By Peter M. DeLorenzo
Detroit. The history of racing is filled with memorable moments, incandescent triumphs and yes, unspeakable tragedies. A kaleidoscope of images has captured these moments since racing's inception, and I plan to present a few of them in this column and in future columns in the coming weeks. I hope you enjoy it.
(Photo by Dave Friedman)
Le Mans, France, June 11, 1967. Dan Gurney and A.J. Foyt celebrating their momentous victory in the 24 Hours of Le Mans in their No. 1 Shelby American Ford Mk IV. Some members of the European racing press were dismissive of the driving duo, suggesting that A.J. didn't have a clue about racing at Le Mans. But Gurney devised a brilliant strategy for the French endurance classic, and Foyt followed it to the letter. The result? They won by four laps after taking the lead 90 minutes into the race. This photo captures the moment when Gurney established a tradition copied on victory podiums ever since. Gurney shook the bottle of champagne and sprayed everyone nearby, including Henry Ford II and his wife, Carroll Shelby and a few of the journalists who suggested that they didn't have a chance. "What I did with the Champagne was totally spontaneous," Gurney recalled. "I had no idea it would start a tradition. I was beyond caring and just got caught up in the moment. It was one of those once-in-a-lifetime occasions where things turned out perfectly… I thought this hard-fought victory needed something special.” Gurney famously autographed the bottle of champagne and gave it to Life Magazine photographer, Flip Schulke, who used it as a lamp for 30 years. Schulke later returned the bottle to Gurney, who placed it in his All American Racers team headquarters’ boardroom in California, where it remains.
(Photo by Dave Friedman)
Indianapolis Motor Speedway, 1963. Dan Gurney is surrounded By Team Lotus, Ford and Firestone operatives in the first test of the brand-new Lotus-Ford Indy car at The Speedway. Gurney was instrumental in bringing Colin Chapman - the brilliant engineering mind behind Lotus - and Ford racing operatives together in order to mount a challenge aimed at winning the Indianapolis 500. Gurney and Jim Clark ran well in the first attempt, and Clark would win the "500" in dominant fashion in 1965.
Two of racing's all-time greats: Jim Clark and Graham Hill, before a Grand Prix race in 1967. Friends, teammates and World Champions (Clark in '63 and '65; Hill in '62 and '68), the duo will always be remembered as Great Britain's champions and favorite sons.
(Photo by Dave Friedman)
Indianapolis Motor Speedway, May 31, 1965. Dan Gurney and Carroll Shelby talking before the Indianapolis 500. Gurney's No. 17 Lotus/Ford was sponsored by Yamaha, the Japanese motorcycle manufacturer. Gurney qualified third but didn't finish the race.
(Photo by Dave Friedman)
Indianapolis Motor Speedway, May 1965. Dan Gurney and Jim Clark chat during practice for the Indy 500. Clark would win the race in dominant fashion driving the No. 82 Team Lotus/Ford. Parnelli Jones (No. 98 J.C. Agajanian Hurst Lotus/Ford was second, and Mario Andretti (No. 12 Dean Van Lines Hawk/Ford) finished third.
Detroit. The history of racing is filled with memorable moments, incandescent triumphs and yes, unspeakable tragedies. A kaleidoscope of images has captured these moments since racing's inception, and I plan to present a few of them in this column and in future columns in the coming weeks. I hope you enjoy it.
(Photo by Dave Friedman)Le Mans, France, June 11, 1967. Dan Gurney and A.J. Foyt celebrating their momentous victory in the 24 Hours of Le Mans in their No. 1 Shelby American Ford Mk IV. Some members of the European racing press were dismissive of the driving duo, suggesting that A.J. didn't have a clue about racing at Le Mans. But Gurney devised a brilliant strategy for the French endurance classic, and Foyt followed it to the letter. The result? They won by four laps after taking the lead 90 minutes into the race. This photo captures the moment when Gurney established a tradition copied on victory podiums ever since. Gurney shook the bottle of champagne and sprayed everyone nearby, including Henry Ford II and his wife, Carroll Shelby and a few of the journalists who suggested that they didn't have a chance. "What I did with the Champagne was totally spontaneous," Gurney recalled. "I had no idea it would start a tradition. I was beyond caring and just got caught up in the moment. It was one of those once-in-a-lifetime occasions where things turned out perfectly… I thought this hard-fought victory needed something special.” Gurney famously autographed the bottle of champagne and gave it to Life Magazine photographer, Flip Schulke, who used it as a lamp for 30 years. Schulke later returned the bottle to Gurney, who placed it in his All American Racers team headquarters’ boardroom in California, where it remains.
(Photo by Dave Friedman)Indianapolis Motor Speedway, 1963. Dan Gurney is surrounded By Team Lotus, Ford and Firestone operatives in the first test of the brand-new Lotus-Ford Indy car at The Speedway. Gurney was instrumental in bringing Colin Chapman - the brilliant engineering mind behind Lotus - and Ford racing operatives together in order to mount a challenge aimed at winning the Indianapolis 500. Gurney and Jim Clark ran well in the first attempt, and Clark would win the "500" in dominant fashion in 1965.
Two of racing's all-time greats: Jim Clark and Graham Hill, before a Grand Prix race in 1967. Friends, teammates and World Champions (Clark in '63 and '65; Hill in '62 and '68), the duo will always be remembered as Great Britain's champions and favorite sons.(Photo by Dave Friedman)Indianapolis Motor Speedway, May 31, 1965. Dan Gurney and Carroll Shelby talking before the Indianapolis 500. Gurney's No. 17 Lotus/Ford was sponsored by Yamaha, the Japanese motorcycle manufacturer. Gurney qualified third but didn't finish the race.
(Photo by Dave Friedman)Indianapolis Motor Speedway, May 1965. Dan Gurney and Jim Clark chat during practice for the Indy 500. Clark would win the race in dominant fashion driving the No. 82 Team Lotus/Ford. Parnelli Jones (No. 98 J.C. Agajanian Hurst Lotus/Ford was second, and Mario Andretti (No. 12 Dean Van Lines Hawk/Ford) finished third.