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70 Years ago Tomorrow: The First Post War Race in Europe

September 8, 2015 By pete

By Clyde Berryman

A large wooded area on the western edge of Paris played a crucial role in jump-starting motor racing on the European continent after World War ll, exactly 70 years ago this week. Clyde Berryman sums up the racing history of the famous Bois de Boulogne park in Paris, and takes us on a park visit not quite like any other. Part 2 will cover the 1946 event, and Part 3 will focus on the last few races in the Parisian park

In August 1945, the mushroom clouds of atom bombs, and neat rows of white-clad sailors lining the decks of the battleship USS Missouri for VJ-Day in Tokyo Bay were the dramatic images coming from the other side of the globe. Smoke still rose from the rubble of German cities pounded into oblivion by massive strategic bombing. Adolf Hitler had committed suicide in his Berlin bunker as recently as May 1945. The most cataclysmic war in history had come to an end, leaving national economies destroyed, and entire populations ravaged, displaced, and distraught. Seemingly, it was no time for a motor race. [Read more…] about 70 Years ago Tomorrow: The First Post War Race in Europe

Ferraris and the Pebble Beach Races with Michael T. Lynch

September 8, 2015 By pete

Seven of the 14 Ferraris that raced at Pebble Beach pose before their laps of the old course. Jon Shirley in the ex-Kimberly 166 Barchetta is in the front. The second row is comprised of Les Wexner’s ex-Spear 340 Mexico (left) and the ex-Randy MacDougall 166 Vignale Spyder now owned by Phil Bachman. The next row has Wexner’s ex-John Edgar 857 S next to John McCaw’s #116, the ex-Craycroft 166 Barchetta. Bringing up the rear is the ex-von Neumann 500 Mondial of Thomas Peck (left) and Wexner’s ex-Bill Spear 340 America Vignale Spyder. Photo by Michael Lynch.

By Michael T. Lynch

As Monterey’s automotive Holy Week has expanded over the years, the organizers of the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance have also enhanced their offerings to include the popular Pebble Beach Tour d’Elegance, Pebble Beach Retro Auto, the Pebble Beach Classic Car Forums and the two evenings of auctions by David Gooding among others. This year, there was a special treat in that to commemorate Ferrari’s participation in the original races in Pebble Beach, a class for Ferraris that had raced on the public road circuit from 1950-1956 was included. [Read more…] about Ferraris and the Pebble Beach Races with Michael T. Lynch

Lynch Picks the Best of Monterey

September 8, 2015 By pete

At the risk of having my mailbox overflow with hate mail from Bugatti fans, the pinnacle of prewar sports cars is the Alfa 8C2900B. Luigi Chinetti, who owned one, said they were much more delicate mechanically than the 8C 2300s which he considered bullet proof, but that can be forgiven when you consider how they look. This is Bob Lee’s example in the Designs by Carrozzeria Touring Class. When new, the metal filets and straked spats were not on this car, but were used on some 8Cs. The top spears and running board trim are as original.

Story and Photos by Michael T. Lynch

A few of our favorite things….

The aging historian and Vicki have talked for years about cutting back during Holy Week, and to some extent we did. I looked back at an old day timer and saw that we once did 37 events during the week. Back when we did the two weekends of vintage racing and everything in between, we started dropping things. We never did any of the dawn patrols at either the Pebble Tour or Pebble itself, although we have been there for the beginning of the Tour one year when we had a ride in it and it was great. [Read more…] about Lynch Picks the Best of Monterey

Rolex Monterey Motorsports Pre-Reunion and Reunion

September 8, 2015 By pete

The sole Ferrari entered was the 1976 312 T2 of Chris MacAllister, a bit alone in this mainly Ford-Cosworth-powered field.

Story and Photos by Hugues Vanhoolandt

If most of the events taking place during the Monterey Car Week consist of Concours d’Elegance or Car Shows on renowned fairways or in the streets of localities of the Monterey Peninsula, one of the oldest and major landmarks of the week remains the historic races at Laguna Seca Raceway.

With more than 550 cars throughout 15 races, there is something for everyone. The event which lasts four days, practice sessions included, is even preceded by what is called the Pre-Reunion the weekend before the main event. The Pre-Reunion counts less entrants and then combine different classes in the same races. [Read more…] about Rolex Monterey Motorsports Pre-Reunion and Reunion

VeloceToday for September 1, 2105

September 1, 2015 By pete

Concorso Italiano 2015

September 1, 2015 By pete

Lamborghini Aventador lineup at Concorso.

Story by Brandes Elitch
Photos by Hugues Vanhoolandt unless otherwise noted
Click to ENLARGE

Arriving at the Bayonet and Blackhorse golf course in Seaside-Monterey on a beautiful Saturday morning in August, I wondered:
– How did they get a thousand cars so perfectly in positon that early in the morning?
-How did a country the size of Arizona come to make so many desirable cars?
-Just why are Italian cars so desirable? [Read more…] about Concorso Italiano 2015

With Peter Collins at the Mitiche Sport a Bassano 2015

September 1, 2015 By pete

Chasing a Bentley down the Stelvio with the Porsche Spyder..

By Peter Collins
Photos by Peter Collins unless otherwise noted. Click to ENLARGE

A little late but a wonderful journey up the Stelvio with a top notch reporter and photographer, Peter Collins.

June 18-21, 2015. I last joined up with this event as long ago as 2003. At that time it was showing signs of a healthy future with many features not normally found in fixtures of this type.

I have just been lucky enough to cover it again and can report only good things. Under the organization of the Circolo Veneto Automoto and headed by the excellent Stefano Chiminelli, Le Mitiche can now offer three days of superb driving, with an entry limited to approximately 100 cars, with good hotels, superb organization and almost hassle-free motoring. The Circolo’s greatest asset is that it consists of a passionate group of club members who just want to organize the best event of this sort that they possibly can. In addition they are non-profit making and this is reflected in the cost, so there are no horrendous entry fees. [Read more…] about With Peter Collins at the Mitiche Sport a Bassano 2015

Vanhoolandt at Pebble Beach, 2015

September 1, 2015 By pete

Built in 1937 as a Grand Prix race car, this Delahaye remained hidden in the French countryside during WWII. In 1946, it received this spectacular body by Franay and was shown at the 1946 Paris Motor Show. It was one of the favorite for the Best of Show award.

Story and Photos by Hugues Vanhoolandt

2015 Pebble Beach Tour & Concours d’Elegance: Click to ENLARGE

The Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance had its 65th edition this year. It marks the end of the Monterey week and is for many people the most awaited event. For photographers, it is also the most exhausting day of the week because one must be at 6 am on the fairway to have a chance to take some clean shots before the crowd invades the golf course. [Read more…] about Vanhoolandt at Pebble Beach, 2015

VeloceToday for August 25, 2105

August 25, 2015 By pete

The Quail at Monterey, Courtesy Brandes Elitch

August 25, 2015 By pete

2 Million USD for a Lancia Aurelia at Quail’s Bonhams…a record?

The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering, 2015 edition

By Brandes Elitch
Photos by Hugues Vanhoolandt CLick to ENLARGE

Because many VeloceToday readers don’t live in California, let’s start with a brief overview of why the Carmel-Monterey area attracts so many people – about 7 million leisure visitors annually. Recently, Travel&Leisure magazine rated Carmel as the number three city in the world for romance, just behind Paris and Venice. [Read more…] about The Quail at Monterey, Courtesy Brandes Elitch

Ferrari and Maserati at Oldtimers 2015

August 25, 2015 By pete

Maserati 4 CLT, 1948.

Photos by Alessandro Gerelli

Alessandro Gerelli goes garage-hopping at the Nurburgring Oldtimers and features detail images of a host of rare Maseratis:
Maserati 8C3000
Maserati 6C/34
Maserati 4CLT/48
Maserati 6CM
Maserati 250F and CMs
Maserati based TecMec

Plus a few significant Ferraris. Scroll down for 35 images and CLICK TO ENLARGE!

Oldtimers at the Nurburgring, 2015

August 25, 2015 By pete

1907 Renault Rennsport.

Photos by Alessandro Gerelli

Alessandro Gerelli has been wandering off to the Oldtimer’s event at the Nurburgring since 1997, often in the rain, but always coming back with plenty of photos of vintage racing, the German way. Gerelli has covered the Nurburgring Oldtimers for VeloceToday in 2002, 2004 and then every year since 2006! This year is no exception and as usual, it is a remarkable contrast to Monterey Car week. Not better or worse, but certainly different. Gerelli also noted that “At the 43rd edition of the Oldtimer Grand Prix, as many others events of this type, the title ‘oldtimer’ is becoming more and more ‘youngtimer’. But thankfully, at the Ring among the many recent cars, it is still easy to find also few jewels of the now-distant past.” Onward, Olditmers.

He covers the Ferraris and Maseratis in a separate article.
Scroll down for 25 images and CLICK TO ENLARGE!