Ronnie Peterson

[Andrew Kitson]

Here is a new one that will be released as a Limited edition print this month, published by Art, Antiques & Autos which is run by Steve Bradley, classic / historic FF racer.

"Ronnie Remembered"
Ronnie Peterson sliding his JPS Lotus 72 through Woodcote corner at Silverstone has passed into legend. In this large 40 x 30in oil on canvas, I have (I hope!) successfully captured the moment as 'Super Swede' leads Jackie Stewart's Tyrrell, race winner Peter Revson's McLaren and Niki Lauda's BRM, during the British Grand Prix on 14th July 1973.

Clive Chapman of Classic Team Lotus has added his support and the print will have the CTL logo on the border and be part of their official merchandise. The plan is to produce a series of all of the great Lotus drivers - this one being the first.
I hope you like it. Any comments welcome.

[Aysedasi]

Another beaut Andrew. Would look very nice indeed on my study wall.......

[Andrew Kitson]

A better photo of the painting.

[alesi95]

I really don't think I've ever sen a picture of Peterson driving a straight line. Classic Peterson pose.

[djb]

enjoyable as ever to see your work Andrew. Wasn't '73 the race when Scheckter lost it and all those cars piled up at the end of the first lap right opposite the pits?

[Andrew Kitson]

Thanks djb.
Yes it was. I remember standing just past the bridge towards Copse and saw Jody lose it in a cloud of dust. I recall shouting at my Dad 'Look - Jodys spun!'. He was watching the leaders through Copse. Of course it was then carnage!
The scene in my painting is of course in the re-started race, a lap or two before Stewart lost the Tyrrell at Stowe and disappeared into the corn field.
Two other big shunts at that meeting too. The saloons crash at abbey and a startline pile-up in the F.Atlantic race when Jas Patterson's Texaco March 722 flew over other cars to barrell roll into the pit straight sleepers.
Reminded of these also shows how bad a deal GP spectators get these days.
At Silverstone in '73 we had the GP of course, but also the following races on the same day: F3, BTCC, F.Atlantic and Historic cars.
The next Lotus theme one I am thinking of is Rindt in the Lotus 49, opposite lock out of Casino Square in 1970. What do you think?

[djb]

sounds like a good idea to me, but then you're the one with it in your minds' eye so you know best.
The only footage I've seen of the '73 incident was from a long way back taken with a very long focal lens, compressing all the "carnage". Everyone involved was extremely lucky, as IIR, there were no serious injuries (adding in of course John Surtees's blood vessels close to popping in outrage at losing both his cars!)
cheers

[Andrew Kitson]

An interesting e-mail I had from Peter Gaydon yesterday, in connection with this Ronnie painting.
Quote "I saw most of Ronnies' GPs and we knew each other well from F3 escapades. I remember his extraordinary car control right from when he passed me going into the second downhill hairpin at Barcelona. Careless you may say, but I was against the kerb passing another and Ronnie thought the pavement inside the corner lamppost would be the right line! When he came off the kerb the other side he had passed me but the sparks from the underside illuminated the track. It was my first race with the Tecno and I was sixth so an OK result expecially without any testing in the car prior to the meeting and no testing anything over the winter." Marvellous!

[Andrew Kitson]

This original oil on canvas will be displayed on Steve Bradley's "Art, Antiques & Autos" stand ( no.500) at the Historic Motorsport show at Stoneleigh Park, Coventry this coming weekend. I will be on the stand Saturday only, if any ten-tenthers would like to pop by for a chat.
Look forward to seeing you.