The 1973 Indianapolis 500 Mile Race - Going to the Extremes

Record options

  • Release Date: 12th May 1973
  • Asset ID: 804533
  • Synopsis: A Castrol Film. The 1973 Indianapolis 500 Mile Race - covering both the time trails (12 May 1973) and the main race (28 May 1973)
  • Shotlist: Opens LS down race track of Indianapolis motor speedway. Practice / Time Trials 12th May 1973. HA shot of the pits, cars being wheeled in the pits. General pre-race activity. GTX motor oil being tested in four race cars. Goal 200 mph lap on the 2.5 mile track. HA shot of car 20 in the pits. Commentator describes the most well known competitors. CU’s of the following drivers in cars: Gordon Johncock, CU Johnny Rutherford, CU AJ Foyt. Four cars with Castrol GTX : David Hobbs (Car 73). CU Mario Andretti (Car 11), Al Unser (Car 4), Joe Leonard (Car 1). Race underway, numerous cars skidding. Shots of race goers, spectators under blankets. Shots in the pits, safety officer. Crash at turn 2, Art Pollard’s car rolls and catches fire. Art Pollard is killed. Shots of subdued spectators. Shots of white convertible race car, with race marshals. Time trials restart. Cars doing speed trials. Swede Savage breaking the race track record. Johnny Rutherford breaking the track record. All four Castrol GXT vehicles qualify. 00:13:05 Indianapolis 500 Mile Race. Main Race, May 28th 1973 Airfield shots, planes taxiing. Brass Band matches, Blonde cheerleaders. Cars rolled to starting position, Rain. Shots of spectators in rain. Cars back to start, head on shot of the second start. 00:15:30 Huge eight vehicle crash on the 4th turn. Red flag, race stopped. Crowd sprayed with fuel, a dozen spectators injured. More rain. 00:16:48 Race Day 2 – May 29th 1973. Race start then Red flag and race stopped. Race drivers playing Frisbee. 00:17:32 Race Day 3 – May 30th 1973. Spectators sleeping, Race start. Bobby Unser leads through the first turn. Second lap Bobby Allison’s engine blows. Peter Revson crashes Turn 4, walks away uninjured. 00:20: 19 Joe Leonard spins and pulls into pits. Detailed race commentary follows. 00:22:00 Lap 58 Swede Savage crashes, car catches fire. Yellow fire engine goes to the scene. CU fireman dousing flames. Ambulance arrives. CU burnt engine, car debris, patient on stretcher. 00:22:57 Race restart. Castrol leads, 21 cars running. Cars retiring due to mechanical problems. Lap 130 Rain starts, Red flag. Gordon Johncock wins.
  • Production Company: None
  • Licensing Restrictions: Please note that this film may include footage and/or music sourced from multiple rights holders. For information on re-use of content in a new production, please contact BPVL@bp.com
  • Viewing Restrictions: Public
  • Format: Digibeta_Small
  • Alternative Language Notes: None