Pete Lyons’ Travels On Racer Road: Can-Am & Formula 1 in their Golden Age

Tonight we’re honored to welcome one of motorsports journalism’s most respected voices: Pete Lyons. With a career spanning over five decades, Pete has covered everything from the raw thunder of Can-Am and Formula 1 to the gritty drama of endurance racing at Le Mans. His vivid storytelling, deep technical insight, and front-row access to some of racing’s most iconic moments have made him a staple in publications like Autosport, Road & Track, Autoweek and Vintage Motorsport. Whether he’s recalling battles between legendary drivers or peeling back the curtain on motorsport innovation, Pete brings history to life with unmatched passion and precision. And we’re going to dive into his latest publication My Travels On Racer Road: Can-Am and Formula 1 in their Golden Age with the man who’s not only chronicled motorsport history - but lived it.

And joining us is Jon Summers, the Motoring Historian, one of the many personalities on the Motoring Podcast Network! 

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00:00 Welcoming Motorsport Journalist Pete Lyons

01:32 Pete Lyons’ Early Life and Passion for Cars

03:05 Backpacking and European Adventures

08:26 Transition to Motorsport Journalism

12:02 The Dangerous Era of Motorsport

15:31 Exploring the Can-Am Racing Series

31:12 Exploring Iconic Race Tracks

36:59 The Decline of Can-Am Racing

38:29 Covering Formula One in the ’70s

38:57 The Mystique of Lotus, the Reliability of McLaren and the Unique Story of Tyrell

49:49 Writing My Life Story and Advice for Aspiring Writers

59:13 Final Thoughts and Promotions

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This episode is sponsored in part by: The International Motor Racing Research Center (IMRRC) and the Society of Automotive Historians (SAH).