Category Archives: Nostalgia

Carpe Diem Quam Minimum Credula Postero……….

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As the field blasted off for the 47th edition of the 12 Hours of Sebring, who could have imagined that 14 years on that we would still have the American Le Mans Series? Sportscar racing in North America had been in turmoil for the best part of a decade and it seemed that state of affairs would continue.

Well it has been a helluva ride for those lucky enough to have a small part. My involvement was full on during the first four years but much less since, nevertheless I always look forward to rolling into Road Atlanta or Sebring. Will that be true in the future? Who can say.

So rather than get angry or despondent, celebrate the fact that we have been lucky enough to be part of some of the greatest racing seen in the past couple of decades. Nothing lasts forever, ask Peugeot.

The message is the same today as it was in Roman times, Horace had that nailed down. Perhaps we should party like it’s 1999.

John Brooks, September 2012


A New Dawn?

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When considering the merger/buyout of ALMS by NASCAR folks tend to dismiss the idea of Grand-Am having any dealings with factory teams.

Well cast your mind back to the beginning, the 2000 Rolex 24 and the first race for the new sanctioning body. Full factory efforts from Dodge, Corvette and Cadillac………..

John Brooks, September 2012

To Sleep, Perchance To Dream

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The news from Baltimore leads to the conclusion that ALMS is being taken over by Grand Am, so maybe we will once again see proper sportscars on the Daytona banking. It is a seductive thought…………..ten years gone.

John Brooks, September 2012

Almost The Last Lap…………..

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Twenty Seven years ago today  I was covering my first 1000 Kilometres of Spa. What should have been a magical experience turned to horror when Stefan Bellof was killed during the race. Bellof was always a bit special to me, what might he have achieved if he had lived? Rest in Peace, Stefan.

John Brooks, September 2012

Red Earth, Red Line

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One of the most important wins in the long career of the Ferrari 333 SP was in the fall of 1998 when Doyle Risi Racing’s example won the inaugural Petit Le Mans. The trio of Wayne Taylor, Eric van de Poele and Emmanuel Collard beat off strong opposition on the way to victory in this instant classic.

The race was also important in giving the world the concept of taking the rules governing Le Mans 24 Hours and exporting them to other track and series. Thus we have been lucky enough to see the American Le Mans Series over the years that followed.

John Brooks, August 2012

Stolen Moments

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The 1998 Le Mans 24 Hours was very cruel to the factories, both Mercedes Benz and BMW saw their cars retired before sunset instead of contesting victory, an ignominious failure for such top line teams.  The Williams designed and built BMW V12 LM suffered suspected rear wheel bearing failure, and rather than risk the consequences of a suspension collapse at high speed, the cars were withdrawn. This shot is early in the race, real early, as Pier-Luigi Martini leads Tom Kristensen. Next year it would all be very different.

John Brooks, August 2012

Beyond the Bomas

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Under the spectacular African sky, Eric van de Poele speeds the Doyle Risi Ferrari 333SP towards Kyalami’s final corner. Chasing him is Jean-Michel Martin in the Elf La Filiére Courage-Porsche C36. It is late in 1998, the final shots in the campaign that year. The time of Mango……………….

John Brooks August 2012