FAMOUS FRONT ROWS, PART VI.

By Peter M DeLorenzo

Detroit. These photographs of front-row qualifiers capture a moment in time, or rather, a moment in speed. For a fleeting moment, we get a glimpse of the best of the best at a particular track, on a particular day. Is it too much wallowing in nostalgia? I have been roundly criticized for that, but I disagree. In order to appreciate what we have now, or where we want the sport to go, we have to appreciate where we've been. I hope you enjoy it, because even though these are historic photos - they never get old.

(Getty Images)
Autodromo Nazionale Monza, Monza, Italy, September 6, 1964. The start of the Italian Grand Prix: John Surtees (No. 2 Scuderia Ferrari 158 V8, pole), Dan Gurney (No. 16 Brabham Racing Organization Brabham BT7 Climax V8) and Graham Hill (No. 18 Owen Racing Organization BRM P261/BRM P60 V8) wait for the start. The race was pivotal for the World Championship, as Surtees won and Graham Hill and Jim Clark (No. 8 Team Lotus 25 Climax V8) encountered problems. Bruce McLaren (No. 26 Cooper Car Company Cooper T73 Climax V8) was second and Lorenzo Bandini (No. 2 Scuderia Ferrari 158 V8) finished third.
(Getty Images)
Laguna Seca Can-Am, October 16, 1966. The start of Race 2 of the Can-Am doubleheader weekend: Phil Hill (No. 65 Chaparral Cars Chaparral 2E Chevrolet, pole), Jim Hall (No. 66 Chaparral Cars Chaparral 2E Chevrolet), Bruce McLaren (No. 4 McLaren Elva Mark IIB Chevrolet), John Surtees (No. 7 Team Surtees Lola T70 Mk.2 Chevrolet), Denny Hulme (No. 8 Sidney Taylor Lola T70 Mk.2 Chevrolet), Mark Donohue (No. 61 Penske Racing Lola T70 Mk.2 Chevrolet), John Cannon (No. 62 McLaren Elva Mark II Chevrolet), Masten Gregory (No. 88 McLaren Elva Mark II Chevrolet), Chuck Parsons (No. 10 McLaren Elva Mark II Chevrolet) and Earl Jones (No. 99 McLaren Elva Mark II Chevrolet). It was a good weekend for Chaparral Cars. Phil Hill won Race 1 and finished second in Race 2 to win the overall weekend. Jim Hall finished second in Race 1 and third in Race 2, finishing second overall for the weekend. Parnelli Jones (No. 98 Mecom Racing Team Lola T70 Mk.2 Ford DOHC V8) won race 2. Interesting photo, because this was when the pit configuration at Laguna Seca was on the opposite side of the track from where it is today.
(Getty Images)
Monaco Grand Prix, May 14, 1961. Round 1 of the World Championship saw Sir Stirling Moss put on a scintillating driving display as he took pole, fastest lap and the win in his No. 20 R.R.C. Walker Racing Team Lotus 18/21 Climax 4). This pic shows American Richie Ginther (No. 36 Scuderia Ferrari 156 V6) rocketing away ahead of Moss at the start, with Jim Clark (No. 28 Team Lotus 21 Climax 4), Graham Hill (No. 18 Owen Racing Organization BRM P48/57 Climax 4), Phil Hill (No. 38 Scuderia Ferrari 156 V6), Wolfgang von Trips (No. 40 Scuderia Ferrari 156 V6) and Bruce McLaren (No. 26 Cooper Car Company Cooper T55 Climax 4) giving chase.
(Getty Images)
Autodromo Nazionale Monza, Monza, Italy, September 6, 1971. Ronnie Peterson (No. 25 STP March Racing Team March 711 Ford Cosworth DFV V8) asserts himself in the early laps of the Italian Grand Prix after qualifying sixth. Clay Regazzoni (No. 4 Scuderia Ferrari 312B2 V12) is right there, followed closely by Jackie Stewart (No. 30 ELF Team Tyrrell/Tyrrell 003 Ford Cosworth DFV V8), Francois Cevert (No. 2 ELF Team Tyrrell/Tyrrell 003 Ford Cosworth DFV V8), Jo Siffert (No. 20 Yardley Team BRM P160 V12), Jacky Ickx (No. 3 Scuderia Ferrari 312B2 V12), Howden Ganley (No. 19Yardley Team BRM P160 V12), Mike Hailwood (No. 9 Team Surtees/Surtees TS9 Ford Cosworth DFV V8), Chris Amon (No. 12 Equipe Matra Sports Matra MS120B Matra MS71 V12) and Peter Gethin (No. 18 Yardley Team BRM P142 V12). This race took place without chicanes for the final time, and it turned into a fantastic slipstreaming battle with a race average of 150.754 mph, which was the fastest F1 race of all time for 32 years, until the record was broken at the same circuit in 2003. It also counted as the closest finish in F1 history. On the final frenetic lap, Peterson closed in on Gethin, but the British driver prevailed by just one hundredth of a second (0.01 seconds). Cevert crossed the line third, just 0.09 seconds behind Gethin, and Hailwood was just 0.09 seconds behind Cevert. Ganley finished fifth, 0,61 seconds behind Gethin.
(Dave Friedman)
Bridgehampton, New York, September 14, 1963. The GT portion of the "Double 500" weekend was a 500 Kilometer FIA-sanctioned race. Ken Miles (No. 98 Shelby American Cobra) was on the pole, Dan Gurney (No. 99 Shelby American Cobra) qualified second (that's Carroll Shelby leaning against Dan's Cobra) and Bob Holbert (No. 97 Shelby American Cobra) completing the front row. Gurney won, followed by Miles for a Shelby American 1-2. Walt Hansgen (No. 61 Briggs Cunningham Jaguar E-Type Lightweight) finished third, over a lap down. Few might remember this, but the highlights of this race were broadcast by ABC's "Wide World of Sports." It's forever sealed in my memory.
(Getty Images)
Watkins Glen, New York, October 2, 1966. The grid assembled for the U.S. Grand Prix, with the "3-minute" board being displayed. Jack Brabham (No. 5 Brabham Racing Organization Brabham BT20 Repco V8) was on pole, with Jim Clark (No. 1 Team Lotus/Lotus 43 BRM P75 H16) right next to him. Other notables? Lorenzo Bandini (No. 9 Scuderia Ferrari 312 V12), John Surtees (No. 7 Cooper Car Company Cooper T81 Maserati V12), Graham Hill (No. 3 Owen Racing Organization BRM P83 H16 ), Jackie Stewart (No. 4 Owen Racing Organization BRM P83 H16 ), Denny Hulme (No. 6 Brabham Racing Organization Brabham BT20 Repco V8) and Richie Ginther (No. 12 Honda R&D Company Honda RA273 V12). Jim Clark encountered minor issues with his BRM H16, but he prevailed for the win that day. He was followed by Jochen Rindt (No. 8 Cooper Car Company Cooper T81 Maserati V12) and John Surtees.

Editor's Note: Click on "Next 1 Entries" at the bottom of this page to see previous issues. - WG