Not only a terrific driver but a nice guy
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
Kento and Mario
Me with Mario on the starting grid Japan Grand Prix 1977
At the time of the 1976 and 1977 Japan Gran Prixs I was
working for Japan Airlines at JFK airport in New York. Since the 1976 race followed the USGP and the
1977 the Canadian GP, both cars and
personnel were traveling on JAL from North America. Being a long time formula 1 fan, I served as
coordinator for both movements. After
the Glen in 76 the teams left on passenger flights and 1 747 cargo flight from
JFK. I was fortunate to meet most of the
drivers and team member and travel to
Japan for the race. I attended the
official reception in Tokyo and had ID as race staff member. The race was run in terrible rain so I spent
most of the race in the covered VIP stands.
Mario won the race and James Hunt the world championship with a number
of drivers dropping out due to the conditions.
1976 staff ID & pass
The 1977 race followed the Canadian GP and I traveled to
Toronto to oversee the cargo 747 charter flight for the cars. I them went to Vancouver to assist with the
passenger and travel on to Japan. I
experienced what has to be the dream of any F-1 fan with no connections to the
sport. On race day I attended the race
with my wife and 5 year old daughter along with a colleague from Japan and his
5 year old son. He and I had official
pit passes and my wife, daughter and his son just complimentary race
tickets. Our dealings during both these
movements were with the then FOCA of which Bernie was president. At that time he also owned the Brabham team
and I asked him in the paddocks if we could get pit passes for my wife and the
kids. He sent me to his trailer were a I
contacted a lovely blond women for the passes, she pulled out a pile and said
"how many do you want". OMG what a chance but I had no one else to
give one to so I had to say only three.
The back of the passes said no one under 16 was allowed in the pits but
my blond daughter and her Japanese friend were the hit of the paddock area.
Paddock pass with Jodi Schecters autograph
Jodi signing it.
myself with James Hunt and some Japanese dude that wanted a autograph at the reception for the teams in 1976 race
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