Racing with (nearly) no Rules - CanAm, Goodwood MM 2024
Discussion
How did CanAm come about?
"What would happen if we went racing with no car design rules?"
"Well, that would be daft...you have to have some rules!
OK...the cars have to be designed to carry two people.....errr....and the rear wheels need to be faired in...better?"
"Yup, that'll do"
Well, probably not quite like that, but the end result was the same.
For a few glorious years in the 1960's-70's CanAm was the biggest racing series on the planet.
At this weekends Members meeting there was an astonishing selection of CanAm, many of which ran in a track demonstration - it was tremendous to see, hear and smell these extraordinary cars - for me, especially the Shadows - surely the coolest racing team ever?!
The bizarre 1968 Shadow Lowline Prototype - 10" front wheels, had to be driven splay footed, pop-up aero to assist braking (sadly not working yesterday)
"Do you think that the engine is big enough.....and the rear wing could go a size up surely whilst we are at it?" (radiators mounted on wing!)
"What would happen if we went racing with no car design rules?"
"Well, that would be daft...you have to have some rules!
OK...the cars have to be designed to carry two people.....errr....and the rear wheels need to be faired in...better?"
"Yup, that'll do"
Well, probably not quite like that, but the end result was the same.
For a few glorious years in the 1960's-70's CanAm was the biggest racing series on the planet.
At this weekends Members meeting there was an astonishing selection of CanAm, many of which ran in a track demonstration - it was tremendous to see, hear and smell these extraordinary cars - for me, especially the Shadows - surely the coolest racing team ever?!
The bizarre 1968 Shadow Lowline Prototype - 10" front wheels, had to be driven splay footed, pop-up aero to assist braking (sadly not working yesterday)
"Do you think that the engine is big enough.....and the rear wing could go a size up surely whilst we are at it?" (radiators mounted on wing!)
Stunning to see them out.
The splayed foot low line car was bonkers.
Which is saying something as in any other company they’d be the maddest cars there.
Splayed foot pedal box.
Aero-rad
Marginally more conventional.
And just for fun the guy who decided that his Chrysler 300C would look awesome as a Cole Trickle tribute.
m
The splayed foot low line car was bonkers.
Which is saying something as in any other company they’d be the maddest cars there.
Splayed foot pedal box.
Aero-rad
Marginally more conventional.
And just for fun the guy who decided that his Chrysler 300C would look awesome as a Cole Trickle tribute.
m
Some really great shots there, thank you for posting them. I have a lot to edit down but I will put some up later in the week.
In the meantime, here is a shot of that bizarre pedal layout in the red skateboard Shadow.
I believe the phrase is sod that for a game of soldiers!
I’m a Can-Am fan and I took two friends who are both motorsports enthusiasts and up til today didn’t really understand my love for the series but they do now!
Shame they didn’t run the Ferrari or the McLaren M20 and the black skateboard was a bit poorly on both days but it was an amazing turnout. When all of them were running in the paddock and the noise was pushing into your chest. Wow!
Always thought that the Can-Ams were going to turn up at Goodwood and they didn’t disappoint. Can we have Indycars next please?
In the meantime, here is a shot of that bizarre pedal layout in the red skateboard Shadow.
I believe the phrase is sod that for a game of soldiers!
I’m a Can-Am fan and I took two friends who are both motorsports enthusiasts and up til today didn’t really understand my love for the series but they do now!
Shame they didn’t run the Ferrari or the McLaren M20 and the black skateboard was a bit poorly on both days but it was an amazing turnout. When all of them were running in the paddock and the noise was pushing into your chest. Wow!
Always thought that the Can-Ams were going to turn up at Goodwood and they didn’t disappoint. Can we have Indycars next please?
For reasons beyond my control I had to miss the MM for the first time in years. And I'm still spitting feathers-I missed so much - the usual wonderful racing, also the sublime Ferrari 640 , and my favourite driver Lauda's McLaren. As it had the #1 it was a 1985 car and might even have been the one I saw him take to his last victory at Zandvoort. Sniff .
And Can Am - whisper it but the racing wasn't often close but who cares when monsters like that stalked the earth? No Chaparral , I'm almost relieved to say as I'd have crawled over broken glass to see one . But a cornucopia of Shadows, and what a sight , even on telly . For those wanting to know more, Pete Lyons is the doyen of Can Am reportage and I reviewed his wonderful book on the marque a year or two ago . It's a great story - how couldn't it be with former CIA man of mystery Don Nichols the creator of the team ?
If you were this weekend you had a rare privilege I bet you won't forget
And Can Am - whisper it but the racing wasn't often close but who cares when monsters like that stalked the earth? No Chaparral , I'm almost relieved to say as I'd have crawled over broken glass to see one . But a cornucopia of Shadows, and what a sight , even on telly . For those wanting to know more, Pete Lyons is the doyen of Can Am reportage and I reviewed his wonderful book on the marque a year or two ago . It's a great story - how couldn't it be with former CIA man of mystery Don Nichols the creator of the team ?
If you were this weekend you had a rare privilege I bet you won't forget
For all the grumbling about GRRC's relentless commercial pursuits there are countless priceless moments over the course of the year when the emotional side of one's brain realises the costs are irrelevant.
The Can-Am display was wonderful and watching my son grin from ear to ear as they accelerated away from the chicane was one such priceless moment.
My own personal moment came shortly afterwards, seeing (and hearing) Gerhard Berger's 1989 V12 Ferrari bottoming out causing an eruption of sparks. Being an emotional and nostalgic fool I realised I had tears in my eyes.
The Can-Am display was wonderful and watching my son grin from ear to ear as they accelerated away from the chicane was one such priceless moment.
My own personal moment came shortly afterwards, seeing (and hearing) Gerhard Berger's 1989 V12 Ferrari bottoming out causing an eruption of sparks. Being an emotional and nostalgic fool I realised I had tears in my eyes.
Hereward said:
For all the grumbling about GRRC's relentless commercial pursuits there are countless priceless moments over the course of the year when the emotional side of one's brain realises the costs are irrelevant.
The Can-Am display was wonderful and watching my son grin from ear to ear as they accelerated away from the chicane was one such priceless moment.
My own personal moment came shortly afterwards, seeing (and hearing) Gerhard Berger's 1989 V12 Ferrari bottoming out causing an eruption of sparks. Being an emotional and nostalgic fool I realised I had tears in my eyes.
Huge credit to Gerhard for giving the 640 some stick (not sure Goodwood would have appreciated this on a 'demo run' but it was spectacular). The car was increasingly blowing blue smoke and unfortunately wasn't able to run on Sunday The Can-Am display was wonderful and watching my son grin from ear to ear as they accelerated away from the chicane was one such priceless moment.
My own personal moment came shortly afterwards, seeing (and hearing) Gerhard Berger's 1989 V12 Ferrari bottoming out causing an eruption of sparks. Being an emotional and nostalgic fool I realised I had tears in my eyes.
jmwalkeruk said:
Fantastic. Best 'Goodwood' post on here in a long, long time. Love the photos, do you have a close-up shot of Jackie Oliver? I wasn't old enough to appreciate him in a CanAm shadow in period (I think I was 3!) but it was great to see him back in his/Follmer's car. And that noise...
As requested. Looking good for his age
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