Paul Madder's fantastic racing photos

BUT DOES ANYONE KNOW AN ARTIST NAMED 'OAKLEY?'

I am fortunate to know many people in the world of auto racing and the motor sport generally. Inside the circle are some I consider to be real friends.

One of them is Paul Madder, a brilliant photographer who has an extensive catalogue, a few examples of which are published below.

In addition, he collects racing memorabilia: prints, in particular. Which is the real reason for this post today.

Among the photographs he’s taken himself is one that shows a young James Hunt in all his glory, surrounded by beautiful women.

Another shows two legends of the glory days of F1 in the 1960s and ‘70s – Ken Tyrrell and Colin Chapman – in conversation at a Grand Prix in Europe.

Three others are connected to that awful day in 1976 at the Nurburgring in Germany when Niki Lauda was nearly burned to death. One shows a grim Brett Lunger, who was one of four drivers to pull Lauda out of his car, riding on the back of a wrecker that’s returning his damaged car to the garage area (Lauda and Lunger had collided, starting the accident). Another is a portrait of little Arturo Merzario who, along with Lunger, Harald Ertl and Guy Edwards, saved Lauda’s life that day. The last one is a photo Madder took of Lauda before the race that nearly killed him.

The real reason I’m posting this photographic blog today, however, is to publish four racing and rally prints from the 1960s. Two of them are signed by an artist named 'OAKLEY.'

Paul is keen to find out about Oakley. Who he (or she) is? Where he lives and so-on. It's a long time ago, but the prints might trigger a memory.

If anyone knows, or has suspicions, I would ask them to email me at nmcdonald@thestar.ca and I will pass on the correspondence to Paul. And if 'Oakley' is identified, I will report back on that.

Meantime, I have been working on a book about Canadian motorsport for the past six years, which I will finish one of these days, and Paul has kindly given me some of his best photos to use as illustrations.

I’d better get cracking and finish that book. If these photos serve to whet your appetite - well, as they say – you ain’t seen nothin’ yet.

WILL THE NEW MOVIE 'RUSH,' ABOUT THE HUNT-LAUDA RIVALRY IN '76, INCLUDE A SCENE LIKE THIS? (PHOTO, COPYRIGHT PAUL MADDER)

TWO OF THE GIANTS OF FORMULA ONE RACING IN THE 1960S AND '70S, TEAM OWNERS KEN TYRRELL (LEFT) AND COLIN CHAPMAN. (PHOTO, COPYRIGHT PAUL MADDER)

 

NIKI LAUDA IS SEEN ON AUG. 1, 1976, BEFORE THE START OF THE GERMAN GRAND PRIX IN WHICH HE WAS CRITICALLY INJURED. (PHOTO, COPYRIGHT PAUL MADDER)

"LITTLE" ARTURO MERZARIO, RIGHT (REAL NAME ARTURIO MERZARIO), STOPPED TO HELP PULL NIKI LAUDA FROM HIS BURNING CAR AT THE GERMAN GRAND PRIX IN 1976. OTHER DRIVERS TO HELP WERE BRETT LUNGER, HARALD ERTL AND GUY EDWARDS. (PHOTO, COPYRIGHT PAUL MADDER)

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

 

 

 

 

AMERICAN F1 DRIVER BRETT LUNGER RETURNS TO THE PITS WITH HIS DAMAGED RACE CAR AFTER THE NIKI LAUDA ACCIDENT. (PHOTO, COPYRIGHT PAUL MADDER)

 
THIS MINI WOULD HAVE BEEN COMPETING IN THE CANADIAN WINTER RALLY. IS THAT JOHN BIRD DRIVING? DID 'OAKLEY' PAINT THIS?

THIS RED VOLO WOULD HAVE BEEN COMPETING IN THE RALLY PERCE NEIGE IN QUEBEC

PAUL MADDER IS NOT SURE WHERE THE NO. 96 McLAREN IS RACING (OR WHO IS DRIVING) BUT THE PAINTING WAS DONE BY 'OAKLEY'

THESE TOURING CARS HAVE JUST TAKEN THE GREEN FLAG TO START A RACE AT THE AIR STRIP IN GIMLI, MAN.

Comments

[P Manson]

John Bird did not drive rally cars. He was a navigator.

[LESS RICE]

That's Dennis Johnson & I in the '62 Shell 4000.
Less Rice

[RenegadeX]

Noris, I sent you an email last Thursday in regards to the red #96. Did you get it or do you have me on perma-block because I don't like IndyCar?

[Scott Morris]

The prints Paul Madder wishes to get information on were a membership benefit of the British Petroleum Racing Drivers Club initiated in early 1963. The Canada Track & Traffic April 1963 issue has one of the prints on the cover. BP RDC announced: “… set of four exciting colour paintings depicting race and rally scenes on familiar Canadian road and race tracks. These prints, especially prepared for BP, are 16" x 18" in size, an ideal size to hang in your recreation room.” The Table of Contents states … “Artist Fred Oakley has superbly captured the feeling of the Canadian Winter Rally as he pictures a competitor speeding through the winter whiteness. The painting is one of a series done for BP RDC, available to members.”

I believe the artist is the same one that received the CAPIC 2002 Lifetime Achievement Awards for photography and illustration. [http://oscarcahen.com/external/capic_awards.html ] According to the note, he resides in Owen Sound. Also, a brief biography is provided.

I hope this helps.

--Scott Morris, Simcoe, Ontario -Keep Smiling, Murphy Lives

[RenegadeX]

Good find, Scott. A Fred Oakley of Owen Sound, ON (and I believe likely THE Fred Oakley in question) unfortunately died on November 5th, 2005.
Source: http://yourlifemoments.ca/sitepages/memoriam.asp?oId=550533

Here's a link to an image of another of his works, a hockey scene that was part of something called "The Prudential Collection", link: http://imgc.classistatic.com/cps/kjc/111108/704r1/05052cm_20.jpeg

Also, Norris, you still have not acknowledged either of my 2 emails, or my previous post here in regards to the red #96. Have you passed on the info I provided to Paul Madden?