'Eppie' wasn't very peppy in a works Lotus

©JerryMelton

The very first Canadian Grand Prix was run on this day in 1967 at the picturesque Mosport circuit located in Ontario.

A look at the event's starting grid that year reveals a 18-car strong field, with two Canadian drivers sitting on the last row, one of which was Eppie Wietzes entered in a third works Lotus.

Unsurprisingly, 'Eppie' wasn't very peppy, qualifying over 8 seconds slower than Team Lotus front-runners Jim Clark and Graham Hill.

It wasn't any better on race day, the local follower being put out of his misery by a mechanical issue after 69 laps of mobile chicane activity.

The other Canadian to grace the grid you ask? The no less famous Al Pease in a privately-entered Eagle, but that's a story for another day.

By the way, Jack Brabham was the winner of the very first F1 Canadian Grand Prix.

Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.