Nowadays information about driver’s retainers, race earnings,
the huge amounts some Formula 1 teams are paid, sponsorship deals seems public
domain; $$$ are often featured in racing news stories. There are multiple
reasons for that: public disclosure is required of public companies, a great
part of the allure of motor racing these days seems pegged to the possibility
of making large mounds of dollars, euros and pounds. Additionally, let us face
it, we live in a very narcissistic world. Celebrities love to flaunt dough, and
the sport has always been aligned with the idea of vast amounts of cash flying
about. Buying a Ferrari to go racing in the 50s definitely cost more than
buying soccer balls or swimming in lakes or buying cricket gear, after all.
I have conducted extensive research on car racing in the
70s, and to be honest, locating trustworthy and plentiful data has been
challenging at best. People simply did not talk much about it, for reasons you
may found out later. And some that do talk about it 40 years down the line
perhaps embellish their stories a bit, and forget or add zeroes…
In my recently launched book Motor Racing in the 70s – Pivoting from Romantic to Organized, I discuss
this very issue (and many others as well, such as sponsors), whenever possible
contextualizing other economic data that will help readers assess what was
really going on. You must also consider that a lot of published information does
look awfully inconsistent, and some of the recollections from those active in
the area often seem to have too many or lack some zeroes.
It does make for interesting reading and reflection.
If the subject interests you, make sure you get a copy of
the book on Amazon.com today.
