Torrey Pines, 1954

[Deleted member 8987]

https://thechicaneblog.com/2010/02/11/more-unseen-racing-film-torrey-pines-1954/

Check out the rollbars...count them, there will be a quiz.

Packard Ambulance!

Look at that guy flog the gull-wing!

Dave

 

[Deleted member 8987]

Oh, and check out the "proper" refueling.......a LONG hose on a stock gas pump.....

Geez, ya think that would fly today?

 

[TRMark]

Great video. I keep looking to see if my old car is in there. There are several more movies on utube from the same guy. Amazing stuff. Trees next to the track, bridge abutments on the outer edge of a corner, no roll bars and cars capable of over 130mph.

 

[Deleted member 8987]

I sent these off to my Uncle who was involved in March and Torrey.

"We don't need no stinkin' roll bars".

This is what he replied:

"I was at Torrey Pines and March Field! The 1963 race was after I was involved.

Roll bars? We don't need no stinking roll bars! Some drivers put a strap loop on the floor in front of the passenger seat. The idea being if you were about to roll, you hooked your arm through the loop and held on! I don't know of anyone ever using it. Also, the helmets were usually WWII Airforce surplus!"

 

[JPSmit]

amazing - thanks. Great to see so many of those cars racing as intended instead of trailered as today. also struck by how much racing belonged to imports in those days, other than a few specials and the Kaiser Darrin I don't think there was any Detroit iron. I forget that a V8 Corvette was still a year away. was a hoot to see the Renault 4CV & Beetle just motoring fun!

 

[PSJ]

My Dad was there that day . . . he recognized many of the cars. Thanks for the link!

Phil

 

[aztvr]

That was great !!!!!! I do some HPDE and pretend in my head that I am something like those guys back then. However, it is nothing like what they were doing . Virtually no protection. Wheel to wheel racing. But, I bet it is just as fun nowadays even for us posers enjoying a weekend track day.

Jim

 

[bugimike]

Great footage! I love that old stuff, it takes me back to my childhood watching my Dad and uncles running their T series MGs!! (This was early 50s - Cyprus!!)

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[Michael Oritt]

Why can't I view these Vimeo clips? When I click on the arrow to the left of the progress bar it reverts to the stopped bars and nothing comes up.