Historical brilliance of the Grand Prix Zandvoort: photo exhibition delves into the 70s and 80s - Auto Motor Klassiek

The Grand Prix of Zandvoort, which has received a lot of attention in recent years, is coming to life again with a special photo exhibition that focuses on the turbulent 70s and 80s. Harry Verkuijlen, a former photojournalist with a great passion for motorsport, shows his unique collection during the exhibition Grand Prix Zandvoort 70|80.

The exhibition, which is open to the public free of charge, will take place in the Town Hall of Zandvoort during the Open Heritage Days on 9 and 10 September.

Verkuijlen, now 72, looks back with nostalgia: “My visits to the Zandvoort Circuit and the Monaco street circuit during those years were highlights of my passion for Formula 1. The dynamics and contrast of these circuits have always caught my attention.” His career as a photojournalist began in 1972 and covered an extensive range of subjects. However, it was his private collection of Formula 1, which was hidden for a long time in his attic, that became the source of inspiration for this exhibition.

The exhibition promises a nostalgic journey for visitors, with close-up portraits of famous racing drivers, clearly showing the range of emotions. The images evoke a time when tobacco advertising was prominent and the stands were as bustling as they are today. Honors are also paid to legendary drivers such as Ronnie Peterson, François Cevert and Ayrton Senna.

Particular attention is drawn to Zandvoort native Jan Lammers whose career took a tragic turn with the death of Gilles Villeneuve and his own unfortunate broken thumb, which prevented him from finishing the season at Ferrari. Verkuijlen enthusiastically shares: “Every photo has a story, and I look forward to sharing these stories with others on September 9 and 10.”

The exhibition is an initiative in collaboration with the Zandvoorts Museum, which currently has a separate exhibition called “Half liter Heroes – Formula 3”. For anyone interested in the history of Formula 1 and Zandvoort's rich heritage, this is an event not to be missed.