___________________
Carroll Shelby
As we remember Carroll Shelby, we offer two short vignettes. The first is written by Eric Davison, who wrote about the trials and tribulations of the Shelby Series 1 in his book “Snake Bit”. It is below in full.
The second remembrance, Carroll Shelby and the OSCA was written by Carl Goodwin, author of “They Started in MGs” includes rare shots of Shelby. [Ed.]
___________________
I was fortunate. Carroll Shelby called me his friend.
I really didn’t get to know him personally until the late 90’s when I became involved in the project that became known as the Shelby Series 1. It was a tough program and there was a lot that could go wrong and did. I hung in there and I guess that he appreciated that fact.
That program ended and I retired to Florida in 2002. Every so often the phone would ring. My wife, Mary, would answer the phone and a raspy old voice would croak “Hi ya, honey, is Eric around?”
I would pick up the phone in awe of the fact that he would call. The message was always a short one. “Just checkin’ up on ya and letting you know that I love ya.”
I love you too, Carroll and I will miss you.
Eric Davison
___________________
by Roberto on May 16, 2012
By Roberto Motta
Photos courtesy of Ferrari and Porsche AG-Media-Press
Spa Francorchamps –
After a break of two months, the FIA World Endurance Championship was back in action during the weekend of May 4-5 at the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps. [click to continue…]
Image Courtesy Grand Prix of America at Port Imperial
By Phillipe Defechereux
East Coast F1 circuit all set to “Come Alive” in June 2013
Stories, rumors and gossip are all put to bed. It is real and here is the up-to-date story straight from those making it happen.
First we can confirm that developments for the “Grand Prix of America,” to be staged on the New Jersey side of the Hudson River directly across from Manhattan, are already well along. All the federal, state and local authorities involved approved the plans and logistics on October 15, 2011, with New Jersey Governor Chris Christie beaming in acquiescence during the televised press announcement. This feat was made possible by a triumvirate of top-level American promoters and investors highlighted below. All were pleased with the ten-year contract they secured from Bernie Ecclestone’s Formula One Management (FOM), backed by the FIA.
[click to continue…]
A Shelby portrait taken in about 1956 by racing photographer Alix Lafontant. It is inscribed “The very best to my good friend Alix. – Carroll Shelby.”
By Carl Goodwin
Photos by Alix Lafontant copyright Carl Goodwin.
1956 was a great year for Carroll Shelby driving the Italian cars he loved. Up until a late-season off-course excursion in the sand at Thompson Raceway, he had notched 19 wins at road courses from coast to coast, driving a Ferrari 4.4, Ferrari Monza, Maserati 300S, and a Maserati 450S.
We were accustomed to seeing Shelby toss around the big Ferraris and Maseratis owned by John Edgar and Tony Parravano, but he was also a great driver in under two liter Italian cars such as the OSCA. One such race was at Road America. [click to continue…]
by Roberto on May 16, 2012
Rare color image of Ascari at the Brickyard in 1952, courtesy Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
During the month of May and the Indy 500, it’s appropriate to think about two events, Monaco and the Indy 500. Most of us are probably very aware of the appearance at Indy of Alberto Ascari in 1952 and the broken wheel which ended his drive. However, more obscure are the other Ferrari entries that continued for some years after the 1952 event. Below Roberto Motta puts it all together in two parts with the help of images from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum. [Ed.]
By Roberto Motta
Photos courtesy Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Ferraris attempts at “The Brickyard” began in 1952, but continued in subsequent years until 1956, with the last Ferrari Bardhal Experimental car. The results were never encouraging, partly because of a lack of preparation and commitment. Perhaps Ferrari did not take the unique and difficult requirements racing at the Indy 500 as seriously as was warranted. [click to continue…]
Fernando Alonso, Pastor Maldonado, Kimi Raikkonen
By Pete Vack
Photos courtesy and copyright Ferrari Media, unless otherwise noted
It was an exciting race and yet a boring race. All too exciting was the action after the race was over when the Williams garage caught on fire. Contrary to early reports, at least nine team members were injured in the fire and one mechanic was airlifted to a Barcelona hospital. Sir Frank Williams was quickly taken from the area and is ok. It was an almost tragic end to a well deserved and surprising victory.
[click to continue…]
_____________________________________________________________
Our winner of the hot-off-the press “Inside the Paddock” is Doug Sallen..Congratulations!
VeloceToday has drawings just about every month. To be eligible for these contests just
CLICK HERE TO BECOME A PREMIUM SUBSCRIBER
______________________________________________________________
Above: Posing with the Harry Jones Moretti are (left-to-right) Viola Jones, Pat McAfee (then wife of Jack McAfee), and Vi’s husband Harry Jones. Santa Barbara paddock, September 1954. Photo: John Edgar, Edgar Motorsport Archive
______________________________________________________________
By Pete Vack
Many thanks to Peter Vanlaw, William Edgar, Alex Vazeos, Rex McAfee, Cliff Reuter, John de Boer, Karl Ludvigsen and our own Cindy Meitle.
Road & Track, August 1954. The color photo is by photographer and journalist Bob Rolofson; the car, a Moretti Gran Sport—the archetypical “Baby Ferrari”. No doubt many more people saw this photo than would ever lay eyes on the actual car itself; few subjected to the cover photo or the reality would likely soon forget the sight. Even today, the car stirs the imagination.
[click to continue…]
Kia Australia has a range of 
