Miscellaneous motor racing DVD titles                         

 

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Donington Grand Prix 1937/1938

DMDVD3310
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donington
Colour  29 minutes    front cover 

As the shadow of impending war fell across Europe in the late 1930s, the might of Nazi Germany arrived in Britain to demonstrate the dominance of the so-called ‘master race’ and launch a revolution in motor racing. 

The legendary 1937 and 1938 Grands Prix at the Donington Park circuit have been the subject of numerous books and articles, but now you can actually watch and hear the ‘thunder in the park’ in extraordinary archive footage. This essential DVD features the films of producer Geoffrey Fairrie, which, while they may be short, are absolute gems. 

The arrival of Mercedes-Benz and Auto Union in Britain created a stir among fans and competitors, and the awesome performance of these world-beating cars left everyone who witnessed the 1937 Grand Prix stunned. One year later the German teams were back and, despite a new and powerful Italian Maserati, no one could challenge the might silver machines of the Fatherland. 

The entry list for both reads like a who’s who of pre-war racing – Rudolf Caracciola, Herman Lang, Richard Seaman, Prince Bira, Manfred von Brauchitsch, Hermann Muller and many more. Plus, of course, there are the iconic cars, including the W125 and W154 of Mercedes and Auto Union’s D and C types, as well as ERA, Delahaye, MG and other famous marques. 

The excellent footage, including much from 1938 in colour, shows the cars power sliding through corners and launching into the air over jumps, at speeds of up to 200mph! Famous names, including Redgate, the Melbourne Hairpin and the Craner Curves are all here, even if they look just a little different to today. 

Watch Bernd Rosemeyer take his Auto Union to what would prove to be the German ace’s final win and Tazio Nuvolari fight off the charging Mercedes drivers Lang and Seaman to secure a second British victory for Auto Union. 

There is early slow motion camerawork allowing you to watch these glorious machines as legendary drivers guide them around the challenging Donington track, and the evocative roar as the Silver Arrows thunder in the Park. "The racing action is utterly glorious" Octane Magazine

Aston Martin -the history of the racing DRBs (DVD)

QLDVD3153
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60 minutes     front cover
From the great film archives of motor sports history, with the addition of interviews and comments both contemporaneous and recent, expertly compiled featuring all the marques and famous names, ASTON MARTIN, The History Of The Racing DRBs, will delight the both the enthusiast and historian.
Ten years after David Brown bought Aston Martin, he would finally achieve his racing goal with the company. That goal was the outright win at Le Mans. With Shelby and Salvador! behind the wheel, victory was inevitable. The car they piloted was the DBR1. This car benefitted from ten years of David Brown's racing trials. Cars such as the DBR2, DBS, DBR3 and DB3S led to the development of the DBR1, the most successful of the Aston Martin Racing DRB's.
1959 was the culmination of all the hard work, the Year of Aston Martin. They would dominate the competition in almost every major race. For the third time in a row Aston Martin scored victory at Nurburgring with Moss and Fariman driving DBR1/1. This victory was one of Moss's greatest races, having to make up for expensive time lost with Fairman behind the wheel. It was the year that Aston Martin's Racing DRB's became the first British team to win the World Sports Car Championship in a scintillating final race at Goodwood.

Fast women -the ladies of auto racing (DVD)

QLDVD2701
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45 minutes     front cover
This inspirational documentary details the history of women in automobile racing, exploring the obstacles to success and the victory of achievement in a field that is traditionally dominated by men. Interviews with successful racers Lyn St. James, Tammy Jo Kirk, Patty Moise, Shawna Robinson, and Janet Guthrie illuminate their individual career paths, and the women's passions, fears, and frustrations are palpable. They discuss the role of family in their professional lives, the difficulties of securing sponsorship--a necessary part of participation in this expensive sport--and the challenges of being role models for the next generation of female racers. Incorporated into the mix is footage of contemporary and historic races, and horrific crashes which, nonetheless do not deter these tenacious women from their sport. The harrowing tale of driver Kimberly Myers' battle with cystic fibrosis is a true testament to the strength and courage of these trailblazing athletes, and is a definite highlight of the film

The History of the Silver Arrows (DVD)

BVENT0221
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25 minutes      front cover
Hitler was determined to dominate the world with his machines. He funded the racing efforts of Mercedes-Benz and Auto Union (Audi) and encouraged them to create the most powerful and futuristic autos ever produced. These aerodynamic Grand Prix racers were designed to rule the racing world.

The Speed Merchants (DVD)

DMDVD7234
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95 minutes     front cover
What is it that makes a man race? How does he balance courting danger with ordinary daily life. What is it that compels him to resist retirement? This definitive documentation of a racing season -the 1972 Sports Car Manufacturers Championship- offers fascinating insights into the lives, loves and motivations of professional racing car drivers, with terrific track action along the way.

Vintage speed (DVD)

DMDVD3032
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45 minutes
The sights, sounds and atmosphere of Brooklands are back, and we've captured them for you!
Not since the eve of World War II had so many wonderful Brooklands cars been seen together doing what they do best - being driven flat out. This fabulous feast of automotive excellence records these magnificent cars racing once more, this time around Millbrook's high-speed test track.
Millbrook's two-mile banked track provided the perfect venue for this spectacular historic recreation. The sights and sounds of these outrageous cars was a revelation, and the enthusiasm shown by the drivers creates the most exciting of experiences - only the evocative smell of Castrol R is missing!
Several of the drivers, including HRH Prince Michael of Kent, talk about their cars, explaining the histories and achievements, as well as discussing the nuts and bolts of what set these cars apart. Superb camerawork includes footage from onboard the cars, in the paddock and from all around the track. The sounds are just as magnificent as the sights - listen out for 'Babs', the 27 litre, V12 Liberty-engined monster in which Parry Thomas broke the land speed record in 1926, as well as Bentleys, Bugattis, aircraft-engined monsters, MGs, rileys, motorcycles and many more mighty machines from Brooklands' glory years.
Only previously available on VHS, this late 1990s festival of speed can now be enjoyed on DVD.