Lap of the Gods
Devised and written by Chris Nixon
Commentary by Murray Walker
Produced for WH Smith by Terrific Stuff Videos
Running time: 75 mins
VHS/PAL
Review by Neil Tipton
Modern fans of motor racing probably take for granted the views from on-board cameras - but this video harks back to days when such footage was a rarity.
The films were all produced in the 1970s and 1980s and give a driver's eye perspective of some of the finest circuits in the world.
We have French director Alain Boisnard to thank for some wonderful films, made in the heyday of the turbo era in Formula One. At the time on-board camera technology was in its infancy, with cameras often mounted to the side of the cockpit, giving a slightly 'one-eyed' view of the world. Boisnard's inspired idea was to mount a film camera on the roll hoop to give a much truer perspective - not to mention much superior picture quality.
The films were produced as promotional items for the Elf fuel company, which ensured close access to a large number of top teams. Another coup came when Boisnard convinced FISA to allow camera cars to participate in practice sessions and, eventually, in races themselves.
Thus we have some incredible laps of tracks such as Anderstorp, Kyalami, Monaco, Long Beach, Österreichring and Zandvoort, courtesy of chauffers of the quality of Andretti, Prost, Senna, Pironi, Mansell and Lauda. There's even a small crash on the streets of Detroit, thanks to Nelson Piquet...
Add in enthusiastic commentary by Murray Walker and you have an unbeatable combination.
Particular highlights are a trip around the original Montreal track in what can only be described as conditions more suitable for a powerboat. Not that it slowed Patrick Depailler down much! The Frenchman was perhaps the most enthusiastic of all the drivers in the series and another treat is his lap of Monaco in the six-wheel Tyrell. Boisnard had removed the body panels to give a fabulous look at Depailler's feet dancing on the pedals.
This particular version of the video contains some 17 tracks but is a compilation made from Lap of the Gods Parts 1 and 2, which feature the whole catalogue of films. Nevertheless, the most significant of the laps are here, and as such this video may actually be preferable.
All in all, this is an extremely enjoyable watch and anyone lucky enough to own a copy may well wish to back it up for fear of wearing out the videotape through repeated viewing!
