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Reading
The Crystal Ball
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Mike Lawrence
Last Lap

The Crystal Ball

 Mike Lawrence

On a bleak day in November 1983, I was at Silverstone. Ken Tyrrell had promised a test drive to the Brit who finished highest in the British F3 championship. A 1981 car was wheeled out, Danny Sullivan set a mark and then Martin Brundle pulverized it. Ken had expected to be heading home before lunch, but he and Martin sat apart in the circuit’s “Greasy Spoon,” deep in conversation.

Mike Lawrence

While we were building up our cholesterol, the Tyrrell mechanics were readying a current 012. That afternoon, Ken was beside himself. “I’ve been watching at Woodcote, and I’ve never seen anyone go through there that quick.” At the other end of the pit lane was Toleman, and they were testing Ayrton Senna who was lapping whole seconds, 2.6 seconds, quicker than anyone had lapped before. They were jumping up and down. It was sheer delight at both ends of the pit lane.

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Brand (Toleman)Brand (Tyrell)Featured (Last Lap)Featured (Racecar Feature)People (Ayrton Senna)People (Danny Sullivan)People (Ken Tyrrell)People (Martin Brundle)Place (Silverstone)Series (Formula One (F1))

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Mike Lawrence
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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