You were there

From F1 action on the streets of Long Beach we travel to Italian highways this month, where all sorts of royalty gathered for the Mille Miglia retro

Tom Leutzinger
Ex-Formula Ford racer Mr Leutzinger’s photos are from the 1978 US Grand Prix West, where he was keen to see his hero James Hunt in action. “I remember him always trying so hard,” says the Californian, “and I was delighted to see him win the championship.” {1} The dash at the start, as seen from the pits — No17 is Clay Regazzoni’s Shadow DN8. {2} Sadly for Tom, Hunt’s race didn’t last long — after qualifying the McLaren M26 seventh he crashed out from eighth on lap six. {3} It wasn’t the best race for McLaren — Hunt’s team-mate Patrick Tambay was fifth when he was taken out by Jacques Laffite (Ligier). {4} Regazzoni survived a mid-race clash with early leader Gilles Villeneuve (Ferrari) to finish a lowly 10th.

Don Coles
Lucky Mr Coles was invited by John Ward to co-drive his 1934 Talbot 105 Brooklands in the 1984 Mille Miglia retro, following the original Brescia-Rome-Brescia route. “At Modena, we each got a token key ring from Enzo Ferrari,” he recalls. {1} Gino Valenzano starred in post war MM races. {2} 1929 Alfa Romeo 1750. Contessa Camilla Maggi Martinoni, wife of MM founder Conte Aymo Maggi, with Olivier Gendebien. {4} Stirling Moss drove Maserati 250S. {5} 1931 Alfa Romeo 1970 at Brescia. , Piero Taruffi and Huschke von Hanstein, winners of 1957 and 1940 MMs. Ardesi/Franchina 1948 Cisitalia 202C at Radicofani. {8} Prince Michael of Kent and the Hon Gerald Lascelles were in DB2. Ward and Coles’ Talbot in France.