Pete Lyons Archive > CanAm by Pete Lyons (12)
For years Pete reported on the North American scene for Autosport, regularly attending great events like the Daytona 24-hour and 500-mile races, the Sebring 12-hour, the Indy 500, and the annual Formula One Grands Prix in Canada, the U.S. and Mexico. A special favorite was the Can-Am, the Canadian-American Challenge Cup series for essentially unlimited big sports racing cars. Those glorious years from 1966 to 1974 are the basis for two of Pete’s books, CAN-AM and CAN-AM PHOTO HISTORY, both from MBI Publishing.
Here are some selections from Pete's days trackside with CanAm.
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Jim Hall, Chaparral 2G, Bridgehampton Can-Am 1968
The wild, winged Road Runners from West Texas were the most innovative race cars, exactly what the grand old "unlimited" Can-Am was all about.
16x20 print $300
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Bruce & Denny Show, Bridgehampton Can-Am 1968
Bruce McLaren and his Kiwi compatriot Denny Hulme, seen leading another first lap in their Mclaren M8s, made the Can-Am their own in the series' early years.
16x20 print $300
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Bruce McLaren, Edmonton Can-Am 1969
One of the best driver-engineers of that rare breed, Bruce brought pragmatic thinking, rigorous testing and morale-building good spirits to his team.
16x20 print $300
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McLaren Trio, Laguna Seca Can-Am 1969
This was the year Can-Am officials nearly doubled the series, from 6 races to 11, partially in hopes of giving some other team a chance. Result: Bruce and Denny won all 11. Here at Laguna, they graciously handed their spare car to fellow Kiwi Chris Amon—but they weren't so gracious as refrain from lapping him, as seen here.
16x20 print $300
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McLaren Trio, Pits, Laguna Seca Can-Am 1969
Some of their would-be competitors had trouble getting one machine done in time for the season. McLaren Cars Ltd. had three.
16x24 print $300
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Chaparral 2J Ground Effects Vehicle, Laguna Seca Can-Am 1970
Also known as the "Vacuum Cleaner," or the "Sucker." After the season, it was known as Banned.
16x24 print $300
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Peter Revson, McLaren M8F, Laguna Seca Can-Am 1971
"Revvie" was so good in rival teams, McLaren simply had to bring him aboard. He responded by becoming the first American Can-Am champ.
16x20 print $300
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George Follmer and Porsche 917/10K, Donnybrooke Can-Am 1972
The "Panzer," we called it because of its crushing presence in what had been an all-McLaren show. Follmer (far right) joined Penske Racing as a stand-in for the injured Mark Donohue, and wound up as series champion.
16x24 print $300
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Mark Donohue and the twin-turbo Porsche 917/10K, Riverside Can-Am 1972
A master at engineering as well as driving, Donohue worked hard to develop this complex, enormously powerful machine, fought back when it tried to kill him mid-season, and would finally win his Can-Am championship the following year.
24x16 print $300
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Follmer and Donohue, Riverside Can-Am.
Follmer and Donohue in their Porsche 917/10Ks lead the Riverside Can-Am,last round of 1972. It was now the George and Mark Show.
16x20 print $300
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Can-Am Power, Riverside, 1973
Mario Andretti (far left) talks to Bobby Unser about the 1200-hp, twin-turbo Chevy in Mario's McLaren M20. Not a winner, but oh, what might have been...
16x20 print $300
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Can-Am Stacks
Porsche's turbo-Panzer may have crushed the series, but for die-hard fans the really big Chevy with its staggered intake trumpets will forever be the Can-Am engine. These adorn Denny Hulme's McLaren M20 at Watkins Glen, 1972—the "Bear's" (and the McLaren factory's) last victory.
16x20 print $300
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