Tag Archives: 1978


Andretti – World Champion 1978

Screen Shot 2016-03-28 at 3.15.23 PMMario Andretti won his World Championship in 1978 in the all conquering Lotus 79. The season long battle with teammate Ronnie Peterson ended tragically with Peterson’s death at Monza in September. The previous race was the Dutch GP at Zandvoort where the team grabbed their 4th 1-2 finish of the year. Zandvoort is located in the sand dunes within sight of the North Sea. Land is so precious in the Netherlands, that fenced pasture land exists within the confines of the track. In this photo Andretti leads the McLaren of Nelson Piquet over the Tunnel Oost.


Lole – Zandvoort 1978

Screen Shot 2016-03-28 at 3.07.48 PMCarlos Reutemann was a great driver from the Argentine, winning 12 Grand Prix over an eleven year career and coming second in the World Championship in 1979, and third 3 times. In terms of wins, 1978 was his best year when he won 4 races including Long Beach and Watkins Glen in the Ferrari 312. Here at Zandvoort in 1978 he finished seventh. When he retired from racing he returned to Argintina where he became a successful statesman. Photo taken on old backstretch, by the sand dunes between turns 6 and 7.


James Hunt Long Beach – 1978

Screen Shot 2016-03-28 at 2.55.06 PMJames Hunt was the original wild and crazy guy, and a seriously talented driver. He came on the scene in 1973 driving for Lord Hesketh’s eccentric operation before moving to McLaren for the epic 1976 season, where he edge Lauda by a single point for the championship. He won three races in 1977, but by 1978 his career was on the wane. In Long Beach he smacked the wall and failed to finish. This photo was taken at La Gasomet hairpin with a 28mm lens, driver and photographer less then 10 feet apart – too cool for words.