Colin Chapman Racing Driver

[WayneB]

http://grandprixinsider.files.wordpress.com/2007/12/colin-chapman-1982.jpg

A few of you probably know that Colin Chapman actually himself raced some of his earlier creations, then retired as a driver to concentrate on running the Lotus Car business and Team Lotus

How good was he as a driver?

I found this video of him in competing in a Ford Escort Mexico Challenge race for GP team owners at Brands Hatch in October 1971.

Its partially narrated by Graham Hill and is worth watching for his dry humour comments alone.

The story was that he(Colin Chapman) wanted to practise for the race by borrowing Oliver Winterbottom's (then head of styling at Lotus) company car (which was a new Escort Mexico) and drive it around the test track at Hethel.

Apparently Oliver Winterbottom didn't like the idea of Colin Chapman thrashing the living daylights out of his new car, so he bravely refused to let Chapman use it and actually hid the car for a couple of days hitching rides into work until Chapman finally gave up and rented a Mexico from the local Ford dealer to practise in.

You can see here the results of his efforts.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?gl=GB&hl=en-GB&v=SKjLwkzL5rM

[Kylie]

Nice Wayne loving the thumbs up in the pic. I cant compete with Colin but I am giving the thumbs up anyway :lol:


http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k181/iotus/Other/formulachallenge.jpg

[clockwork]

Good one Wayne,odd looking back at Graham Hill`s references to Colins flying abilities (or lack of ) and the events that came to pass.Kylie,looks like you were having a good day,and I will resist the temptation to make any nut and wheel jokes.:)

[WayneB]

Glad you guys liked it and found it interesting:)

(and I hope the other 30 people who watched it without commenting did too.):confused:

Kylie, you look like a natural born racing driver:)

What make/class of car are you in in the photo?

I will post a pic of me in my racing duds as soon as I get a decient one taken.:lol:

[Mark B.]

Great footage. I was sitting on the edge of my chair. Can't believe the car gave up the ghost at the last minute.