Belgian Grand Prix 1961

This film from the Smiths Instruments collection charts the 1961 Grand Prix held at Spa-Francorchamps. Ferrari took the first three places, with Phil Hill winning just ahead of Wolfgang von Trips. British greats such as Graham Hill, Jim Clark and Stirling Moss feature, with John Surtees the highest British finisher in fourth in a Copper-Climax.
The Smiths Instruments collection is held at the National Motor Museum, Beaulieu. Find out more at nationalmotormuseum.org.uk/

[@ElliottNest39]

Excellent video quality for this era.

[@sergioleone3583]

Absolutely magic film of proper Grand Prix racing on one of the finest tests of the racers. From a more civilized time. Glorious.

[@patrickporter6536]

No plastic cars, no plastic people.

[@McRocket]

I agree wholeheartedly with the first part. But the second? A more civilized time? Race riots in America. Women faced widespread sexism. Vietnam was just about to heat up for America. The Cold War was in full swing. Far more nations then now lacked democracies. As much of a mess as the world is today. I think it was far worse for most people back in 1961. ☮

[@benlamachine4042]

Thanks for this great and rare film about "old" SPA circuit ! incredibles and scary corners of Burnenville , masta kink and Stavelot banking . Just a correction : at 1.12 min , Belgian racer is not Lucien BIANCHI but "wild" Willy MAIRESSE

[@chestercrum4474]

Phil Hill was the hero for a 12 year old boy, me. Till Wide World of Sports, it took 2 months after a race to find results in one of the motor magazines. No motor sport news on a farm in middle of nowhere.

[@fasthracing]

Loving the yellow Ferrari

[@johnhigh2187]

those 156 Ferraris were such beautiful cars!

[@wraitheful]

gendebein’s giallo 156, so rare and beautiful.

[@Slithey7433]

Enzo must’ve had mixed feelings about Gendebien’s performance. Happy to see a Ferrari doing so well but not so happy that it wasn’t red.

[@eddievandergaag8364]

Great film! Love those old racing cars and the drivers were real hero’s back in those days it was really dangerous. Although the spectators and press were sitting very relaxed in the grass just a few feet next to the track. Amazing

[@kbtred51]

Amazing what you notice - chalked starting grid!

[@wraitheful]

Ferrari had all their cars destroyed and it’ll never not hurt.

[@jeremykeller211]

Superb! It shows clearly how much we have lost since then. Note: you can actually see the drivers!

[@tangerinedream7211]

What a circuit this was, long since emaciated .

[@darrenbrailsford6809]

What a lovely film with wonderful commentary. From a golden era too.

[@crumblefest]

That's the way you do it...

[@sofalugger]

Great Film Halcyon days...

[@vincentsouchaud6717]

Fabulous!

[@aureliobrighton1871]

Magnifique to say the least. And now I know it what has been only my faint impresson going through all that wonderful contemporary material. The drivers look like Jockeys in their individual riding helmets. And the light, delicate racers are their bloodstock horses with tremendous hearts. A beautiful aire of energy and good humour seeps through these pictures. And I'd love to also have a fresh beer overlooking that amazing racecourse. Merci bien 🌷:)

[@ttotal2]

Top quality film really enjoyed thanks

[@Sam-ec2cd]

Nice looking cars

[@robertmilne4304]

Wonderful footage

[@lachlanpatterson5651]

GOLD!!!. Keep them coming.

[@Albdentist]

It’s amazing how rough the cars are compared to todays over restored examples… Everyone looks so young… Marvelous, thank you for posting…

[@paulreilly3904]

Michael Cannell's The Limit is absolutely superb about this era and specifically about Von Trips and Phil Hill.

[@sergioleone3583]

I found it a bit sensationalized, and clearly written by someone who admittedly hadn't even driven a car when he wrote it, but there are worse items out there I'm sure.

[@bastiancooper-queen1849]

Fantastic... but scarying "security" for F1 pilots from their racing cars and the track, isn't !?

[@rolfdejonge3915]

✌️🤠💥🌟🌀👍

[@kilian94]

Quand la Belgique était la Belgique

[@hugoagogo9435]

Poor Wolfgang doesn’t have much time left here

[@EA-dy4oe]

yes, sad

[@Fastvoice]

There was a time when parents often times named their kids after famous personalities of their home country. Well - I was born one day after this Spa race and was baptized "Wolfgang" shortly afterwards. 😉 _(P.S.: Many years later I became a car club racer and also ran several times at Spa - on the much shorter circuit of course)_