Jerry Melton's photos taken in North America during the 1950s to the 1970s.

[khyndart in CA]

The winning car of the 6 Hour race was the John Wyer (J W Engineering) Ford GT 40 # 5 driven by Belgians Jackie Ickx and Lucien Bianchi.

(Jerry Melton photos )

(Sadly this was one of the last victories for Lucien Bianchi and the sad saga of this family is told in this link.)
http://www.f1i.com/magazine/18991-the-tragic-destiny-of-the-bianchi-name-in-motorsport.html

(Ken H )

[khyndart in CA]

The second placed car in 1968 was also a JW Engineering Ford GT 40 # 6 driven by David Hobbs and Australian Paul Hawkins.
Sadly Paul was to die in a crash at Oulton Park in 1969.

Ahead of Porsche 908 # 2

(Jerry Melton photos ̷)


KJH

[Ray Bell]

Lucien Bianchi's death just a few months after he was so sadly robbed of victory in the first London-Sydney Marathon made a big impact on the Australian public.

More so, I would say, than Hawkins' feiry death at Oulton Park.

[khyndart in CA]

Although it did not finish in the points it was good to see the Lola T 70 Mk 3 # 11 of Jo Bonnier and Chuck Parsons on the track.

Once again, sadly, Jo Bonnier was to die during the 1972 24 Hours of Le Mans race.

So many fine drivers were to perish during this era in motor racing.


(Jerry Melton photos.. )

[khyndart in CA]

The Ferrari challenge in 1968 came from a NART (North American Racing Team ) Ferrari Dino 206S # 21.
Driven by Charlie Kolb and Ricardo Rodriguez.

(Jerry Melton photos )

[khyndart in CA]

Some of the Porsche at the 1968 endurance race.

Porsche 904 # 37

A Porsche 906 # 58

A Porsche 906 # 14

(Jerry Melton photos.. )

[khyndart in CA]

The last of Watkins Glen in 1968.

Another fine driver who was to perish while driving a race car in 1971, Jo Siffert , driving here in a Porsche 908 # 1

Peter Gregg in a Porsche 911 T # 59 was another great driver who sadly took his own life in 1980.

Action at the "Glen" as Richard Attwood in a Porsche 908 # 2 leads the # 76 Howmet and Peter Gregg's 911 T # 59.
(Note how the spectators made good use of the trees !)

(Jerry Melton photos.. )

So many in this field lost their lives at an early age. It was a dreadful period and we would often get radio reports in NZ of yet another passing.
We must be grateful for all the safety standards applied today to cars and circuits as it could not go on as it did back then.

Ken H

[Oldfart]

i see the Howmet will be running at Classic Le Mans this weekend.

[khyndart in CA]

In September 1969 the Can Am series came to the Michigan International Speedway near Detroit for the first and only time.
Jerry Melton was there to capture some of the action.
The sports cars raced on a 14 turn course that used the pit road as the front straight and barely touched on the speedway.

Now this is a very rare scenario of Jack Brabham practicing in a McLaren Team Chevrolet powered M8 # 15 at the Michigan Speedway Can Am course.
September 1969.
Who can fill in the rest of the story ?

(Jerry Melton photos.. )




p.s. I might have the answer in 24 hrs.if anyone is interested.
Ken H

[928]

an anzac attack on canam

[khyndart in CA]

I am waiting for Ray Bell to answer the Jack Brabham question regarding the McLaren M8 # 15.

[khyndart in CA]

Another driver at this event was Jo Siffert and in this Jerry Melton photo you can see the Tag Heuer watch that has become a collector's item and here is the story to that.

http://en.worldtempus.com/article/events/sport/tag-heuer-jo-siffert-and-the-coolest-watch-18050.html





(Ken H )

[Ray Bell]

Originally posted by khyndart in CA
I am waiting for Ray Bell to answer the Jack Brabham question regarding the McLaren M8 # 15.

You had to wait till I could get home to look up the details...

Jack was entered in the Ford G7A, a version of the Mk 4 Ford. He wasn't happy with its lack of competitiveness for his Can-Am debut and made overtures to McLaren. The spare car was rolled out and made ready with a more nearly-stock Chev engine, Jack tried it in practice and was happy with it.

But he had a contractural obligation to run the Ford if it was available to start the race, and it was. Meanwhile, Dan Gurney was in trouble with his McLaren and also made overtures.

Denny describes it this way: "He was second in the queue, and keeping his fingers crossed that Brabham could bring the Ford to the start line, in which case he would become first in line."

"Well, Brabham did start the Ford and Bruce offered Gurney the spare seat, though he had to start from the back of the grid. He also was made to understand that he could finish as close as he liked behind Bruce and I, provided he was behind!"

After Dan stormed through the field the three works McLarens filled the first three spots within seven tenths of a second with Bruce ahead of Denny and Dan. Jo Siffert was fourth.

[khyndart in CA]

Thanks Ray,
I apologize for being so demanding but I know you would get the correct answer.
Apparently Jack B was so upset with the Ford G7A that when he came into pits during the race he climbed out and truthfully told Ford that the wheel had come loose and couldn't drive it any more... most pit stops mean that a wheel comes loose !
In practice he was 10 seconds a lap behind the McLaren times and he said it felt like he was driving a truck !
In 1969 after years with Repco engines he was now using Ford Cosworth engines in Formula 1 and the United States USGP was the following weekend so Jack had to do what he could with the Ford.


I continue to be amazed with what Bruce McLaren achieved in his 32 years.
I know of some who are still living at home with their parents at that age !
This must have been at the height of his Can Am domination.
Three team cars finishing 1,2,3.



More photos of this event soon..
KJH

Ken H

[Ray Bell]

Actually, Ken, I don't have much reference stuff here for the Can-Am...

Racing Car News didn't cover it thoroughly and I don't know whether they even covered this incident. But (relatively) recently I got a full set of Australian Motor Sport and fortunately they carried a column from Denny in that era.

[khyndart in CA]

September 1969. Michigan Int. Speedway.

Jack Brabham trying to get the Ford G7A # 15 to be competitive !

Dan Gurney getting frustrated with his Olsonite McL'Eagle Chevrolet # 48 during practice.

(Jerry Melton photos.. )

KJH

[khyndart in CA]

Dan Gurney asks his friend,Bruce McLaren, if he can try the Team McLaren spare M8 now # 1.

Bruce likes what he sees and tells Dan he will be starting last but he is not allowed to finish in front of either he or Denny Hulme !
In the main race Gurney goes out and passes 12 cars on the first lap !

(Jerry Melton photos.. )
Ken H

[khyndart in CA]

Bruce McLaren getting ready to show the world the "Bruce and Denny Show".

With Teddy Mayer, Tyler Alexander and ?

(Jerry Melton photos.. )



Ken H

[Paul B]

Dan Gurney asks his friend,Bruce McLaren, if he can try the Team McLaren spare M8 now # 1.

Bruce likes what he sees and tells Dan he will be starting last but he is not allowed to finish in front of either he or Denny Hulme !
In the main race Gurney goes out and passes 12 cars on the first lap !

(Jerry Melton photos.. )
Ken H

Ken,
That sure would have been a race to be seen.
Dan Gurney, Bruce McLaren and Denny Hulme, Stuff that legends were being made of.
Love the posts!
Cheers

[Oldfart]

These are just fantastic. So many showing the boys with real enjoyment of what they are doing and the real ambience of the events.