Wheel Men...Drivers of the Lotus 49

[BDA]

One of the very best ever! 

[Lou Drozdowski]

A fixture at team Lotus, and still going strong.
 Bob Dance (commonly known as)...

The Vicar! 

[Bainford]

Great guy. I met him once, but before I realised who he really was. We had a fine 1/2 hr conversation... about submarines. 

Wish I had that 1/2 hr over again.

[BDA]

Dance is often a guest at LOGs put on by Lotus Ltd. If you could make it to the next one on the east coast, you wouldn't be able to have the 1/2 hour back but you could have a new 1/2 hour!

[Certified Lotus]

Bob is a prince of a guy. I’ve been fortunate enough to have dinner with him in the UK and many conversations over the years at LOG events. He is actually quite shy and it takes a while to get him talking. He refers to Colin Chapman as “the governor”. 

Here is a video I shot of him speaking at one of our local Lotus club’s meetings (PALS).

https://youtu.be/syoeKkR76aA

[Lou Drozdowski]

Karl Jochen Rindt   4/18/42...Happy Birthday

[BDA]

  Jochen! RIP

[Lou Drozdowski]

Another mention is due of the unique history of chassis #R10...

 Formula one cars are purpose built, ever changing and usually obsolete by seasons end. There are however those instances when a design is so competitive it can outlast the test of time. A true survivor, R10 continues to this very day under the care of Classic Team Lotus. The only F1 machine to win at Monaco twice, with a pedigree of legendary drivers.

Hill, Oliver, Brack, Andretti, Miles, Solar Roig & Fittipaldi...   

 

[BDA]

They don't build them like they used to!

[Bainford]

Interesting, thanks Lou. The 49 looks good in wingless red.

[Lou Drozdowski]

Monaco 1968

Graham Hill showed why and earned the title " Maestro" with yet another splendid victory.

In the sister 49 was Jack Keith "Jackie" Oliver, whose race was ended early with the usual chaos and banging on the tight circuit. The wings, then no wings meeting would be lessons learned for everyone on chassis set up and spring rates. What better teacher to have under the circumstances than father Graham to show the way.

Oh...and a supportive and attractive wife to make sure your tires stay toasty! 

[BDA]

Graham won more Monaco GPs than anybody until Senna who is still the only driver to win more than him.

[Lou Drozdowski]

October 1967 Watkins Glen

How good was the 49 and Cosworth?

Since it's debut at Zandvoort which was the third race of the season the team had captured pole position in the following seven consecutive races. The Glen would see more of the same with Graham Hill on top and Clark next to him. Walter Hayes of Ford was so confident of another victory he asked the drivers to flip a coin to determine who would lead and the result was to be reversed in the next event. Graham would win the toss and forge ahead to a slim margin only to be passed by Clark later on. A dodgy clutch would hamper Hill throughout the race, having lost precious seconds finding the right gear.

Clark then dominated and would sail to a comfortable drive only to have his r/r suspension pick up fracture causing his wheel to lean in. Easing off and nursing the final two laps his margin to Hill was reduced some forty seconds and Graham finished six seconds adrift.

To put the domination into perspective third place Hulme was a full lap behind, Siffert two laps, Brabham four laps and Bonnier's sixth place was seven tours in arrears.     

[BDA]

Amazing stuff! That puts pretty much in perspective, doesn't it?

[Bainford]

Amazing stuff! That puts pretty much in perspective, doesn't it?

Agreed! That paints the picture. Not a man to rest on his laurels, but Colin must have been pretty happy with his latest creation.