Alfa Romeo & the 1934 Grand Prix Season

The 1934 Grand Prix season introduce to the world a glimmer of the powerful government-subsidized German Grand Prix racing teams. Both Mercedes and Auto Union (formed by the racing union of Audi, DKW, Horch and Wanderer) brought new racers to battle, highlighting advanced technologies.

These new technologies were so new that they were not fully developed for the 1934 season. The very well organized Scuderia Ferrari developed and managed the Alfa Romeo racing cars for the company, and that season’s Alfa Romeo domination was the result; they won 18 out of a total 35 races.

Pen&ink, markers and pencil on white archival stock 12”x 9” (30.5cm x 22.9cm)

© Paul Chenard 2010
Original sketch available, as is the limited edition.

In the image above, the Scuderia Ferrari Alfa Romeo P3’s of Varzi, Chiron and Trossi are ready to race the Grand Prix de France at Montlhéry. They came in respectively 2nd, 1st, and 3rd place.

Le Mans 1972 - French colours

I’ve been illustrating for a few years (since the Summer of 2006), but I as yet don’t have a studio; I do most of my art on the dining room table.

We just finished redecorating, which included repainting our living room, dining room, and kitchen.

I started thinking about doing a painting, but I can't really afford artists materials; the paints, brushes and canvas. So I went out and bought some brushes, and decided to use our leftover house paint on a piece of leftover premium plywood. Because I don't have a studio, I did it on my hands and knees on the basement floor in our little junk room with the washer and dryer ... cozy! This is my very FIRST painting!

41.5"x 18.5" (105.4cm x 46.8cm), latex paint on plywood
© Paul Chenard 2010

My painting features the winning Matra-Simca MS670 #15 of Henri Pescarolo and Graham Hill, followed by the second place MS670 #14 of François Cevert and Howden Ganley. The third Matra-Simca is the MS660C #16 of Jean-Pierre Jabouille and David Hobbs.

A friend in Scotland didn't believe is was done in house paint, so I created this paint key ...

The painting is available through Historic Car Art; limited edition prints are also available. It will be featured at the Le Mans Classic.

Porsche Rally 2010

This past Sunday, I was invited to take part in the annual rally organized by Porsche of Halifax.

It was another well-prepared and well-attended event, featuring Boxsters, Caymans, Cayennes, Turbos, Carrera 4Ss, Carreras, and the Panamera, about 25 Porsches in all.

We all gathered at Point Pleasant Park, and after a short rally briefing, we were on our way out of town towards the Annapolis Valley. To get there, we took the more interesting and curvy Highway No.1, a perfect road for the Porsches. I was navigating in a very sweet dark blue Carrera 4S Cabriolet ...

We made a pit stop in picturesque Wolfville, continuing on through Port Williams to the famous Look-Off. The normally stunning view was hindered by fog, but it is still a great place to stop and stretch.

Starting off again, we snaked our way west, downwards towards the coast, our final destination being Halls Harbour.

The event wrapped up in the picturesque little lobster village, where you can witness the famous Bay of Fundy tides, the highest in the world.

After a tour of the lobster pound, our lunch was booked in at the Hall's Harbour Lobster Pound Restaurant. We had a wonderful meal there, and we had time to meet new faces and chat.

I have to thank organizer and MC Steve Archibald for inviting me to such a fun and well-organized rally and his team, Kathy, Mary-Jane, Jeff, Chris and Kendall for looking after everything, with special thanks to Chris and Kendall for getting me there and back in such class.

All photos © Paul Chenard 2010

Bruce McLaren 1937 – 1970

“To do something well is so worthwhile that to die trying to do it better cannot be foolhardy. It would be a waste of life to do nothing with one’s ability, for I feel that life is measured in achievement, not in years alone.”

Bruce McLaren

Pencil on paper © Paul Chenard 2006

Sadly, forty years ago yesterday, a life full of achievement was extinguished. Bruce McLaren left a huge mark on motor racing that is felt even today. The company he founded thrives at the top echelon of Formula 1 and in automotive design and development. And his approach to race car development and design, race preparation and team management has been adopted worldwide as the standard.

All those who met and knew him speak of nothing but their deep respect for the quiet New Zealander; he's left his indelible mark on us too.