You were there: F1 at Long Beach
Sun, sea and sparkplugs: From 1976-83, Long Beach street circuit in California was part of the F1 calendar and known as the US GP West. “I took these photographs on the pit road,” says Paul Snider. “It was a good spot for driver portraits and to get close up to the cars”
![Lotus 78 of Mario Andretti at Long Beach](https://msm.tjlabs.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Lotus-78-of-Mario-Andretti-at-Long-Beach-800x539.jpg)
Mario Andretti twice raced the Lotus 78 at Long Beach, coming first in 1977, and second to Carlos Reutemann in 1978
![Champion sparkplugs](https://msm.tjlabs.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Champion-sparkplugs-800x539.jpg)
![Derek Daly applies decals to his helmet](https://msm.tjlabs.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Derek-Daly-applies-decals-to-his-helmet-800x539.jpg)
Derek Daly applies decals to his helmet before his first F1 world championship appearance, with Hesketh in 1978. He failed to pre-qualify
![Ferrari 312T steering wheel](https://msm.tjlabs.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Ferrari-312T-steering-wheel-800x539.jpg)
312T’s proprietary steering wheel, with only one switch on it…
![Ferrari of Jody Scheckter towed throuigh L-ong Beach paddock](https://msm.tjlabs.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Ferrari-of-Jody-Scheckter-towed-throuigh-L-ong-Beach-paddock-800x539.jpg)
Ferrari mechanic holds the rope as Jody Scheckter’s 312T gets a tow through the paddock
![Hans Stuck and Danny Ongais](https://msm.tjlabs.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Hans-Stuck-and-Danny-Ongais-800x539.jpg)
In 1978 Hans Stuck’s Shadow did not start, while Danny Ongais (right) failed to qualify his private Interscope Shadow
![Niki Lauda in Brabham BT46 with Ermanno Cuoghi](https://msm.tjlabs.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Niki-Lauda-in-Brabham-BT46-with-Ermanno-Cuoghi-800x539.jpg)
Niki Lauda wiggles into his Brabham cockpit in 1979 attended by loyal mechanic Ermanno Cuoghi
![Ermanno Cuoghi with Brabham BT46](https://msm.tjlabs.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Ermanno-Cuoghi-with-Brabham-BT46-800x539.jpg)
Ermanno Cuoghi (left) had moved to Brabham from Ferrari with Niki Lauda, but despite its speed the BT46’s Alfa Romeo engine would often let Niki down
![McLaren M26s in pits at Long Beach](https://msm.tjlabs.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/McLaren-M26s-in-pits-at-Long-Beach-800x539.jpg)
Marlboro country: McLaren M26s of Hunt and Tambay in 1978
![Clay Regazzoni](https://msm.tjlabs.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Clay-Regazzoni-800x1004.jpg)
The indomitable Clay Regazzoni, grand prix winner who returned to high-level motor sport after being paralysed in a crash at Long Beach
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