Above all else, this may be the motivation for all that we do here at Cold Track Days. Directed by John Frankenheimer in 1966, this epic of automotive racing was ahead of its time. Following the 1966 Formula One race season, the film featured cameo appearances by Formula One drivers, Phil Hill, Graham Hill, Juan-Manuel Fangio, Jim Clark, Jocen Rindt and Jack Brabham. It was filmed in Super Panavision 70 and was shown as 70mm cinerama engagements across the counrty upon its release. It quickly became a cult classic amongst racing fans thanks to the unique cinematography and footage taken from Formula Races of the time. Most of the cars in the film were Formula 3 cars made to appear like contemporary F-1 models. While much of the footage came directly from the 1966 F-1 season, a great deal was capture by Phil Hill (the 1961 F-1 Champion) while he lapped the Monaco and Belgian Grand Prix circuits in an F-1 car fitted with a camera. This is one of the earliest example of in-car footage for Formula One racing. Though not a huge box office success, the film won Best Sound, Best Sound Effects and Best Film Editing at the 1967 Academy Awards. Formula One racing has been an ever evolving entity, with contemporary race cars looking more like space craft and less like automobiles. The danger and excitment of F-1 racing has never faultered, yet the limits the drivers of the mid-sixties pushed seem far greater than todays drivers. A complete absence of safety equipment, track preperation and general awareness of danger created an enviroment that often ended in tragedy. The mystical appeal of Formula One racing, the high stake and huge pay days are what draw most spectators and what motivates most drivers. Leaning toward a more simple time, we are of the opinion that being aware of where you have come from ensures that where you are going will not include the mistakes of the past. Released to DVD in 2006, Grand Prix is still as impressive as it must have been in 70mm. Check out the trailer for the film here:
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