Amon and McLaren at the Brickyard

In 1970, Chris Amon was scheduled to run in the Indy 500 with McLaren, one of his rare outings with the team founded by friend and co-Le Mans winner Bruce McLaren. Unfortunately, spooked by the walled oval in practice and incapable of getting the M15 up to speed, the Kiwi decided to take a pass on the race. Amon had also been upset by the accident in practice of team mate Denny Hulme, who suffered third degree burns on his hands.

Strangely, a few weeks later, and after Bruce McLaren had been killed in a testing accident at Goodwood, Amon was apparently oblivious to any sense of danger when he hounded Pedro Rodriguez's BRM for all its worth on the daunting and perilous old Spa circuit in the Belgian 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.