Team Lotus legendary sponsor dies
In 1980 Colin Chapman thought all his birthdays had come at once when he secured title sponsorship by Essex Petroleum. David Thieme was the flamboyant character behind his oil trading company based in Monaco. Evidently he reckoned promotion, bravado, charm (?) and no fear were the vital ingredients to success in this volatile trade.
In 1980 and 1981 Essex Petroleum apparently ‘owned’ Monaco with Essex promotions all over the principality.
A massive motorhome, Essex helicopters, sponsoring Penske too, Gulfstream IV corporate jet. Plus the extraordinary parties at the Royal Albert Hall.
Colin’s head was very much turned by David Thieme. (Hazel was not so keen….) By early 1981 the oil market collapsed and it all fell apart with Essex Petroleum owing Team Lotus more than £1 million (a fair whack back then).
David Thieme has died this week in obscurity and poverty. But the mark he made is still remembered by anyone who witnessed it. To get a better idea of the Essex extravaganza visit the CTL YouTube website and watch the film ‘Two Sundays in May’ https://youtu.be/eLPeMi1Ocuc (If anyone can help us to track down a better quality copy then please let us know!)
Brazilian GP 1980, left to right: David Theime, Elio de Angelis, Colin Chapman, Mario Andretti and Francois Mazet
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