OldRacingCars.com

Grand Prix de Trois-Rivières

Trois-Rivières, 4 Sep 1977

ResultsLapsTime/Speed
1 Price Cobb March 77B [20?] - Ford BDN Stimola
#22 (see note 1)
60 1h 12m 38.017s
2 Howdy Holmes March 77B [21 or 22] - Ford BDN Race Shop
#8 C. S. M. [Shierson Racing]
60 1h 12m 38.018s
3 Patrick Depailler Chevron B39 [39-77-06] - Ford BDN Hart
#2 Ramada Inn [Fred Opert Racing]
(see note 2)
60 1h 12m 41.890s
4 Gilles Villeneuve March 77B - Ford BDN Morris
#69 Direct Film [Ecurie Canada]
(see note 3)
60 1h 12m 41.891s
5 Craig Hill Ralt RT1/77 [73] - Ford BDN Titan
#26 Castrol [Ralt American] (see note 4)
60 1h 12m 47.247s
6 Jacques Laffite Chevron B39 [39-77-09?] - Ford BDN Titan
#1 Ramada Inn [Fred Opert Racing]
(see note 5)
60 1h 12m 53.494s
7 Kevin Cogan Ralt RT1/76 [33] - Ford BDN Willis
#33 (see note 6)
60 1h 12m 53.887s
8 Chip Mead Ralt RT1/76 [11] - Ford BDN Willis
#31 Pierre Phillips (see note 7)
60 1h 12m 54.081s
9 Bruce Jensen Chevron B29 [29-75-14] - Ford BDN Hart
#41 Jensen Plant (see note 8)
60 1h 12m 54.914s
10 Cliff Hansen March 77B [28] - Ford BDN Willis
#21 Hansen Racing (see note 9)
60 1h 12m 55.535s
11 Juan Cochésa Ralt RT1/77 [78] - Ford BDN Willis
#36 Pierre Phillips (see note 10)
60
12 Rick Bell Chevron B34 [34-76-18] - Ford BDA Hart
#78 Bell Racing (see note 11)
60
13 Gilles Léger Ralt RT1/77 [79] - Ford BDA Hart
#72 Gilles Leger Racing (see note 12)
59
14 Robert J. Nelkin March 77B [14?] - Ford BDN Nicholson
#67 Hunter Mountain (see note 13)
59
15 Jeff Wood March 77B [1] - Ford BDN Jennings
#20 R&R Racing
59
16 Bill Brack March 77B - Ford BDN Race Shop
#7 STP [Shierson Racing]
58
17 William Kneeland Chevron B39 [39-77-01?] - Ford BDA Hart
#14 Frame Place (see note 14)
58
18 Hugh Cree Chevron B29 [29-75-28] - Ford BDA Hart
#16 Cree Family (see note 15)
58
19 John Gloviak Brabham BT35 [41] - Ford BDA Hart
#65 Stewart-Warner (see note 16)
58
20 David Oxton Tui BH2 [3] - Ford BDN Nicholson
#70 Germain Freres
48 Accident
21 Gregg Young Chevron B39 [39-77-07] - Ford BDN Titan
#6 Valvoline [Fred Opert Racing]
(see note 17)
48 Accident
22 Brad Abbott March 77B [6?] - Ford BDN Stimola
#98 (see note 18)
39 Not known
23 Cliff Dawson Brabham BT38B [13] - Ford BDA Hart
#88 Kanes (see note 19)
33 Oil leak
24 Mauro Lanaro LM Special [March 71BM-2] - Ford BDD
#35 S.O.S. (see note 20)
17 Accident
25 Marcel Talbot March 77B [23] - Ford BDN Hine
#10 Tamaco [Colin Hine Racing] (see note 21)
14 Clutch
26 Keke Rosberg Chevron B39 [39-77-12] - Ford BDN Titan
#3 Ramada Inn [Fred Opert Racing]
(see note 22)
1 Accident
DNS Don McKnight Lola T460 [HU11] - Ford BDA Hart
#50 Webber Racing Team (see note 23)
Did not start
DNQ John Connolly Ralt RT1/76 [10] - Ford BDN
#11 (see note 24)
Did not qualify
DNA Bobby Rahal March 76B [10 or 15?] - Ford BDN Stimola
#56 Morgan Racing/Red Roof Inns
(see note 25)
Did not arrive
DNA Dave Webber Ralt RT1/76 [34] - Ford BDN
#50 (see note 26)
Did not arrive
DNA Dave McMillan Ralt RT1/76 [36] - Ford BDN
#51 (see note 27)
Did not arrive
DNA Carl Liebich Lola T460 [HU18] - Ford BDA
#54 (see note 28)
Did not arrive
DNA Jon Norman March 76B [3] - Ford BDN Cosworth
#58 (see note 29)
Did not arrive
DNA Dan Marvin March 76B - Ford BDN
#59 (see note 30)
Did not arrive
DNA Richard Spenard March 77B - Ford BDN Morris
#96 Ecurie Canada Direct Film (see note 31)
Did not arrive
  Tom Gloy March 76B - Ford BDN Morris
#11 Shea Racing (see note 32)
On entry list
  Jeff Smith Chevron - Ford BDA
#55 Star Racing
On entry list

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

Qualifying
1 Gilles Villeneuve (F/Atl) 1.6-litre March 77B - Ford BDN Morris 1.04.488
2 Patrick Depailler (F/Atl) 1.6-litre Chevron B39 [39-77-06] - Ford BDN Hart 1.05.478
3 Price Cobb (F/Atl) 1.6-litre March 77B [20?] - Ford BDN Stimola 1.05.563
4 Keke Rosberg (F/Atl) 1.6-litre Chevron B39 [39-77-12] - Ford BDN Titan 1.05.664
5 Jacques Laffite (F/Atl) 1.6-litre Chevron B39 [39-77-09?] - Ford BDN Titan 1.05.793
6 Howdy Holmes (F/Atl) 1.6-litre March 77B [21 or 22] - Ford BDN Race Shop 1.05.917
7 Bill Brack (F/Atl) 1.6-litre March 77B - Ford BDN Race Shop 1.06.177
8 Chip Mead (F/Atl) 1.6-litre Ralt RT1/76 [11] - Ford BDN Willis 1.06.368
9 Kevin Cogan (F/Atl) 1.6-litre Ralt RT1/76 [33] - Ford BDN Willis 1.06.533
10 Bruce Jensen (F/Atl) 1.6-litre Chevron B29 [29-75-14] - Ford BDN Hart 1.06.709
11 Craig Hill (F/Atl) 1.6-litre Ralt RT1/77 [73] - Ford BDN Titan 1.06.792
12 Gregg Young (F/Atl) 1.6-litre Chevron B39 [39-77-07] - Ford BDN Titan 1.06.805
13 Juan Cochésa (F/Atl) 1.6-litre Ralt RT1/77 [78] - Ford BDN Willis 1.07.056
14 Marcel Talbot (F/Atl) 1.6-litre March 77B [23] - Ford BDN Hine 1.07.111
15 David Oxton (F/Atl) 1.6-litre Tui BH2 [3] - Ford BDN Nicholson 1.07.161
16 Brad Abbott (F/Atl) 1.6-litre March 77B [6?] - Ford BDN Stimola 1.07.227
17 Jeff Wood (F/Atl) 1.6-litre March 77B [1] - Ford BDN Jennings 1.07.254
18 Don McKnight * (F/Atl) 1.6-litre Lola T460 [HU11] - Ford BDA Hart 1.07.551
19 Robert J. Nelkin (F/Atl) 1.6-litre March 77B [14?] - Ford BDN Nicholson 1.07.584
20 Rick Bell (F/Atl) 1.6-litre Chevron B34 [34-76-18] - Ford BDA Hart 1.07.696
21 Cliff Hansen (F/Atl) 1.6-litre March 77B [28] - Ford BDN Willis 1.07.722
22 Gilles Léger (F/Atl) 1.6-litre Ralt RT1/77 [79] - Ford BDA Hart 1.07.777
23 John Gloviak (F/Atl) 1.6-litre Brabham BT35 [41] - Ford BDA Hart 1.08.991
24 Hugh Cree (F/Atl) 1.6-litre Chevron B29 [29-75-28] - Ford BDA Hart 1.09.470
25 William Kneeland (F/Atl) 1.6-litre Chevron B39 [39-77-01?] - Ford BDA Hart 1.10.041
26 Mauro Lanaro (F/Atl) 1.6-litre LM Special [March 71BM-2] - Ford BDD 1.10.761
27 Cliff Dawson (F/Atl) 1.6-litre Brabham BT38B [13] - Ford BDA Hart 1.11.156
28 John Connolly * (F/Atl) 1.6-litre Ralt RT1/76 [10] - Ford BDN 1.12.529
 
* Did not start

Notes on the cars:

  1. March 77B [20?] (Price Cobb): New to Doug Shierson for Price Cobb (Dallas, TX) to race North American Formula Atlantic. As well as racing in the Labatts series, where he won at Mosport Park in May and at Trois-Rivières in September, Cobb also scored 18 points in SCCA Nationals, suggesting he won two Nationals, and finished third in Southwest Division. This qualified him for the Runoffs (the Champion Spark Plug Road Racing Classic) where he finished second. The car was advertised from Dallas, TX, in June 1979, presumably by Cobb, with a comment that the car had "5 races on new tub". That supports the theory that Cobb's car was retubbed after the St-Félicien race so the five races would be Trois-Rivières on 4 September, the Bridgehampton National on 18 September which Cobb is is known to have attended, Québec City, the Runoffs at Road Atlanta and one other, presumably a National. Subsequent history unknown.
  2. Chevron B39 [39-77-06] (Patrick Depailler): New to Fred Opert Racing and raced in the Labatts Formula Atlantic Championship. Believed to be the car raced by Francisco Romero at the opening round. Believed to be the car intended for Didier Pironi at St-Félicien in August, but crashed in practice. Repaired and entered for Patrick Depailler at Trois-Rivières and Québec City as the team's #2 car. Retained by Fred Opert Racing for the 1978 New Zealand series, where it was the team's #2 entry raced by Bobby Rahal. Then raced by Jim Crawley in two North American races in early 1978. It is then likely to be one of two B39s retained by the Opert team later in 1978, and as such may be the car raced by Rosberg at the final race of the season. Opert again had two B39s for the 1979 season, one in red bodywork and one in orange. He advertised both these cars in December 1979, one in "original red gelcoat" and one "repainted orange", describing them as ex-Rosberg and ex-Rahal cars. Rahal only drove 77-06, and as that was originally blue, it cannot have been the "original red gelcoat" car in the advert so must have been the orange car. Subsequent history unknown, but in December 2005 "Joe" from Northern New Jersey was seeking information about chassis "39-77-06". He said he had contacted Fred Opert who had told him that it had been used by Rosberg in New Zealand, and by Jacques Lafitte, Patrick Depailler and James Crawley in the Canadian series. It had orange bodywork, again indicating that it had been Tolama's orange car. "Joe" advertised it for sale on the Autosport Forum in January 2006. A restoration then began that included a new monocoque by Prince Race Cars and the car was advertised on race-cars.com in dark blue bodywork. It was next seen when restored by The Progress Group (Placentia, CA) in 2011/12 with pale blue B39 bodywork and white Excita signwriting, and raced by Chris Cord at the Monterey Historics in 2013.
  3. March 77B (Gilles Villeneuve): To Ecurie Canada for Gilles Villeneuve to drive in the Labatts Formula Atlantic series in 1977, supported by Direct Film. The car was white, and ran as #69. The two Ecurie Canada cars, both now described as "ex-Villeneuve", went to Bertil Roos and Chris Gleason for 1978. Roos and Gleason are understood to have run together, and it is believed that Roos had Villeneuve's usual car. After four races, Roos moved to AME Racing to drive a Ralt, and the March was only used once more. Advertised by Joe Solvino Racing in December 1978, then sold to Paul Tavilla (Miami, FL), who crashed it Sebring in early 1979. Then to R.J. Capone (Riviera Beach, FL) and raced by him later in 1979. This car was later sold to Hubert Phipps and "destroyed" at Roebling Road in April 1980 in a collision with Sandy Brandt.
  4. Ralt RT1/77 [73] (Craig Hill): New to Brian Robertson's Ralt America for Craig Hill to drive in the CASC Formula Atlantic series, backed by Quick-Trans and Castrol. To Hugh Owen in New Zealand for 1978, and raced in the New Zealand Formula Pacific series starting in January 1978. Retained by Owen for the 1978/79 and 1979/80 seasons. Then sold to Dave McMillan and used as a spare car to his Ralt RT4/81 in the 1980/81 season, McMillan's earlier RT1 having been converted to FSV specification by this time. Fitted with a Nissan LZ14 engine for the 1981/82 and 1982/83 seasons when it was raced by McMillan at some races and also by Ray Lipper. Reappeared at Baypark Raceway in January 1985 when owned by John Crawford. CT
  5. Chevron B39 [39-77-09?] (Jacques Laffite): New to Fred Opert Racing and raced in the Labatts Formula Atlantic Championship. One of two cars run by the team for Keke Rosberg, this one having wider track. Believed to have been new for Rosberg at Halifax in August. Then used by Didier Pironi at St-Félicien a week later after damaging his intended car in practice. Then raced by Jacques Laffite as the team's #1 entry at Trois-Rivières and Québec City. This may be the car raced by Page Roos in 1978. This may also be the car acquired by Dick Leppla and advertised by him in On Track magazine September 1982 as "ex Opert" and "chassis number B39-D9". It was retained by Leppla until 1987 at least. Subsequent history unknown, but a chassis "09" was advertised by Vintage Racing Services in Hemmings magazine in June 2009.
  6. Ralt RT1/76 [33] (Kevin Cogan): New to Brian Robertson's Quick-Trans/Gabriel International Warranty team in the middle of the 1976 season, replacing the team's Lola T460s, and run for Craig Hill at Mosport Park in August 1976, a round of the 1976 Players Canadian Formula Atlantic series. Then used by Kevin Cogan in the IMSA race at Laguna Seca in late 1976 and retained as his main car in 1977 when he also had RT1/75-10 as a spare car. Then retained by Cogan as an unused spare car in 1978, and advertised by him in October 1978. Retained again as a spare car in 1979, and still owned by Cogan in early 1980. CT
  7. Ralt RT1/76 [11] (Chip Mead): New to Chip Mead (Dayton, OH) and raced by him in the 1976 Players Canadian Formula Atlantic series, run for him by Cavanaugh Racing in dark blue livery. Retained by Mead for 1977, when it was run for him by Pierre's Motors. It was then sold to Rick Shea Racing but unused as Shea ran a newer Chevron B45 for hire drivers. Retained by Rick Shea Racing for 1979 when it was used by Mark McCaig at Long Beach, although his regular car that season was Shea's Chevron B45. To Carlos Bobeda (Northridge, CA) late 1979 and raced by him in 1980 and 1981. It was rebuilt on Marc Bahner tub during this time. Sold to Stu Hayner (Yorba Linda, CA) for 1982. CT
  8. Chevron B29 [29-75-14] (Bruce Jensen): New to Bruce Jensen (Kitchener, Ontario) and used in the Canadian Players Formula Atlantic series in 1975, sponsored by Jensen Exotic Plants. Retained by Jensen for 1976, and retained again for 1977. Leighton Irwin, who crewed for Jensen at this time, recalls that it was sold in early 1978, he thinks to Michigan. Subsequent history unknown, but believed to be the car later converted to A Sports Racing by Lou Infante Motoracing and raced by Jerry Molnar (Lathrup Village, MI) in Can-Am in 1982. To Frank Jellinek (N. Hampton, NH), and used by him at two Can-Am races in 1983. Later sold to a "Dave", and Roger Sieling reports that it was stolen from him some time in the mid-1980s near Cleveland Ohio along with his tow truck, trailer, and an Austin-Healey Sprite. The car was never recovered.
  9. March 77B [28] (Cliff Hansen): New to Cliff Hansen (Laguna Beach, CA) in time for the race at Edmonton at the beginning of July. Hansen wrecked it in practice at St-Félicien and it was rebuilt on a new monocoque. Crashed again at Trois-Rivières. Sold to John Bauer (San Luis Obispo, CA) and raced in 1978 and at the Long Beach race in 1979. Advertised by Bauer in February 1980.
  10. Ralt RT1/77 [78] (Juan Cochésa): New to Pierre Phillips Racing for Juan Cochésa to drive in the CASC Formula Atlantic series in 1977, but only arrived in time for the second race, at Gimli in June. Later used by Bobby Rahal in the final round of the season, at Québec City. Sold to Richard Lingren (Oswego, OR), then to Jerry Lieberg (Milford, CT/Fairfield, CT) who raced in in NEDiv in 1978 and 1979. Then to Peter Greenfield (Freeport, NY/Manhassat, NY) and raced in NEDiv in 1981 and 1982, before being converted to sports car bodywork and used in the 2-litre Can-Am category in 1984. CT
  11. Chevron B34 [34-76-18] (Rick Bell): To Rick Bell (Lakeville, CT) and used in Northeast Division Formula B, entered by Bell Racing. Also raced in two Pro races in Canada in July and August. Retained for 1977 again for NEDiv FB, but also taking in two Pro races at Trois-Rivières and Québec City. Subsequent history unknown.
  12. Ralt RT1/77 [79] (Gilles Léger): New to Gilles Léger (Lachute, Quebec), first appearing at Trois-Rivières in September 1977. Raced by Léger mainly in the Canadian rounds of the Labatts Formula Atlantic Championship in 1978. Then used as a rental car by Léger for Marc Dancose to race at Quebec in June 1979 and Monique Proulx at Montréal in September. Sold to Bob Hoff (Long Beach, CA) for 1980, when it was run for him in the North American Formula Atlantic series by Gas Saleen Racing. CT
  13. March 77B [14?] (Robert J. Nelkin): Robert J. Nelkin (Roslyn, NY/Woodbury, NY) raced a March 77B in SCCA Nationals, run by Stimola Racing, and then the Pro series in 1977. He was sponsored by the Hunter Mountain ski resort. Nelkin retained for start of the 1978 season and raced it at Long Beach after he had engine trouble in his new 78B. He then sold the car to Tony Altomare in New York, who used it in SCCA Formula B in 1978. Subsequent history unknown.
  14. Chevron B39 [39-77-01?] (William Kneeland): William A Kneeland (Springfield, VA) raced a new Chevron B39 in SCCA Formula B in 1977, but exactly when in the season the B39 replaced his previous second-hand B29 remains unresolved. As the first owners of all the other B39s has been established, it seems likely that this car was 39-77-01, the car raced by Gilles Villeneuve in South Africa in January and February and then rebuilt at the factory and sold to the US. If so, this ex-Villeneuve car then went from the US to New Zealand, but the link between Kneeland's car and the car in New Zealand has not yet been determined.
  15. Chevron B29 [29-75-28] (Hugh Cree): New to Hugh Cree (Georgetown, Ontario) and used in the Canadian Players Formula Atlantic series in 1975. Retained for 1976 and 1977, but seen only rarely. Then unknown until bought from Peter Gates by Robert Clarke in April 1991, at which time the car had been sitting unused for some time. Clarke restored the car and used it in historic events in 1992 and 1993, mostly at VARA events including Firebird, Phoenix, Willow Springs, Las Vegas and Sears Point, then less regularly from 1994 to 1998, after which it sat unused until it was advertised by him in 2011. The car was later driven by John Hill (Seattle, WA) at the 2014 Monterey Motorsports Reunion.
  16. Brabham BT35 [41] (John Gloviak): Unknown in 1971 and 1972. This car was logbooked by Chicago Region in March 1973, but the logbook number shows that this was not the car's first logbook, and it was originally logbooked before August 1972. Its first known race was at the St Louis Regional at Mid-America Raceway later in March 1973, but its first known results were when it was raced by David Ralston (Elmhurst, IL) in the latter part of 1973. To John Gloviak (Chicago, IL) for 1974 (raced at least three times by his brother Thomas Gloviak), and used in SCCA Nationals and some Pro events from 1974 to 1978. The Gloviaks continued to race the car up to 1982. They planned some suspension changes, but these were never made, and the car was sold to Gene Frings (Mayville, WI) who stored it for some years. Sold in 2002 to restorer David Irwin Evergreen, CO), at which time it had a BDD and FT200 gearbox. Sold to Lee Brahin (Philadelphia, PA) in 2004 or 2005, and raced in SVRA events.
  17. Chevron B39 [39-77-07] (Gregg Young): New to Fred Opert Racing and raced in the Labatts Formula Atlantic Championship by Gregg Young as the team's #6 Valvoline entry using Opert's usual pale blue bodywork. Young damaged the car at Trois-Rivières and raced one of the team's Ramada-liveried B39s at the final race at Québec City. Retained by Fred Opert Racing for the 1978 New Zealand series, where Jacques Laffite had been its intended driver but it ended up being used as a spare car for Keke Rosberg, still in pale blue bodywork. Sold to Peter Robinson (Madison, Wisconsin) and raced in SCCA Nationals and in a couple of Labatts Championship Pro races in 1978. He scored 19 points in Central Division in 1978. He was not seen in 1979, but reappeared with the car in Southwest Division in 1980, now as a member of Lone Star Region, and qualified for the Runoffs. He converted the car to Formula C for 1981, and retained it until 1984 at least, when it was advertised from Austin, TX. Subsequent history unknown, but some time around 2003, the car was acquired by Jeff Mckay (Tacoma, WA) from the estate of a collector in Texas. Mckay sold the car in 2004 to John Bradshaw (Manchester). Bradshaw found the tub was creased so had a new tub made by ex-Chevron fabricator Dennis Aldred at Motorsport Components in Bolton. After running the car in the Chevron 40th anniversary event at Oulton Park in August 2005, Bradshaw sold it to Sandy Watson, who raced it in European Historic F2 and HSCC Derek Bell Trophy from 2006 to 2009. Then sold to Roland Wiltschegg (Austria) who raced it from 2010 to 2013.
  18. March 77B [6?] (Brad Abbott): Brad Abbott (Messapequa, NY) raced a March 77B in SCCA Nationals and then the Pro series in 1977, run by Stimola Racing. He retained the car for 1978, but was seen less often that season. Subsequent history unknown.
  19. Brabham BT38B [13] (Cliff Dawson): New to Eligio Siconolfi (Montréal, Quebec, Canada), who raced in the Canadian FB series in 1972, sponsored by Downtown Datsun Ltd. To Peter Overing (Montreal, Quebec) for 1973, but only seen at Sanair in June. Entered by Overing for Reg Scullion (Dollard-des-Ormeaux, Montréal, Quebec) in the Players Canadian Formula Atlantic series in 1974, but still with a Ford twin cam engine. Overing then acquired a March 74B for Scullion, and the Brabham was sold to Cliff Dawson (Mount Royal, Quebec), who fitted a BDA engine and raced it in Formula Atlantic in 1975, 1976 and 1977. After racing it in Regionals in the late 1970, Dawson converted the car to Can-Am specification with a body built in Montreal by Francis Cordolle and ran it in this form in Can-Am from 1980 to 1983, still with the 1600cc Cosworth BDA engine. According to Doug Waters, it was "sold in July 1984 to Martin Handforth in Ottawa, who soon sold it to Pennsylvania". (Note that Handforth had owned and raced a different BT38 in Quebec events in 1981.) Subsequent history unknown.
  20. LM Special [March 71BM-2] (Mauro Lanaro): New for Bill Gubelmann (Oyster Bay, NY) and used in British Formula Atlantic at the start of the season, winning at Oulton Park 21 March, and then in the SCCA Pro Formula B series. The car was often described as a 712M but it seems more likely that he used the same 712BM all season. Also raced with a BDA in the Formula A race at Lime Rock in Sep and in one round of the Canadian series. Sold via Joe Grimaldi's The Race Shop to Frank Del Vecchio (Trumbull, CT) and used in NEDiv FB and in a couple of rounds of the Pro series. Sold back via Joe Grimaldi at the end of 1972; Frank thinks it went to a Canadian, and it is very likely to have been the car driven by Ken Huband, Norm Joy and David Westgate in 1973 and 1974. Sold to Mauro Lanaro (Montréal, Quebec) to replace the 71BM he lost in a transporter fire in 1974. Significantly modified in 1976 as the Lanaro Special with triangular sidepods, a different nose, and with its Cosworth BDA engine laid on its side. This car went through many evolutions, and was still being raced by Lanaro right up to 1995 when it was used in a vintage event. Lanaro eventually rebuilt to original 71BM specification about 1999. In late 2018, it was part of a package of cars bought from Lanaro by David Clubine (Brantford, ON), and was sold to a collector in Ontario.
  21. March 77B [23] (Marcel Talbot): New to Marcel Talbot (Granby, Quebec) and run for him by Colin Hine Racing Team in Formula Atlantic in 1977, sponsored by Tamaco. Retained by Colin Hine Racing for 1978, and entered for Willy T. Ribbs at Long Beach, then for Jean-Pierre Alamy at two further races. Subsequent history unknown. 28 years later, a car with the chassis plate was advertised on race-cars.com from Indianapolis, IN, in 2006, when it was blue and had just been restored by restoration by McNamara Motorsports/Adkins Racing. It was next seen in Historic F2, where it was fitted with a BDG engine, and driven by Bo Warmenius from 2007 to 2014. Photographs indicate this is then the car used by Alain Girardet and Gislain Genecand between 2017 and 2019.
  22. Chevron B39 [39-77-12] (Keke Rosberg): New to Fred Opert Racing and raced in the Labatts Formula Atlantic Championship. This car was new for Keke Rosberg to race at Trois-Rivières in September 1977. It was retained by Opert for 1978, and raced by Eje Elgh at the opening two rounds as his #5 Sheik Condoms entry before his new Chevron B45 was available. The B39 is then thought to be the #5 car raced by Divina Galica at Hamilton in August 1978. As Opert's other B39s all seem to have been sold off, this is probably the #6 Opert entry for Riccardo Patrese at Trois-Rivières, the #4 Excita B39 driven by Keke Rosberg at Montréal on 24 September, and then later the pink #5 Chevron raced by Marco Tolama for Opert at Road America in July 1979 after preferring it to his regular B45 and Opert's new March 79B. Then probably the #4 entry for Doug Titus at Montréal later that season, where he did not start. Subsequent history unknown, but this is likely to be the red "ex-Rosberg" B39 advertised by Opert in December 1979 and in February 1982.
  23. Lola T460 [HU11] (Don McKnight): New to Dave Webber (Mississauga, Ontario) for Canadian Formula Atlantic in 1976, but only seen at a couple of races that season. Entered by Webber Racing for Don McKnight in 1977. Webber then retained the car for many years, selling it to Derek Harling (Windsor, Ontario) in 1994. Harling restored the car for historic racing and retained it until about 2017 when he sold both his T460s to Joe Bunton (Fort Collins, CO).
  24. Ralt RT1/76 [10] (John Connolly): New to Team Gunston for Roy Klomfass at the end of 1975 and used through the 1976 South African Formula Atlantic season in South Africa, during which time it was extensively modified. In early 1977 it was sold "to a guy in Los Angeles". This must have been Kevin Cogan (Torrance, CA, in southwestern Los Angeles County), who raced his newer RT1/76-33 in 1977 but kept chassis 10 as a spare car for the first part of 1977. It was borrowed by Pierre Phillips at Mosport Park in May for Juan Cochésa to race after the Venezuelan crashed his intended car in practice. Then very probably the car acquired from Brian Robertson by John Connolly (Brooklyn, NY) and raced by him at Trois-Rivières in September. The car is thought to have remained with Connolly until advertised by him in early 1982, but he also had a newer RT1/78 and a Ralt RT4. CT
  25. March 76B [10 or 15?] (Bobby Rahal): Ecurie Canada ran a pair of green #69 March 76Bs in 1976 for Gilles Villeneuve (Lasalle, Quebec) with support from Skiroulle. Skiroule's signature green colour suggests they were the two cars listed in March records as being "leaf green", 76B-10 and 76B-15. Villeneuve had several crashes during 1976 and probably raced both cars, but exactly how they were used is not known. Two 76Bs were sold to Jim Morgan who raced them in early 1977 SCCA races alongside Bobby Rahal (Glen Ellyn, IL) and then entered them for Rahal in the 1977 Pro series with sponsorship from Red Roof Inns. Rahal also had a 77B but this was crashed at the opening race. One 76B then went to Ron Levanduski (Elmira, NY) and the other to Bob Earl.
  26. Ralt RT1/76 [34] (Dave Webber): New to Brian Robertson's Quick-Trans/Gabriel International Warranty team in the middle of the 1976 season, replacing the team's Lola T460s, and run for Richard Spenard in the 1976 Players Canadian Formula Atlantic series in yellow Planter's Peanuts livery. Both the Robertson team cars were offered for sale by Fred Opert in early 1977. Bought from Opert by Dave Webber (Mississauga, Ontario) who raced his "ex-Spenard Ralt" in the Labatts Formula Atlantic Championship in 1977. Weber badly damaged the car in a practice accident at St-Félicien in August. It was then rebuilt by Roy Hayman of Hayman Engineering in Ontario as a sports car, and Hayman raced it in Ontario regional events in 1979. Hayman retained the car for many years, before selling it to Chuck Haines' Can-Am Cars Ltd in October 2008. Haines sold it to Bruce Domeck (Louisville, KY) in 2010.
  27. Ralt RT1/76 [36] (Dave McMillan): To Cavanaugh Racing and run for Kevin Cogan in two late-season 1976 Canadian Formula Atlantic races. Sold to David McMillan and raced in the 1976/77 New Zealand Gold Star season, and in the January 1977 New Zealand International Formula Pacific series. Taken back to Canada for McMillan to race in two Canadian series races in 1977, then back to New Zealand for the 1977/78 Gold Star series and the January 1978 International series. Retained by McMillan for the 1978/79 and 1979/80 seasons, while also used in a handful of North American races in 1979 and 1980. Rebuilt as a Formula Super Vee for McMillan in 1980. McMillan moved to Ray Lipper’s Centreline Wheels team in 1981 and the old RT1 was raced by Lipper that season. CT
  28. Lola T460 [HU18] (Carl Liebich): New to Carl Liebich (Plymouth, WI/Two Rivers, WI) for Canadian and IMSA Formula Atlantic races late in the 1976 season. Liebich was said to have a new T560 for 1977, but it appears it was his nearly-new T460 updated. Retained for 1978, 1979, and the start of 1980. Chris Townsend's research shows this car was sold to Chuck Dietrich in 1980 and used by him in SCCA Central Division Formula Atlantic until 1982. It was then retained unraced by Dietrich until sold to Lowell Blossom (Zionsville, IN) in 1995. Raced by Blossom at Lime Rock in May 1996 and at Grattan Raceway in August 1997. It was sold by Blossom to Dave Jordano (Indianapolis, IN) in 2005. Subsequent history unknown, but believed to be the T460/T560 raced by Tom Thornton in HSCC Derek Bell Trophy races in 2010 and 2011.
  29. March 76B [3] (Jon Norman): Tom Pumpelly (McLean, VA) raced a yellow #34 March 76B, entered by National Tire Wholesale. The only yellow 76B shown in March records was chassis 76B-3. Pumpelly raced the car until it was damaged in a collision with Bancroft at Mosport Park in August, after which it was acquired by Ecurie Canada whose regular driver Gilles Villeneuve had damaged both his cars. It is therefore believed to be the car driven by Villeneuve to win at Trois-Rivières and Road Atlanta in September but this is by no means certain. Then bought by John Lane who rented it back to Pumpelly for the SCCA Run-Offs at Road Atlanta, where Pumpelly crashed it again. Sold to John Norman (Oakland, CA) who raced it as part of a two-car team with Dan Marvin in 1977 and 1978. Norman then sold the car but later bought it back and restored it to Villeneuve's livery.
  30. March 76B (Dan Marvin): Dan Marvin (El Sobrante, CA) drove a #59 March 76B in 1977 as part of Jon Norman's Boxtrom-Berglen Norman Racing team. The car was built up using a tub that Norman had fabricated himself, using an unknown number of parts of unknown origin. It was, in effect, a new car. Marvin raced the car in both Pro Formula Atlantic and in SCCA Nationals in 1977 and 1978.
  31. March 77B (Richard Spenard): To Ecurie Canada for Richard Spenard to drive in the Labatts Formula Atlantic series in 1977, supported by Direct Film. The car was white, and ran as #96. The two Ecurie Canada cars, both now described as "ex-Villeneuve", went to Bertil Roos and Chris Gleason for 1978. Roos and Gleason are understood to have run together, and it is believed that Gleason had Spenard's usual car. After three races, Gleason acquired a new 1978 Ralt RT1, and the only other time the 77B was used was at Hamilton in August. Then sold to Giovanni Distasio (Edgewater, NJ) to replace his March 75B, and raced by him at Trois-Rivières and Montréal in September. Retained for 1979. Advertised by DiStasio in January 1980. Subsequent history unknown.
  32. March 76B (Tom Gloy): Rick Shea Racing Team ran a #11 March 76B in 1977 for Tom Gloy (Lafayette, CA) but the origins of the car are unclear. The current owner of the ex-Gloy car has history indicating it is the ex-Gloy car but Shea's recollection is that this car was Mortensen's which can be identified with confidence as 76B-7. Shea and Gloy retained the car for 1978, when it was run as #38 and had a front-mounted radiator. Gloy last raced it at Hamilton in August, after which it was advertised by Bud Rude in September, noting that it had a new monocoque. It was then sold, still yellow and with its front radiator, to Gary Fernandez for 1979, who painted it red. Fernandez crashed the car in April 1979, and it was repaired by Arnie Loyning, who ended up owning it, and raced it a couple of times. It was subsequently traded (for a Sports 2000) to Bob Lesnett (Berkeley, CA), owner of Pfieffer Ridge Racing, so would be the "77B" he raced in SCCA Nationals in 1982, and during his ownership the tub was rebuilt by Marc Bahner. An "ex-Gloy" March was later advertised by Pfeiffer Ridge Racing in Richmond, CA, in January 1984. Larry Savage has a car in 2019 that is said to be ex-Gloy and has the SCCA Log Book from when Gary Fernandez owned it in 1979. The car is now on a 77B tub, but a different 77B tub to the one recorded by the SCCA in 1979, and wears a replica "76B-9" chassis plate.

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.

North American Formula Atlantic race results have been compiled by Chris Townsend based on material in Formula and On Track, information drawn from Canadian newspapers and results sheets where available.

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

Chris Townsend's sources include Formula magazine, NZMA 23 Sep 1977, Motoring News 8 Sep 1977 pp15-17 and the entry list.