Sebring 1962 - The GTO Starts it’s Winning Ways

The 1962 12 Hours of Sebring was one of the first major races for the brand new 12-cylinder Ferrari 250 GTO.

The initials of this famous racer stand for "Gran Turismo Omologata", Italian for “Grand Touring Homologated”.

The Phil Hill/Olivier Gendebien driven N.A.R.T. GTO #24 was very successful in the race, not only beating all the cars in the GT Class, but finishing the race 2nd overall.

In my most recent sketch below, The N.A.R.T. and Scuderia Serenissima Ferraris are being prepared the night before the race.
Behind the GT Class-winning N.A.R.T. GTO, Luigi Chinetti chats strategy with Phil Hill. In the background is the race-winning 250 TRI/61 of Jo Bonnier and Lucien Bianchi.

Original available, as are limited editions.
Pen&ink and markers on white archival stock
18"x 14" (45.7cm x 35.6cm)  © Paul Chenard 2012

F1 Historic and Spa Six Hours 2011

After our weekend as art vendors at the Goodwood Revival, my friend Nicolas Cancelier treated me to a visit of the historic Spa-Francorchamps track to take in the sites and sounds of the historic races on Saturday September 24th.

We walked around the famous track, and I felt I was walking on hallowed ground …

The elevation changes were dramatic and the scenery was stunning; it helped that to day was warm and sunny. We came across a large number of rare beautiful race cars, and managed to catch some being driven in competition.

We visited the vendor area and met well-known and respected Belgian artists Claude Viseur (Clovis) and his spouse, along with artist Benoit Deliège. They treated me as one of their own, for which I am deeply grateful.

I even managed to realize my dream of sitting in my all-time favorite Grand Prix car, the Maserati 250F. I have to say that it was very difficult to not play the role of the determined racer at the wheel of that lovely car.

Interestingly, we came across 1957 pontoon-fendered Ferrari Testa Rossa, which has sporting a custom-made fast-back detachable roof! I had never seen such a thing, so I would appreciate any information you’d have on it.

This was an adventure that I will never forget.

All photos courtesy and © of Nicolas Cancelier 2011