1976 CANADIAN GRAND PRIX - IT'S LARGE PRIZE WEEK on GONP'S

LET'S SEE WHAT'S BEHIND DOOR NUMBER THREE.

IT'S

the

1976 CANADIAN GRAND PRIX

MOSPORT PARK

Bowmanville, Ontario

Sad times lay ahead, for in 1978 the Canadian Grand Prix would leave this iconic venue and head down the 401 to Montreal. 

 It was almost as sad as leaving the tenth floor of Pitman Hall.

But let's enjoy ourselves now as Labatt's presents the ninth edition of the Canadian GP. 

Ronnie Peterson. March 

Gunnar Nilsson Lotus-Ford

MOSS CORNER (as in Stirling M.)

One of the greatest corners (and tracks) for both drivers and spectators at any circuit in North America.

Joachin Mass hangin out his McClaren.

This photo of Martin Evanoff is from Road Atlanta. A group of us headed to Georgia for the US National Runoffs. 

It was 1976 and more importantly, beer of the day. 

(Martin always $%^&ed with people's heads and played the Amish Alcoholic Motorhead)

World Champion Niki Lauda. Ferrari. Here only seven weeks after surviving a horrifying accident in Germany. Keep an eye out for "RUSH". A movie in current production and being directed by Ron Howard. It features (I think) Niki's battle with Hunt through this year, 1976.

Here Clay Reggazoni in his Ferrari leads Carlos Pace's Brabham Alfa-Romero

Patrick Depaillier in his Tyrrell Project34 on his way to second. 

1976 Canadian Grand Prix Winner James Hunt. ( The next year James also gained notoriety in the Canadian GP. Not for winning, but for punching out a race course marshall)

Let's use this as a lesson and use  Grand Prixs for good and not for evil.

Coming next (maybe): The most famous Canadian Grand Prix EVER

1987 DETROIT GRAND PRIX - IT'S LARGE PRIZE WEEK on GONP.

IT' S GRAND PRIX WEEK on "GOING OVER NIAGARA PAUL'S"

1987 DETROIT GRAND PRIX

Detroit, Michigan
U.S.A.

Fitzy and I headed down the 401 to the Murder Motor City for a little MoTown Formula One.

Alain Prost. Reigning World Champion.

United Colours of Benetton. Ford

Motor City

Stephan Johannson. McClaren

 Peter Fitkowski.  Fueled by Budweiser

 The Brazilians had plenty of reasons to fly the flag as Aryton Senna and Nelson Piquet finished one, two.

COMING VERY SOON: SAYING GOODBYE TO MOSPORT AND HELLO TO MONTREAL. OR IS THAT " BONJOUR"

1977 UNITED STATES GRAND PRIX - IT'S LARGE PRIZE WEEK ON the GONP.

IT'S GRAND PRIX WEEK ON "GOING OVER NIAGARA PAUL'S"

1977 UNITED STATES GRAND PRIX WEST

LONG BEACH, CALIFORNIA
U.S.A.

If you can't get a room on the Queen Mary, you can at least say that you stayed close.

Carlos Reutteman. Ferrari

In the past couple of decades, United States has been having a tough time hosting an event annually.
In 1977, there was a USGP West, here in April,  and one out east at Watkins Glen in October.

Don't see this everyday. A Canadian Formula One car. Walter's Wolf. Even more impressive, Jody Scheckter brought it home third.

  McClaren's Teddy Mayer (L) and World Champion James Hunt.

Niki Lauda. Ferrari.

Don't see this everyday. Ken Tyrrell's Project34. Piloted by the late Ronnie Peterson, Sweden.

You're right there little deary to be excited. Your man Mario Andretti won, becoming the the first American to win his home Grand Prix. Prelude to a couple of World Championships 

There is always something magical at being at an event won by the home boy.

There seems to be none of the usual incriminating photos of my travelling companions, but I believe I was here with Peter Fitkowski. Possibly my brother as well. 

Please note that this 1977 Grand Prix preempted  the advertised 1981USGP. The Blogger apologies for any inconvenience this may have caused.

1978 BRITISH GRAND PRIX - IT'S LARGE PRIZE WEEK ON the GONP.

My interest in Fomula One Grand Prix auto racing has waned significantly over the years. A recent trip to my local barber here in Fonthill (decided to get my hair cut to order other than a number. Got the number one when I went to India. Shorter than short. Felt better when at the the end of the day we exchanged our ".......  and don't let the bed bugs paralyze"...., back to Tony. He's going this weekend to Austin, Texas to see the first Grand Prix in United States since the unfortunate fiasco in Indianapolis (2007).

I have my scanner fired up so I thought I would dig through the stack of reels in the the basement and see what we can find.

IT'S GRAND PRIX WEEK on GOING OVER NIAGARA PAUL'S

(Please enjoy responsibly)

WOW, WOW GRAND PRIX WEEK
and
 DIWALI.

1978 BRITISH GRAND PRIX

BRANDS HATCH

ENGLAND

Here my brother went to England for the GP. That's about as much as I know from the personal end.

Check out the race details at the following:1978 British Grand Prix - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The late Ronnie Peterson. Lotus.(Died at the Italian Grand Prix later this year)

Three Time World Champion Niki Lauda's Brabham.

Didier Pironi's Tyrrell

L-R Jackie Stewart, Ken Tyrrell, Jody Scheckter, ????(Pironi)

Attention, clear the grid please!

Niki Lauda. Brabham. First year after many with Ferrari.

Retired at this point, the "Wee Scot". Nice hat.

Checkered flag for Carlos Ruettemen. Ferrari

I wish my barber, the Tifosi and all the prancing horses a safe weekend. And yes, I'll watch.

Photo credits: John Nemy (except the flying sister- N. Nemy)

COMING NEXT: 1981 LONG BEACH GRAND PRIX. BEACHES, BABES, .....