PETE LYONS ON HIS UPCOMING RELEASE – LOTUS 72
In the day, following the Grand Prix Circus as a reporter-photographer, I got to watch and admire this breakthrough Formula 1 machine through nearly its entire racing life. But only with the perspective of time have I come to see the Lotus 72’s true historical significance:
Colin Chapman’s most successful design, the 72 won more Grand Prix races (20) and World Championships (2 Driver’s, 3 Constructor’s) than any other Lotus type;- Even 69 years and 1000 GPs after the modern series launched in 1950, this wedgy, edgy little racing weapon still ranks as the longest-lived F1 model of any make, somehow staying competitive from 1970 through 1975 – a phenomenal Six Seasons! It scored victories in four of them.
- And look at its layout, with clean, aero-is-all nose, hip-mounted radiators and all-inboard suspension — isn’t this is the very prototype of today’s F1 architecture?
Doing this book for EVRO, the excellent, specialist UK publishing house, was sheer delight. Delving deep into the car’s story I learned so much that I never realized at the time. Researching and writing about EVERY Lotus 72 in their EVERY race deepened my appreciation for this unique car with its incredible record.
It even gave me an excuse to once again enjoy conversations with 1972 World Champ Emerson Fittipaldi, who eagerly agreed to supply our Foreword. “The Lotus 72 was the best car I ever drove in my racing career,” he told me. “A fantastic car from a fantastic man, Colin Chapman.”
As proud author, I’m now taking Pre-Orders for your own copy directly from my website, petelyons.com with my autograph personalized to your specification. We’re told to expect stock by August 2019 — but don’t be late to the grid!
Be one of the first 72 pre-buyers who also gets a FREE BONUS GIFT. A personally signed print of my own photo showing newly crowned World Champ Emerson Fittipaldi with Colin Chapman and their #1 Lotus 72 at 1973’s first-ever Brazilian Grand Prix, Interlagos – a race Brazil’s new hero would go on to win. This image is published in the book, and will come with your copy of the book as a special, very limited edition 8.5 x 11-inch color print suitable for framing — a $75 value, Free.
Published by EVRO, UK, hardbound, 11 x 9.25 inches, 320 pages, approx 55,000 words, more than 360 photos including ones showing every Lotus 72 in every event, including non-championship ones – 90 races in all.
$79.95 plus first 72 pre-orders receive Free Bonus Signed Print. Books scheduled for U.S. delivery in August 2019.
Go to www.petelyons.com to PreOrder. or copy and paste this URL into your browser: https://www.petelyons.com/p/lotus-72
Thanks, and we’ll look for you at the front of the starting grid! — Pete
AMERICAN HONDA’S COCKTAIL PARTY BEFORE THE RRDC’S EVENING WITH DAVID HOBBS
Albert Wong was busy all evening recording the goings-on at the RRDC’s Evening with David Hobbs, April 11 at the Long Beach Hilton. Judy Stropus, Jeremy Shaw and your humble editor have attempted to identify the various partiers, and we’re unanimous in our certainty that we miss-identified a few, maybe more than a few. Apologies in advance. Send corrections to us here:
