Mike Hawthorn - LeMans 1956

[Bill Bonow]

Butch Deer set me this link of a "preview lap" of the improved LeMans after the big one of 1955. Pretty cool stuff for the available technology of the time.

https://vimeo.com/59410466#at=0

The local traffic is the best part

[racerdad2]

Incredible ! Who knew in car video was that good ? Authentic Road Racing !!! Not for the faint of heart....

[northarrowracing]

This is the most amazing video I have ever seen, period. I remember watching Gran Prix as a kid and thinking wow but this was made 10 years before that technology. Makes you wonder if there are other undiscovered gems in someones attic.

Ric

[DK540]

Truly a rare gem, there. Thanks for posting, bookmarked and will try to download in case the link ever breaks!

David

[Jnovak]

Thanks for this posting. It really lets you know how much danger there was in road racing at that time. I think there are not enough trees and that they need to be closer to the road. Can't imagine doing 180 mph in those days.

Thanks ... Jay Novak

[Jerry Santucci 33]

enjoyed it

[rickb99]

Thanks for this posting. It really lets you know how much danger there was in road racing at that time. .. Jay Novak

Yes, in those days we lost 3 to 5 of the 'top' drivers every year. Smacking in to trees was a common thing. It took brave men to get in the cars.

Notice how the D Type Jag broke lose at the slightest excess touch of gas coming out of the corners. Took real skill to drive the fast ones in those days with the small tires and good HP.

Notice also how UNENDINGLY long the Mulsanne Straight was in those days (no chicanes)! Gave you plenty of time to think about your mortality at 180 MPH.

[starkejt]

Too bad they couldn't have filmed it when there weren't all those ****heads on bicycles in the way.

[Bill Bonow]

Josh,

Should have called them "frogs on bicycles", then you won't get censored and it's still insulting.

[starkejt]

I prefer being censored because that way, everyone can insert his own profanity. There is power in mystery. Think how scary Jaws was when you first saw it. You barely even saw that ****er.

[Jerry B.]

Neato.......
Love the microphone.....and how about the rear camera ....truly a drive 60 ? years ago with all that bulky gear. And it sounded like some narration was edited out as Mike was entering the grand stand area and cars and peds all around....