Framed Canvas Print "Elementary" by Richard Kelley

Elementary

John Watson and designer extraordinaire Gordon Murray sort the 1977 Brabham-Alfa Romeo one tweak at a time. In those days, there were no data gathering devices besides their two brains and Watson's backside. Watson's life depended on his recounting, in minute detail, the handling characteristics of his car. Murray would respond with an adjustment and the entire process would repeat, not ending until the duo found chassis settings that Watson trusted to carry him the entire 200-mile Grand Prix distance. He would start with a full load of racing fuel in multiple bladders just two inches from his thighs, fitted inside the car's aluminum monocoque shell. There would be no tire stops, refueling nor stops for adjustments. Their decisions had to account for tire wear, fuel load reduction, fatigue, heat and possible car-to-car contact. Difficult? No - that was Grand Prix racing.