Over the 1974 season I made many new friends in racing among the drivers, the crews, the marshals and the other journalists. There was one other prize I had spotted several years ago and this I wanted. It was the red armband of either the European Racing Press Association(ERPA) or the American Racing Press Association (ARPA). I applied to both. I got a reply from ARPA and was accepted into this exclusive organization. I didn’t get a reply from ERPA. The ARPA application I found out later nearly did not make the cut. I catered mostly to the drivers and the sponsors. I did not work for any particular magazine or newspaper. I did a number of covers and the odd story, but it was the sponsors who paid the big bucks and it was them I geared up for. The letter of acceptance from ARPA was a big day for me. The package arrived with a red leather armband with gold embossed letters and my photograph neatly tucked inside a small window for all to see. I stood in front of the mirror just looking at it on my left arm. At the track I wore it off my belt as it was tight on my arm. I had arrived!
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1967 US Grand Prix Ticket
While having a look through some of the Ranta collection for a few fun historical posts for the next couple of days, this great little find fell out of a Canadian Grand Prix program. A pristine entry ticket for the 1967 Grand Prix of the United States at Watkins Glen, October 1, 1967. The price? Just $8.
According to the Wikipedia entry on this event, Sarj Ranta was one of 80,000 people who watched Jim Clark nurse his ailing Lotus to a win over team mate Graham Hill on that bright, sunny day.
No more Cossie for Williams
It’s been close to 40 years since Cosworth started building engines for Grand Prix cars, specifically for Matra and Lotus. Now, British Formula 1 team Williams has confirmed that their cars will no longer be using Cosworth power. Williams have entered a 3 year contract with Toyota to run the same engine as powers the Toyota F1 car. This leaves only the Torro Rosso entry using Cosworth engines.
Cosworth Engines have scored World Championships with Graham Hill and Michael Schumacher, but have not scored a race win since Fisichella wond the Brazilian GP in 2003.
Source Full Throttle
1963 Player’s 200
The 1963 Player’s 200 at Mosport featured theheadlining sports racing cars, production sports cars, touring cars and Formula Junior. Feature race entrants included such racing legends as Graham Hill, Parnelli Jones, Roger Penske and the list goes on. There are several Grand Prix drivers in the field. Eventual winner, Chuck Daigh was driving a Lotus 19 owned by Arciero Brothers Racing.
1967 Player’s Grand Prix of Canada
The 1967 Player’s Grand Prix of Canada was held at Mosport. Reigning World Champion Jack Brabham was the winner, driving a Brabham B19-Repco. The program holds some pretty cool advertising for the 67 US GP as well as an ad featuring Graham Hill Girl’s Driving Gloves for $9.95
1961 US Grand Prix Camera Close up
This wonderful magazine, published after the Grand Prix includes shots of pit & on track action. On the cover we see BRM crew members filling the fuel tank of Graham Hill’s BRM. Eventual winner Innes Ireland had an eventful weekend on the way to his first Grand Prix victory. Friday’s practice session saw the steering wheel come off in his hands, sending the Lotus into the trees. Luckily, with no major impacts, Ireland was fine to race and the Lotus was repaired in time for qualifying on Saturday. 105.08 was was the fastest lap he could turn, placing him 8th on the grid, before the engine blew up. After crew members worked 8 hours replacing the engine, Ireland did his job on Sunday and won the 1961 US Grand Prix at Watkins Glen.