GT40\'s 40th Anniversary at the Nurburgring
Hi All,
I had the privilege of having been at the Nurburgring for the 1000 km race on May 31, 1964 and seeing the GT40 (no: 140) in action for the first time, driven by Phil Hill and Bruce McLaren.
I was there with the SMART team's Porsche 904, driven by David Hobbs and Lucky Cassner.
It occurred to me that a GT40 40th reunion at the 'Ring over the week-end of May 29,30 would be a brilliant marketing exercise for Ford at not too large a financial outlay relative to some horrendous costs for TV ad campaigns. Also with recent management changes at Ford and Explorer/Firestone problems I believe that Ford can do with a good dose of retro publicity. Timing would be perfect for a track day for the new Ford GT - son of no: 140.
The idea would be invite all past drivers of GT40s/MK 1Vs/Mirages/F3L, anyone else involved with the race programme and to track down as many original cars as possible. Editors of top motoring magazines would also be invited. MK 1V could this be another heaven for you?
With all the cheek and presumption I could muster I e-mailed Ford Vice President Sir Nicholas (Nick) Scheele with the idea. I even had the nerve to suggest that I would organise the event for him with two friends in the UK with great organisational skills. I speak German which might help.
As I haven't been to the Ring for many years I don't know what facilities now exist. The Sport Hotel was at the rear of the grandstand and had, I'm sure, the longest passage in the world. If it is still there then it would be ideal as all the functions would be at the Ring.
Programme as follows:
All arrive during Friday 28. Cocktail party that evening so that old drivers and friends could go down memory lane in a casual and relaxed atmosphere. Imagine Carroll Shelby, Lee Holman, Alan Mann, Dan Gurney, AJ Foyt, Jacky Ickx, Jackie Oliver, Chris Amon, Mario Andretti and many others under the same roof after all these years. Memory lane de luxe! One must of course accept that with busy schedules not all will be able to attend.
Saturday would be breakfast and a full day of display and driving of original cars and a track and demo day for the new GT, ie about six cars. If there is a race meeting that week-end on the new not so impressive circuit the original circuit, the Nordschleife, would be ideal from an historic point of view.
There would be a gala dinner that evening with cabaret. Some clever entertainer/singer could come up with Ford and GT40 related songs and I have a poem (previouly posted) that popped into my peculiar mind when I was taking the dogs for a walk:
There was an old fella called Shorty
Who dreamt of owning a GT40
His tall friend Ben
Had a similar yen
But without a Gurney Bubble
He would have trouble
Said Ben to Shorty
In a manner somewhat haughty
At least you can get in like a shot
Without the need for a plastic pot.
An evening of songs and poems like this could be fun.
Sunday would be breakfast and then a free day when participants could either leave for home or do their own thing.
I said to Sir Nick imagine a group photo with all the GT40 drivers, team managers, Bill Ford, other Ford family members, himself. That would be a once in a life time opportunity and guaranteed that pic will be beamed right across the world.
M1V J6 (Jim) and Cobraowner (Don) as you own original cars do you think this a good idea? If Sir Nick were to dip into Ford's petty cash tin to fund the event would you be available to attend with cars.
Comments please! Makes sense or dreaming? Remember what Sir Winston Churchill said, 'Today's dreams are tomorrow's empires'. CAV started as a dream. It happened!
Andre 40
Hi All,
I had the privilege of having been at the Nurburgring for the 1000 km race on May 31, 1964 and seeing the GT40 (no: 140) in action for the first time, driven by Phil Hill and Bruce McLaren.
I was there with the SMART team's Porsche 904, driven by David Hobbs and Lucky Cassner.
It occurred to me that a GT40 40th reunion at the 'Ring over the week-end of May 29,30 would be a brilliant marketing exercise for Ford at not too large a financial outlay relative to some horrendous costs for TV ad campaigns. Also with recent management changes at Ford and Explorer/Firestone problems I believe that Ford can do with a good dose of retro publicity. Timing would be perfect for a track day for the new Ford GT - son of no: 140.
The idea would be invite all past drivers of GT40s/MK 1Vs/Mirages/F3L, anyone else involved with the race programme and to track down as many original cars as possible. Editors of top motoring magazines would also be invited. MK 1V could this be another heaven for you?
With all the cheek and presumption I could muster I e-mailed Ford Vice President Sir Nicholas (Nick) Scheele with the idea. I even had the nerve to suggest that I would organise the event for him with two friends in the UK with great organisational skills. I speak German which might help.
As I haven't been to the Ring for many years I don't know what facilities now exist. The Sport Hotel was at the rear of the grandstand and had, I'm sure, the longest passage in the world. If it is still there then it would be ideal as all the functions would be at the Ring.
Programme as follows:
All arrive during Friday 28. Cocktail party that evening so that old drivers and friends could go down memory lane in a casual and relaxed atmosphere. Imagine Carroll Shelby, Lee Holman, Alan Mann, Dan Gurney, AJ Foyt, Jacky Ickx, Jackie Oliver, Chris Amon, Mario Andretti and many others under the same roof after all these years. Memory lane de luxe! One must of course accept that with busy schedules not all will be able to attend.
Saturday would be breakfast and a full day of display and driving of original cars and a track and demo day for the new GT, ie about six cars. If there is a race meeting that week-end on the new not so impressive circuit the original circuit, the Nordschleife, would be ideal from an historic point of view.
There would be a gala dinner that evening with cabaret. Some clever entertainer/singer could come up with Ford and GT40 related songs and I have a poem (previouly posted) that popped into my peculiar mind when I was taking the dogs for a walk:
There was an old fella called Shorty
Who dreamt of owning a GT40
His tall friend Ben
Had a similar yen
But without a Gurney Bubble
He would have trouble
Said Ben to Shorty
In a manner somewhat haughty
At least you can get in like a shot
Without the need for a plastic pot.
An evening of songs and poems like this could be fun.
Sunday would be breakfast and then a free day when participants could either leave for home or do their own thing.
I said to Sir Nick imagine a group photo with all the GT40 drivers, team managers, Bill Ford, other Ford family members, himself. That would be a once in a life time opportunity and guaranteed that pic will be beamed right across the world.
M1V J6 (Jim) and Cobraowner (Don) as you own original cars do you think this a good idea? If Sir Nick were to dip into Ford's petty cash tin to fund the event would you be available to attend with cars.
Comments please! Makes sense or dreaming? Remember what Sir Winston Churchill said, 'Today's dreams are tomorrow's empires'. CAV started as a dream. It happened!
Andre 40
