(Words by Scott Liggett) On board cameras have become the norm with most auto racing that is televised these days. Heck, anyone with a Go Pro has videos of themselves racing on various forms of social media. But, in 1966, this was a far rarer sight. Cameras were not exactly small in that era. Strapping one to the top of an Indy car was far more complex procedure than a suction cup mount and gaffer’s tape. Not to mention the aero disruption of a heavy suitcase sized camera strapped to the top of the race car trying to run at race speeds.
Here, we have Mario Andretti in 1966 in what appears to be a couple of practice laps. He was driving a Lotus 35-R-5 owned by Dean Van Lines race team. Al Dean was fielding Indy and USAC cars all throughout the 1950’s and ’60’s under the moniker of his moving company, calling many The Dean Van Lines Special.
Andretti leaves pit road and goes through the first and second turns at a sedate pace, presumably to get the tires and engine up to temp before laying into the throttle on the back stretch. It appears he gets out of the throttle pretty early as he comes into turn three, as he gets back on the throttle before reaching the apex of the turn. Andretti is at full speed as he comes screaming down the front stretch to complete his first lap.
On the second lap, Andretti has other race cars entering the track at a much slower pace than his top speed. The only car that appears to be in the racing groove was encountered in turn three of his second lap where it appears he checked up enough that he accelerates going into turn four. That is where he speed seem to get the tires a bit loose and he has to work the wheel coming out of turn four.
The 1966 running of the Indy 500 was controversial to say the least, with only seven of the thirty three entries finishing the race. The fewest ever. With 11 cars being eliminated soon after the race started by an accident. Andretti’s Lotus DNF’ed with a “valve problem” about half way through the race.
Here, you get a great shot of Andretti working the wheel, the suspension working, and the sound of that 4 cam Ford V8 engine. I watched the video a dozen times. There is something special about this era of racing where down force was not part of the equation. And, the race tires were hard as rock. Enjoy.
Outstanding find BS guys!!!!!!