was watching a great film on netlfix about F1......
I never knew that J Rindt demanded the wing be removed on his Lotus 72 the day he tragically passed
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was watching a great film on netlfix about F1......
I never knew that J Rindt demanded the wing be removed on his Lotus 72 the day he tragically passed
Yes, at Monza some drivers & teams chose to run without wings.Quote:
Originally Posted by 70tangerine
At the previous year's Italian GP, Rindt and Stewart ran without wings. Rindt had pole, and finished 2nd to Stewart in the race.
http://media.gettyimages.com/photos/...a-HjtvG0xL9kw=
Jon B.
Vista, CA
Rindt's Lotus 72 at Monza, before the fatal accident.Quote:
Originally Posted by 70tangerine
http://p0.storage.canalblog.com/01/5.../113071719.jpg
Jon B.
Vista, CA
Rindt Lotus Elan road car for sale
Attachment 590074
“It was immediately after the German Grand Prix on the 2nd of August that Colin Chapman presented Jochen with this French Blue, left-hand drive Elan S4 FHC for his personal use. His enjoyment of the car was to be short-lived, however, as tragically he was killed as a result of mechanical failure during practice for the Italian Grand Prix at Monza just over a month later”.
https://www.silverstoneauctions.com/...toneleigh-0223
Attachment 590072
Rindt photographed at Hethel April 1970.
A nice Pathe movie from that era for fans of the Lotus marque at this link:
https://youtu.be/i0y7Gx98kQw
Aerial view of Hethel
Attachment 590120
An old business card from my time with the Hethel address:
Attachment 590081
After being promoted to from director of Engineering Ltd to the group-director role my office moved opposite Chapman’s old office in the main building at Hethel, albeit some years after his demise. I was told by old timers that the office had previously been Fred Bushell’s office. Little seemed to have changed in that corner since when Rindt might’ve visited and who knows what other interesting characters in 80s.
Attachment 590118
Quaint touch was dedicated parking for directors-cars right next to the building. Lotus’ product of course.
Attachment 590115
I moved my desk from the comfort of that corridor to the end of the production line when the new-build factory was being completed and commissioned and remained there during production volume ramp. Right place to be but it might explain why my hearing isn’t what it once was!
This period film from mid 80s shows shows part of the Lotus Cars’ operations at Hethel — in the “old” factory (although not covering work of Lotus Engineering Ltd for other OEM or racing/F1).
https://youtu.be/PC7zPH4zcZ8
Also an assembly of video segments in this link seems to have been filmed over different periods but it gives a flavour of some of the elements of factory operations in newer facilities. https://youtu.be/4nuX-I-ID1Q
Steve
One of the work buildings was very close to the edge of the test track.
Attachment 590123
Testing cars was an everyday occurrence as the track was a great asset to the talented development engineers but sometimes an Clive would “borrow” the track for filming with his classics.
This link below is not my video but seeing it brings to mind one work meeting in that particular building being interrupted by a famous JPS F1 car doing noisy laps for a film crew. Would’ve been rude not to step-out to watch (as the folks clearly did in this little clip) also the noise from the F1 car would’ve made it pointless to try and carry on the discussion anyway. Cameras were banned on site for reasons of client confidentiality also cameras on smart phones not prevalent at that time but I remember phoning a pal in London and held up my mobile let him listen in.
Enjoy:
https://youtu.be/FVy1SZrQMgE
Also this is quite a nice video
https://youtu.be/SjNxUvgYuUU
A Lotus loving pal who occasionally frequents here went as my guest to a dinner with Emerson; he is such a charming man who appreciates the motorsport history — some of which he created. A nice touch was Adrian Newey had come along unannounced to the evening in support of guest of honour Emerson at the event which speaks volumes about both. Emerson used used to live in Norfolk when forging his F1 career!
My son (pictured below) in Lotus
Steve
Nice pic, cute kid Steve....
Nice ... thanks for sharing, Steve
As a “petrol head” it was with a mix of emotions that I read articles such as these about a year ago.
https://www.roadandtrack.com/news/a3...nd-production/
https://www.autoweek.com/news/sports...oduction-ends/
Not least reading what i think of as the “new” factory was being replaced! Was it really about quarter of a century ago? Lotus have always been highly innovative and it was a privilege to have worked as one of two Directors of Lotus Engineering Ltd and then as a Group Lotus Director but things move on. A small contribution with lots of learning. A lot was going on when I was working there — simultaneously developing new Lotus models while making the move from the “old” factory at Hethel to a then new-build factory also at Hethel.
Attachment 590155
I can well imagine some of the “fun and games” the current team are having changing both the product-line and operations once again but Lotus although small has great people!
It was nice to see the role played by Lotus in the early stage of Tesla and other OEM clients was not overlooked by journalists in the “tallying” what the talented folks at Lotus Hethel developed and produced.
There are some snippets about the contribution of Lotus Cars plc in this “unfiltered” blog from a Tesla co-founder — some of the talented Design Engineering and Operations folks who worked for Lotus get name checked:
Attachment 590156
The rest of his blog is at this link: https://www.tesla.com/blog/lotus-position
There was much more to Group Lotus than just being an innovative lowish-volume OEM — much of the work of Lotus Engineering Ltd for other OEMs remains confidential under strict NDA but occasionally things like this other “ old news” blog emerge that give a small glimpse at the depth of talent and capability found at Hethel and its other international centres.
Steve