This piece is from, in my opinion, the best documentary ever on motor racing, "The Speed Merchants" by Michael Keyser. Shot in 1972, it debuted at Watkins Glen during the 1973 6Hour/Can-Am weekend where I saw it while I was there photographing a Porsche 917 driver for publicity. I miss the simplicity, and cars of those times.
You know what i really liked about that romantic era? Yes, there was money involved, but it was mainly about the passion for motorracing. The drivers, although they needed more bravery than nowadays, more seemed ordinary men that you could ask for a signature or even do a quick conversation with if you were lucky, now it all really has become something very stiff, only reserved for the elite of the elite, where you can't actually talk to or compare yourself to as a casual fan. It used to be a little bit more 'left wing'. I don't say i have no respect for the drivers nowadays, but for me these guys stay the real heroes forever. End of the '60s, begin '70s was the most dangerous but also the most beautiful of all motorsport eras. Thx for posting this little gem of a movie!
Every single successful spectator sport on the planet has been taken over by "federations" that rule them and sell them out for TV rights for BIG money. This is why motorsport has become so regulated and boring now. Todays drivers aren't people with a life, they start driving competitively at the age of 5 or 6 and know nothing else. Its sad. Business and corporations have taken over. I used to enjoy watching International Rugger games when you knew that the week after the top games the men playing would all be back at work, most in manual jobs, some in shops etc. Then it turned professional and the game changed, the people changed the players look like body builders etc. Sad sad world. I soumd like my forefathers, but boy do I understand them now when they said the same things about us !!!
Yes. not that long ago you could drive your MG, Triumph, 240Z, Jag, etc. to an SCCA race, paint on a number, tape the headlights, strap on your helmet, and go racing! TV money has killed all amateur sports. Even Olympics.
Italy, Sicily, Italians, Sicilians.... and racing. There simply has never been a country so generous to racing and I say that as an American. Those people are just special when it comes to cars and racing.
Vic Elford a living legend. Pick up one of his driving books and appreciate his rally skills in the earliest 911s in the mid-‘60s. When men were men and sheep were scared.
5:15 Well, he wouldn’t. Later that year a stone went straight through his visor resulting in the loss of an eye and ultimately ending his driver career. But he still holds the lap record! Great video btw, thanks for sharing it!
Quite a few GP drivers of the era in this race. Marko was Elfords team mate in sports cars and lost an eye in 1972 driving for BRM in the French GP when a stone went through his visor. Elfords last GP was Germany 1971 also for BRM.
Yes, there was Can-Am too at that time. Can-Am had no upper displacement limit so the most powerful cars had 800hp engines, until Porsche arrived with their 917-10 turbo which developed more than 900hp. In USAC racing (Indycars were called that back then) they did a 200mph average speed lap (322km/h) in Ontario in 1972. The car developed around 1100hp and did around 240mph (388km/h) on the straights. Sporscar racing was pretty hairy too. Wish I had been alive back then. Pure racing.
Fantastic!I was too young for this but i love the total madness of it all!Vic Elford is one of my favourite drivers,multi talented in all manner of cars racing and rallying.Proper sounding cars not popping and banging every other bend......Great Film!
Love the VW service bus parked nearly on the cornering line at 6:00. Also, unsaid, the "spectators" field-strip any abandoned race cars on the circuit.
Thanks to load this stuff on youtube!! Such a good ancient visual document!! Pure racing, romantic era of motoring sport unthinkable nowadays!!! why I didn´t see this before?? now is when I start to live...
Motor Racing ans Sports car driving in those days required real skill. Now most of the work is done by computer. Anyone can own or drive a sports car nowadays. But the magic is gone.
When there was no fear of being sued. Because back then one owned their responsibility and acceptance of risk. Nor did every kid get a medal back then either.
This film makes me think what a safe, sanitised environment we have now, not just in motor racing but everywhere: a world for women. But not Sicilian women, apparently!
This is part of a film called The Speed Merchants, and the music is simply the soundtrack to the film. I know there was a record album of it, and I believe it is available on cd. Try Amazon!
Lucky Baldwin Actually sand particles . Lived in Malta south of Sicily and people covered their cars when the strong winds laden with some sand were swept northwards from Tunisia!
That's nothing. We get dust clouds from the Sahara in the Southeastern U.S. regularly. Every few years there will be an absolutely spectacular red sunset or few in the late summer. It is amazing it travels that far but every year you're talking millions of tons of dust around the Caribbean and Florida. Sometimes it can affect the local/regional weather but mainly limits hurricanes.
@clinttube Wow, that is even more incredible. I've never heard of that before. I'm in S Arizona and when the air's really dusty here, we get 360 degree sunsets. The whole horizon lights up. Is pretty cool.
@@LuckyBaldwin777 yeah I was out there last year and got to see something somewhat similar to what you're talking about in phoenix. It was pretty sweet
He was also Vics team mate in sports cars. Marko lost an eye while driving for BRM in the French GP in 1972. a stone was thrown up by possibly Ronnie Petersons car and it went through Markos visor . as a result a lot of work was done to improve the safety of helmet visors.
To Sam Lancaster - many thanks for your reply. Last year I went to Sicily and rode around the Targa roads on my motorcycle. Hard to imagine doing this at speed. What an era! Best, Hugh
Vic Elford let us into the secret of this race. You have to drive as fast as possible, for as long as possible. So completely different than any other race then?
That is exactly it. Nowadays it is all about what the car can do, talent and courage is barley made use of with these new cars making them boring as hell. During the documentary's era it was all about the drivers, their talent and their courage. They were true heroes.
![WRC Rally "Group A" Cars on Tarmac (Speed & Pure Engine Sound) [HD]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/-bTEAHdBK3A/mqdefault.jpg)
![WRC Rally "Group A" Cars on Tarmac (Speed & Pure Engine Sound) [HD]](/img/tr.png)
![Felix "Unfair" | [Stray Kids : SKZ-PLAYER]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Oswujxm2Ag0/mqdefault.jpg)
This piece is from, in my opinion, the best documentary ever on motor racing, "The Speed Merchants" by Michael Keyser. Shot in 1972, it debuted at Watkins Glen during the 1973 6Hour/Can-Am weekend where I saw it while I was there photographing a Porsche 917 driver for publicity. I miss the simplicity, and cars of those times.
Thanks for generously recommending this video Neil Clifford.
You know what i really liked about that romantic era? Yes, there was money involved, but it was mainly about the passion for motorracing. The drivers, although they needed more bravery than nowadays, more seemed ordinary men that you could ask for a signature or even do a quick conversation with if you were lucky, now it all really has become something very stiff, only reserved for the elite of the elite, where you can't actually talk to or compare yourself to as a casual fan. It used to be a little bit more 'left wing'. I don't say i have no respect for the drivers nowadays, but for me these guys stay the real heroes forever. End of the '60s, begin '70s was the most dangerous but also the most beautiful of all motorsport eras. Thx for posting this little gem of a movie!
Every single successful spectator sport on the planet has been taken over by "federations" that rule them and sell them out for TV rights for BIG money. This is why motorsport has become so regulated and boring now.
Todays drivers aren't people with a life, they start driving competitively at the age of 5 or 6 and know nothing else.
Its sad.
Business and corporations have taken over.
I used to enjoy watching International Rugger games when you knew that the week after the top games the men playing would all be back at work, most in manual jobs, some in shops etc.
Then it turned professional and the game changed, the people changed the players look like body builders etc.
Sad sad world.
I soumd like my forefathers, but boy do I understand them now when they said the same things about us !!!
Yes. not that long ago you could drive your MG, Triumph, 240Z, Jag, etc. to an SCCA race, paint on a number, tape the headlights, strap on your helmet, and go racing! TV money has killed all amateur sports. Even Olympics.
it's funny cause racing competitions started out as an event of the elites.
And in theory anyone could build a good racing car in his own shed. What a great times this must have been
Sponsors changed motorsport?
Best ever documentary in motor sport. Captures the romantic era like no other. Thanks Michael Keyser
I had no clue this type of video ever existed. My god
Italy, Sicily, Italians, Sicilians.... and racing. There simply has never been a country so generous to racing and I say that as an American. Those people are just special when it comes to cars and racing.
Questo non è un documentario ma un monumento.
Vic Elford a living legend. Pick up one of his driving books and appreciate his rally skills in the earliest 911s in the mid-‘60s. When men were men and sheep were scared.
In so many ways it was, not perfect, but more relaxed. I miss those days. So much tension and anxiety these days. Miss the Can Am racing too.
I know why this era went away. Doesn't stop me missing it.
4:16 Too many people were dying.
Niel Clifford sent me here. 😅
Me too 😂
Was that Neil with an 'e'? If so, it's the same for me!
Thanks so much for uploading this!
grazie x questo video ho rivissuto l'emozione del duello fra Ferrari e l'Alfa di Galli
Fantastic film. Thanks for the recommendation Neil Clifford.
Truly wonderful video , thank you @Neil Clifford
One of my favourite videos on classic Motorsport. I keep watching it over and over again. As an Alfa driver it stirs my soul. Thank you.
we need more footage of this greatest race of all!! great video!
It would be incredible to watch a full lap
5:15 Well, he wouldn’t. Later that year a stone went straight through his visor resulting in the loss of an eye and ultimately ending his driver career. But he still holds the lap record! Great video btw, thanks for sharing it!
Helmut Marko with some deserved accolades. He's still in the game 50 years later in 2020.
Vic Elford still healthy too last I heard.
Sadly he developed cancer about a year after your post and passed away in 2022. R.I.P.
The poor local lol. Love Sicily. Such a wonderful people and gorgeous scenery
Quite a few GP drivers of the era in this race. Marko was Elfords team mate in sports cars and lost an eye in 1972 driving for BRM in the French GP when a stone went through his visor. Elfords last GP was Germany 1971 also for BRM.
Alfa Romeö is rocking!
Bravo! Macchina stupenda!
God, engine sounds were so intoxicating during this era.
Yes, there was Can-Am too at that time. Can-Am had no upper displacement limit so the most powerful cars had 800hp engines, until Porsche arrived with their 917-10 turbo which developed more than 900hp.
In USAC racing (Indycars were called that back then) they did a 200mph average speed lap (322km/h) in Ontario in 1972. The car developed around 1100hp and did around 240mph (388km/h) on the straights.
Sporscar racing was pretty hairy too.
Wish I had been alive back then. Pure racing.
Fantastic!I was too young for this but i love the total madness of it all!Vic Elford is one of my favourite drivers,multi talented in all manner of cars racing and rallying.Proper sounding cars not popping and banging every other bend......Great Film!
What a fantastic tale, Vic!
Love the VW service bus parked nearly on the cornering line at 6:00. Also, unsaid, the "spectators" field-strip any abandoned race cars on the circuit.
Fenomenal footage from that golden era, much obliged to hear those sounds.
Thanks Neil
Wow. How wonderful. What a magnificent advert for our Italian brothers and sisters.
Che tempi...😍
Sempre nei nostri cuori
Agreed, very cool! Events like that are long gone!! Love seeing the GTVs out there!
"The trick at the Targa Florio, aside from staying on the road, is to go as fast as possible for as long as possible"...hmmm, that simple, ehh Vic?
Thanks to load this stuff on youtube!! Such a good ancient visual document!! Pure racing, romantic era of motoring sport unthinkable nowadays!!! why I didn´t see this before?? now is when I start to live...
a true classic road race,sorely missed.
Rest in Peace Vic Elford
Those cars... every single one of them would be a centerpiece at an auction nowadays 🤑
Fantastic film! Love seeing vintage racing and hearing the stories about the drivers.
Thumbs up if you want Speed channel to start playing things like this again!
Lol, thumbs up if you want speed channel again!
Sad that 1972 seems like a better time.
better time for all who survived
Nobody is interested in motorsport racing nowadays. Young people only care about Instagram, Facebook and smartphones.
Pretty Penny Hate Doctor it was a better time...
brilliant little film of legendary race
Except, sometimes, too much "music", when the the car itself is the music we want to hear.
bellissimo grazie
God be with the days...... great piece on the Targa.
Amazing video, love it!!
Muy peligroso, pero bellísimo espectáculo. Lancia Fulvia y, sobre todo, Alfa Romeo 105, siempre en mi corazón.
Great onboard footage!
Motor Racing ans Sports car driving in those days required real skill. Now most of the work is done by computer. Anyone can own or drive a sports car nowadays. But the magic is gone.
What a beautiful video.
..lat year... huh... last year I hit a local... :O
But the locals loved the race so much, they didn't mind being run over now and then :)
Nobody got hurt. Just having a nice time.
The victim probably felt really privileged to be hit by a famous driver in an Italian Alfa
grande filmato con commento del mitico Vic Elford
This footage is the "Godfather" of car documentaries.You can smell the cars and Sicilian wine.
Sheer lunacy !That is what modern motorsports needs.
When there was no fear of being sued. Because back then one owned their responsibility and acceptance of risk. Nor did every kid get a medal back then either.
Who is the crazy man that give "no like" in this video? AMAZING Vídeo!!
Che tempi !
rrrmo targa florio72cero anch'io Fasano Giovanni abhart 2000
lo sanno tutti ln Sicilia che oh corso 71 72fiat abhart 2000prototipo Fasano Giovanni oggi 84anni grazie
liveblog.sport.sky.it/Event/GP_Giappone_le_Libere_1_e_2_del_venerdi
@@giovannifasano5868 grande. Complimenti
Targa Florio for cars was like Isle of Man for mbikes
Except with Grande layout, Targa Florio was much longer.
Fantastic!
great documentation 👍
"Last year *ha*, last year I hit a local"
"like a man possessed" well done
Did not think you could make "Bring A Trailer" much cooler but....This is great!!!
This film makes me think what a safe, sanitised environment we have now, not just in motor racing but everywhere: a world for women. But not Sicilian women, apparently!
You are absolutely right!
The death of a innocent human bean is never a good thing. Just ask the loved ones of those drivers.
Good ole days man...
Great video. It's 1970 not 72, according to the in video title
🏁 The Man, his machine and God 🏁
They didn't know then the last full championship Targa would be next year.
Oh for a time machine.
Rip Nanni Galli
It’s a pity that 50+ years later, that Marko is more well-known than Vic Elford.
VE is up there with Jackie Ickx as Motorsport legends
Neil Clifford sent me here...
RIP Quick Vic
Fantatstic!!!!
I would love to see speed channel start having a program that showed these great times in autosport. Not sure if Speed is capable anymore though.
I saw Toine Hezemans, 3 rd in 1972
Completely right! The man standing having the discussion. Very successfull in these cars.
DK Engineering has one of these Tipo 33s for sale, Sep 10, 2023.
Great video!
Much missed Vic.You could hustle a car!
impressionanti
Great documentary. Who wrote and played the soundtrack?
Anybody able to identify the delightful acoustic guitar & pan flute music? Shazam yields nothing.
This is part of a film called The Speed Merchants, and the music is simply the soundtrack to the film. I know there was a record album of it, and I believe it is available on cd. Try Amazon!
Free soundtrack download at Autosports Marketing website.
awesome, thanks! :)
@00:42 Sporting them butt-huggers! Rock on pappy.
This is the Circuito de la Sierra from the Gran Turismo video game!
Helmut was a good racer till he lost his eye,
Dust from the Sahara covered Sicily. That's pretty incredible.
Lucky Baldwin Actually sand particles . Lived in Malta south of Sicily and people covered their cars when the strong winds laden with some sand were swept northwards from Tunisia!
@@elsacane8495 sand... that almost seems impossible that it could travel that far. Those winds must be intense.
That's nothing. We get dust clouds from the Sahara in the Southeastern U.S. regularly. Every few years there will be an absolutely spectacular red sunset or few in the late summer.
It is amazing it travels that far but every year you're talking millions of tons of dust around the Caribbean and Florida. Sometimes it can affect the local/regional weather but mainly limits hurricanes.
@clinttube Wow, that is even more incredible. I've never heard of that before. I'm in S Arizona and when the air's really dusty here, we get 360 degree sunsets. The whole horizon lights up. Is pretty cool.
@@LuckyBaldwin777 yeah I was out there last year and got to see something somewhat similar to what you're talking about in phoenix. It was pretty sweet
Why not give credit to those who made this documentary by saying where you got this clip from?
Didn't know Helmut Marko was a racer. Very nice
He was also Vics team mate in sports cars. Marko lost an eye while driving for BRM in the French GP in 1972. a stone was thrown up by possibly Ronnie Petersons car and it went through Markos visor . as a result a lot of work was done to improve the safety of helmet visors.
do you know what film this is from?
thanks
Don't forget the Carrera Panamericana.
Even the title says 1970.... Doh
who is the narrator please? great stuff
To Sam Lancaster - many thanks for your reply. Last year I went to Sicily and rode around the Targa roads on my motorcycle. Hard to imagine doing this at speed. What an era! Best, Hugh
Vic Elford
Go vic go
Vic Elford let us into the secret of this race. You have to drive as fast as possible, for as long as possible.
So completely different than any other race then?
The seventies... when you're playing your game of scopone scientifico at the cafe and race cars are zipping past the street.
The real difficulty might be the small children waiting around the next corner.
Yeah that's Joe Bidens problem
The Speed Merchants. By Michael Keyser
You think we have it good these days, think again....
Today I learnt “Carlo Kitty” not Chitty as I’ve always pronounced it
I wonder how quick the F1 car (e. g. Ferrari F2004 or Williams BMW FW26) would lap the whole circuit.
That is exactly it. Nowadays it is all about what the car can do, talent and courage is barley made use of with these new cars making them boring as hell. During the documentary's era it was all about the drivers, their talent and their courage. They were true heroes.
J aurai. Aime la faire (((avec VIC..ELFORD..c eut ete. Le TOP..eh oui
"and last year I hit a local" THAT'S not part of the sport!
That was a part of motor racing from the beginning. And it continued at least through Group B.