Wall-smacker-art

 Gallery 2 

“Death Curve, Vanderbilt Cup, Santa Monica 26^th Feb. 1914"     

Eddie Pullen in his debut at Santa Monica swiftly moved away from the fourteen other starters in the then fastest ever road race. His record, set on lap seven, gave an average speed of 81.5 mph.   In this spectacular accident on lap thirteen, his right front tyre explodes with the wheel collapsing as a result of Pullen skidding into the bend.  Both driver and mechanician were shaken up but uninjured and went on to win the Grand Prize race two days later, which features the J.B Marquis accident featured below.  Ralph de Palma went on to win arguably the finest race of his career.

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“Death Curve, Grand Prize Race  Santa Monica 28^th February 1914”

John B. Marquis’s strategy was to fuel his car heavy to run the race non-stop.  He was leading when taking Death Curve too fast.  The Sunbeam rolled three times.  Mechanician Harry Hough was thrown clear, but Marquis lay unconscious under the car.  Fortunately, the weight of the car was not resting on Marquis.  It was thought that he had been killed, but on admission to hospital, miraculously, he had not broken a bone, and thus he survived to drive another day.  As noted above, Eddie Pullen went on to win the race.  “Death curve” was a name dubbed by newspapers to boost sales. Despite its sinister name, no serious injuries were ever sustained in the course of racing at this corner, but it was a popular viewing point for spectators as many a driver lost control at this turn.  It should be noted, however, that H.J. Horsman, an unofficial entrant made an unauthorised foray onto the course and, with his mechanician C.F. Schwartz, perished at this corner in 1916, driving his newly-acquired Mercer.

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"Dutch Treat"

The incomparable Jim Clark pilots the Lotus 49 to victory on its debut appearance at Zandvoort, Holland in 1967.  This model represented a significant leap forward in design, being the first time the engine became a structural feature of the car.  Here claiming its first win, the legendary DFV Cosworth Ford engine would go on to achieve one hundred and fifty five Grands Prix wins, and twelve World Championships.   

Jim Clark was my boyhood hero – a driver of amazing versatility and ability, who made his mark in all areas of motorsport, including rallying, Formula 1 and saloon car racing.  In 1965 he also famously won the Indianapolis 500 as well as becoming World Champion for the second time.  His performance and character inspired my love of the sport, and it was a great sadness when he lost his life in 1968 at Hockenheim.