By “NOS”

For those of you who have not seen an oily rag, or read one, here is a little introduction. 

We are reviving an idea from our past and are going to be regularly posting this “broadsheet” on our web. It will cover hopefully everything that the race report does not.  All or any contributions will be gladly accepted and can be sent to nos@ shelbycanam.co.za, these contributions can take the form of an article, or news worthy items or and especially gossip. 

So what do you think of the new website. By now you have all had a chance to surf in and look! We want your comments, so please drop us a line to the above e-mail address. Remember you pay for this service so you are nuts not to use it. Also we are trying to commercialise it to your benefit so how about giving us your business card? 

Doesn’t the current crop of cars look really great? This class just gets more and more beautiful each race! I still think it is time for a body redesign and hope the powers that be don’t over look this challenge. But remember to save the advertising space.  

By the way who remembers race cars before the advent of advertising? Yes – no, well it is interesting.  

What colours were the Grand Prix cars painted? Why? Do you know why Ferrari is Red?

In the early years cars ran painted in their National colour.

French – Blue as in the Talbot Lago (Remember them?)

Italian – Red as in the Ferrari, and still does today.

German – Silver Remember the silver arrows? Mercedes. And the radical mighty rear-engined Auto Union (Now Audi). 

As for advertising in F1 what was the situation?

Well in 1967 there was no advertising in F1, but over the waters in the US of A, a man called Andy Granatelli founder of STP the oil additive company, was full bore into advertising on race cars. In 1968 the first advertising came into F1. It was discreet and mostly concerned with “Suppliers” such as Shell, Firestone, STP etc. The first race of that year was held at the old Kyalami, a real race track, in January. It resulted in another milestone, the 25^th and final win for the great Jim Clark, making him the most successful Grand Prix race driver ever.

By SPA in June of that year the ever inventive Colin Chapman’s Team Lotus was liveried in Gold Leaf (the tobacco company) colours. It is a more than a tad interesting that now (Sunday 30^th July 2005) saw the official end of tobacco advertising in motor racing! 

It is interesting too to note that one F1 team is switching from one legal drug to another; Fags to booze!

PIT STOP (Short and fast!)

Did you hear that:-

Ø      The stork is about to deliver, in October, a baby boy to the dentist family? 

Ø      The same Dr is opening a “toys for big boys” shop? Keep reading for the opening date. 

Ø      We were left out of the process for “protest regulation” at the track because we never need one! 

Ø      A couple of CanAmer’s had an active Christmas – Tony Alves and Garth Waberski’s wives are expecting in September!  

Ø      Richard’s car has been bought by Ian Smith, rebuilt it and at East London ran Steve Morris in the car. Congratulations for getting another car on the track Ian. 

Ø      This month we celebrate the birthdays of Rich Beningfield 23^rd and Steve Desilla on the 30^th. Well done guys!