The occurrences at the 2011 edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans brought to mind those of 1955, the race that lives in infamy. During the 1955 24 Hours of Le Mans, more than 80 spectators were killed plus some 120 injured in the most horrendous accident in motor racing history. https://youtu.be/RMoh5hZAaZk Le Mans Motor Racing Disaster (1955) | Source: YouTube: British Pathé My longtime and very close friend, John … [Read more...]
About Art Evans
History of the Pebble Beach Road Races
By Art Evans | Photos as noted The Pebble Beach (now expanded) Weekend has become, arguably, the premier vintage automotive event in the U.S. Held each August, it includes not only vintage races at Laguna Seca, but also the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance along with a number of other Concours, many auctions and parties, parties, parties. The Pebble Beach celebration recalls what sports car racing in the U.S. … [Read more...]
Bruce Meyer Collection – Profile and Photos
By Art Evans | Photographs as credited My abridged dictionary defines “provenance” as “source, derivation.” Provenance is important insofar as collections of art are concerned. The value of a painting, for instance, is greatly enhanced if its history can be documented. Another important aspect is authenticity. My wife inherited a picture assumed to have been painted by Murillo. But when I took it to the Getty … [Read more...]
John Fitch – A Pictorial Remembrance
By Art Evans John Fitch and I were close friends for more than 50 years. We played together, sailed together, traveled together, partied together and wrote two books together: Racing Corvettes, The Early Years and Racing With Mercedes. Although on opposite coasts, we always kept in touch via email and telephone. This remembrance consists of more than 90 images selected from various sources including the GM … [Read more...]
Remembering Al Moss (1927-2012)
By Art Evans When you say “Moss” to motorsports aficionados, the name, “Stirling,” or “Sir Stirling” comes to mind. But for those who collect, restore or refurbish classic cars, it’s just as probably “Moss Motors.” Al Moss established and developed the company that became the largest supplier of classic and sports car parts. When many older cars would have had to be scrapped because repairs were impossible … [Read more...]
Remembering Frank Arciero (1925 – 2012)
By Art Evans | Photographs as credited Frank Arciero was one of that small group that included John von Neumann, John Edgar and Tony Paravanno who were responsible for bringing talented American drivers to prominence. For the most part, fifties-era sports car drivers started competing in their own vehicles, often driving their transportation to and from venues. Wealthy sportsmen such as Arciero would spot … [Read more...]
Remembering Carroll Shelby (1923-2012)
By Art Evans | Photos as credited All of us have lost one of the dominant figures of the post-WWII automotive era, and I have lost a dear friend. After a long illness, Carroll Hall Shelby died on May 10, 2012, at Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas, Texas. He is survived by two sons, Michael and Patrick, his daughter Sharon, a number of grandchildren, a sister Anne, his wife Cleo plus a host of admirers. … [Read more...]
History of the United States Grand Prix
By Art Evans What is the foremost racing series in the world? If you said Formula One, you are in the company of most other enthusiasts. The series consists of a yearly Grand Prix in each participating country (although in a few instances, there was more than one). Even though the Formula One series was started in 1950, the concept of having a country’s premier event began long before that. The first one was held … [Read more...]
Remembering Andy Porterfield (1931 – 2012)
By Art Evans | Photos as credited On the morning of April 18, 2012, I received a call that Andy Porterfield had died the night before. I knew he had been ill and in the hospital; I had been expecting a call telling me it would be ok for me to visit. His is survived by his wife Judy, daughters Pamela and Melanie, plus a son, Tracy. Andy and I were best friends and Judy recently told me that I was also his … [Read more...]
History of the Targa Florio – Race Profile
By Art Evans What do you think was the toughest and most difficult race ever? After reading my September 2011 history column, you might say the New York to Paris. Then there was the 1950-54 La Carrera Panamericana. But these were short-lived point-to-point contests. How about a closed circuit race? In the opinion of many who competed there, it was the Targa Florio. The first was in 1906; the last in 1977. I … [Read more...]
History of the Tourist Trophy – Race Profile
By Art Evans The Tourist Trophy is the oldest motor race in the world still being run. The first was in 1905 on the Isle of Man, organized by the Automobile Club of Great Britain and Ireland. The trophy itself is given by the Royal Automobile Club to the winner. Over the years, Tourist Trophy races have been part of the World Manufacturers Championship, the World Touring Car Championship, the European … [Read more...]
Vanderbilt Cup – Race Profile
The Vanderbilt Cup, America’s First International Series By Art Evans The first Vanderbilt Cup Race, held in 1904, amounted to pandemonium according to press reports. Newspaper and poster promotion drew a huge crowd. Estimated to be as numerous as 50,000 spectators were lined dangerously close to the entire course, some actually straying onto it. There were so many people that they became part of the spectacle. … [Read more...]
Phil Hill Tribute at Peterson Museum – Report and Photos
Report by Art Evans and photos as noted On the night of November 10, 2011 a Tribute to Phil Hill was held at the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles. The occasion — organized by Bruce Meyer’s Checkered Flag 200 group that supports the museum — celebrated the 50th anniversary of Phil becoming America’s first Formula One World Driving Champion. In addition to the festivities, the museum displayed an … [Read more...]
The First Grand Prix – History of the 1906 French GP
By Art Evans The series we now know as Formula One traces its roots back to 1906. Before the term, Formula One, was coined in 1950, essentially the same sequence of events were called the Grand Prix Series. But those words became bandied about so much that different ones were needed to describe the contest for the World Driving Championship. Nevertheless, each country’s race is still called a Grand Prix. The … [Read more...]
Palos Verdes Concours d’Elegance 2011 – Report and Photos
Report and photos by Art Evans The Palos Verdes Concours d’Elegance 2011 was held September 18th at the Trump National Golf Club in Palos Verdes, California. The Palos Verdes is arguably the premier Concours in Southern California. It stands out among the many others in the area due to its unmatched location on the beautiful Palos Verdes Peninsula. … [Read more...]