You were there: Road America in the summer of ’69

Shortly after the death of his father, Rick Jackson was sifting through some old photographs when he came across a few that dad Len – who had raced in the Midwest for decades – had taken at the 1969 Road America Can-Am race. “There’s a De Tomaso Mangusta, one of my favourite cars,” says Rick. “I still have the Corgi version Dad gave me for Christmas that year.”

Bruce McLaren at Road America in 1969

Bruce McLaren deals with the inevitable public acclaim

John Surtees and Chapparal 2H

John Surtees with the novel but unloved Chaparral 2H

Chaparral 2H being worked on at Road America in 1969

The lie-down driving seat of Chaparral’s 2H

Crowd at Eagles Nest HQ at Road America in 1969

Road America’s Eagle’s Nest headquarters

1969 De Tomaso Mangusta

1969 De Tomaso Mangusta captured Rick’s imagination

Tony Dean Porsche 908 at Road America

Tony Dean’s 3-litre Porsche 908 finished fourth

McLaren M8B at Road America in 1969

McLaren’s M8B – strong, powerful, and driven by a pair of aces

Denny Hulme in McLaren M8B at Road America

Denny Hulme was a close runner-up to Bruce in their McLaren M8Bs

Bruce McLaren in 1969

Bruce McLaren before another McLaren 1-2 domination

Oscar Koveleski with winged helmet

Oscar Koveleski tries a winged helmet for driver downforce!

Wreckage of Burnett Mk3 at Road America

Though Stan Burnett’s Burnett Mk3 never raced again, its driver did…

Datsun 240X ice racer

Rick’s father Len was a successful ice racer. Here’s his Datsun 240Z