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

“…and the road goes on forever.” - Racing Daydreams by Colin Johnston
Rallying

“…and the road goes on forever”

Perhaps it’s the promise of 2021? The hope that some normality will return. That the world will open to us again. Maybe it’s following Rally the Globe‘s social media? Whatever it is – an excuse is what it is! – I am easily distracted from research by maps, route guides and travelogues. One such caught my […]

Read More...
Simon Says… Change Drivers! - Racing Daydreams by Colin Johnston
Grands Prix

Simon Says… Change Drivers!

Sehr geehrter Herr Kollege! There has been some last-minute drama. ‘Mercedes-Benz-Team’ cannot field their driver. A substitute has been chosen, and he is already revelling in the ‘Mercedes-Benz-Formel-rennwagen’. The drive has gone to… André Simon. Who?! What?! Monaco and Mercedes have history. The race began in 1929 – as Caracciola and the SSK were creating […]

Read More...
Spats in The Sand Pit – The Lost Tripoli Streamliner - Racing Daydreams by Colin Johnston
Featured Grands Prix Myths & Curios

Spats in The Sand Pit – The Lost Tripoli Streamliner

The 2020 Formula One titles have been decided and the teams are preparing to leave for Bahrain. This season – this mad year – we will see two races at the Bahrain International Circuit, the second of these being held on the high-speed outer circuit. Described variously as an oval(!), or like Thruxton – according […]

Read More...
Featured Sports Car Racing

A Last Day in the Sun? – ’55 Targa Florio

Sicily – 16th of October, 1955. Snap! The tail of the silver machine snaps-out from under him… just like at Padova. No time to catch it at 100mph. Spin! Crunch! Falling… “Christ!” The Mercedes hits the rock-strewn ground, fully ten feet below the road. A sickening belly-flop. Landing with the full force of its 900 kilogrammes… and the […]

Read More...
Michèle Mouton, Dragon Slayer – Belfast 1985 - Racing Daydreams by Colin Johnston
Northern Ireland Rallying

Michèle Mouton, Dragon Slayer – Belfast 1985

Here’s Michèle Mouton with her fire-breathing Audi quattro in Belfast, 1985. That’s it… that’s the blog. More?.. Oh, OK… The 1985 British Midland Ulster Rally – round 4 of the Irish Tarmac Rally Championship and round 5 of the Shell Oils British Open Rally Championship – was a two day blast around Northern Ireland. As […]

Read More...
Featured Grands Prix Myths & Curios

Neubauer, The Kilo & The Strippers – ’34 Eifelrennen

I love a ‘Ripping Yarn’ – a ‘Tall Tale’ – a ‘Shaggy Dog Story’… and a myth or legend is a nice angle for marketing. Just ask the folks at Loch Ness. So let’s talk about ‘Grand Prix Nessie’ – the myth (?) that Alfred Neubauer of Mercedes-Benz ordered all the paint be stripped off […]

Read More...
When Mercedes-Benz Comes Out to Play - Racing Daydreams by Colin Johnston
Grands Prix Myths & Curios

When Mercedes-Benz Comes Out to Play

The Mercedes-Benz Formula One demo at Goodwood Speedweek made me think of the day in June 1958 when Mercedes brought a W125 and a W154 to Oulton Park. Peter Collins & Tony Brooks got to play with them, and ‘Riverside Records’ was there to capture the moment. This is special.

Read More...
Imola – beyond the Grand Prix - Racing Daydreams by Colin Johnston
Myths & Curios Sports Car Racing

Imola – beyond the Grand Prix

Last weekend Formula One returned to Imola – an iconic venue. Beyond the F1 history, Imola was a stop on the Mille Miglia… and it was there, in 1934 that a photographer captured a remarkable moment. History being created. The photo in question is at the top of this page. While the ‘riding mechanic’ oversees […]

Read More...
Porsche, Stuck and an odd Auto Union – Lasarte, 1934 - Racing Daydreams by Colin Johnston
Featured Grands Prix Myths & Curios

Porsche, Stuck and an odd Auto Union – Lasarte, 1934

What do we have here? A cool old photo of Stuck on an Auto Union in the pits. What do we actually have here? Ferdinand Porsche and Hans Stuck look concerned as the front of a rather unique Auto Union A is checked over. It’s September 1934 and we are at Circuito Lasarte – the 11 mile […]

Read More...
Featured Northern Ireland Sports Car Racing

The 1955 Tourist Trophy, Dundrod

One of the many peculiarities of 2020 is the upending of the international sporting calendar. While we are worried & discombobulated, dealing with ‘the new normal’, fettling our Zoom background – wondering how we will pay the rent – the ‘powers that be’ have been scrambling to stage their marquee events. So, we find the […]

Read More...