Steve McQueen's driver at Le Mans: Vic Elford

[@BoStamper1]

Vic was one of my instructors at Skip Barber in 1996 at Mid-Ohio. He was LOADED with stories and had a true passion for teaching others. At 32, I was there just for the thrill of driving a real race car on a real track rather than starting a career. He was kind, understanding and cordial, but if you screwed up, he would let you have it, and you would NOT do it again. Interesting that at that time, Vic mentioned Juan Pablo Montoya and encouraged ALL the students to "keep an eye on him." Awesome that a short time afterward, he ended up coaching JPM. Vic will be someone I will NEVER forget!

[@cwillis2445]

I have also been privileged to have benefited from Vic's expert instruction in the late 90's, and was particularly impressed by his ability to so perfectly communicate even the most subtle of nuances to driving quickly. Great guy!!!

[@aussie2uGA]

Ditto, Vic taught me at Sebring in the 90's. I still have his book, signed of course.

[@john2ndname]

Imagine for 1 second having the career of Vic Elford those cars like the Porsche 907 and the 908 other Porsche's racing in those events on those Famous tracks and even getting to meet and known those great drivers of the time!.. What a dream every race driver could of had.

[@andynixon2820]

What a gentleman and what a driver .

[@loki7641]

He has so often the # 2... on he's Racing Cars - like in Le Mans 1970 .... 2021 he past on to Valhalla s hall of Fame - Rest In Peace Quick Vic !!!

[@natalelocascio5101]

Vic Elford is one of the best drivers of racing cars in history. Many times, in the '60 and '70, I saw him driving; he was fantastic and made the difference, especially at Targa Florio, the most difficult circuit in the world. What a gentleman.

[@bc1560]

Thank you for this great video. I'm a huge fan of Vic's thanks to KZbin and his autobiography. He was a little before my time. Never pictured him as an Escort guy though.

[@ivorharden]

Unknown legend.

[@marktime9235]

Pleased to hear Vic saying that todays racing has descended into technological perfection where driver skills are less important. I used to love F1, now I don't even bother watching.

[@mariapires7170]

F1 today is not a sport is much more politics and petrodollars.

[@j1nx3d5]

RIP Vic Efford

[@crisnally6273]

A bloody superb driver who could drive any race car or rally car. Winner.

[@photodawg1946]

I saw Elford drive the No. 66 Chaparral 2J, at the inaugural Can-Am race at Road Atlanta, in 1970. The 2J was the "fan car" with 2 fans on the rear of the car, to make the car hug the track. Unfortunately, the car completed only 69 of 75 laps, finishing in 6th place.

[@Dave.S.TT600]

what an awesome Guy very talented someone please do a longer interview!

[@videomaniac108]

Back in the early 90s I bought a book he had written regarding high-performance Porsche driving. Although geared mainly toward the rear-engined 911s, I found it helpful in learning how to drive my 944S well.

[@epiovanitube]

Those were the cars, those were the days, those were the men.

[@eudaldguell3004]

Eduardo P. Dias Ok. Not for gays (like today)

[@mariapires7170]

And these, cars, days and drivers, never return again!

[@rallycrosscraig]

Great driver, nice to see this film, his book Reflections on a Golden era of Motorsport is a really interesting insightful book and if you are interested in the history of the sport well worth reading.

[@therealsharps]

The Targa Florio proper finished in 1973 not 77. It was watered down from 73

[@ralfrossner2690]

Vic you are a racehero! have a good time at the last stage of your live!

[@markthorne3414]

True Racing Gentle man , Thanks for the film

[@KeithProctorArtist]

Go Quick Vic ... brilliant.. "a real driver"

[@TommyTarkov]

this man is a legend.

[@vince065us]

He's so underrated.

[@John-jl9de]

Vic drove me around Moroso Motorspots park in a FerrariGTO back in the 80's. Great guy, thanks.

[@guitarsword1]

One of the greats, when it meant something . Targa Floria , Nurburgring - come on.

[@kellienicolebrooksschettin6598]

I said before the Nurburbring is sheer fun so many turns and elevation changes like no where else and a mix....

[@melvyncox3361]

Great driver!

[@TheZoso41]

LEGEND

[@jeremybenjamin2377]

It's not entirely true that Vic hung up his helmet in 1972. He made a return to Le Mans in 1983. I remember watching him there at the wheel of a yellow Rondeau.

[@larshansson9442]

I agree with his views on modern racing.

[@stevefowler2112]

I always find it interesting that it seems the most talented drivers like to race in the rain...Senna liked it and Kenny Roberts (multiple 500cc GP Champion and AMA Grand Champion) once famously said about racing in the rain; "It's still a race, it's just raining".

[@doriannritter2615]

I've heard Ickx was a great rain driver too. Piquet and Prost didn't like rain. 😉

[@AMROU76]

@@doriannritter2615 Ickx wa nicknamed "the rain master"

[@forktongue]

Saw Vic Elford drive the Chaparral 2J CanAm car at Road Atlanta 1970. He was faster than the dominant McLarens but was forced out of the race due to mechanical problems.

[@nightfly1]

Rest in peace Mr. Elford.😔

[@pfrstreetgang7511]

Vic is also responsible for most of best photo shots of lemans in late 70s through the 90s. He had a real snack with cameras and nobody was going to tell Vic where he could stand.

[@csykes23]

Anyone who finds this interesting should watch 'The Speed Merchants' about the 1972 World Championship for Makes sportscar series, narrated by Vic Elford. It's incredibly moving, fascinating and haunting.

[@ulysse21]

Yes, one of the best racing movies of all times

[@MichelFABRE169]

Speed Merchant describe glorius automobile race car period

[@philipjamesparsons]

Speed Merchants is fantastic. The way Vic Elford, comes across is Speed Merchants is the antithesis of many of the borderline psychopaths that make it to the top in sport. He is a real hero, just like many of the top racers of that era.

[@RunDub]

One of the finest documentaries I've ever seen. Great film! I've been recommending it to people for over 20 years.

[@70053morayfirth]

Such a modest driver - if Vic was at the wheel you knew a win was on the cards, no matter what the event. Imagine today's Formula 1 drivers doing rallying, sports cars and touring cars?

[@twillis449]

A very interesting and humble guy. Like he says the technology is more important than the driver these days. Also, back in the day races were not 'designed' to be exciting on TV. If someone motored off into the distance it made for boring TV. Why do you think Pirelli makes tires that can't last more than 30 laps in modern F1 races?

[@timmasse7647]

I am so happy I located this link. I was at a can am race in Edmonton alberta with my now deceased father Louis masse. It was mind blowing. I hope we can converse somehow

[@alistairmills7608]

RIP Quick Vic'.

[@MrPlumbitright]

My Father was also a Driver in the Film "Le Mans"

[@spinatwachtelxy0089]

Does anybody know where the 2nd scene of the Le Mans movie was shot?. The one in which Delaney drives down the narrow avenue in his 911

[@Pulsonar]

A great driver, he drove #25 in the Le Mans the movie, and it was for real. The 917L he drove flew around @240+ mph, he was prodigy, he only knew how to drive flat out 😂 He must’ve been one of Porsches greatest English ambassadors, before Derek Bell took over the reins in the late 70s

[@dennisesplin3285]

What a career. Typical understated British driver. Just do it was invented for him and them. Met him once. Unsurprisingly nice man.

[@Retroscoop]

But except all the positive reactions one can find in the comment section, note that smoking still was considered "cool" in those days. We all know how that ended for Steve McQueen: asbestos poisoning plus smoking faaaar too much killed the King of Cool faaaar too early.

[@UberLummox]

What a treat to hear a true gentleman racer talk. These cocky racers that have something to prove are boring to listen to. "Too much tenology" he says. A-frickin-MEN to that, brother! I you have to futz w/a computer, it's not the type of car I even care knowing about. And don't car it may be faster...and safer...don't care!

[@lostsinar3026]

ヴィク・エルフォードさん。 この人Ｆ１にもプライベートで出走していましたね。 中古のクーパーやマクラーレンを購入して、その名も Antique Automobiles Racing Team. 「アンティーク・オートモビル（ぽんこつ車）レーシング」ww それでも上位入賞も出来た良き時代。 サーキット走るレース車が物凄く進化し変わった'60年代から'70年代にかけて、わずか６年足らずだったけど、もの凄いキャリアを残した名ドライバー。 1969年には過熱した日本グランプリにトヨタ７で出走、上位入賞を果たしたことも・・・ いつまでもお元気で。

[@will7its]

Also raced in Trans Am in a Camaro. Beat Ford and Amc at Watkins Glen in 1970, in the rain.

[@emintham]

thanx

[@thesoultwins72]

Boy - this guy liked to smoke!!

[@stephaniekent8483]

yes and unlike Steve Mcqueen who was the same, always smoking, the cancer missed Vic .

[@oibal60]

We are not worthy.

[@RANDALLBAUER]

super!

[@feeshtacos]

he did it right !!! d:)

[@TheGeoff2209]

Great film... But for me Jackie ickxe and Derek bell the best

[@lucaslaino7292]

This guy tried rally with a 911 in a time were like beetle.resistance rallies.was awesomethen moved to resistance.just imagine that.ickx and bell are legends.but this man drived in any type of road

[@splashforce2995]

The unused class canonically spray because ocean inversely wobble via a plastic farmer. psychedelic, alike tin

[@feeshtacos]

he did it right !!! d:)

[@feeshtacos]

he did it right !!! d:)