driving both cars Chris noted Bruce's was better and so had switched them! When Bruce arrived for the final Chris told him about the change, which led to the famous comment, now we've thought tought him too well! In any case, the authorities didn't accept qualifying by a different driver and Bruce had to start the final from the back of the large grid ...

When did the races take place? Who can help with the original schedule of events from the programme?

Many thanks in advance!

PS: I had a copy of Terry O'Neil's first book, but have lost it somehow. Is there more on the Formula races in the second edition?

Edited by O Volante, 07 January 2025 - 10:27.

[WINO]

The two heat races for FV were held on November 28. Amon [#9, chassis 133] finished 2nd oa in Heat 1, behind Chandler Lawrence, both in Beach Mk 5B entries. In Heat 2 Amon finished 5th oa, in a similar car [#1, no chassis listed by O'Neil].

 

The combined FV race was called the Grand Prix, held on December 3. Amon [#9] won in chassis 133, while Bruce McLaren [#1] finished 2nd oa.

 

Then on December 4 there was another FV race [apart from two Powder Puff FV races the same day]. It was called Race 7, with Amon [#9] finishing 7th oa in chassis 133 and McLaren [#1] 13th oa in the unknown chassis.

 

Both Ladies FV races were won by Sierra "Smokey" Drolet in the Beach borrowed from Amon [chassis 133].

Edited by WINO, 06 January 2025 - 21:05.

[Ray Bell]

The comment from Bruce is not so famous that I've ever heard it...

 

But I'd think it was, "Now we've taught him too well!"

[O Volante]

Ray, you are absolutely right! Need new glasses! Thank you! I found the correct comment in Eoin Young's "Forza Amon".

 

Willem, perfect! Big thank you for the quick answer! The chassis number of Bruce's Beach Mk 5B was #FV 134B. See sales note from 12 January 1966 https://www.virhisto...e/sale-6601.JPG

 

Many, many thanks again!

[O Volante]

Forgot one important detail - the distances!

 

1965 Bahamas Speed Week

November 28

Race 1 – Five lap GT race – 22.5 miles

Race 2 – Nassau Tourist Trophy race – 25 laps / 112.5 miles

Race 3 – Formula Vee race, heat 1

Race 4 – Formula Vee race, heat 2

December 3

Race 5 – Grand Prix of Volkswagens race

Race 6 – Governor's Trophy race – 25 laps / 112.5 miles

December 4

Race 7 – Five lap Island Resident's race, heat 1 – 22.5 miles

Race 8 – Five lap Island Resident's race, heat 2 – 22.5 miles

Race 9 – Five lap Texas Special race – 22.5 miles

Race 10 – Five lap Porsche Challenge race – 22.5 miles

Race 11 – Ladies’ race, heat 1

Race 12 – Ladies’ race, heat 2

Race 13 – Formula Vee race

December 5

Race 14 – Bahamas Cup race – 12 laps / 54 miles

Race 15 – Nassau Trophy race – 56 laps / 252 miles

 

That’s seems to have been the order of events: am I right to assume 5 laps for the FVee races on November 28 and the Ladies’ races on December 4? But what for the Volkswagen GP and the FVees on December 4?

[WINO]

Yes, the November 28 heat races were for 5 laps [22.5 miles]. Same for the two Ladies Races and Race 13 on December 4. As for the Grand Prix on December 3, it is listed having a distance of 103 miles, which means 23 laps?

[O Volante]

Thank you very much again!

 

23 laps are somewhat strange - but seems so! Perhaps to make the GP a real 100-mile race?