Graham Hill wearing a neck brace/collar???

[Stuart Hill]

My Father took a photo of Graham Hill at Oulton Park in (he thinks) around 1973 whilst on the grid. Graham is pictured with a neck brace/collar on whilst sitting in a Lotus Climax.

Unfortunately this picture is still on a 35mm slide or I would attatch it.

My question is, on my father's behalf;

Does anyone know why Gaham was wearing a neck restraint as there is no mention of it anywhere, not even in Graham's biography. (or my Dad says!!)

Many thanks.

[Vitesse]

Well, if he's definitely in a Lotus, it isn't 1973. Graham drove for Lotus (in F1) from 1958 to 1959 and again from 1967 to 1969.

Is it a green rear-engined Lotus? That would tie it down to 1967, since by the time the 1968 non-Championship races rolled around Lotus were in Gold Leaf colours.

However, at that point, we hit a brick wall if it's definitely an Oulton Park picture.

There were two F1 events at Oulton Park in 1967: the Spring Cup in April and the Gold Cup in September. Graham Hill took part in both. But in both races he drove an F2 Lotus 48, powered by a Ford Cosworth FVA. What evidence is there that it's a Climax engine?

Or is it red? In which case it's 1968 or 1969.

Alternatively: is it a dark blue Lotus? In which case it's the 1970 Gold Cup and Rob Walker's Lotus 72.

[Steve Wilkinson]

If my failing memory serves Graham had a big shunt at Snetterton which required him to wear a rubber inflated neck brace that looked a bit like the bellows from an accordian! However this was in the Sixties. It did cause him problems from time to time and he might have agrevated this old injury.

As to the car I suspect it is a lot earlier than 1973. He drove one of the Lotus 48 F2 cars in the 1967 Gold Cup instead of the F1 Lotus and that was Green and Yellow. He also drove the Lotus 59 F2 car at the Gold Cup meeting of 1969, this car was painted in the Winklemann Green and Silver livery.
I suspect it is one of these two events as he didn't drive in any events at Oulton Park in 1973.

[Andrew Kitson]

Graham's big shunt at Snetterton was in 1964. A big-off in pouring rain in the BRM.

[Steve Wilkinson]

1965 Oulton Park Gold Cup and Graham was driving an F2 Lotus-BRM 35 for John Coombs which again I believe was Ivory White or Light Silver?

[Vitesse]

Steve's right about 1969 - if it is that year, it could be related to Graham's big shunt in the Spanish GP.

So, Stuart - what colour is the car?

[Stuart Hill]

Originally Posted by Vitesse

Steve's right about 1969 - if it is that year, it could be related to Graham's big shunt in the Spanish GP.

So, Stuart - what colour is the car?

It looks White but unfortunately there is not much of it in view as Dad was standing right next to it at the time.
Graham's overalls are light Blue and the neck-brace is Brown and cream. (the brown section being at the back).

As soon as I can find someone local who can scan or copy a slide I will post it and some others of the same era.

Thx for your info guys.

[Steve Wilkinson]

Gentlemen - see my earlier Post.

The description fits the 1965 F2 Lotus-BRM 35 with the colour scheme being a perfect match.

I rest my case.

[Stuart Hill]

Originally Posted by Steve Wilkinson

Gentlemen - see my earlier Post.

The description fits the 1965 F2 Lotus-BRM 35 with the colour scheme being a perfect match.

I rest my case.

for which I thank you very much but.......

will be unable to provide the proof shortly as my Father has just left for a vacation in the USA and on the Queen Mary 2 !!!!!!!! alright for some.

[Woolley]

I've got an attachment for scanning slides, Stu, bring it over sometime and we'll see if it works (never actually used it before).

[Vitesse]

Something like this perhaps? This is Graham in Coombs' F2 Brabham at Goodwood in 1966 - colour scheme would be essentially the same.



© Rainer Nyberg/Forix

[Steve Wilkinson]

Spot on. The Lotus which had been run earlier in the season by Tim Parnell for David Hobbs to drive without any success was painted in exacrly the same colour scheme when Coombs got his hands on it.