When Bernie's lost bet was Reutemann's first win
Yesterday, we chronicled Carlos Reutemann's sensational Grand Prix debut at his home race in 1972, but there's also an interesting backstory linked to the great Argentinean driver's first win in F1, involving then Brabham owner Bernie Ecclestone.
Few are those who have been successful in betting against Mr. E.
That year however, Texaco marketing boss John Goossens challenged the Brabham boss to a game of poker, poolside at the Kyalami Ranch, on the eve of the South African Grand Prix, round 3 of the 1974 F1 World Championship.
The two men agreed that playing for money was a rather vulgar and trivial affair, so they chose another form of loot. At stake was some prominent advertising space on Carlos Reutemann's immaculate white Brabham BT44.
If Bernie won, Texaco would pay the team owner $3,000 in sponsorship money, an amount these days that would hardly cover the cost of a tiny tyre sensor. But if he lost, Texaco would get the space on the Brabham free of charge.
Goossens skillfully played his hand – and bluff – and put won over on Bernie.
Both parties were delighted with the outcome however as an imperial Reutemann won the race the following day!
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