Paul Newman and me

In 1980, French racing driver Patrick Tambay returned to North-American Can-Am series (after spending two seasons in Formula One) with the Lola team run by Carl Haas, immediately winning early in the season and then clinching his second Can-Am championship after the one won in 1977 (also for Haas).

Picture above: Actor Paul Newman, partner in a competing team, Newman/Freeman Racing, does not hesitate to encourage Patrick Tambay who races for Haas, prior to the race. The two became friends.

Tambay recalls: “I really enjoyed that season in Can-Am, the racing atmosphere in the USA is unique, winning races and the championship gave me a boost, and what a joy to work for Carl (Haas), so much passion shared in simplicity.”

The Frenchman, in his Lola-Chevrolet, dominated the championship, winning six of the ten rounds and finishing third at Riverside. Other winners were Al Holbert twice a winner, Geoff Brabham and Al Unser Sr, once.