Video: Nigel Mansell Pushes His Lotus at the Dallas Grand Prix

It was hot for the one and only running of the Dallas Formula One Grand Prix. Temperatures were nudging 40C and track temperatures were said to be nearing 70C.

And the track surface was falling apart, undergoing emergency repairs the night before the race after a Can-Am race on the Saturday left it in tatters.

But these were brave days, and it was time to go racing. Nigel Mansell set off from pole in his Lotus and the field set about enduring the searing conditions. Mansell held off Derek Warwick, Niki Lauda and Elio de Angelis in an epic drive, before Keke Rosberg finally liberated him of the lead.

Mistakes were plentiful with machines and drivers dropping out everywhere. By the end of the race only a third of the field was still running.

And on the last lap, at the two-hour race limit, Nigel Mansell came coasting down towards the main straight in fifth place. As his car slowed to a stop he hopped out and started to push to cheers and roars from the crowd, making it to within sight of the chequered flag before succumbing to the exertion and heat and passing out.

Keke Rosberg took the victory, followed by René Arnoux and Elio de Angelis, with Mansell classified sixth and awarded one championship point.

Images: TheCahierArchive©

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