Jeff Allison: Head Shots Part 1
The author getting fancy with a self-portrait using the mirror of an open-wheel vintage racer at the Daily Express International Trophy at Silverstone, England on April 7, 1974.
Story and photos by Jeff Allison
I recently finished a project to put my “head shots” of drivers in one place and thought maybe the readers of VeloceToday might enjoy seeing some. I began photographing races in 1959 with my last “real” race, i.e., not vintage, in 1997. I didn’t take many “head shots” in my early years as I thought it was an affront to the drivers. However, as time went on, I loosened up (a telephoto lens helped) and began to photograph drivers as well as cars. Most were photos of opportunity while wandering the paddock and pits when I wasn’t out on the track.
Here are some of my favorites… [Read more…] about Jeff Allison: Head Shots Part 1
Katarina Kyvalova Video Interview
Story and images by Bob Cullinan
The car is massive: A seven-litre 1928 Mercedes-Benz SSK. And the resume of the diminutive driver is nearly as impressive. We met up with vintage racer Katarina Kyvalova at The ICE (International Concours of Excellence) St. Moritz to talk about her career, her favorite events, and where she wants to go from here. [Read more…] about Katarina Kyvalova Video Interview
Bob Hanna, Canadian Racer, Part 2
In the Paddock at Harewood Acres with the Canada Class Autosport Special taken in the spring of 1956, probably by Jack Wheeler. Harewood Acres opened in the spring of 1956. BEMC signed a leasing agreement with farmer Russell Hare (hence the name of the track: Harewood). In those days, you could give farmer Hare $5 and you could run all day on the track. Hanna Collection
Story by John R. Wright
JW: Let’s talk about your own career in racing, Bob. You started racing at almost the very beginning of the sport at the old air force track at Edenvale, just south of Georgian Bay.
Bob Hanna: That’s correct. I raced Jack Wheeler’s MGTD at Edenvale and here’s how lax crowd control was in those days. Carol, my wife, was there with our baby standing on the edge of the circuit while I was out there racing. Jack’s wife got a new Morris Minor and I bought her old Morris Minor with a sidevalve engine. I ported and polished the head, put two SU carburetors on it and balanced it. I raced it at the Carp racetrack in eastern Ontario, driving it to and from the track as was the fashion those days. It then became Carol’s daily driver. [Read more…] about Bob Hanna, Canadian Racer, Part 2
Sydney Harbor Concours d’Elegance
Warren Brown’s 1925 Bean Fourteen fresh from its London to Melbourne adventure poses in front of the spectacular Sydney Harbour.
Story and photos by Chris Martin
Cockatoo Island in Sydney Harbor, Australia, was the site of a convict prison in the 19th century and later a naval shipyard and repair facility which was decommissioned in 1992. Now in its seventh year, the Sydney Harbor Concours d’Elegance took place on the island for the second time from February 28 to March 2.
The Concours had a stunning display of classics old and new displayed in the giant historic sheds surrounded by some very heavy, now redundant, machinery that used to service the warships’ engines. There was a selection of new Bentleys, Lamborghinis and McLarens to tempt those rich enough, but a tastefully curated selection of classics were the real stars of the show. [Read more…] about Sydney Harbor Concours d’Elegance
Dr. Ernie Nagamatsu Update
Dr. Ernie Nagamatsu’s MacDonald Corvette. Art by Ed Tillock
According to the Victorian Historic Racing Register (VHRR), on the occasion of the 36th Phillip Island Classic in Australia, “On Sunday afternoon (March 9) we were reminded that motorsport is dangerous. What was otherwise a brilliant meeting was marred by a serious accident. Sadly, the crash involved the popular Ernie Nagamatsu in his beautiful Dave MacDonald Corvette which was badly damaged. Ernie remains in hospital at the time of writing.” [Read more…] about Dr. Ernie Nagamatsu Update
Slip Sliding at St. Moritz: Spectacular Autos at The ICE
Story and photos by Bob Cullinan
Automobiles are designed to move people and possessions from one place to another, and occasionally compete in races. But every now and then, an event comes along that changes the perception and possibilities of what you can…and should…do in a car. You’ll never look at snow and ice the same way after seeing the priceless classics drive and drift across Lake St. Moritz at The ICE.
1934 Bugatti Type 57 “Tank”
Repco Adelaide Motorsport Festival Part 1
Tyrrell P34 Cosworth, Tony Quinn, Wakefield Street exit
Story and photos by Vince Johnson
8-9 March 2025
March is festival month in South Australia across the state with performing and visual arts, music, dance, magic, acrobatics and more in full swing. And at the Adelaide Motorsport Festival in the parklands east of the city you would have seen and heard all of these, with wheels on.
Since 2014, a 1.6km section of the original circuit of the 1985-95 Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix has joined in the festivities. On Friday afternoon many city workers stayed in town to watch the police-escorted ‘Peak Hour of Power’ as it left Victoria Park in the parklands east of the city. With the Formula 1 cars leading, they made their way through the central business district to Gouger Street’s cafe strip. Cars, drivers and teams filled the street display, the restaurants and cafes were overflowing and the public had their weekend appetite whetted with the close-up spectacle.
Repco Adelaide Motorsport Festival Part 2
Lamborghini Revuelto, Peter Crombie-Brown, McLaren 750S, Chris Muelengraaf, Wakefield Street
Story and photos by Vince Johnson
Everything from Formula 1 to a Toyota minibus was on the street circuit for the Repco Adelaide Motorsport Festival earlier this month. Le Mans racers, real (and not so real) Lamborghinis, Ferraris young and older, a Maserati and the second-built Brabham BT62 shared track time with heritage Alfas and Lolas.
Bugatti Type 57 G Le Mans “Tank”
Above, a picture of the Bugatti T57 G Tank, just before the start of the 1937 24 hours of Le Mans with J.P. Wimille. The use of Elektron alloy in the body would not be discovered for another 76 years. Photo courtesy Bugatti Trust
By Alan Yankolonis
From the VeloceToday archives, June 2020
In addition to winning two French Sports Car Grand Prix and setting land speed records in 1936 which stood for 29 years, the Simeone Foundation’s Bugatti T57 G Tank was the first Bugatti to win the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Initially the car was built for the 1936 French Sports Car Grand Prix that was established and later to set speed records in 1936. Of three, perhaps four built, this is the only Bugatti Tank known to survive.*
In 2013, Audi was introducing the new limited-edition Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse, and Audi USA approached Dr. Fredrick Simeone to obtain color samples from the 1936 Bugatti T57G, and to discuss the possibility of displaying that car at the Quail Lodge during the 2013 Pebble Beach Concourse in Monterey, California. The idea was to paint the show car in the same color scheme as the 1937 Le Mans winner. Their request to Dr. Simeone was to conduct color matching tests on the Le Mans winner and explore the opportunity to have the museum car displayed side by side with the new Vitesse at the Quail Lodge. After much discussion an agreement was made to copy the color of the Le Mans winner, and make arrangements to have the museum car transported to California for display alongside the Vitesse.
Up Close with the Classics at the ICE St. Moritz
The Lopresto Alfa was honored as the top auto in the “Concept Cars & One Off” category.
Story and photos by Bob Cullinan
In 1947 LIFE magazine photographer Alfred Eisenstaedt visited St. Moritz and captured iconic images of the Swiss paradise, calling it “the most fashionable village in Europe.” This playground of the rich and famous has changed little over the ensuing decades, and once a year, mere mortals are invited to bask in the alpine glow and the distinctive sight, sound…and even the smell…of some of the world’s most enviable autos.
Book Review: Alfa Romeo Cars in Motorsports Since 1945
Review by Pete Vack
With Alfa Romeo, Cars in Motorsports Since 1945, there is more between the covers than one might think at first glance. In fact this is a prodigious effort to record almost 80 years of Alfa racing around the world via photographs. It took noted author, historian and Alfisti Peter Collins over five years to find, curate and caption some 370 photos. [Read more…] about Book Review: Alfa Romeo Cars in Motorsports Since 1945