Monterey Can-Am 1970 / The Ground Shook

The 1970 Canadian-American Challenge Cup season was the fifth season of the Can-Am auto racing series. It consisted of FIA Group 7 racing cars running two-hour sprint events. It began June 14, 1970 and ended November 1, 1970 after ten rounds.

The 1970 season began only a few days after the death of defending 1969 champion Bruce McLaren. McLaren had been testing the new M8D for his Can-Am team when he was killed. Denny Hulme was joined by friend American Dan Gurney in the second McLaren, however was replaced by Peter Gethin following sponsorship conflicts. Dan was the only American driver to win that year, the first two events of the series. The team overcame the loss of their leader to win nine of ten races during the 1970 season with the McLarens.

In October of that year the series moved to Laguna Seca for the ninth round. These are never before seen images by fellow blog follower Bob Lampert, who was then working as a photojournalist.


Dennis Hulme #5, Peter Gethin #7 (went out with a bad battery), Peter Revson # 26, and
Jackie  Oliver #22  start the pace lap under a yellow flag. Image © Bob Lampert

Dennis Hulme leads Peter Gethin in another McLaren over the hill in turn one.
 Image © Bob Lampert

Here Hulme, Gethin, Revson, and Oliver cook down the start/finish straight.
Image © Bob Lampert

Tony Adamowicz #32 in a Lola Chevrolet leads Peter Gregg #59 in a McLaren M12.
 Image © Bob Lampert

Down out of the "Corkscrew" they come. Image © Bob Lampert

This is a look at turn 2 and 3, that no longer exist. Image copyright Bob Lampert

Dennis Hulme finished 1st with Jackie Oliver and Peter Revson 2nd and 3rd.

Related post: Laguna Seca Can-Am

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