Archive for May, 2011

Checkered Past Racing: 1978 World Championship Lotus 79s Black on Track

Thursday, May 19th, 2011

www.CheckeredPastRacing.com‘s Chris Locke is a part of Lotus Formula One History.  Three JPS Team Lotus type 79s have taken to the track together, for the first time ever.

At Snetterton on Wednesday 4th May 2011, 33 years after winning the 1978 Formula One World Championship, Classic Team Lotus ran three JPS type 79s; chassis 1, 2 and 3.  This never happened in period.


On behalf of American owner Paul Rego, the Team Principal of Regogo Racing based in Dallas, Classic Team Lotus has undertaken a complete restoration of chassis 1, which was driven by Mario Andretti in testing and practice throughout the 1978 season, then raced by Jean-Pierre Jarier in the US GP at Watkins Glen.

Regogo Racing Works driver Doc Bundy was at the wheel for testing prior to airfreight back to the States in time for the car to be raced in the Legends of Motorsport event at the Barber Raceway on the 22nd May.

Chassis 2 and 3 are part of the Classic Team Lotus Works Collection. Chris Locke, as Patron of chassis 2, contributed to its restoration and the car is fitted with his engine. Chris Dinnage, Team Manager of Classic Team Lotus, was at the wheel.

Chassis 3 was driven by Clive Chapman, son of Lotus founder Colin Chapman.

The team with the trio of 79s

Classic Team Lotus and Regogo Racing were joined by a number of the 1978 Championship winning team, including designer Martin Ogilvie and Chief Mechanic Eddie Dennis.

The Team Lotus type 79 dominated the 1978 World Championship to such an extent that the team would ‘sandbag’ their cars in qualifying so that their advantage did not appear too great.  The shape of the underside of the car in relation to the track surface created a venturi profile which, together with the all important sliding side skirts acting as seals, created a lot of downforce for relatively little drag.  Mario Andretti and Ronnie Peterson finished first and second on four occasions, at a time when such a result was rare.

In chassis 2 Mario won the Belgian GP and Ronnie won the Austrian GP.  In chassis 3 Mario won the Spanish, French and German GPs.  (Mario won the Dutch GP in chassis 4, the other JPS type 79, but this car was unable to attend.)

Trio of 79s on track at Snetterton

The type 79 has topped two polls of ‘Most Beautiful F1 Car Ever’ and was chosen as the best technical design in a survey of F1 designers.

Fowler & Moore Present An Evening of Design Inspiration

Tuesday, May 17th, 2011

An Evening of Design Inspiration: Accessorizing Tips & Trends is Fowler & Moore’s latest presentation, set to take place the evening of Tuesday, May 24th, 2011.  Chris Fowler and Suzy Moore will be presenting and demonstrating ideas to freshen your home as we transition from Spring to Summer.An Evening of Design Inspiration

After the literally overwhelming success of their last RSVP,  limited space event where Fowler & Moore AT HOME was packed so full it quickly became standing room only, they have followed on with An Evening of Design Inspiration, which is sure to have even more fun and useful ideas.  Fowler & Moore have instituted a token $20 requirement but have also implemented a 15% off discount for anything, aside from custom orders – meaning in all likelihood, the $20 will pay for itself by the end of the night.

Come join Fowler & Moore at Fowler & Moore AT HOME in Redondo Beach’s Riviera Village at 7 next Tuesday to get the latest tips and trends for the coming seasons, and be sure to RSVP early as seating is limited and is sure to be sold out soon!

Monumental while
Polemically Small

Tuesday, May 10th, 2011

The GARBOUSHIAN GALLERY is hosting it’s largest and most eclectic Exhibition yet, paradoxically entitled Polemically Small.

Polemically Small at GARBOUSHIAN GALLERY in May

Polemically Small at GARBOUSHIAN GALLERY in May

World renowned Fine Art curator, writer and critic Edward Lucie-Smith has put together works from 29 artists, including names like Presneill, Zakharov, Waller, Cristi, Aestes, Maddock and de Cadanet is  to be exhibited across both GARBOUSHIAN GALLERY in Beverly Hills, CA and slightly closer to WSmad’s home at the Torrance Art Museum.

This exhibition is a demonstration from some of modern art’s finest that the movement toward smaller art is afoot.  For years, large works requiring entire concrete-tilt-up walls have dominated the avant-garde, but recently, fine artists have begun working toward more modestly sized pieces – though certainly not modest in technique, style, or story.

Polemically Small will open at GARBOUSHIAN GALLERY on May 21st, 2011 in Beverly Hills Golden Triangle district.