Author: Racing Daydreams
Colin Johnston is a complex case investigator who brings his professional skills to bear, together with his 40 years of study, in his role as motorsport historian and storyteller. Whether it is writing on this website & elsewhere, fact-checking & identifying historical events, curating social media, appearing on TV & podcasts, or acting as a consultant or advisor; Colin strives to share his experience & knowledge in the spirit of good-humour and generosity
40 Years of Daydreams
This Sunday, Ferrari will line-up a pair of turbocharged, ground-effect Grand Prix cars on the Imola grid for their two, young hot-shoes. And I will smile, perhaps raise a glass. Think about what motorsport has given me, and those no longer with us. The day after the 2022 Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix, Monday 25 April, will […]
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Video: ‘The Mercedes-Benz Story 1886 – 1992’
It’s no secret that I think many things were better in the nineties – not least your humble correspondent! But surely you would agree that documentaries were better when they had time & space to breathe? To make the best of the available footage – to inform through a simple intelligent script, calmly delivered. If […]
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Sascha and The Ace of Clubs
Small cars hold an attraction – I would imagine since les Frères Renault first took-on the Edwardian giants – and the idea of a smaller car as a generally more efficient machine has held sway. An efficient use of resources, or merely a more stressed & stressful way of covering the same distance? I suppose […]
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The Best, or Nothing – A New Grand Prix Formula for 2022
Director Sailer, who was in great form at the Mercedes dinner, made a most amusing speech concerning his early motor-racing career, and ended up by saying, “Some people think that motor-racing is no longer interesting, because Mercedes-Benz always win – we cannot help this, as we have been winning races for forty years, and do […]
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The Buck Stopped Here – Original BRM Body Jig Found After 70 Years
I’m sure anyone who reads ‘Racing Daydreams’ will be aware that ‘British Racing Motors’ are producing new V16 BRM Grand Prix cars. Quite the thing they are too… perhaps more effective as glorious nostalgia than they were as Formula One cars. All the same, it’s a hell of a project that has just received a […]
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Caracciola’s Over-Blown 1930
H.M.S. Catherwood’s central works, Donegall Road, Belfast. Friday, 22 August 1930 The driver retrieved a half Woodbine from his top pocket. “You still here, cub?” “Aye… til the death. Told me to stand here til I got somethin’.” “Wha? Like pleurisy?.. don’t think that would make the morning paper.” The Bo Peep flared on first […]
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Video: ‘The Niki Lauda Story’
“Everyone knew Niki Lauda, even my parents, and he was a gateway. A charismatic, clear-thinking, plain-speaking hero whose backstory meant I was immediately hooked. Hooked by motorsport and history.“ I’m always surprised & delighted by the videos that the ‘Race Day Replay’ channel discovers, and makes available. This is one such video – close to […]
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‘Driving to the Future’ – Mario Felice Tecce
Although it is not always understood, competition is something very different from any kind of fight: racing certainly implies to beat other contestants, but this is not the main goal. The main goal of true and real competition is seeking to do the best possible. This can only be done using as reference other participants, […]
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Gerhard – Brave, Heart
Do you know Gary Critcher? Interesting, friendly, talented chap. Perhaps you know his Lotus 72 documentary, or his excellent ‘Shutter & Speed’ photo books? Gary lives in Kenya these days, and is doing a splendid job of dressing-up his new garage and office with memorabilia that he has gathered over his years in & around […]
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Monaco 1933 – Icons and the Silver Screen
How fortunate we are to have YouTube. Luckier still to have enthusiasts uploading footage, new & old, for our entertainment… and education. In that spirit, enjoy this Movietone newsreel of the 1933 Monaco Grand Prix – presented by the excellent ‘Raceday Replay’ channel. Fantastic, isn’t it? The lack of commentary letting us really hear the […]
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