Jochen Rindt

Jim Clark is a Scottish driver from the end of the 50’s. Colin Chapman, Lotus team founder noticed him and offers him his first wheel in a Formula one car in 1960. He competed with success in all kind of races and categories (Hill Climb, Formula Junior, Formula 2, Tasman Series, Formula 1, Rally, Sport and touring cars, Indianapolis and even Nascar). He participated LeMans 24 Hour three times in 1959 with Lotus, in 1960 and 1961 with Aston Martin.

Within 10 years he built with Lotus one of the greatest carrier in motor racing. He won his first F1 World Champion title in 1963.

He is very appreciated by his competitors, whose names are Jackie Stewart, Graham Hill, and John Surtees for examples. He always beat them fair and square. His driving style was a mix of smoothness and finesse and quick at the same time.

He died during a Hockenheim Formula 2 race on April, 7^th, 1968.

The picture we took as basis for the sculpture process was taken in Indianapolis in 1967; by his side Colin Chapman, Lotus team Manager. Note the little balanced but personal position of Clark’s feet, he runs his fingers through his hair. It is just before the start, he gets ready, goggles around the blow he wears his helmet around the arm.

This representative character of the years 50-60, dressed in a jacket and in a pants is taking a photo with the famous and performing argentic device Rolleiflex. He could be a follower of Cartier-Bresson or Robert Doisneau roaming in the streets of Paris in search of the cliché which will make him famous.

Amateur or professional photographer could have been met around any tracks to immortalize the race, or into the paddock to catch on-the-spot unexpected reactions, or also around the cars where the Beauties compete in elegance to draw attention. 

Pedro Rodriguez is a Mexican driver who from 1958 until his death in July, 1971 participated in all the LeMans 24 Hours events. Whether it is for Ferrari, Porsche or Ford with whom he wins his first and only victory in Le Mans in 1968 with the Ford GT40, his talent is indisputable. He pursued for a long time at the same time pilot's career of Formula 1 and endurance. He dies a few months before his rival and team-mate Jo Siffert on the circuit of Nüremberg. 

When he was not helmeted to race, we recognized him by the cap in tartan of Sherlock Holmes. We found relevant to represent him with this strange hat and his helmet in the hands as we were used to see him in the paddocks.   

Ruan Manuel Fangio is an Argentine driver who dominated the car-racing of the 50s. His talent is such as he wins 5 Worldchampion titles with 4 different teams. In 1955, he makes a bracket in his Formula 1 season to participate in LeMans 24 Hours at the wheel of Mercedes-Benz 300SLR. Just running behind Pierre Levegh's carthat is at the origin of the terrible accident which killed 80 people, he narrowly escapes the drama. 

He is represented here as seen on numerous original pictures ; hands on the hips. On this figurine he wears his helmet on the head and his glasses went raised. The chin strap of his helmet is not attached.