American racer Pete Lovely died on 15 May aged 85. A West Coast legend, Lovely won the first ever race at Laguna Seca in 1956 and was one of the first US hotshoes to cross the Atlantic and make an impression in F1.
Lovely, born Gerard Carlton Lovely, competed in 11 GPs and started a lifelong association with Lotus, but did not score any championship points.
A successful VW dealer and classic car restorer he stayed involved with cars his whole life and, having bought a 49B from Colin Chapman in the late 1960s was a familiar – and always competitive – sight in historic racing.
James Elliott
James Elliott is a former Editor of Classic & Sports Car