OldRacingCars.com

Hitachi Formula Atlantic Series Race

Silverstone, 17 Jun 1979

ResultsLapsTime/Speed
1 Ray Mallock Ralt RT1/77 [66] - Ford BDA Swindon
#1 Cliff Smith Racing
20 17m 52.6s
107.94 mph
2 Phil Dowsett March 782 [6] - Ford BDA Racing Fabrications
#21 Martins: The Newsagent (see note 1)
20 17m 54.8s
3 Jim Crawford Chevron B45 [45-78-04] - Ford BDA Swindon
#4 Econopallet Racing (see note 2)
20 17m 55.2s
4 Alo Lawler Lola T760 [HU1] - Ford BDA Smith
#6 L. & B. Excavations Ltd.
20 18m 11.4s
5 Andy Barton March 77B [3] - Ford BDA Agra
#12 Andy Barton (see note 3)
20 18m 13.5s
6 Bernard Hunter Ralt RT1/78 [145] - Ford BDA Swindon
#7 Bernard Hunter (see note 4)
20 18m 14.6s
7 Alan Webb Mallock U2 Mk 20B [20B-79-014] - Ford BDA Swindon
#20 Alan Webb
20 18m 34.9s
8 Dave Rackham Chevron B29 [29-75-07] - Ford BDA
#17 [not on entry list] (see note 5)
20 18m 36.8s
9 Richard Piper Wimhurst LP2 - Ford BDA Norvic
#35 Richard Piper
19
10 Dave Muter Barton JTB3 [Sana RD11] - Ford BDA Cosworth
#28 David Muter
19
11 Andrew Jeffrey Chevron B49 [49-79-01] - Ford BDA Nicholson
#8 The Hope Scott Garage Ltd (see note 6)
18
R Rick Gorne Argo JM1X [018-F3] - Ford BDA Hart
#3 Barratt Developments Racing with Anglia Cars
13
R Roger Orgee March 742/772P [732/1-2] - Ford BDA Richardson
#23 Baric Computing Services/Modern Engineers
(see note 7)
13
R Roy Baker March 752/77P ["742-3"] - Ford BDA Swindon
#24 Roy Baker (see note 8)
12
R Geoff Byman March 75B [742] - Ford BDA Byman
#26 Geoff Byman (see note 9)
10
R Paul Smith March 782 [2-2] - Ford BDA Hart
#2 Birmingham Motor Tyres (BMTR) Ltd
(see note 10)
3
DNS Charlie Kirby March 78B [782-14] - Ford BDA Swindon
#30 Kirby Racing (see note 11)
Did not start
DNS Daniel Lebacq Lebacq FA [BM73-015] - Ford BDA Cosworth
#10 Daniel Lebacq
Did not start
DNS Roger Andreason Druid 79A [377-01] - Ford BDA Andreason
#14 Andreason Racing & Tuning
Did not start
DNE Dave Allen Surtees TS10 [01] - Ford BDA Smith
#96 Savon Team Uniroyal (see note 12)
Did not enter
DNE John Stokes Chevron B42 [42-78-02] - Ford BDA Smith
#38 BRMB Radio Racing with Spitfire
Did not enter
DNE Wayne Wainwright Chevron B45 [42-78-02] - Ford BDA
#33 BMRB/Sparkrite
Did not enter

All cars are 1.6-litre F/Atl unless noted.

Qualifying
1 Ray Mallock (F/Atl) 1.6-litre Ralt RT1/77 [66] - Ford BDA Swindon 52.7s
2 Paul Smith (F/Atl) 1.6-litre March 782 [2-2] - Ford BDA Hart 53.1s
3 Phil Dowsett (F/Atl) 1.6-litre March 782 [6] - Ford BDA Racing Fabrications 53.1s
4 Jim Crawford (F/Atl) 1.6-litre Chevron B45 [45-78-04] - Ford BDA Swindon 53.3s
5 Alo Lawler (F/Atl) 1.6-litre Lola T760 [HU1] - Ford BDA Smith 53.5s
6 Bernard Hunter (F/Atl) 1.6-litre Ralt RT1/78 [145] - Ford BDA Swindon 53.8s
7 Andy Barton (F/Atl) 1.6-litre March 77B [3] - Ford BDA Agra 54.2s
8 Andrew Jeffrey (F/Atl) 1.6-litre Chevron B49 [49-79-01] - Ford BDA Nicholson 54.3s
9 Rick Gorne (F/Atl) 1.6-litre Argo JM1X [018-F3] - Ford BDA Hart 54.9s
10 Alan Webb (F/Atl) 1.6-litre Mallock U2 Mk 20B [20B-79-014] - Ford BDA Swindon 54.9s
11 Dave Rackham (F/Atl) 1.6-litre Chevron B29 [29-75-07] - Ford BDA 55.0s
12 Charlie Kirby * (F/Atl) 1.6-litre March 78B [782-14] - Ford BDA Swindon 55.0s
13 Dave Muter (F/Atl) 1.6-litre Barton JTB3 [Sana RD11] - Ford BDA Cosworth 56.5s
14 Richard Piper (F/Atl) 1.6-litre Wimhurst LP2 - Ford BDA Norvic 57.1s
15 Roger Orgee (F/Atl) 1.6-litre March 742/772P [732/1-2] - Ford BDA Richardson 57.5s
16 Geoff Byman (F/Atl) 1.6-litre March 75B [742] - Ford BDA Byman 57.6s
17 Roy Baker (F/Atl) 1.6-litre March 752/77P ["742-3"] - Ford BDA Swindon 59.5s
 
* Did not start

Notes on the cars:

  1. March 782 [6] (Phil Dowsett): Alex Ribeiro's Hart-engined car at Thruxton 27 Mar 1978 and presumably all season. Hired by Wolfgang Locher for Hockenheim 26 Sep. To Phil Dowsett (Maldon, Essex) for British Formula Atlantic in 1979, converted to 79B specification and supported by Pinch Plant and Martin the Newsagent. Retained by Dowsett for 1980, then unraced in 1981. Advertised by Dowsett as a 782/79B in September 1981. To Dave Hoban (Horncastle, Lincolnshire) for libre racing and British Formula Atlantic in 1982, then retained for libre racing in 1983 and in 1984.
  2. Chevron B45 [45-78-04] (Jim Crawford): New to Fred Opert Racing for North American Formula Atlantic as a second car. Used as a spare by Keke Rosberg and as his race car at Lime Rock. Also raced by Eje Elgh and by Arturo Merzario at Trois-Rivières. Raced by Rosberg at Macau in November 1978. Advertised by Opert from ATS Engineering, where he had moved to become team manager, in March 1979 as a lightweight B45 with 1979 rear suspension and F2 fuel tanks. Then sold to Mike Peers and entered in the revived British series for Jim Crawford in 1979, winning five races and finishing second in the championship. Fitted with a BDX engine for 1980 and run by Plygrange Racing for Crawford in the F2 class of the Aurora series. Stayed with Plygrange for 1981 when raced by Vin Malkie (Northwich, Cheshire) in libre racing. Reappeared in 1983 when raced by Duncan Gray in the British Formula Atlantic series. It was entered by Peers himself in libre in 1984. Then to Steve Raine for Sprints, co-driven by Robin Boucher, and then hired to Bob Fearnley's RK Racing for Tiff Needell to drive in a pair of races in India in early 1985. Then reportedly to Stuart Ridge for 1986. To John Lloyd then to Simon Hadfield (Shepshed, Leicestershire) but damaged in an accident at Mallory Park. Restored with original Excita condoms bodywork and sold in 1998 to Jeff Wright, a Scotsman then living in Canada. Still with Wright (Wilmington, NC) in 2014 and raced regularly in vintage racing. By 2019, the car had moved to Scotland and was owned by George Coghill (Halkirk, Highland) and was prepared by Steve Worrad (Whitchurch, Shropshire) for sprints.
  3. March 77B [3] (Andy Barton): New to Team Lexington for Ian Scheckter to race in the South African Formula Atlantic championship in 1977, and used to win the first three rounds of the series in January and February 1977. It was crashed heavily at Killarney in February and replaced with 77B-7. The damaged car was returned to March Engineering, repaired, and updated it to 772P specification for Andy Barton (Newcastle upon Tyne). He fitted a 2-litre Ford BDG and used it in libre racing in 1978. For 1979, he converted it to Formula Atlantic specification with a Swindon BDA engine and used it in the revived British championship. Retained for 1980 as a hire drive, usually for Cameron Binnie (Cornhill-on-Tweed, Northumberland). Sold to Colin Richardson (Peebles, Scottish Borders, Scotland) and raced in Scottish libre in 1981, 1982 and 1983, using a 1600cc engine. Possibly borrowed back by Barton for a couple of races after his 782/792 was wrecked in April 1981. To Geoff Todd (Greenlaw, Scottish Borders), and raced at Ingliston again through 1984. Advertised by Todd in June 1984. Subsequent history unknown.
  4. Ralt RT1/78 [145] (Bernard Hunter): New to Bernard Hunter (Edinburgh, Scotland) in December 1978, and raced in the 1979 British Formula Atlantic series. Also used extensively in libre racing in the north of England in Scotland. Sold to David Duffield for 1980 British Atlantic races and for libre at Ingliston. Then sold to Australian Charlie O’Brien and raced by him in the New Zealand Formula Pacific series in December 1980 and January 1981. Then raced by O'Brien in the National Panasonic Formula Pacific series in Australia later that year. To Ron Barnacle for the Australian Grand Prix in November 1981 and the Australian National F1 Championship in 1982. Subsequent history unknown. In 2011, Grant Martin (Auckland, New Zealand) advertised the ex-O'Brien RT1 No 145.
  5. Chevron B29 [29-75-07] (Dave Rackham): New to Patsy McGarrity (Belfast, Northern Ireland) and raced in the Irish Formula Atlantic series in 1975, entered by Savoy Motors. McGarrity also raced the car in libre at Ingliston and in the British GP support race in July. Retained for 1976 when he again drove it in the Irish series, plus Irish hillclimbs. In September it was sold to Derek Shortall (Malahide, County Dublin), who raced it for the first time at Kirkistown in October. Shortall raced it in the Irish series in 1977, and in September sold it to Joey Greenan, who made his debut in the car at Kirkistown in October. However, Greenan did not race the car in 1978, and it reappeared in the hands of John Smith (Ballymena, County Antrim, Northern Ireland) when the Irish series visited Donington Park in April 1978. Raced by Smith for the rest of the season and advertised by him in October. In late May 1979 it was sold to Dave Rackham (Rochester, Kent) and used by him in the British series, but in only his second race he crashed it heavily at Oulton Park in July. Rackham replaced it with a B42 but advertised for parts for the rest of the year. The surviving parts of this car were probably acquired by John and Jim Blackwell (Seattle, WA) when they bought Rackham’s Argo in late 1980.
  6. Chevron B49 [49-79-01] (Andrew Jeffrey): New to Andrew Jeffrey (Currie, Edinburgh, Scotland) and raced in the 1979 British Formula Atlantic series until crashed in July and rebuilt on a new chassis. Sold to Tom O'Leary (Dalkey, County Dublin) for 1980 and raced in Irish Formula Atlantic. Then to Ken Fildes (Clonskeagh, Dublin) and raced by him in Formula Atlantic and in hillclimbs in 1981. Traded for a boat at the end of 1981, and then unknown until next seen when raced by Peter Oxley at Mallory Park in July 1984. From Oxley to John Chatley in late 1985 or early 1986 and used in hillclimbs in 1986 and 1987. Sold in 1988 to someone with a business called "childminders of canada". Next seen in 1990, when it had been acquired by Paul Rendle, and was prepared for him by David Keer, the pair appearing together in it at a Curburough test day in March 1991. Rendle sold it to Roger Kilty, who co-drove the car with John Roberts in 1993. From Kilty, it was sold via Martin Middleton to Alistair Mackilop in Scotland, who raced it from c1995 to c2015. It had been sold to Steve Worrad (Whitchurch, Shropshire) by 2017, and was being prepared for historic racing. Raced by Worrad in HSCC events until it was badly damaged in an accident at Anglesey in July 2019.
  7. March 742/772P [732/1-2] (Roger Orgee): STP March Engineering works car for Jean-Pierre Beltoise at the first race, then for Hans-Joachim Stuck at two races and then for Jean-Pierre Jarier at two races. A new car, 732-10, was later built for Beltoise so this 732-1 became what March called the "training car" and was used by Stuck later in the year and was then the third spare car remaining in March's transporter at several races. Probably for Mário Cabral at Estoril. Then unknown until June 1975 when acquired by John Calvert for libre racing in 742 spec. To Geoff Friswell mid-1976, rebuilt for him by Brian Lisles and fitted with a Hart 420R engine, but wrecked in practice at Oulton Park in September. Rebuilt on a 742 chassis and raced in two late-season events. Later to Jonathan Buncombe who fitted an FVC engine for libre races. Sold to Roger Orgee and further modified to 772P specification for Formula Atlantic in 1979. Sold after the 1979 season to Harry Vickers' Cowgate Motors in Newcastle and was used in the construction of their Group 5 Lotus Elan HV/80/S2 for Nicky Ellis. This car used a standard Elan backbone chassis with the suspension from the ex-Orgee 732/742/772 and a Swindon BDX. All that would have been left of Orgee's car would have been the monocoque, and as this was a replacement 742 tub, the March 732 had effectively ceased to exist.
  8. March 752/77P ["742-3"] (Roy Baker): Roy Baker (Ferndown, Dorset) raced a March 742 in British Formula Atlantic in 1979. It was reported variously as a 762 or a 752/77P, but was observed by Adam Ferrington at Oulton Park in June 1979 to be wearing the 742/3 chassis plate. Subsequent hisory unknown.
  9. March 75B [742] (Geoff Byman): Paul Brooks (Selby, North Yorkshire) drove a March 742 in libre races at Croft in 1977 and 1978. Its engine was described as a 1600cc Swindon BDA in its first race, but later as a 2-litre Swindon BDX. It was sold to Geoff Byman (Cleethorpes, Lincolnshire), who raced it in the revised British Formula Atlantic series in 1979, describing it as a March 75B. There are no confirmed appearances of Byman with the car after Mallory Park in July 1979, but entries continued until April 1980. Byman reappeared later in 1980 with the Lola T760 previously raced by Alo Lawler. The subsequent history of the March 742/75B is unknown.
  10. March 782 [2-2] (Paul Smith): After Paul Smith wrecked his ex-Toleman March 782-2 at Mallory Park in March 1979, he built up a new car using a tub fabricated by Mo Gomm. As the "782-2" plate remained on the original tub, and this was later repaired, this Gomm-built car is regarded here as a new car 'PS1'. The new 'PS1' was used by Smith in Formula Atlantic and F2 in 1979 and 1980. It was sold together with the remains of 782-2 to Bernard Tilanus "in the autumn of 1981" and shipped to South Africa. Tilanus converted 'PS1' to use Sigma Mazda engines and raced it in early 1982. It was sold mid-season to Hekro for Ian Scheckter to race, but he did not like the car, and it was taken over by his Hekro teammate Peter Haller. At some point in 1983, probably at Kyalami on 30 April 1983 where Haller retired, 'PS1' was damaged and the unrepaired tub ended up with Keith Horwood. It passed via Ivan Glasby to a hotel owned by one of the Toleman brothers in the Eastern Transvaal, where it was hung on the wall of the bar. The tub was thrown away around 2005, when the hotel changed hands.
  11. March 78B [782-14] (Charlie Kirby): Eddie Cheever's car at Thruxton 27 Mar 1978 and presumably all season. To Dick Bennetts Racing and converted to Formula Atlantic for Eje Elgh to race in New Zealand in January 1979. Then to Charlie Kirby as a 78B and raced in Atlantic from 1979 to 1981. Offered for sale in On Track in 1981 by Kirby's Transatlantic Racing Services (Norcross, GA). Next seen with Andy Falbo (Detroit, MI) who raced it in US Formula Atlantic in 1983, and again in 1986 and 1988. Retained by Falbo and still owned by him in 2015.
  12. Surtees TS10 [01] (Dave Allen): New for Mike Hailwood to race as a works entry in the 1972 F2 series as a works Team Surtees entry. Hailwood won at Mantorp Park and Salzburgring in this car, and also finished second at Crystal Palace, Rouen, the Österreichring and Hockenheim in October to secure a deserved championship. He also won one race at Interlagos in November during the Torneio do Brasil, The car was not seen in 1973, but reappeared in 1974 with Richard Jones (Stroud, Gloucestershire) for hillclimbs. Raced regularly by Jones in 1975 and 1976 with a 2-litre Hart engine, and then in 1977 with a turbocharged Hart, although he soon returned to a regular engine. To Channel Islander Maurice Ogier for 1978, and used in the 1600cc class of French hillclimbs. Then to Dave Allen (Crewe, Cheshire), and raced in British Formula Atlantic in 1979. Next seen hillclimbed by Peter Bromage in the 1980s, then sold to Don Wood, and seen again shortly after when sold by dealer Straight Six to the US in 1991. Raced by Gil Nickel (Oakville, CA) in US historic events between 1994 and 2002. Nickel died in 2003, but the car has been retained by his family in the car collection at Nickel's Far Niente Winery in Oakville.

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.

The British race results have been compiled by Chris Townsend based on material in Autosport and Motoring News reports in the UK plus the information supplied by a wide range of contributors.

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

Programme, full qualifying times and full race results provided by Marcus Pye from BRDC archives.