26 replies to this topic

[Eric McLoughlin]

In the title sequence to the feature film "Grand Prix" the drivers who appeared in the movie are listed, some as "themselves" and some with character "parts". One name is conspicuous by its absence ie. Jim Clark. However, the name "Skip Scott" does appear. Is this a sarcastic comment aimed at Clark by the film producers? As far as I am aware no real driver of that name ever existed.
Can anyone throw further light on this?

[This message has been edited by Eric McLoughlin (edited 01-01-2000).]

[Don Capps]

Eric,

There indeed WAS a real Skip Scott! He was an American sports car racer from the West Coast and while not a Gurney or a Donohue, certainly was in the group right behind them. He was a real factor in the USRRC and the Can-Am series in the mid-60's.



------------------
Yr fthfl & hmbl srvnt,

Don Capps

Semper Gumbi: If this was easy, we’d have the solution already…

[Eric McLoughlin]

Thanks for the clarification. You've cleared up a 30 year mystery. What an informative Web Site. I've checked through my F1 Stats book and can see no reference to Skip Scott actually taking part in any 1966 Grand Prix races. I assume he must have been hired by MGM as a camera car driver etc. Perhaps the California connection was the factor.

[Jerry Entin]

Skip Scott driven Ford GT40
The fellow in the suit in the middle of the picture is John Wyer. Masten Gregory talking to Skip Scott who is on the pit wall.

Skip Scott was born Robert Livingston Scott on August 24,1941.
He loved flying and fishing and had 3 childern: Sara, Chris and Gates. He was married to Kathe Gates and drove some really great cars. With the help of the Family pictures I am going to show the forum members a glimpse into to the life of Skip Scott.

A very nice tribute to Skip Scott's racing can be found here on you tube:
http://www.youtube.c...feature=related


photo Scott Family collection

[Jerry Entin]

Skip Scott in front of Sam Posey
Skip Scott is seen here in the Carl Haas run Lola T-70 in 1968. His crew were Peter Bryant and Colin Riley.
Gil Munz and Ike Smith were also on the Team. Skip's co-driver in 1968 was Chuck Parsons. They used engines from Al Bartz.

photo- Dan Lipetz collection.

[Jerry Entin]

Carl Haas Racing Team at Elkhart Lake in 1967.
Skip Scott and Chuck Parsons would win this 500 mile race in both 1967 and 1968.
Carl Haas Team at Elkhart Lake 1967 - Frank Gates, with Simoniz. Jerry Hansen, Bernie Haas,her sister Bridie Murphy, Carl Haas, Chuck Parsons, Sherry Parsons, Skip Scott, Ike Smith, Tony Hartford, Gil Munz and Harry Woodnorth.
photo Ike Smith collection

[Jerry Entin]

Skip Scott at Sebring in 1972
Skip's co-driver was David Hobbs.

photo - Louis Galanos- copyright 2008 Louis Galanos

[Macca]

When I saw the film 'Grand Prix' as a youngster in 1967, I knew straight away that the helmet seen in the opening sequence wasn't that of an F1 driver; I also looked through the F3 entry list more recently - so I think it must be Skip:



Paul M

[Jerry Entin]

Skip Scott in his 427 Cobra at Bridgehampton in 1965.
This was a USRRC type race. Skip would go on to finish 5th in this event.

photo -Tom Schultz - copyright 2009 Tom Schultz

[Jerry Entin]

Skip Scott at the Elkhart Lake 500 in 1967.
Skip co-drove this McLaren Mk 3 to the win with his co-driver Chuck Parsons. The car was entered by the Carl Haas Team. They also won this same race in 1968 also driving together and for the Carl Haas Team.

photo Tom Schultz - copyright 2009 Tom Schultz.

[zoff2005]

Originally posted by Jerry Entin
Skip Scott driven Ford GT40
The fellow in the suit in the middle of the picture is Henry Ford.

Actually I think it’s John Wyer in the picture and the number 5 car (if the photo was taken at Monza in practice) was driven there by Whitmore and Gregory. Wyer seems to be talking to John Whitmore and it looks like Masten Gregory behind the car with his helmet on talking to Scott (who has his hand in front of his mouth). I saw this race and happened to fly back to the UK the next day in the same plane as the team. I remember Wyer being incredibly rude to the poor customs man who wanted to look in his suitcase when we left Milan! And Skip Scott rushed to carry Wyer’s bag, obviously trying to keep his boss happy!
Marcus

[Jerry Entin]

Skip Scott in the Carl Haas entered Lola T-70
This is from Elkhart Lake in 1968.

Marcus: I have corrected the people in post number 4, thank you for identifying them.

photo Tom Schultz - copyright 2009 Tom Schultz.

Edited by Jerry Entin, 28 December 2010 - 02:51.

[Aero426]

From the 1968 Simoniz Can-Am press kit, Skip is driving the T70 behind the #10 T160 of Chuck Parsons.

[Jerry Entin]

Victory Lane at Elkhart Lake 500 in 1968.
Chuck Parsons and Skip Scott and the Carl Haas Team getting the trophy. Behind Skip in the Scarf is his wife Kathe. Behind Chuck Parsons is Ike Smith and next to Skip Scott is Peter Bryant.

photo Ike Smith collection.

[Jerry Entin]

Skip Scott at Vineland in 1965
This may have been the first time Skip ran his Essex Wire sponsored 427 Cobra.


Nice cockpit shot of Skip Scott in his 427 Cobra.

photos Dave Nicholas - copyright 2009 Dave Nicholas
www.barcboys.com

[908/3]

Here's a 1965 on board lap of Riverside commented by Skip Scott



Great

[Carlos Jalife]

Guys,
Skip Scott raced in Mexico too, he came in second to Moisés Solana in the NARRC (not USRRC as generally thought) race in Mexico in 1968 which opened the championship. He came in 13 seconds behind Moisés and our own Jerry Entin was seventh. .
The Essex Wire Ford GT40 he raced with Peter Revson at Sebring in 66, third overall, is in Mexico too, a collector in Monterrey has it, bought it from Rahal I think and we often see him doing laps in the Monterrey track with his friends, and it is a pleasure to drive!
Cheers
Carlos

[ZOOOM]

This is the Skip Scott GT 40 at Elkhart Lake. It is carring the number 92, and the previous posts of Skip in the Cobra show it carring # 91.
Not bad for my brownie box camera!
ZOOOM

[Jerry Entin]

Christopher Scott, Kathe Gates Scott and Gates Scott.
Christopher Scott is an insurance executive by day and an accomplished photographer by night living in New York City. Gates Scott is a commercial helicopter pilot living in Denver and he is the publisher of :
Pilot Mag.com http://pilotmag.com/home

Their mother Kathe is a painter and a land trust advocate living in Steamboat, Colorado.

photo Scott family collection

[Jerry Entin]

Sara Scott and her niece Hannah Scott
Sara is of course Skip Scott's daughter and Hannah is Skip's eldest grand daughter. Her dad is Gates Scott the brother of Sara. Sara's other brother Christoper is seen above with their mother Kathe.

Sara Scott lives in Santa Fe, New Mexico and her niece Hannah was visiting her in this picture. Which was taken at the Ceremonial Cave in Bandolier National Monument, New Mexico. They are both artists and photographers.

photo Scott Family collection.

[Jerry Entin]

Skip Scott and his eldest grandson Peter.

photo Scott Family collection

[Jerry Entin]

Skip Scott on his Marlin fishing boat the "GPS".
Skip at the helm of the "GPS" which stood for Grandpa Skippy!

photo Scott Family collection

[Jerry Entin]

Skip Scott in the Simoniz sponsored Lola T-70
That is Carl Haas and Ike Smith along side Skip Scott. This is at Mid-Ohio in 1968

At Elkhart Lake in 1968 Skip Scott and Chuck Parsons would win the 500 mile race in this car.

photo: William Bonow collection

Edited by Jerry Entin, 26 December 2010 - 15:13.

[Bjorn Kjer]

I have been asked about transportation of the Essex Wire Ford GT40 's which Skip Scott drove. Anyone has any ideas on this , please?

[Jerry Entin]

Ike Smith and Colin Riley fueling the Skip Scott driven Lola T-70 at Mexico City
This car was owned by Carl Haas. Skip Scott would finish 2nd to Moises Solana in this race. It was the first race of the 1968 season.

The fellow in the Orange shirt with his hands on his side is Ralph Todd. He was from South Africa. We were told not to drink anything off the local carts that came around. Ralph was drinking these drinks that looked like Punch. One day an ambulance took him away. I said to him as they were hauling him out, what should I tell the guy you buy the fruit drinks from when he comes looking for you. He didn't think that was funny at the time.


Photo: Gil Munz

Edited by Jerry Entin, 28 December 2010 - 20:33.

[63Corvette]

Skip Scott at Vineland in 1965
This may have been the first time Skip ran his Essex Wire sponsored 427 Cobra.

Skip Scott's first competition with CSX 3009 was at the USRRC race at Corey Field in Pensacola, Florida on April 11, 1965. Essex Wire sponsered the car, and Team Cobra's Al Dowd allowed us to use their facilities for refueling. Skip finished 3rd overall, and 2nd in class Prototype, over 2 liter, behind winner George Follmer in a U2 Lotus 23B Porsche and a 427 LMD sponsered by the Ford Motor corp. It was an auspecious beginning!  Shortly after this race, Skip sold the 427 Cobra to concentrate on pursuing overall wins in his Ford GT40.


Nice cockpit shot of Skip Scott in his 427 Cobra.

photos Dave Nicholas - copyright 2009 Dave Nicholas
www.barcboys.com

[63Corvette]

I have been asked about transportation of the Essex Wire Ford GT40 's which Skip Scott drove. Anyone has any ideas on this , please?

Initially team manager Ray Heppenstal towed it on an open trailer behind his pickup truck. Times were VERY different in 1965. I helped Mecom Racing Team truck driver Rudy tow their Walt Hansgen driven Lola T70 roadster back home from the 1965 Pensacola USRRC race on an open trailer behind their pickup truck. As I recall, ONLY Jim hall had a "Motorhome" at that race