Tag: f1

McLAREN F1 GTR LONGTAIL #42: LE MANS 1997

Few cars capture the imagination of motorsport fans quite like the McLaren F1 GTR Longtail, and among them, chassis #42 from the 1997 24 Hours of Le Mans stands as an icon of speed, engineering, and drama. A machine built for endurance, piloted by legends, yet fated to a heartbreaking retirement—this is the story of one of McLaren’s most memorable endurance racers.

McLaren F1 GTR Longtail
McLaren F1 GTR Longtail
McLaren F1 GTR Longtail

By 1997, the McLaren F1 GTR had already cemented its status as a dominant force in endurance racing. However, rule changes meant McLaren needed to evolve, giving birth to the Longtail variant. This version featured a significantly extended rear bodywork to enhance aerodynamic efficiency, better high-speed stability, and improved downforce. It retained the raw power of its BMW S70/2 6.1L V12 engine, capable of producing around 600bhp, but was further refined for the grueling challenge of Le Mans.

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ALFA ROMEO 156 GTA SQUADRA CORSE CEA

Spotted at the Classics & Coffee event. The Alfa Romeo 156 GTA is already a unique sight on its own, but this one was even more special than the rest. The first thing that caught my eye were the flashing lights, followed by the stickers. But what truly stood out was something I spotted in the back – a full-blown fire extinguishing system. I had to know more!

It turns out that this is a Squadra Corse CEA Rapid Response vehicle. The CEA was founded in 1970 by Ermete Amades. Over time, the CEA Squadra Corse has become a renowned fire safety service at circuits like Imola and Monza. They earned the nickname ‘Leoni’ (Lions) after their heroic actions during the horrific accident at the 1978 Formula 1 Italian Grand Prix in Monza. During this crash, Ronnie Peterson’s car slammed into the guardrail after contact with James Hunt’s car. Peterson’s car caught fire, but he was rescued from his car by Hunt and others. Unfortunately, Peterson later succumbed to complications in the hospital.

But back to this Alfa Romeo 156 GTA – how remarkable is it that something like this ends up in the Netherlands? It’s a beautiful piece of history being kept alive by the new owner.