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While I'm in the mood for posting, following the depression of my 'doom & gloom' thread ( sorry!), I've had some great conversations of late with a good friend of mine. His name is Nick Loudon and he lives in Finchley. In the 1960s he was one of the very best motor racing photographers. Today, he works at a zoo as the keeper of big cats. He is a total nutcase, a lovely bloke! See photos below.

I have also posted these pics on a motorsport forum with his permission. I thought you might like to see them, especially the lion photo and Nick's account of his relationship with the animal. Note they are his copyright and he hopes to have out a couple of books in the next 18 months, one of his old racing snaps and one of lions with a section on domestic cats.

Jim Clark in his F1 Lotus at Oulton Park, Cheshire, in the Gold Cup race in 1966.
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Chris Amon's Ferrari, in the 1968 Gold Cup at Oulton Park.
Yes, Formula 1 Ferraris used to race in Cheshire! This was Enzo Ferrari's favourite photo, a copy still hangs in the F1 Ferrari factory.
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Graham Hill's Ferrari at Goodwood in 1964.
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Jackie Stewart leads another Lotus Elan at Mallory Park, Leicestershire in 1964.
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Brands Hatch 1961, start of the GT race. Stirling Moss, Mike Parkes, Graham Hill and Jack Sears on the front row.
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Jim Clark in a Formula 2 race at Crystal Palace, South London, in 1965.
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Nick with his lion.
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From Nick - note originally written for posting on a car racing forum:
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Great stuff.. eh?

Forgot to say, Nick has invited me down to see Turkana, and to feed him ( through the fence I must add!) we have to set a date. I'll try and get some pictures when I go.
.....and I thought motor racing was dangerous!

I think you should feed Turkana by hand.....  ;D ;D , but then again, painting afterwards might be a little difficult 
great pics

xh

When I was a kid growing up in England, it's photrographs like those that got me excited about racing cars, they really capture the imagination, maybe some of them were taken by Nick Loudon...great post Andrew, thanks.

Fantastic. Many thanks Andy.