Betting 'Ring

Sir,

I was much amused to read in Legends last month about Neubauer’s bet with Rosemeyer at the Nurburgring. This reminds me of a similar occasion at the ‘Ring in 1969 when Vic Elford was driving a McLaren for me in the German Grand Prix. Paddy McNally had a fabulous Omega stopwatch one of those big ones with lots of hands in a red case. I wanted this, and Paddy said it was mine if we could do a sub-7 min lap.

I had a word with Vic who proceeded to do a 6.57, which placed us fourth on the grid, and we won the watch which I have to this day. History does not relate what I should have to give Paddy if we had failed!

The ‘Ring in those days was very dangerous and sadly Vic crashed when avoiding parts of Andretti’s four-wheel-drive Lotus, ending up in hospital.

I am yours etc,

Colin Crabbe, Stamford, Lincolnshire