A few of the insignificant "etc". drivers were Ken Miles, Lew Spencer, and
Sterling Moss.
The Rodriguez Brothers, driving an independent Ferarri, dropped out ot the
61 Lemans with a broken connecting rod, and Phil Hil, and Olivia
Jean-Dubeuax (sp?) won the race outright.
I have heard they raced Alpines, but have seen no "proof". I kow they raced
Rapiers, in more than one race, and there was an article in the March 94
issue of "Thoroughbred and Classic Cars" That discusses one such car that
was found and restored. There are photos of both brothers, as well as ample
photos of the two cars, that they raced all over Mexico and in the USA at
places like Riverside and Marlboro, where they consistently won, both
brothers, 1st and second. The cars were Factory rootes cars. Since the cars
were driven by Hopkirk and Harper, then the Rod bros, they are fairly
unique.
The one car was discovered and restored. The second car was mentioned in
an article that someone posted the website to this list. in it, it talks of
a guy who decided they would race "amatuer' and built up a Rapier using
Alpine drivetrain and front axles. I believe he mentioned that he got many
parts from the factory rapier, though I can't be sure. If someone has the
website adress, please post it. They wrecked the car the second season, and
that was the end of that.
As I am coming to learn, these Brothers were no different than many
racers. They didn't have "their own car", but rather, showed up a few days
before a race, and practiced and drove for a team. I know the Brothers drove
Ferarris, Porche, and at least two Rapiers.
If you want more specifics, I have a few, but not much more. Lou
----- Original Message -----
From: <Jay_Laifman@countrywide.com>
To: <alpines@autox.team.net>
Sent: Friday, May 04, 2001 10:19 AM
Subject: Rodriguez Bros Racing Rootes
> I just wanted to clarify a comment of mine. I commented that I had not
> heard that the Rodriguez brothers raced for Rootes. By that, I did not
> mean I am any sort of authority, or that my absence of knowledge on it
> meant they did not. I was only commenting that I did not know. A bunch
> of people have nicely pointed out that the did race for Rootes.
>
> Obviously Rootes did pretty well in recruiting ($$$) high profile racers
to
> run their cars, Braham, Hill, Rodriguez, etc. (though off the top of my
> head, I don't know who the other "etc" people are).
>
> Jay
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