One of the joys of being free to roam the race paddocks during the 1960s and early 1970s allowed spectators the opportunity to mix with the cars and drivers. It afforded an opportunity to get up close to some iconic race cars such as the Ferrari 512S (above) that had been unceremoniously parked between and van and a road car as heavy rain soaked its sleek bodywork.
The photograph was taken in the Brands Hatch paddock during practice for the BOAC 1000km world championship race in April 1970. The Ferrari 512S is chassis number 1018 that had been purchased by the wealthy German property developer George Loos. He employed the British driver Jonathan Williams to share the car with him but due to the late arrival of a new set of tyres meant the car was a non-starter after qualifying thirteenth on the grid. One week later, the team won a 500km race at Zolder. Loos created his team, GELO, in 1970 after two years of racing in various categories including the DTM and Interserie. As well as employing the best drivers he also purchased the very best cars from Ferrari and Porsche although his forceful personality saw him fall out with the management in Stuttgart. Having won a number of important sports car races around the world, his team disbanded in the mid-1980s amid rumours of the collapse of the Loos property empire; he claimed he had decided to retire and drink wine in the sun. He passed away in 2016.
From the book ‘Moments in Motorsport’ by Trevor Legate
