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Missing out on Indy
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For Riverside’s inaugural Rex Mays 300 in 1967, Surtees qualified the Lola 4th, but stopped after 31 laps when the magneto failed and was classified 20th. Photo: Lola
Legends Speak

Missing out on Indy

 John Surtees

I first drove what was to become Graham Hill’s 1966 American Red Ball Special Indy winner at the Brickyard, in a test organized by George Bignotti, during the latter months of 1965. George was the very distinguished chief mechanic who, I believe, holds the record of seven Indy 500 winners. He had a long association with Bowes and that is why he was with John Mecom in 1966. I was due to compete in the 1966 500-mile race; however, in September 1965, Mosport intervened where I had my massive accident when a front wishbone broke while testing my Lola T70 Can-Am car. The accident put my whole immediate racing program in doubt. I had to focus on being fit for the main team I was contracted to, Ferrari and their racing campaigns. My fight to get fit to race for Ferrari had to exclude my appearance at the 1966 Indy 500. Once I regained sufficient consciousness to be aware of what was going on around me, we had discussions, while I was still in hospital in Canada.  It was there and then that I said that Graham Hill should replace me in the car to contest the Indy 500. That’s how Graham came to drive the car—leading ultimately to his victory. All of this had grown out of my long association with Lola and with Eric Broadley.

John SurteesPhoto: Mike Jiggle
John Surtees
Photo: Mike Jiggle

Of course, a great deal happened in 1966 and Graham won the race; and Jackie Stewart had nearly won it until he had to quit. The two cars were going very well and it looked like there might be a Lola one-two.

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Brand (Ferrari)Brand (Lola)Featured (Legends Speak)Featured (Racecar Feature)People (Eric Broadley)People (Graham Hill)People (Jackie Stewart)People (Rex Mays)Race (Indianapolis 500)Racetrack (Brickyard)Racetrack (IMS (Indianapolis Motor Speedway))Racetrack (Riverside International Raceway)Series (Can-Am)Series (USAC Road Racing Championship)

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John Surtees
Steve Natale has been playing with cars ever since he was old enough to first hold a matchbox car in his hand. A lifelong enthusiast of anything old with an engine in it or wheels on it, Steve has been active in the hobby for over 35 years. Currently he owns a successful marketing company with his wife Mary, is an automotive photographer, blogger and writer for several automotive magazines and regular contributor to various automotive websites. Steve has attended vintage car events and visited car museums and collections around the world.
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