GABRIEL KONIG & MICKI VANDERVELL: A COUPLE OF SPEED QUEENS: BRANDS HATCH: 1971: ORIGINAL PRESS PHOTOGRAPH

Publisher: Press Association, UK
Price: £75.00
Date: April 7th, 1971
Photograph Size: 15.4cm x 21.7cm including margins
Format: Original gelatin silver press photograph.
Edition: Not stated
Special Features: The photograph is stamped and dated on the reverse with copyright information and a description of the scene

Condition:

The photograph is in very good indeed, clean condition with very slight creasing to the edges. The reverse side is very slightly age-toned and features stamps and descriptions, providing provenance and authenticity.

Description:

A rare photograph of Konig and Vandervell together as they joined the ‘Carmen Curls’ racing team to race in the Firestone-originated F100 sports racing cars.

Gabriel Konig: A Short Biography:

Gabriel Konig, born Gabriel de Freitas, was a renowned Irish racing driver who made significant strides in the motorsport world from the 1960s through the 1990s. She began her racing career in 1962 at Goodwood, driving a Lotus Elite, and quickly established herself as a talented and competitive driver. Over the years, she raced a variety of cars including the Hillman Imp, MG Midget, and Chevrolet Camaro.

In 1968, Konig had a particularly successful year, winning 18 races and setting nine lap records. She also won the British Women Racing Drivers’ Club (BWRDC) Embassy Trophy and Club Championship. She was a pioneer for women in motorsport and a founding member of the BWRDC.

Konig was part of the Carmen Curls all-female racing team in 1971, which competed in the Formula F100 championship. This team was notable for its promotional and competitive spirit, bringing significant attention to female racers.

Later in her career, Konig moved to Guyana, where she continued to race and became a leading figure in the Guyana Motor Racing Club. She was instrumental in promoting motorsport in the Caribbean and bringing UK racers to compete in the region.

Gabriel Konig passed away in 2013, leaving behind a legacy as a trailblazer for women in motorsport.

Micki Vandervell: A Short Biography:

Micki Vandervell, also known as Micki Chittenden, was a prominent British racing driver in the 1970s. She was part of the illustrious Vandervell family, which was deeply rooted in the motorsport world. Her uncle, Tony Vandervell, was the designer of the famous Vanwall Formula One cars in the 1950s, and her cousin, Colin Vandervell, was also a racer.

Micki started her racing career in autocross, driving a Mini, and later moved on to compete in the Triplex Saloon Championship in 1970. She became well-known for her participation in the Carmen Curls all-female racing team, a promotional effort by the House of Carmen and Motor Racing Stables for the Formula F100 championship. The team gained attention not only for its competitive spirit but also for its unique marketing angle, featuring drivers and pit crew members dressed in stylish, eye-catching outfits.

In her racing career, Micki competed in various events and was known for her skill and determination. She continued to race throughout the early 1970s, including in the STP Production Sports Car Championship with an MG Midget and in women’s races organized by the British Women Racing Drivers’ Club.

Micki Vandervell’s contribution to motorsport, especially as a woman in a predominantly male-dominated field, was significant and inspirational for future generations of female racers.

Carmen Curls Racing Team: A Brief Biography

The Carmen Curls Racing Team was an all-female racing team established in 1971 to compete in the Formula F100 championship. This innovative and attention-grabbing team was the brainchild of Jackie Pressman, the director of Carmen UK, a company known for introducing heated hair rollers to the UK from Denmark. The team was created as a promotional stunt to combine the glamour of hair fashion with the excitement of motorsport.

Formation and Concept

The team was managed by Tina Lanfranchi, the wife of racer Tony Lanfranchi. The concept was to bring together competitive female racing drivers and a glamorous pit crew to promote the House of Carmen’s hair products. The drivers were provided with a dramatic uniform, including red hotpants and white blouses, paired with Carmen’s latest fashion wigs to maintain their glamorous appearance even under their helmets.

Drivers and Competitions

The two primary drivers for the Carmen Curls team were Gabriel Konig and Michaela “Micki” Vandervell. Gabriel Konig, an experienced racer, had started her career in the 1960s and achieved significant success, including winning the British Women Racing Drivers Club (BWRDC) Embassy Trophy and Club Championship in 1968. Micki Vandervell, another talented driver, had progressed from autocross to saloon car racing.

The team competed in the Formula F100 championship, a series for small sports prototypes with 1300cc engines. Despite the novelty and promotional nature of the team, both drivers proved their competitiveness on the track. Konig finished twelfth in the championship standings, with Vandervell following closely in thirteenth place.

Legacy

Although the Carmen Curls team only lasted for the 1971 season, it left a memorable mark on motorsport history. The team’s innovative marketing approach and the competitive spirit of its drivers highlighted the potential and talent of women in racing. After the team’s dissolution, both Konig and Vandervell continued to race, further contributing to the legacy of female participation in motorsport.

Location:

Map drawer C: Folder: 3006

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