Grand Prix de Rouen

Rouen-les-Essarts, 28 Jun 1970

All cars are 1.6-litre F2 unless noted.

Notes on the cars:

1. BMW F270 [F2 70-2] (Jo Siffert): The second F270 was Jo Siffert's usual car, winning at Rouen in June. Dieter Quester then swapped to this car for the last two races of the season, at Hockenheim and at Neubiberg, winning both.
2. Lotus 69 [69.F2.1] (Emerson Fittipaldi): New for Emerson Fittipaldi to race in F2 in 1970. The F3 star was initially entered by Jim Russell, and the car was prepared by Russell mechanic Ralph Firman, but by the third race of the season it was entered by Team Bardahl and had changed to Bardahl yellow, with Russell having vanished from the operation. The Lotus 69 was sold to the new works-backed LIRA tea, for 1971, and raced by Reine Wisell in F2, winning at Pau in April. To Stephen Choularton (Hale Barns, Cheshire) for British Formula Atlantic in 1972, and also driven by his young mechanic Jim Crawford in libre at Croft. Unknown in 1973 and 1974, but to Warren Booth (Blackburn, Lancashire) for libre in 1975. Retained for 1976 and 1977, when it was fitted with a 2-litre Richardson BDA. Believed to be the 2-litre Lotus 69 then raced by Clive Astley in north-western sprints in 1977 and 1978. Subsequent history unknown, but according to historian David McKinney, the car was found in a north of England pigsty in the late 1980s, and acquired by Fredy Kumschick (Lucerne/Luzern, Switzerland), who restored it for historic racing. Raced regularly by Kumschick through the 1990s.
3. BMW F270 [F2 70-1] (Jacky Ickx): Jacky Ickx' regular car in 1970, F2-70-1 won at the Salzburgring and at Tulln-Langenlebarn that season. With F2-70-2 and F2-70-3 both racing the following day, the car that Bell wrecked in practice at Hockenheim in October is presumably F2-70-1.
4. Brabham BT30 [10] (Tim Schenken): Sold new to Rodney Bloor's Sports Motors (Manchester) Ltd and run for Tim Schenken in F2 in 1970. Raced also by Gerry Birrell once at Hockenheim. Sold to Ian Bannen and entered by him for Cyd Williams to drive in a few F2 races at the start of 1971 but sold mid 1971 to Bill Creasy (Dunstable, Bedfordshire), fitted with a Broadspeed twin cam and used in Libre and Formula Atlantic races, mainly at Silverstone. Raced again briefly by Creasy at the start of 1973 then sold to David Howes in part-exchange for a Mustang. Next seen with Simon Riley (Edmonton, North London) and hill-climbed in 1973, when it was reported as having a FVA engine again, and in early 1974. Subsequent history unknown but a car claiming this identity was bought from Manchester dealer Bob Fernley by William Southern (Blackpool) some time in the 1970s. Southern kept the car until selling it to dealer John Brannigan in the mid/late 1980s. To Jim Gathercole (Burton-on-Trent, Staffordshire) 1989, and raced in Historic F2. Restored and sold to Nicolas Moreau de Melen (Belgium) 2007. To Bernd and Michael Quitzow (Germany) 2009.
5. March 702 [1] (Ronnie Peterson): The first production March 702 was used by Chris Amon in the opening race as part of Malcolm Guthrie's team and then by Ronnie Peterson for the rest of the season. Unseen in 1971 but presumably the "ex-Peterson" car that Geoff Inglis (Yatton, Somerset) used for sprinting in 1972. Advertised by Inglis in February 1973 when it still had its FVA engine. To Spencer Elton (Westbury, Wiltshire) and sold by him to Dave Harris for sprints in 1973. Then back to Elton and next to Philip Anstruther (Bristol) who ran it in sprints in 1974. Anstruther sold it back to Elton yet again and it was advertised by him in March 1975. Next seen when advertised from Birmingham in 1981 as an "abandoned sprint and hillclimb project" and then from Devon in 1983. Reappeared in 1985 when raced by Ian Giles in HSCC events when its papers said it had previously been used by Dave Harris in hillclimbs. Then to Simon Brien in Ireland in 1986, to Lew Wright by 1989, then to Tony Birchenough 1991, and driven by Martin Birrane. It was sold to Steve Hitchins in 1992, and it is reported that this car was the one raced by Frenchman Jean-Pierre Grave in historic racing in the 1990s, was still with him in 2004, and still in France in 2010. In April 2013, Eric Charles (Dubai, UAE) reported that he had acquired 702/1.
6. Brabham BT30 [16] (Derek Bell): New to Tom Wheatcroft and entered for Derek Bell to race in F2 in 1970. To Jeremy Richardson and raced in F2 and libre during 1971. Then to Alex Seldon (Ripley, Surrey) and raced in libre through 1972 and 1973. Advertised by Seldon in February 1974 and next owner unknown but the FVA was removed and the car stored in a dry barn until 1984 when Ted Walker bought it via John Harper. Sold to Lincoln Small in 1986 and used for many years in historic racing.
7. Brabham BT30 [17] (Jack Brabham): New to John Coombs Racing and entered for Jackie Stewart and Jack Brabham in F2 in 1970. Fitted with a Cosworth FVC for Stewart to win the 1970 JAF GP. To Mike Goth September 1970 for three late-season F2 races. To Silvio Moser (Lugano, Switzerland) for F2 in 1971 up to Rouen in late June, after which Moser had a BT36. The next stages of this car's life are unknown but a 1996 Coys auction catalogue said that it had been used in hillclimbs until bought by the then current owner in 1976. The car was sold after the auction to Jay Galpin and then on to Bob Baker.
8. Lotus 69 [69.F2.4] (Jochen Rindt): New to Jochen Rindt Racing Ltd, managed by Bernie Ecclestone, for Jochen Rindt to race in F2 in 1970. According to Richard Spelberg's research, this car was Rindt's previous Lotus 59B chassis 59-F2-19 converted to Lotus 69 specification for 1970. Sold for 1971 to Wilson Fittipaldi's new Team Bardahl, managed by mechanic Richard Divila, but Fittipaldi could not get on with it, and it was soon replaced with a new March 712M. The Lotus ended up with dealer Bobby Howlings, who drove it at Croft on 19 September, after which it was evaluated briefly by Peter Hanson as a possible route back into single-seaters. Instead it was sold to another wheeler-dealer, Brian Classick, who raced in in libre in October. In early 1972 Classick entered it in libre for Willie Green then it was sold to John Coulter for libre later in the season, and then sold to Johnny Blades, who raced it once at the end of 1972. Blades advertised the car as "ex-Rindt, ex-Coulter" in November 1972, and as "ex-Rindt" in March 1973. As Rindt's Lotus 59B had been rebuilt into his Lotus 69, this is the only car that can have been. The car was acquired soon after this, possibly directly from Blades, by a major but very private collector of Lotuses, and remained in his collection, unseen, for over 20 years. According to historian David McKinney, the car was being stored by Peter Spooner in the mid-1990s, but when Spooner later died, the Lotus 69 was sold by his son David Spooner in lieu of storage charges to Joe Willenpart (Austria) around 2003.
9. Brabham BT30 [23] (Peter Westbury): To FIRST Racing for Peter Westbury to drive in F2 in 1970. Retained very briefly at the start of the 1971 season and then sold to Japan. This is presumably the car fitted with a Mitsubishi Colt R39B engine and raced by Hiroshi Kazato in 1971, by Hiroshi Fushida in 1972 and by Kiyoshi Misaki at the Singapore GP in 1973 but as yet this is only speculation. Nothing more known.
10. Brabham BT30 [9] (François Mazet): Sold new to Rodney Bloor's Sports Motors (Manchester) Ltd and run for François Mazet in F2 in 1970. Raced also by Gerry Birrell once at the end of the season. Then to Monegasque Lionel Noghès and raced under the Écurie Monaco banner in F2 in 1971. Last mentioned in June 1972 when the gearbox was stolen from the car while it was in storage at Lenham Hurst (Folkestone, Kent). Subsequent history unknown. The Noghès family are closely connected to the ruling family of Monaco and it is possible that the car has remained in the principality as part of The Private Collection of Antique Cars of H.S.H. Prince Rainier III.
11. Brabham BT30 [18] (Carlos Reutemann): New to Automovil Club Argentina for Carlos Reutemann to race in F2 in 1970 and 1971. Last seen at Rouen June 1971, after which it was replaced by a BT36. It was then sent to Argentina to be used as a race school car but the details of its life remain unknown. Found and acquired by Richard Vignoles (Argentina) in 2008. To Carlos Lioni (Argentina) 2009.
12. Brabham BT30 [24] (Jean-Pierre Jaussaud): To Team Obrist and run by Motor Racing Enterprises in F2 in 1970 for Howden Ganley, Jean-Pierre Jaussaud and Richard Scott. Retained for 1971 and entered by Team Obrist for Jürg Dubler in F2 and also in some French and Swiss hillclimbs. Presumably the car driven by Albert Obrist at Lorentzweiler in April 1972. Then to Michel Pignard (Rillieux, France) for French hillclimbs in 1972 and early 1973 before being replaced with a 1971 Pygmée MDB16. Sold to Daniel Gache (Avignon, France) and advertised by him in December 1973. Gache recalls that he sold it to someone in the 'area of Lyon' and he believed that Gérard Gamand later bought the car from that same man. To Gamand (France) 1985 and retained to at least 1990. With Gerard Cerny (France) in 1994. Then unknown until raced by Laurent Fort (France) in 2009 and 2010. Sold to Ian Rimmer (Pavenham, Bedfordshire) in 2011 and restored by Peter Denty Racing. Sold by Rimmer in 2013 to Ray Stubber (Australia) who ran the car in a few HSCC Historic F2 and Derek Bell Trophy races between 2013 and 2015.
13. Brabham BT30 [22] (Andrea de Adamich): Entered by Scuderia Jolly Club for Andrea De Adamich and Pino Pica in F2 in early 1970, then entered by either North Italian Racing or Scuderia Ala d'Oro for Vittorio Brambilla for the rest of the season. Retained for 1971 and entered by Scuderia Ala d'Oro for Vittorio Brambilla until the Nürburgring in early May when Brambilla crashed heavily. The car was reported to have been written off, and Sandro Angeleri's Ala d'Oro team bought replacement March 712Ms. In 1991, this car was reported to be on display at the Monza Museum. Nothing more known.
14. Chevron B17c [17C.70.01] (Reine Wisell): A works entry for Reine Wisell (Motala, nr. Linkoping, Sweden) in Formula 2 in 1970 but completely unsuccessful. Also raced once by fellow Swedish F3 driver Gustaf Dieden at Mantorp Park in August. Acquired by Bobby Howlings and raced in a new libre races in 1971, still with its FVA engine. Then unknown until 1974 when it was owned by Uwe Jantzen (Bridgend, Wales) and used in libre and speed events. It reportedly had been bought as "ex-Wisell" and still had a FVA engine, but a Vegantune 1600cc engine was also reported. In 1975, Jantzen fitted a 1970cc Smuth FVC engine. Advertised less engine by Jantzen in April 1976. Bobby Howlings again advertised the "ex-Wisell" B17C in 1978 and it was then observed still with a FVA engine in libre at Brands Hatch with Tony Pollock (Winnersh, Berkshire) in December 1980. Raced by Len Bridge (Basingstoke, Hampshire) in the HSCC Pre-71 F2 series in 1985, advertised by Andreason Racing in December 1985, and then raced by Stephen Davis in historic racing from 1986 to 1988.
15. Lotus 69 [69.F2.2] (Tetsu Ikuzawa): New to Tetsu Ikuzawa and raced in F2 in 1970. What happened to this car in 1971 is something of a puzzle. In January, it was advertised by Jim Gleave's MRE (Bourne End, Bucks) and in March 1971, Ikuzawa was said by Autosport to have "sold his 69 of last year to an Irishman and replaced it with a new one". The first F2 report said his 1970 car had gone to John Pollock, and he did race a Lotus 69 in 1971, but it was said to be a 1971 car, and a later advert revealed that it was the ex-Rollinson 1971 car. Ikuzawa actually sold his 1970 Lotus 69 to Norimitsu Urushihara, who raced an "ex-Ikuzawa" Lotus 69 in Japan in 1971 and 1972. The car was later found in storage by Ikuzawa, who had the car immaculately restored. It is on display in his magnificent collection of racing cars in Japan.
16. Brabham BT30 [15] (Henri Pescarolo): Sold new 1970 to Bob Gerard and used in European F2 by Henri Pescarolo and Peter Gaydon. Retained 1971, and run in the early part of the season in F2 for Brian Hart. However, financial constraints forced Gerard to cut back and he then ran the car in Atlantic for his mechanic, Bob Salisbury. Replaced as the team's main car by a BT35 late in the 1971 season but retained and continued to appear on occasion. Sold to Martin Webb (Solihull, West Midlands) in 1972 for Libre races. Raced extensively in 1972, but then not seen at all in 1973. Advertised by Webb in March 1974 and then presumably the "ex-Pescarolo" BT30 advertised by Bobby Howlings in 1975 and 1976. Sold to David Ward in early 1977 and fitted with a Hart BDA for libre racing, sharing with Stan Billington. Then to novice racer John Travis (Tarleton, Lancashire) who raced it in libre in 1978 and 1979, like Ward calling it a BT35. Traded back to Bobby Howlings for a March 742 for 1980. By early 1985, this ex-Travis, ex-Howlings car was with Marcus King and raced in in HSCC events, but by that time its identity was not known. It was then believed to have been recently owned by Graham Galliers, and Galliers had advertised a BT30 from a Shrewsbury number in September 1982. Subsequent history unknown but a car with this chassis number restored by Bob Salisbury in 2003 for owner Richard Kendle. This car with David Brown (Ashford, Kent) by 2007.
17. Brabham BT30 [11] (John Watson): Sold to John Watson (Craigavad, County Down, Northern Ireland) for F2 in 1970, replacing a Lola T100 that Watson had used with great success in Irish libre. Retained for F2 in 1971, during which time it was partly updated to BT36 specification. To Bob Howlings (Congleton, Cheshire) for libre 1972 and fitted with a 1800cc Cosworth FVC mid-season. Sold to Tony Dean (Leeds, West Yorkshire) in August so he would have a car for the Rothmans 50,000. To Phillip Guerola (Bickley, Kent) 1973 and raced in libre until the end of 1976. Advertised ("ex-Watson") as a rolling chassis from an Aylesbury number in January 1978 and bought by Barrie Dutnall (Medway, Kent) in 1979 or 1980 but not used. Advertised by Dutnall as a rolling chassis in June 1981. Said to have been owned by Jon Bradburn, David Rishworth (Leamington, Warwickshire) and Kelvin Lambeth before bought by David McLaughlin in or before 2003. To David Brown (Ashford, Kent) 2003. To Ian Gray (Mansfield, Nottinghamshire) 2004.
18. March 702 [2] (Malcolm Guthrie): New to Malcolm Guthrie Racing for F2 in 1970 and raced by Malcolm Guthrie himself, but without any real success. From Guthrie via Frank Williams to Derrick Robinson (Radstock, Somerset) and advertised in May 1972. Then to fellow dealer Spencer Elton (Westbury, Wiltshire) who also owned 702/1 around this time. Sold by Elton to Dave Edwards (Bath, Somerset) and advertised by him in February 1973 as "March 712/702S/2" when it had a Ford twin cam engine, and again in July 1973 as a rolling chassis. Advertised by Mike Sullivan Racing (Salisbury) as an "ex-Peterson" rolling chassis November 1973 when it was described as "March 702/2 ex-Peterson". Sold in late 1973 or early 1974 to Richard Cumming (Leamington Spa or Harbury, Warwickshire) who recalls that it had March 722 bodywork and was fitted with a 1600cc Vegantune all-steel Ford twin cam engine. Cumming raced it in sprints and hillclimbs in late 1974, sharing at least once with Tony Street (Warwick). The car was then sold to Robin Darlington, who entered it in at least one libre/MCD Open race in 1976. Autosport announced in May 1976 that Robin Darlington would be racing "the ex-Peterson March 722", backed by Ken Gibson, boss of Measham Car Auctions in Birmingham. Darlington sold the car to Steve Miller, in exchange for the Kincraft which Darlington was keen to have back, so this would then be the 702 raced by Miller (Manchester) at Oulton Park in October 1976. Subsequent history unknown, but apparently used in Autocross before being acquired by Peter Denty (Thetford, Norfolk) c1987, and raced for him by John Beasley and James Denty 1995. Sold to Dieter Münch (Germany) 1996. By 2010 it was reported that Münch had sold it to another German owner.
19. Brabham BT30 [19] (Benedicto Caldarella): New to Automovil Club Argentina for Benedicto Caldarella to race in F2 in 1970 but also raced once by Reutemann. Retained for Carlos Ruesch in 1971. Last seen at Rouen June 1971, after which it was replaced by a BT36. It was then sent to Argentina to be used as a race school car but the details of its life remain unknown. On display in the Automovil Club Argentino Museum in 2008.
20. Brabham BT30 [14] (Graham Birrell): Sold new to Ecurie Ecosse and run for Graham Birrell in F2 in 1970. Also raced once by Peter Gethin and by Richard Attwood later in the season. To Peter Westbury early 1971 and raced in several F2 races (also raced once by Dieter Quester) until the team's BT36 was delivered. Sold to Dunnett's Garage, converted to F/Atlantic specification and entered for Ronnie Mackay in libre and F/Atlantic in 1971 and 1972, run by MRE. To Chong Boon Seng for south east Asian racing in 1973 and used by him until 1976. Then to Del Schloemer and raced by him and by Cherie Schloemer in 1977 and 1978. To Wybe Valkema around 1980 and retained to 1982. Then to Australia and with Brian Wilson by 1988. Wilson sold it to Art Valdez (Torrance, CA) and from Valdez it returned to Australia when he sold it to Bob Ilich (Perth, WA) in 2010.
21. Lotus 69 [69.F2.5] (Graham Hill): New to Jochen Rindt Racing Ltd, managed by Bernie Ecclestone, for John Mikes and Graham Hill to race in F2 in 1970. According to Richard Spelberg's research, this car was Hill's previous Lotus 59B chassis 59-F2-20 converted to Lotus 69 specification for 1970. Also driven by Eugenio Baturone at Montjuich Park. Retained by Ecclestone for Hill to race in the first few F2 races of 1971, then sold to Pete Lovely and fitted with the rear end of his Lotus 49B for suitable races at his home track in Seattle, and for the 1971 US GP. After Lovely died in 2011, the car was sold by his daughter to Peter Gleeson (Seattle, WA), a BMW collector originally from England.
22. Lotus 69 [69.F2.3] (Adam Potocki): New to Adam Potocki and raced very slowly in F2 in 1970. Retained for 1971, when he was no faster. Sold to Alain Saïdi and raced in French hillclimbs from 1972 to 1975, retaining its 1600cc Cosworth FVA throughout. Saïdi returned to the Lotus for a few events in 1978. According to Gérard Gamand, the car was later bought at auction by Guy Audibert in the mid-1980s, and restored at Gamand's workshops in Lyon. It was sold to Gérard Cerny, who raced it in historic events from the mid 1990s to early 2000s. Then sold it to Michel Ghio, who raced it in Historic F2 2010-2013.
23. Pygmée MDB15 [170] (Patrick Dal Bo): New for Patrick Dal Bo to drive in F2 in 1970. Dal Bo also raced the car in two hillclimbs in September 1970. Sold for 1971 to Jean Lachaud (Sainte-Colombe, Rhone), who had previously raced a Pygmée MDB12 in hillclimbs, and fitted with a 1800cc Cosworth FVC engine. Lachaud upgraded again for 1972 to a MDB16, and the MDB15 was sold to Régis Péchaire, who raced it in 1972 and 1973. Subsequent history unknown, but Gérard Gamand records the car's later owners as Camille Bourge in 1980, Alberto Bonisoli in 2002, and Jean-Jacques Bailly (Monaco) in 2010.
24. Pygmée MDB15 [470] (Patrick Depailler): New for Patrick Depailler to drive in F2 in 1970, but crashed heavily at end of straight at the Salzburgring race at the end of August and "written off". However, this is believed to be the MDB15 raced by Roger Damaisin (Villeurbanne, Lyon, Rhône-Alpes) in courses de côte in 1972. Unknown in 1973 and 1974, but Gérard Gamand reports that the car was rebuilt by Pierre Maublanc in 1973. Raced by Didier Bonnet (Besançon, Doubs, Franche-Comté) from June 1975 to the end of that season, then early in the 1976 season. Said to have been wrecked at Saint-Hippolyte (20 June 1976) but the Echappement report makes no mention of the incident. Gamand lists this cars next owners as Gabriel Bousson in 1977, then sold to Spain in 1980, and with Jean-Louis Raimond in 2010.
25. Pygmée MDB15 [370] (Jean-Pierre Beltoise): New for Jean-Pierre Beltoise to drive in F2 in 1970. To Michel Roussin (Lyon, Rhône-Alpes) and fitted with a 1800cc Cosworth FVC for French hillclimbs in 1971. To Jean Lapierre (Montélimar, Rhône-Alpes) for 1972, using both 1600cc and 1800ss engines; and retained for 1973. Unknown in 1974 and 1975. Raced by Pierre Chapouan in 1976, again reportedly with 1600cc and 1800cc; then in 1977 with reports of a 2-litre JRD Chrysler engine. Raced again by Chapouan in 1979, 1980 and 1981. Subsequent history unknown.

Sources

Note that the identification of individual cars in these results is based on the material presented elsewhere in this site and may in some cases contradict the organisers' published results.

All comments, clarifications, corrections and additions are most welcome. Please email Allen (allen@oldracingcars.com) if you can help in any way with our research.

Individual sources for this event

Autosport (2 Jul 1970 pp26-29) has another data table but it creates more questions than it answers. The chassis numbers for the March 702s are still 1 (Peterson) and 2 (Guthrie) but the description of the entry says that Peterson had "a brand new chassis" and Guthrie "had the reworked one which Ronnie had crashed at the Nurburgring". Evidently March were playing with chassis plates. They weren't the only ones because Tecno were said to have 68-808 for Regga and 68-806 for Cevert but the text says Cevert's had a new chassis after his crash at Crystal Palace. Tecno's new models had been out in testing.