Pictorial review

Riverside Can-Am – Mexican Grand Prix

Riverside Can-Am

Can-Am Champion Denny Hulme heads off into his accustomed lead on the first lap. Vic Elford in the “ground effect” Chaparral 2J tries to find a way past Jack Oliver’s TRC Ti-22, with Peter Revson holding fourth place in the L & M Lola T220.

“The Boat” – BRM drivers Pedro Rodriguez (here) and George Eaton have not been able to sort out the nautically-inclined handling of the Bourne-built Can-Am cars, and though Rodriguez finished the race he was two laps behind Hulme.

Chris Amon would have finished third but for this pit stop to take on five gallons of fuel. The March personnel had not expected him to make the stop and because the car is not designed with such stops in mind it took rather a long time to complete. Standing on the left is Max Mosley, watched by Robin Herd (in the blue shirt).

Mexican Grand Prix

Our photographer jostles with the crowd to take this shot of Ickx’s Ferrari chased by Stewart’s Tyrrell in the early stages. Note the crowd almost on the roadside in the braking area. Stewart’s challenge faded when the steering column came loose.

Jack Oliver in his Yardley-Team BRM leads Hill’s Lotus 72, Siffert’s March, the works Lotus 72s of Fittipaldi and Wisell, and Stommelen’s Brabham. The length of the straight is just a wall of humanity.

Matra tried the Italian Magneti MareIli ignition system in practice, mounting the transistor box on the fuel tank pod.

In his second Formula One Lotus drive, Reine WiseII had various problems but limped home into 10th place.

Rumour has it that Rob Walker will withdraw from racing at the end of the year, possibly to combine with another manufacturer. If this is so Mexico was the last time the dark blue colours of the team were seen. This is Graham Hill in the Walker Lotus 72.

Business as usual—Jack Brabham had decided to retire before the Mexican GP. Here he discusses tyre temperatures with designer Ron Tauranac and his chief mechanic. Brabham’s last race ended with an engine blow-up.