Motor Racing, H:O Scale Slot Cars, Classic Cars, the building of my slot car circuit

Les courses automobiles francaises et voitures classiques

Wednesday 1 November 2017

Classic Endurance Racing 1 - Dix Mille Tours du Castellet 2017

The amazing 1968 Howmet TX Gas Turbine. Here it leads a Chevron B16.
For me this race was such a pleasure as it included two Ferrari 512s, an Alfa Romeo T33/3 and best of all a Howmet Gas turbine.  I remember watching the 1968 BOAC 500 at Brands Hatch on television at the time and seeing the Howmet race until it crashed.  So it was a very pleasant surprise, after 49 years, to at last see it in the flesh , so to speak, and to race.  Again it didn't last the race but it was brilliant why it lasted.  The CER 1 category of Classic Endurance Racing is for prototypes from 1966 to 1971 and GT cars from 1966 to 1974; a really classic period for endurance racing.   The weather was bright but it wasn't easy taking photos due to the very strong Mistral wind.  At times i was nearly blown over with the force of the gusts.  Luckily I had my monopod to help steady the camera a little.  Enjoy the photos below of some of my favourite cars that took part.

For all you need to know about the Howmet TX click here.

A Lola T70 leads the amazing field around for the rolling start.
The second half of this large field with Ford GT40s, Chevron B8s and the Howmet TX.
This beautiful 1970 Ferrari 512M finished fourth in the hands of Carlos Monteverde and Gary Pearson.   A Chevron and a Lola follow at this stage although the Lola went on to win.
For all you want to know about the Ferrari 512M, click here.

The 1970 Ferrari 512S.
For all you want to know about the Ferrari 512S, click here.

Midfield variety - Ford GT40, De Tomaso Pantera, Chevron B16, Chevrolet Corvette, Porsche 911 RSR and Porsche 910.

The Gérard Lopez/Dickie Meaden 1969 Lola T70 MkIIIB with a Ferrari 512S giving chase.
The winning 1970 Lola T212 FVC of Mark Percy.

Two 1970 Ferraris.  The 512S about to be lapped by the 512M.
A Ford GT40 chases an amazing battling group of endurance racing cars along the start finish straight.
The 1970 Ferrari 512S leads a 1965 Elva MkVIII.
The track became quite crowded at times.  Here a Porsche 911 RSR shares th corner with an Alfa Romeo T33/3 and a Chevrolet Corvette.

The second placed 1968 Lola T70 MkIII.

1968 Lola T70 MkIII laps a 1971 Chevrolet Corvette.   Tony Seiler came sixth in the Lola in its beautiful Ulf Norinder colours.
1970 Ferrari 512M.

1965 Ford GT40 driven by Grant Tromans and Dickie Meaden.
1967 Lola T70 MkIII Spyder.
1969 Alfa Romeo T33/3 fights out a challenge from the Elva.  Emmanuele Pirro was one of the drivers of this Alfa.

A close battle between a 1974 Porsche 911 RSR 3.0L and a 1971 Lola T212.
A real shame that the Howmet TX only lasted 3 laps.


For the Group C cars at Paul Ricard, click here.





John Etherton asserts his copyright to all of the photos on this blogpost.  However, you may post the photos elsewhere on the web as long as you credit the photographer, John Etherton, and this blog post, Rouenlesafx@blogspot.com and provide a link to this page.
John Etherton affirme son droit d'auteur à l'ensemble des photos sur ce billet de blog. Cependant, vous pouvez poster des photos ailleurs sur le web aussi longtemps que vous créditez le photographe, John Etherton, et ce blog, Rouenlesafx@blogspot.com et fournissez un lien vers cette page.
Sixties Lola T70s in the paddock.
Work in the paddock on this 1968 Lola T70 MkIII.
A real shame that this Alfa Romeo T33/3 didn't start.
Again, this 1968 Alfa Romeo t33 "Daytona" graced the paddock but not the track.


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