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Classic Cars

Car Racing 1972: Of petrol, freedom and thrills

Before Formula 1 and motorsport became a global luxury phenomenon, they were a dangerous game of risk, raw speed and glory. "Car Racing 1972" delves deep into this era - with previously unpublished images from the DPPI archive.

  • Text
    Marko Knab
  • Photos
    DPPI Images

The year 1972 was not like any other: Not only was it the longest on the Gregorian calendar - because it was one day and two leap seconds longer than usual - but there was also a lot going on in other respects, especially on the world's racetracks. A time when crash barriers stood menacingly close, colour photography was just taking off and photographers were still at the edge of the track to capture the one, all-telling moment. And it is precisely these images that "Car Racing 1972" from the publisher "Cercle d'Art" brings together.

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The eighth book in the series is therefore not a statistical reference work for number crunchers. Instead of lists of results, the focus here is on the atmosphere and intensity of racing in magnificent photographs. A visual intoxication, carefully curated as a look into the archives of the renowned DPPI photo agency.


Of course, the big stories of this year are central to this: the dominance of Lotus and Emerson Fittipaldi, Matra's triumph at Le Mans and the electrifying duel between Alpine and Lancia on the rally tracks of Europe.

And yet it is also the inconspicuous, almost random scenes that linger in the memory: a private driver with a determined look, a Ford Capri on the limit over the kerbs, mechanics' hands at dawn. Or the title hero Jackie Ickx, cheerfully eating a single noodle.

The editors of DPPI themselves emphasise that this was not intended to be "the umpteenth work of history". Instead, it is about strong, unusual images - even of supposedly small moments. Richard Mille, the founder of the luxury watch brand of the same name, shares precisely this conviction: the racing fan is also involved in this project.

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In terms of content, the book is written by two connoisseurs with a flair for dramaturgy. Photographer Manou Zurini comments with an insider's perspective - up close, personal and with subtle irony. Journalist and motorsport expert Alain Pernot effortlessly combines a chronicler's duty with fascination.

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Manou Zurini & Alain Pernot: Car Racing 1972 – Les archives inédites de DPPI. 324 Seiten. Auf Englisch und Französisch. Erschienen bei: Cercle d’Art. ISBN: 978 2 7022 1147 2. Preis: ca. 129 €
Manou Zurini & Alain Pernot: Car Racing 1972 – Les archives inédites de DPPI. 324 Seiten. Auf Englisch und Französisch. Erschienen bei: Cercle d’Art. ISBN: 978 2 7022 1147 2. Preis: ca. 129 €
On 324 pages, you can experience what racing used to be like: more direct, more vulnerable, perhaps even a little more human.

And that is precisely why it is still unrivalled today.

Shop now:

→ cercledart.com

Marko Knab

Marko Knab

Journalist & Photographer
Life writes the best stories - and Marko Knab tells them in text and picture form. His focus: people & their very own stories and cars, motorsports and travel stories. He already worked for Motorsport-Total.com while completing his Bachelor's degree in German Language, followed by a brief stint at a local daily newspaper and a Master's degree in literature and cultural theory - and ramp.

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