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Lotus

1978 , Hethel (Norfolk)

Cat no. 5489

Lotus

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BBC Television documents engineer Colin Chapman and motor racing ‘Team Lotus’ preparing for and attending the British Grand Prix.

A BBC Television profile about the motor racing engineer Colin Chapman and the car manufacturing company he formed, Lotus Engineering Ltd, located at the former bomber airbase at RAF Hethel. Reporting from the neighbouring Ketteringham Hall Estate, the headquarters for Team Lotus, engineers and mechanics work on the Formula One sports cars that are built specifically for drivers Mario Andretti and Ronnie Peterson. Team Lotus, including Colin Chapman, drivers Andretti and Peterson and several crew members prepare for the big race ahead at the Brands Hatch motoring racing circuit in Kent, the host for the British Grand Prix. Colin Chapman talks about the mechanical preparations being made to the vehicles ahead of the race. Colin Chapman speaks positively about the time trials that took place early in the day, excited that Team Lotus did incredibly well, taking the front row with Ronnie Peterson at pole position, and Mario Andretti at second place on the grid. Mario Andretti speaks about the day, the Lotus vehicles and his fellow team. Ronnie Peterson is interviewed about his chances of winning the race and he discusses his position within Team Lotus as the “number two” to driver Mario Andretti. Colin Chapman explains the further preparations to be made that evening ahead of the race the next day. The following day, Colin Chapman and Team Lotus arrive by helicopter at Brands Hatch. The pit crew make the final important adjustments to the cars, and the drivers pair up with their vehicles on the grid. During the British Grand Prix, Ronnie Peterson is forced to retire from the race with an engine failure. Later, Mario Andretti arrives at the pits with a puncture causing him to lose valuable time. He later regained places, however, like Peterson, his engine also failed, forcing Team Lotus out of the race. Colin Chapman and Mario Andretti reflect on what went wrong following the disappointing race result. Please note that this film ends abruptly.

Featured Buildings

Ketteringham Hall

Keywords

British manufacturers; Formula One; Grand Prix racing; Lotus Cars; motorsport; racing car drivers; sports car manufacturers; Sports events; Team Lotus

Other Places

Brands Hatch, Kent

Manifestations

Lotus

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