Credit Suisse celebrated the 10th anniversary of its Classic Car Program by creating many memorable moments at the 9th Grand Prix de Monaco Historique from May 9-11, 2014
- A strongly attended 4th Credit Suisse Historic Racing Forum saw a star line-up of racing driver panelists – Sir Stirling Moss, Derek Bell, Jochen Mass and Romain Dumas – discussing the theme of ‘Dream Circuits’ in the Credit Suisse Drivers Club
- Sir Stirling Moss also returned to Monaco with Credit Suisse to recall his memories of racing in the Principality, and to be re-united with a Maserati 250 F, the model in which he won the 1956 Monaco Grand Prix
- Credit Suisse launched its first Photo Contest for the Grand Prix de Monaco Historique
Zurich, May 15, 2014: Credit Suisse marked the 10th anniversary of its Classic Car Program in style as a key event partner for the 9th Grand Prix de Monaco Historique last weekend (May 9-11, 2014). From its purpose-built Swiss Alpine chalet, located at the Yacht Club de Monaco, the Credit Suisse Drivers Club welcomed accredited media, along with all of the competing drivers, companions and VIP guests.
At 9 a.m. on Friday, May 9, the Credit Suisse Drivers Club opened its doors to a large group of expectant and excited media, who enjoyed breakfast, ahead of attending the 4th Credit Suisse Historic Racing Forum, with expert panelists Sir Stirling Moss OBE, Derek Bell MBE, Jochen Mass and Romain Dumas debating the theme of ‘Dream Circuits.’
This fourth Credit Suisse Forum attracted over 100 media, with the press hanging on every word of the panelists’ responses to moderator Henry Hope-Frost’s questions about their ‘Dream Circuits.’
Three-time Monaco Grand Prix winner Sir Stirling Moss said: “Monaco is very special. It’s such a wonderful circuit; the jewel in the crown. It’s a personal sort of place where you can – or could – see people as you drove around. I remember there was a pretty girl with pale pink lipstick standing watching a race, and I blew her a kiss on every lap. You can’t do that at many other circuits!” Moss also mentioned the Targa Florio, commenting “at 42 miles per lap, you had to learn the circuit the night before, because they would repair the track late, meaning you just had gravel with a bit of tar on top.”
Five-time Le Mans 24 Hours race winner and ex-Formula 1 driver Derek Bell said: “There is something very special about here (Monaco) – it’s one of the most famous and celebrated tracks.” He continued, “to me there are three great races: the first is Formula 1 here at Monaco; the second is the Le Mans 24 Hours; and the third is the Indy 500.” When choosing his favourite circuit though, Bell opted for Sebring, followed by the old circuit at Spa, and Elkhart Lake’s Road America.
Ex-Formula 1 racer and Grand Prix winner Jochen Mass said: “I always loved Monaco – it was almost like rally driving – you completely become part of the track.” When pressed for his all-time ‘dream circuit,’ however, Mass opted for the Nürburgring Nordschleife.
Successful endurance racer Romain Dumas said: “It seems very nice to do a lap here (at Monaco) but when I saw the police standing at the side of the track I thought I should slow down a bit! I do enjoy the circuits in America a lot though too because they have so much character, with the best for me being Road America.” He continued: “The Nürburgring Nordschleife is the most famous and crazy one for me in Europe; it really is crazy!”
Following a very lively debate between Henry Hope-Frost and the four panelists, the Forum ended with a quick and amusing photo shoot in the Fireside Corner of the Credit Suisse Drivers Club involving the whole Forum team, with Michel Ferry and Géry Mestre from the Automobile Club de Monaco (ACM) also joining the group.
An MP3 file of the full Forum discussion is available for download at the Media Corner.
Further Credit Suisse Media Moments
A series of further discussions and photo shoots followed, including reuniting Sir Stirling Moss with a Maserati 250 F – being run by American driver Tom Price – to mark the famous 1956 Monaco Grand Prix victory by Moss in a sister car. Sir Stirling also returned to the Credit Suisse Drivers Club on Saturday morning for a fascinating and amusing fireside chat with Henry Hope-Frost to recall his competition career, including his memories of racing, and winning, at the Principality in both the Maserati in 1956, and a Lotus 18 in 1960 and 1961.
The Credit Suisse Loge VIP hospitality suite, overlooking the pits and famous La Rascasse corner at the Monaco circuit, played host to some further informal interviews and chats, including Jochen Mass and 2014 Monaco competitor Alain de Cadenet recalling their Monaco memories with Henry Hope-Frost. Talks were also given by John Hughes, FIA, and Géry Mestre, ACM, discussing the Grand Prix de Monaco Historique, plus renowned classic car expert and annual Classic Car Auction Yearbook publisher Adolfo Orsi, who discussed the prestigious classic car auction market.
On Saturday lunchtime Adolfo Orsi had the privilege of driving Sir Stirling Moss around the legendary Monaco circuit for three laps in his beautiful 1959 Maserati 3500 Vignale prototype. They joined other participants in the Credit Suisse Classic Car Rally Parade in a large variety of mouthwatering old cars to help mark the 10th anniversary of the Credit Suisse Classic Car Program.
The first Credit Suisse Photo Contest at the Grand Prix de Monaco Historique was launched over the event weekend, with a number of entries by ACM-accredited media already submitted for the best image. A perpetual trophy will be awarded to the overall winner, along with prizes for the three Photo Contest categories, as follows:
- Action
- Credit Suisse Historic Racing Forum
- Inside the Paddock
To submit photographs for any or all three of the Photo Contest categories, ACM-accredited media should send their entries by email to [email protected] by Monday, June 16, 2014, at the latest. Photo Contest Terms and Conditions are detailed below.
