9th Annual Bahamas Carnival of Speed – Dec 1-10, 1962

Now on DVD: Rare footage of the 1962 Nassau Speed Weeks in this 27 minute black and white film produced for the Raybestos Corporation. Top drivers from the US and Europe, including Roger Penske, Phil Hill, Innes Ireland, Bob Grossman, Lance Reventlow, Lorenzo Bandini and Masten Gregory compete in the 10 day 'Carnival of Speed' on the 4 1/2 mile Oakes Field airport circuit carved out of the jungle outside Nassau.

The film begins with the arrival of the cars and competitors by ship and plane followed by coverage of some of Speed Weeks' featured races: The Pan American Formula Junior race, the Bahamas Cup, the Nassau Tourist Race, the Nassau Trophy race – featuring a dramatic 63 car 'LeMans Start' - and the annual Ladies Race.

The Ferrari 250 GTO dominated sports car racing in 1962 and plenty of them made the trip to Nassau to compete against the best sports cars of the day. Plenty of Porsches, Corvettes, Lotus, Alfa Romeos, early Cobras – even a NASCAR stocker – filled the large Nassau fields that year. Scarab and Lotus sports racers were also among the competitors.

The social side of Speed Weeks is not forgotten as parties and nightspots are featured in a short 'travelogue' of Nassau hot spots and tourist attractions.

The Nassau Speed Weeks, held from 1954 thru 1966, featured a generous mixture of races and recreation. Local businessmen organized Speed Weeks in an attempt to attract wealthy competitors and fans to the Bahamas after the American and European racing seasons had ended and before the traditional tourist season for the Islands had begun.

'The 9th Annual Bahamas Carnival of Speed' is a unique snapshot of that golden era of sports car racing. We think you'll enjoy it.